Valerie “Valhalla” Worthington is champion grappler based in Santa Fe Springs, CA who currently teaches and competes out of the New Breed Academy run be Johnny Ramirez and John Ouano. Originally a marathon runner Val has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1998 where she gained her Blue and Purple belts under Carlson Gracie, Jr. and his legendary father Carlson Gracie. Heavily into CrossFit and now a Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Val was placed second at this year’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mundials that were held in Long Beach, CA.

Alongside her competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and together with other world-class female grapplers, Emily Kwok and Felicia Oh, Val is also a main instructor responsible for delivering various “Women’s grappling camps” across the US and Canada that are receiving rave reviews and are becoming hugely popular.

Read on for a great interview with Valerie Worthington where she talks of her experiences gained from BJJ, her involvement in CrossFit and the “Women’s grappling camps” and discusses how far BJJ has moved forward in terms of female participation since she started back in 1998.

Enjoy!

By David Webb, 11th December 2009,  all images kind permission of Valerie Worthington.

Interview:

KombatClinic.com: Hi Val, thanks for doing this interview for KombatClinic.com. Can we start, as always, by getting to grips with how you got involved with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the very beginning? And who awarded you each grade on the path to get you where you are today?

Valerie Worthington: I started BJJ in 1998. I had done a couple of marathons and got bored with them, though I became hooked on the endorphin rush. I figured a martial art would keep me occupied for years, so I arrived at BJJ through Muay Thai. Once after a MT class I saw the BJJ class warming up with crazy, fun-looking drills like judo rolls, hip escapes, and sit-ups from the guard. And after that it was bye-bye Muay Thai. My MT instructor was also a BJJ blue belt named Julian Laredo (can’t remember who he was under), who had an academy in E. Lansing, MI. Then I moved to Ann Arbor and trained with Ryan Fiorenzi, now a black belt, then a purple belt under Rigan Machado. In 2000 I moved to Chicago and trained with Carlson Gracie, Jr. for 6 years, and Carlson, Sr. for 4 of those years, until he passed (RIP). I earned my blue belt under Jr. and my purple under both of them. 

Then I did a walkabout where I travelled around the country training in various places, and eventually landed at New Breed Academy in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Johnny Ramirez and John Ouano, who run New Breed, awarded me my brown belt in 2008.

KC: Where you are based at present and for which team do compete?

VW: I’m still at New Breed. I teach and compete for them.

KC: I always ask this next set of questions to our interviewees. Who were your inspirations when you first started training was it you instructor and peers or did you look at other figures within the BJJ community? Have these inspirational figures changed much over the years you have been training and competing?

VW: I spent so much of my early training years not knowing a lot about the bigger BJJ world; I didn’t compete much, and when I did it was only locally. So the people I looked up to were the students and instructors around me, who were there every day, training consistently and generously giving of their time to help the newbie. Those people not only taught me how to do jiu jitsu; they also taught me how to be a gracious training partner and a better person. 

KC: From another interview to be released soon on KombatClinic.com we have discussed your role in teaching other women on various grapping camps alongside fellow champions Emily Kwok and Felicia Oh, could you explain how you all got together, who came up with the original plan for the camps and was the decision to work together easy based on the fact that you have all competed against one another and I would imagine understand how each other trains and operates?

VW: The original idea for the camp was Alaina Hardie’s; she is one of Felicia’s students. She had this idea and floated it by Felicia, who contacted me. Felicia and I have been friends for some years now. We gravitated toward each other because we have both been in this world for a long time; we’ve talked a lot about what it takes to survive and thrive as a grapple chick and have a lot of the same beliefs about it. Felicia also reached out to Emily because she had heard good things about Emily’s record, both as a competitor and as a leader in her corner of the grappling world. Emily and I have competed against each other, and there’s definitely respect on my side for her, and I hope the same goes in reverse!

We have all been pleasantly surprised at the way the camps have been received. The first time we thought we might get 10 people, but we had to cap it at 30. So we thought that was a fluke. But then it happened again with the second camp in August. And as soon as that camp was over, people were already clamouring to find out the dates of the next camp so they could get off work. The camp has apparently really struck a chord with lots of women who train. And as a woman who’s been around for a while, and for whom something like this would not have been possible back when I was a white/blue belt (God, I sound like a dinosaur), it’s incredibly gratifying to be a part of something so meaningful. I think I speak for Felicia and Emily when I say that we have been so supported by our teachers and training partners–male and female–and it’s wonderful to be able to pay it forward.

KC: Reading between the lines in magazines and on online forums conditioning for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and grappling as a whole, seems to be more popular than ever. Whether it is the lifestyle that both encompass or it is the general requirement to be ‘conditioned’ for the sport, individuals tend [in the main] to gravitate towards two very different camps. ‘CrossFit’ or ‘Ginastica Natural’. Could you explain to our readers what CrossFit entails, how you became involved (I understand you are certified to teach CrossFit) and why you chose this type of conditioning over any other? 

