Archive for month: June, 2025
Featured Traveller: Natalie Shahid – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 30
Belt: White
Profession: Mechanical Designer
How many years in BJJ: Around 2
Other martial arts: Muay Thai
Where do you live: Wherever my van is
Where are you from: Germany
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I live in a van with my labrador, Cookie.
Natalie Shahid – BJJ Globetrotters
What inspired you to travel and train?
Back in 2020, I went to a BJJ camp and met so many amazing people. That experience made me realize how training is one of the best and easiest ways to connect with others and really get to know a country. You don’t just meet locals and fellow travelers—you also learn from different styles and perspectives. It just felt like a win-win.
Tell us about your most recent trip and what’s next – where have you been and where are you going?
My most recent trip was to the Canary Islands, where I spent about three months, mainly on Fuerteventura. I trained at Sutemi BJJ in Corralejo. It honestly felt like becoming part of a family. The coaches, Matteo and Luis, welcomed me with open arms and even connected me with other gyms across the islands. I trained three times a week in both gi and no-gi and learned a lot.
Since the islands are small and attract a lot of tourists, people came and went constantly—but everyone was welcomed like they’d been part of the gym forever. Unfortunately, I injured my knee while kitesurfing after two months and couldn’t train properly anymore. Still, I was welcomed to join classes, watch, learn, and even try techniques that didn’t stress my injury. That meant a lot.
Natalie Shahid – BJJ Globetrotters
What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Definitely the people. I’m very social and love building real connections. In Germany, things can feel pretty rigid—work, eat, sleep, repeat. In other places, people live with a different mindset. They work to live, not live to work. That energy inspires me.
Traveling also forces me out of my comfort zone. I constantly learn new things, get inspired by people I meet, and sometimes end up trying their hobbies—like kitesurfing because a friend raved about it, or freediving after meeting someone passionate about it. And let’s be honest: warm weather and good food are huge bonuses. I’m a big foodie and I love having fresh fruits and veggies every day—so much better in sunny places.
Any particularly memorable experiences that made it all worth it?
Traveling alone in a van can feel isolating, but BJJ gyms are like built-in communities. You immediately have something in common with the people there. Most practitioners are respectful and genuinely interested in helping each other—not just trying to crush everyone. It’s a privilege to learn from so many people, and sometimes I even get to share something with them in return.
What has surprised you the most while travelling?
Before I hit the road, people warned me that traveling solo—especially as a woman in a van—would be risky. But after more than 1.5 years on the road, including a whole year living in a Skoda Fabia with my dog, I’ve never had a seriously bad experience.
Surprisingly, I’ve found that most people are kind. Sure, some cultures are more open than others, but there’s always someone willing to help if you ask. You’re never really alone, and nothing is impossible.
Natalie Shahid – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Yes, I live on a budget. Since I live in a van, I avoid expensive and crowded campgrounds. On the Canary Islands, I only parked in wild spots and used the gyms for showers. Often, people from the gym would suggest safe and quiet areas to park or places to avoid.
Last year in Portugal, I made a friend and ended up staying with them for a couple of weeks. Later, I tried BJJ matsurfing and went to Sicily, where I met Enrico. He let me stay in his empty house for two weeks, showed me around the island, and we later met again at the Heidelberg camp. These kinds of connections are priceless—and they save a lot of money too.
Any advice for your fellow Globetrotters?
If you want to train somewhere, just ask. I usually message the gym or the coach directly on Instagram before arriving—just to introduce myself, ask if visitors are welcome, and check what kind of class it is (gi or no-gi). Out of 27 gyms I’ve visited, 25 welcomed me with open arms. None ever said “no.”
So don’t be shy or lazy. Reaching out can lead to amazing experiences. You’ll get more than just a good roll—you’ll become part of a global community.
Thank you to Natalie Shahid – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!
Full Noise Traveller – Intro
Kia ora, I’m Kiera, I come from Art of Combat (AoC), a small but mighty gym in Aotearoa, New Zealand’s Manawatū. I am a white belt (3 tabs), training for about 2 years now.
Where it began
My intro to combat sport was boxing. I started at the end of high-school, after looking for a sport to fill the void of NZ high-school rowing (iykyk). I loved boxing, I loved the physical push and found peace in the practice, there was always something to learn! But after a head injury following a pretty hearty kite-surfing accident I decided to redirect my focus to something that didn’t risk such frequent head knocks.
A few years later I was really missing combat sport and having watched UFC Sundays with my flat and then watched the boys demonstrate some moves (attack the clothes horse in the living room during the breaks) I thought I’d give BJJ a go. So, I went along to an intro session where I wiggled along a mat in a funny outfit and since then I’ve been hooked.
I travel a lot for work (mostly within NZ, but occasionally I get to go a bit further afield) which is sick but meant that from the start of my Jits training I was often away for weeks – months, so I decided I’d better put on my big girl spats and visit some local gyms.
I’m not gona lie I found it super intimidating to rock up to a random gym as a fresh white belt (especially as I am often one of the only girls in the gym), but I’ve always been made to feel so welcome and after an awkward round of hello’s we’re all happily crushing and choking each other like old friends.
Gym count
NZ – 8
Aus – 1 (Albury/Wodonga),
Fiji – 1 (Nadi)
Tonga – 1 Judo gym (Tongatapu)
But this year I’m taking it up a notch!
I’ve taken the year off work to complete my Masters thesis so once I finish collecting my data in Tonga, I’m going to work online while travelling and training around Europe!
After a quick stop in Malta I’ll be starting my trip in Estonia at the Globetrotters beach camp, where I can’t wait to be humbled both on the mats and in the surf!
From there I’ll be mat surfing, making my way (in no particular order) through Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, England, Ireland, Scotland … and anywhere that promises good coffee, fun training partners and pretty views – recommendations welcome!
