Bonnie Patel. Dance instructor, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
"For me, Jiiu Jitsu is like dance: Self expression through movement. It is an endless art that never stops teaching you. I started dancing at the age of two and started competing at age four. I continued competing and began teaching at 18 and started competing professionally in ballroom. I loved competition because it always drove me to continue to improve myself. When I tried BJJ for the first time I was surprised that I found another love. Again the drive to compete and improve was automatically there. Jiu Jitsu made me push myself. It makes you honest and humble. But also allows you to be strong and fierce. Gracie Barra has been a wonderful home for this ongoing journey. And another love I found on the mats is my wonderful husband who is now a professional Muay Thai Fighter. Jiu Jitsu changed my life."
All photography in the People Who Train series is by photographer Mik Milman. See more of his work here.
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