Featured Traveller: Astrid Nörenberg – BJJ Globetrotters
Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…
Astrid Nörenberg – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 33
Belt: Blue
Profession: Scientist by training, currently working in sales and management.
How many years in BJJ: Around 5 years.
Other martial arts: Several years of kickboxing and muay thai.
Where do you live: Mainly in a city close to Frankfurt, Germany, but also part-time in Hamburg as well as on the road.
Where are you originally from: From a very small and beautiful town close to Frankfurt.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: Ha! I think I’m fun to hang around with and probably a decent human being. I enjoy good company a lot. I love life. Summarizing me very briefly: motorcycles, BJJ, cake, photography, travel, books.
Astrid Nörenberg BJJ
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I wouldn’t say that something “inspired” me per se. Due to my job I travel a lot, and I was always frustrated not being able to really train during those weeks on the road. I forced myself into a fitness gym occasionally but that’s not really fun – at least not for me. After my first BJJ Camp in the Caribbean in 2017 and an introduction to the whole Globetrotters community I just take my BJJ gear wherever I go – business trips or holidays.
Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
The most recent trip was for business. I was in the US and Canada for 3 weeks, and covered Victoria (BC), San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and NY.
There’s already a lot planned for next year too. On the BJJ side of things I’ll join the Winter Camp in Austria and the Spring Camp in Estonia. Other vacation ideas include Corsica and Sicily, as well as some weekend trips to different cities. On the business side it’ll mainly be the US and some major European cities such as Copenhagen and London.
Astrid Nörenberg BJJ
What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
A lot of things! First of all, I really enjoy discovering new places. This includes meeting and talking to different people, getting to know different cultures and traditions, as well as the place itself with its landscapes and architecture. Also I’m a big foodie – a very important task is always to find the best cake!
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I loved the atmosphere at the Flow Academy in Marbella, Spain, which I visited with a friend. The training was great, the people were so friendly and welcoming, and afterwards we just sat and talked while enjoying some breakfast together. Another gym I really enjoy is Gracie Barra in North Babylon on Long Island (NY, USA). Every time I’m in Long Island I just stop by. Others definitely worth mentioning are Fierce Studio (Victoria, Canada), Team Octopus (Atlanta, USA) and of course my former fellows at Team Choco (Heidelberg, Germany).
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I know it might sound lame and that I just repeat what others have already said, but definitely how friendly, welcoming, and open the BJJ community is.
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I guess I fall somewhere in the middle there. I do look for cheap flights and good deals, and I use airBnB a lot, but I don’t enjoy hostels where I have to share my room with 10 people. Mostly booking ahead of time helps reduce the costs. I love planning out my trips way in advance.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Be open-minded, be friendly, be humble, ask for help if needed, and don’t be scared to just walk into a gym and ask if you can join the class. I haven’t experienced a single bad thing when it comes to BJJ and training. Everyone has been friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Thank you to Astrid Nörenberg BJJ for doing this interview!
