INTERVIEWS

Name: Kris Shaw
Belt Rank: Black Belt
Occupation: Homemaker/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Hometown: Orange-California

The Tinguinha BJJ Academy has a new teammate training with us BJJ Black Belt Kris Shaw and in a short one- on- one with Kris we were able to learn a bit  more about her path on training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Kris, who has been training BJJ for around 10 years has two young kids and was back to training a month after having her second daughter which helped her get back in shape and loose the baby weight.

"I gained 45lbs. during my second pregnancy, after I had the baby I was still 25 lbs. heavier and I was able to loose all the weight just training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So people should not think they need to be in shape to start training or to get back to training they can simply get in shape with the training."

 She takes a little time off from being a full time mom to practice the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,which  she loves so much and been dedicating  her time to...

Kris 's titles:

Pan Americans 2007 Silver Brown/Black
Pan Americans 2002 Gold Purple/Brown/Black
3rd American International Championships 2001 Silver
Pan Americans 2001 Bronze
Campeonato Internacional Master & Senior de Jiu-Jitsu 2000 Gold
Campeonato Internacional Master & Senior de Jiu-Jitsu 2000 Gold
Absolute
Campeonato Brasileiro 2000 Bronze
7th Annual International Championships 1999 Silver
California State Championship 1999 Silver
American International Championship 1998 Silver

Interview with Kris Shaw

1) How long have you been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and when did you get your Black Belt?

I have been training for 10 years. Since February of 1997.
I got my Black Belt May 2005 from  Leka Vieira.

2) How did you start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, What brought you to it?

One of the guys I worked with trained in a mixed martial arts academy and I went to check it out but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was what really caught my attention, later with some internet research I found more about it. Some time later when my work was transfered from Texas to California and while training at IMB I met John Machado who invited me to start training with The Machado Brothers , later I transitioned to the all women's class taught by Leka Vieira who taught at the Machado's Academy at the time and in 2003 I followed her when she  moved to her own Academy.

3) Do you participate in tournaments? Could you talk a little bit about that experience?

Yes. I participate in tournaments and I love it. I competed many times including 2 times in the Worlds in Brazil, also in The National tournament in Brazil, Pan-Ams among others...

4) You started training at the Tinguinha BJJ Academy recently. Could you tell us about your impression of the school?

The level at the Tinguinha BJJ Academy is so high. I am really blown away. Is not often that you go to an Academy and find training at that level.  Also I have been re-adapting to rolling with guys which is very different. I really apreciate how considerate everyone is, how nice and friendly is the school's  enviroment. That is really hard to find.

TINGUINHA BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU SCHOOL
2970 E. La Palma Ave. Ste B
Anaheim-CA 92806
Ph: 714-630-6218
E-mail: tinguinha@tinguinha.com