Welcome to our newest member of the month interview! When selecting a member of the month for Academic Grappling, we look for effort, empathy, personal improvement, and someone who inspires others through their authentic interactions. We are thrilled to have Amanda Balay this month! As member of the month, Amanda was allowed to wear the much-coveted AG Belt, sign the back of it, and have a polaroid printed and hung on the wall of the gym. Learn more about our friend Amanda and her BJJ journey below:

1. How long have you been training BJJ?

A little less than a year.

2. Why did you join Academic Grappling?

I took a few month break from BJJ and missed it so much I knew I wanted to come back. After my first trial class I knew Academic Grappling was the perfect gym for me because of how welcoming and encouraging everyone was, every step of the way. I never felt like an outsider.

3. What’s your favorite part of being a member of Academic Grappling?

The abundance of amazing training partners and the lack of ego in our gym makes it so easy to learn quickly here and have fun too.

4. What is currently your favorite technique in Jiu-Jitsu?

Armbar!

5. How do you define success?

I define success as having enough love for something to always want to keep improving and the courage to keep getting back up after failing. If you have those two things you will be successful.

6. Who inspires you, in Jiu-Jitsu or any other aspect of your life?

My partner, Max. He is the hardest working person I know and he always inspires me to face my fears and keep pushing forward. He doesn’t have time for BJJ right now but someday we’re going to train together.

7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

It’s normal to feel lost, and to lose a lot in this sport. It’s also normal to feel extremely accomplished when you learn something new or know you worked hard. When you notice your mistakes more often, don’t get discouraged because it means you are improving!

8. Do you have any fun/funny stories from your time training BJJ?

My grandpa is a big supporter of me doing BJJ and he always tells me to break a leg or arm.

9. What is your current occupation? How did you get into it? Do you enjoy it?

Data analyst. I enjoyed doing the analysis part of research in college and realized it’s something I am decently good at. Although my dream job would be a botanist.

10. What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I have a pet corn snake.

11. What’s the last book you read?

Riptide by Preston & Child.

12. What’s something you love to do outside of work or training?

Identifying new plants on hikes.

13. If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza.

14. What’s one thing about you that you feel really sums up who you are as a person?

I love to always be learning new things.

15. Anything else you feel we should know about you?

Nothing else I can think of.