So let’s go full noise!
Stats
Month – 0
Gyms Visited – 11
Current location – New Zealand
Thesis Progress – 30%
Danger Level Gain – 0%
Practice Packs – 5 (can you tell I’m an A type?)
The gym list (in order of visit):
- Art of Combat (Palmerston North, NZ) [HOME]
- Albury Wodonga Brazillian Jiujitsu (Albury, Australia)
- Viti Blacktip Jiujitsu (Nadi, Fiji)
- Axis (Rolleston, NZ)
- WahiBJJ (Fielding, NZ)
- East side (Auckland, NZ)
- Upper Hutt BJJ (Upper Hutt, NZ)
- Workshop (Wellington, NZ)
- Alliance (Auckland, NZ)
- Coast BJJ (Albany, NZ)
- Tonga Judo Association (Tongatapu, Tonga)
Winter Camp 2025: Mastering the Z-Lock with Tobias Löffler
UPCOMING CAMPS
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[Tay’sTravels&Trains(6)]Team Legion_Riobamba
🕰️ [Past Story]
I had made the decision to reach the southern tip of South America to compete.
After successfully wrapping up my first South American stop in Colombia, I headed by bus to a city called Riobamba.
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🥋 [Gym Info]
• Date: March 2025
• Name: Team Legion Riobamba (MMA Legion Team)
• Location: 88W2+6G6, Carr. Panamericana, Licán, Ecuador
• BJJ Globetrotters Affiliation: No (I came here through matsurfing)
• Facility:
– Dream-like setup with a large mat space, a cage, drums, old-school workout machines, a hidden garden, a tub, and a broken arcade machine at the entrance
– Private parking, showers (I never used them so can’t say for sure)
– Tough and gritty underground vibe
• How to get there: By bus (30 cents)
⸻
🧾 About
Through BJJ Globetrotters’ matsurfing, I met Mario — a practitioner from Ecuador who invited me to train in Riobamba.
As soon as we met, we found we had a lot in common.
We both liked the number 12, held purple belts, and had gone through divorces.
Despite the pain in our pasts, we were living a new life through Jiu-Jitsu.
On my first day, I headed straight to his gym.
Located right next to a bus stop, it was incredibly easy to find.
After entering through a large gate, I was greeted by the sight of a wrecked car (from a coach’s drunk accident) and a broken arcade machine at the door.
Inside, the space was huge — with mats, a cage, old workout gear, drums, and even a hidden backyard where people could cool off after hard training.
It had this raw, masculine, underground vibe that I absolutely loved.
The head coach of Team Legion Riobamba, Jamo, welcomed me warmly.
Though he looked like a Hong Kong gangster boss, his charisma was matched by a surprisingly gentle coaching style and smooth Jiu-Jitsu.
Over dinner, I asked him about his background — he had grown up as a top-level boxing athlete in Riobamba and was known for speed and power.
However, in Jiu-Jitsu, he sought to move like water, flowing and accepting, just like Bruce Lee’s philosophy.
That conversation gave me a new perspective on how I want to approach my own Jiu-Jitsu.
Everything about life here felt satisfying.
They offered not only gi training but also no-gi and MMA.
There were a lot of tough athletes in the room, and I was even able to share some techniques in a mini seminar.
Riobamba’s high elevation — one of the highest in the world — made every training session more intense (snow-capped volcanoes were literally visible nearby).
After training, we’d eat at Encebollado spots run by a UFC fighter from Riobamba.
Sometimes, we’d go back to Mario’s spacious house and watch Jiu-Jitsu videos while eating together.
His love for the Bjj was everywhere — a Gracie Barra front plate was displayed in his living room and his body as a tattoo.
His home was incredibly comfortable, and I felt totally at peace.
(I slept same sofa which Roberto Jimenez used to stay)
If it weren’t for the immigration issue when I crossed the border from Colombia to Ecuador without getting an entry stamp, I probably would have stayed much longer.
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🤯 Impressions
• The gym had a gritty, macho vibe I really liked
• Coach Jamo embodied that energy too — but also had incredible finesse
• His approach to Jiu-Jitsu as a soft art really impressed me — especially how he’d absorb my sweep, stay relaxed, and immediately reverse the position
• Mario’s lifestyle and passion for BJJ were deeply inspiring
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💡 What I Learned
• Entering single leg X from standing
• How to stay relaxed even in MMA
• Shooting takedowns like a squat-step combo instead of charging
• Creating a figure-four grip with my arms to finish takedowns
• Holding side control heavy after takedown
• Using body movement to generate powerful ground-and-pound
• Mixing ground-and-pound angles to force both arms up, then finishing with Americana
• Using jab + hook + switch step to close distance and catch the leg
• From there, pulling the opponent out using a crucifix-style arm setup
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🤔 Thoughts
• I practiced defending leg catches by pushing the head and freeing the foot
• Worked on heel hooks — not just twisting but creating tight holds and wait for their reaction
• Focused on efficient standing techniques without spend much energy in standing
• Kept hand fighting slow but persistent to create openings
• Coach’s hand fighting was brutally effective — both in BJJ and MMA
• Even during tough warm-ups, everyone followed Coach Jamo without complaint — he led by example
• His Jiu-Jitsu was smooth and effortless,
but his physical conditioning drills were intense
• I learned how his charisma united the team
• After training, group dinners made me feel oddly safe —
almost like being part of a gang, especially in Ecuador’s current unstable climate
• I invited Coach Jamo to dinner, and his insights on the direction of Jiu-Jitsu left a deep impression on me
• During my single leg takedown seminar, he asked the most questions — I was genuinely surprised and inspired by his attitude
@teamlegion_riobamba
@Krappling_club_yyc
@tayhoney12