VW: CrossFit is a conditioning regimen, the purpose of which is to make people, from elite athletes to sedentary grandmothers, fitter, according to ten different fitness standards, including strength, agility, coordination, and metabolic conditioning. Workouts are frequently characterized by heavy lifting (literally, in the form of Olympic and other weightlifting skills) and/or relatively short, intense workouts involving body weight skills (pull-ups, push-ups, burpees), running or rowing, and the use of equipment like kettle bells, medicine balls, plyometrics boxes, and dumbbells.

I became involved in CrossFit through a grappling friend. I had started to compete more and didn’t have as much energy or strength as I wanted or needed. My friend introduced me to CrossFit and I became hooked after my first workout. It was horrible and fantastic all at once, so now I’m as hooked on CrossFit as I am on grappling. I have found that CrossFit has improved my grappling and competition performance by leaps and bounds; I am stronger and can roll more intensely for longer, and it has helped with my mental fortitude as well.  I have a level one CrossFit certification and CrossFit’s basic barbell certification.

There are some very experienced and respected champions from BJJ using Ginastica Natural (Fabio Gurgel, Saulo and Alexandre Ribeiro) or CrossFit (yourself and Rubens ‘Cobrinha’ Charles). Where does CrossFit work/training fit into Valerie Worthington’s schedule?

I train about 4-6 days per week, and I CrossFit about 3-5, depending on whether I am preparing for a tournament. It has been a challenge to find a way to incorporate CrossFit and grappling while still getting enough rest–and my body has let me know in various ways when I don’t. So I have learned to listen closely and get at least one rest day per week if not two, and at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

KC: Obviously the exercises found within the CrossFit ‘syllabus’ are great for developing sound overall strength and aerobic conditioning perfect for grappling as it consists of mainly compound movements aimed at the prime movers whilst recruiting the fixator and stabiliser muscle groups but do you do any other forms of exercise to benefit your game? How about specific stretching routines or anaerobic training?

VW: I don’t really do much other than grappling and CrossFit. I probably don’t have the energy. I’m that person who, after a day of multiple training sessions, will drive one block or take the elevator one floor.

KC: How do you vary your workload and taper leading to a championship such as the Mundials or ADCC trials for example?

VW: I stop CrossFitting between 5 days and a week before I compete. Psychologically, this used to be a very difficult thing to do, because I would worry that I’d lose all the benefit of the CrossFitting if I stopped so early, but my body really needs the rest, and it works out well. I try to stop training about 2 or 3 days before, but then for the multiple day tourneys, I sit through at least a day or two of tournament before I compete, so watching all those matches prompts me to roll around a little the day before so I feel reassured that I actually know something about grappling. But that kind of rolling is very light and “flowy”, so I don’t tire myself out too much.

KC: We had the No-Gi worlds on November 8^th how was this event for you?

VW: The No-Gi Worlds was not my best tournament. There was no one in my weight class, and I lost my first and only match in the open.

KC: Have you got a decent camp of females training with you constantly in the build up to a championship? Or do you have to travel to find others that are on the same page in terms of ability and aspirations for competitions?

VW: I have never had many women to train with on a regular basis in my entire grappling career. Since I am more of a traveller these days, I get to train with lots of women now, but sporadically. Regardless, I have always been blessed with amazing training partners, mostly male. So many of the guys I train with view me as a team-mate, not “the chick team-mate.” They help me prepare for tournaments, troubleshoot, and teach. I’m incredibly fortunate to have the training partners I have. And the women’s camps have certainly helped me gain more access to more grapple chicks, and that’s pretty great!

KC: Another huge event just around the corner is the Abu Dhabi world Pro in 2010. This year the event is to host its inaugural women’s division. Will you be travelling to compete? This is a huge step in the right direction for women’s grappling right?

VW: If I have the money and qualify for that tournament, why not? I tend to fly by the seat of my pants with everything I do, so I’m sure I’ll think more about it as the time draws nearer. When is it, exactly? And of course, it’s a great step in the right direction. When I go to world tournaments, the brown/black women’s matches that I have seen are consistently among the most exciting and technical. If you’re looking for an entertaining match, watch the women’s matches. They BRING it; they go for broke.

Valerie Worthington (right) x Penny Thomas (left) 2009 BJJ Mundials

KC: On the theme of women’s Jiu Jitsu events, the Mundials still combines Brown and Black belt competitors for the women’s category. How far do you think we are from seeing the two groups split and having a sole Black belt Mundials for women?

VW: It’s hard to say. Sometimes I think we’re pretty close; at the Mundial in June, there were something like 18 women in the open division. But then I think we might have some work yet to do; sometimes at some tournaments there are one or two-women’s brackets even with browns and blacks combined. So I guess the best thing to do is continue to support those women who want to compete.

KC: This years Mundials were very good for you, maybe your best yet? As you came away with silver, were you happy with your performance? And who do you believe is your biggest threat or challenge in stopping you winning the event in the future?

VW: I had a GREAT time at the Mundial this year. That was my main goal, actually, both because my parents came to watch me compete (and I wanted them to enjoy themselves), and also because competition had started to become a chore, something I dreaded, and I figured I’d better start to like it more or just throw in the towel. So, as weird as this sounds, I literally forced myself to smile the entire time. When I was feeling nervous, I just smiled, and sooner rather than later, I felt happier.

