(10 QUESTIONS)
1. Name of Podcast/BJJ organization:
"2 Jiujiteiras."
2. Year/date founded?
"2023."
3.
a. Founders:
"Jillian Jessulat (Babs):
Co-owner Rogue Grappling and Stand Alone BJJ apparel. Two-stripe white belt under Prof. Meahan at Westside MXT Saint John, NB.
Hometown: Irishtown, NB
Katie Foley:
Two stripe brown belt under Prof. Jon Kelly, Joe Pilmer. Judo and competition coach Patrick Foley.
Hometown: Saint John, NB"
b. Founders Bio:
Babs - " I’ve been in the jiu-jitsu community for over a decade but have been actively training since 2022. I started in the women-only classes under Coach Katie Foley, who is also my partner in this amazing project. My belt lineage is MXT, Professor (Coach) Mike Meahan, Professor Jon Kelly, and Mestre Max Trombini (MXT). I wanted to do something to move my body after the birth of my second child. But more than that I wanted something new to learn, something sustainable, long-lasting, and to be part of a community.
I am a retired senior financial advisor and compliance officer. I pursued a biology/psychology degree at UNB in my thirties, while starting a family. I am very passionate about continuous education, and my university journey gave me opportunities to do some extra research where I am a co-author on an ornithology paper for an ethology journal. I have always been a people person, love to help and see people thrive. My current role as a facilitator and coach for Adult Learners at the Saint John Learning Exchange (non-profit) aligns with that passion. I am also a proud wife and mother of 2 little gremlins."
Katie - "I started BJJ in 2014 and train at MXT Saint John. Belt lineage is MXT, Professor Joe Pilmer, Professor Jon Kelly, and Mestre Max Trombini. I chose to start training in jiu-jitsu because it is the best martial art to aid law enforcement officers.
I am from Saint John, NB. I started BJJ in 2014 and train at MXT Saint John. I have taught Women’s Only BJJ and Intro to Self Defence Seminars. I am a Certified Gracie Survival Techniques Instructor. Belt lineage is MXT, Professor Joe Pilmer, Professor Jon Kelly, and Mestre Max Trombini. I chose to start training in jiu-jitsu because it is the best martial art to aid law enforcement officers. Jiu Jitsu gave me a massive advantage in the use of force and control techniques in my career as a Correctional Officer and now as a Deputy Sheriff. In addition to BJJ I train Judo at Shimpokai. I love to compete, teach and train. It is rare for me to not vacation around Jiu-Jitsu camps, seminars or training opportunities. I am a certified yoga instructor and have a personal yoga and meditation practice. I volunteer with Victim Services and like to give back to my community. I have a love for nature and enjoy hiking with my husband and dog."
4. What made you decide to start a podcast dedicated to BJJ?
Babs - "I love podcasts so when I started jiujitsu I began surfing BJJ podcasts. I was obsessed with My White Belt and felt so inspired. But as I searched there wasn’t a huge presence for women podcasters in the space. So, I saw this as an opportunity to enter this arena and try to add to the wealth of knowledge and support already in the jiu-jitsu community globally. deciding to not sit on the sidelines I pitched the idea to my close friend and coach, Katie to be my cohost of 2 Jiujiteiras. As brown and white belts, we have a neat partnering, as well as being young forty-something women."
Katie - "The idea of a podcast was entirely Jill’s idea. She asked me to partner with her and she dove headfirst into equipment, research and studying how to get started. I couldn’t keep up to her if I tried but was excited and appreciative for her including me. Women Support Women is our mantra. Every episode we do, I notice us improve. I’m incredibly grateful to share in this adventure with Jill. I think it is an opportunity for women to be heard and supported, but really allows all audiences to get a female perspective on the sport."
5. Mission statement/ultimate goal of the podcast ?
Babs- "We want this to be a supportive podcast for everyone, however we would like to be a support for all those amazing women out there. We are just two female jiujitsu practitioners who want to share the journey alongside all those wonderful bjj community members (present and future) out there."
Katie - "We enjoy learning new things, and taking on new challenges and it’s even better when it promotes women and jiu-jitsu at the same time! I think there are so many people to maybe want to start a new hobby and I hope we can encourage someone to go try out a class."
6. Future shows or other content plans for the podcast?
"Our goal is to cover as many topics as we can that relate to our listeners on their jiujitsu journey. Inviting as many wonderful people as possible to come talk on our show and share their wisdom and stories."
7. Where can listeners listen to the show?
Podcast Links:
EPISODE 1
8. Future plans for video content?
"I think the goal will hopefully be to continue making video episodes, but that will take time as neither of us is super tech-savvy lol."
9. How was the process of getting the podcast launched or off the ground? (challenges, hurdles, etc...) How were they overcome?
"It was overwhelming the number of options, tutorials, and reading materials on how to start a podcast. I bought podcasting for dummies and went from there. I’m grateful for those people who have helped me navigate the tech world to help with some of the walls I ran into."
10. Some key highlights to date or most memorable and gratifying moments to date?
"Purchasing the podcasting gear! It felt real at that point, investing in ourselves and the project. Choosing the intro music and finalizing our name were also among the top highlights. Our first women’s jiujitsu event where Katie and I were able to talk about our show. It was wonderful to see the support for our project. Seeing the reposts for our content, this was really big, as a community it felt wonderful to have people like Josh Presley (Presley BJJ), Sarah Tonin (WTF), and our friends and family rooting for us. Most recently would be our first interview with Prof. Kelly and having Creative Lifestyles Studio do the filming. This episode made it feel just that much more exciting. We’re 6 episodes in and ramping up for so many more. We are so grateful to be here and able to do what we do.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share our story."