I was happy with my performance for the most part, though of course I would have liked to win the gold. There are always things to work on, I guess. But on the other hand, I felt in some ways like I was a kid playing dress-up, like I was getting away with something; while I was warming up for my finals match, I looked around and saw the likes of Roger Gracie and Kyra Gracie preparing for their finals matches, and I thought, “One of these things is not like the other.” So that’s when I just relaxed and smiled and laughed that I was in this position. And I enjoyed the hell out of it.

And in answer to the question of who’s bound to challenge me in the future, this may be a cop-out answer, but I really do try to focus on who’s in front of me. There are a handful of really great people I’ve never met in competition, and another handful I have met. It could be anybody’s year next year. I hope it’s mine, but I guess we’ll see, right?

KC: Were there any women competing over the weekend that you were particularly impressed with and do you consciously keep an eye on those competitors coming through ahead of subsequent Mundials or events throughout the year?

VW: I really keep my head down when I’m competing. It’s only been recently that I’ve even watched the other women in my division compete against each other. So I don’t keep an eye on anybody, though I have a sense of who’s coming up and who’s doing well, and I have my heroes and heroines. But they know who they are. Despite the fact that there are still not nearly as many women training as there are men, there are women who are veteran competitors and up-and-comers, so there are always fun match-ups to watch.

KC: Whilst thinking of questions for this interview I have been reading some of your posts on your blog you seem to be quite an avid blogger. How much do you attribute the popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to blogs and forums across the Internet? I heard the other day that BJJ is the fastest growing sport on the planet.

VW: I know that the Internet has played a huge role in my BJJ development. Forums like nhbgear.com helped me find people to train with when I travelled around the country. And my blog kept me sane (well, as sane as I was when I started out) while I was travelling, and it helped me connect with still other people. But I don’t know how much that translates for other people. Lots of people maintain grappling blogs these days, and there is hours of footage on youtube and the like, so I’m sure it makes communication and the sharing of ideas easier, at the very least.

KC: We have established that conditioning is an important aspect of your regime I also understand that nutrition is up there too. Are you still following the Paleo diet? And could you explain for those that do not know what the Paleo diet is?

VW: I’m writing this on Thanksgiving Day, so I am definitely NOT on the Paleo diet right now. The premise of the Paleo diet is that you only eat what our caveman ancestors had access to, which is to say meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. So, no dairy, grains, or processed sugars. I was on the diet for about a month, and while I didn’t notice lots of big changes in my health or my performance, I got off the sauce (diet Coke) and other artificial sweeteners, and that was a big deal for me. I just try to follow the rule of thumb that you should shop at the perimeter of the grocery store, where all the fresh foods are. So, by doing that, you cut out all processed foods and refined sugars. I am not over the top about my diet; I like sweets and don’t want to beat myself up for not being strict Paleo or strict anything. But I do try to eat well, and as hokey as it sounds, I try to let my body know that I appreciate it for all it allows me to do. It’s my partner in crime rather than my nemesis.

KC: I believe one of your rivals in competition, Penny Thomas, was travelling around Europe right after this years ADCC event and as a result took a seminar here in London that went down really well, is that something you would be interested in doing? Maybe bring a leg of the women’s camp over as Europe has some great female grapplers that would love the chance to roll with some of you guys.

VW: I’m sure we’d love to do that. I’m having a conversation with an old grappling pal of mine who lives in South Africa. He wants me to come some time next year to train with him and we’ve talked about the possibility of doing the grappling camp there. It’s all in the discussion stages now, but it’s fun to talk and think about!

KC: Val I have really enjoyed talking to you, listening to your experiences and getting your views on issues within grappling. Have you any messages for aspiring females grapplers coming through right now and is there anyone you would like to thank, maybe sponsors before we close?

VW: My message for women, and indeed any people who have cast their lot with this crazy sport, is to ENJOY THE RIDE. Everyone’s ride is different. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Just do it, as long as it makes you happy, and if it stops making you happy, look at why, and get back to the happy. That’s what it’s all about. Train for yourself and nobody else. For your own reasons and nobody else’s.

And I have so many people to thank, people who have shaped my grappling career and helped me become a better person. I’ll just list some of them here: Johnny Ramirez, John Ouano, Cristian Lopez, Shawn Williams, Sean Patrick Flanery, Felicia, Emily, Alaina, Vince Parra, Carlson Gracie, Jr, Carlson Gracie (RIP), Ryan Fiorenzi, Julian Loredo, Natasha Tsoutsouris, Adamarie Bell, Chris Walker, CrossFit LA and Team CrossFit Academy, and my family.

KC: Val, many thanks for your time and all the best with competition and your work on the women’s grappling camps, Dave.

VW: Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you, Dave! And thanks for the good wishes.

Possible links:
Valerie Worthington homepage
Val’s Blog
New Breed Academy, Santa Fe, CA
Women’s grappling camps
CrossFit