Featured Traveller: Rui Lin – BJJ Globetrotters
Rui Lin – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 29
Belt: White
Profession: Taking time off (previously worked at a tech startup)
How many years in BJJ: Less than 1
Other martial arts: Boxing / Muay Thai
Where do you live: Denmark
Where are you from: I’m an Italian-born Chinese
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: People often get the wrong idea based on how I look. I usually introduce myself as Italian, but I look Asian, so people often get confused and I have to explain that I’m Italian-born Chinese. I’m also quite petite, so I don’t exactly fit the typical ‘metalhead’ stereotype but I love hanging out at the edge of the mosh pit with a beer in hand.
I’ve also had short hair for a while now, and when I visited a gym during my trip, the coach (hello, Kenn :D) was convinced I was a teenage boy based on my profile pic on Insta. It led to some hilarious misunderstandings when I showed up, but we all had a good laugh afterwards.
Rui Lin – BJJ Globetrotters
What inspired you to travel and train?
The urge to travel came first. I had just quit my job due to burnout and needed to feel alive again – meet people, try new things, and get out of my comfort zone. I didn’t even plan on training while traveling until a former colleague (tak Allan!) told me about BJJ Globetrotters. From there, I just started messaging gyms in every country I was headed to. That opened the door to one of the most welcoming communities I’ve ever encountered.
I remember being nervous before my first BJJ class in Taiwan, wondering if I’d be the only woman or the only beginner. But the coach greeted me, handed me a gi, and paired me with someone who looked after me. I felt seen and supported, which made me want to keep showing up. I felt seen, supported, and encouraged to have fun and grow at my own pace. That’s what made me want to keep showing up.
Tell us about your most recent trip and what’s next – where have you been and where are you going?
After quitting my job, I booked a one-way ticket to Asia with a rough plan to avoid touristy spots and the incoming heat and rainy season. I started in Taiwan and ended up traveling to Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong – mostly just following where I felt like going.
I’m currently back in Denmark for the summer, sorting out some logistics, but I’m thinking of returning to Asia in the fall. One plan is to bike across South Korea with a friend and attempt to complete the Korean bike passport.
What do you enjoy most about travelling?
I travel to reconnect with myself, find inspiration, and better understand the world. It places me into new environments where I meet people I never would’ve encountered back home. It gives me the freedom to explore, reinvent myself, and try things I wouldn’t otherwise.
But I especially love walking. It lets you feel and understand the rhythm of a place. You realize that while every place and environment is different, at the core, we’re all just human.
Any particularly memorable experiences that made it all worth it?
So many. From scuba diving for the first time with someone I just rolled with in the previous class, to training in an empty warehouse that looked like a kidnapping setup and smelled of stinky tofu, to sparring with a guy three times my size.
One unforgettable experience was training at a foundation center for kids in a slum in the Philippines. The gym was just a patchwork of cheap foam blocks, but their passion was truly touching. It reminded me how little it takes to create something meaningful.
And even though it’s not related to BJJ, my favorite experience was biking and camping around Jeju island. It maybe reflects what I love about traveling. From throwing the idea out there to gathering a crew of oddballs (miss you Coupang gang <3) and making it happen together despite the challenges. We biked in the wind and rain, camped in questionable spots, and made a bonfire to BBQ sausages and s’mores from 7-Eleven on our last night. It was raw and authentic, filling my heart in a way I didn’t expect.
What has surprised you the most while travelling?
How healing travelling can be. I left alone and went through a lot alone but I also discovered that I didn’t have to. Most times I put myself out there, someone showed up – whether to talk, travel, or train. People are busy with their life, but when they do pause to connect, there’s so much kindness and shared humanity.
BJJ surprised me too. It became a shared language across cultures. It’s as if the moment you step on a mat, you’re no longer a stranger.
Rui Lin – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Yes, I travel frugally but comfortably. I always pack light to stay within the free luggage allowance and use old clothes I can drop along the way. I stay in hostel dorms, eat cheap or local food, and sometimes I volunteer for accommodation to cut costs. Walking around to get a feel for the local lifestyle is a big part of how I travel, so I tend to avoid touristy spots that overcharge.
I do a lot of prep: researching ATM fees, SIM options (Roamless eSIM), using travel-focused bank cards (Revolut), and comparing platforms for the best hostel deals (usually Agoda wins). Being flexible helps, as I can go wherever or whenever there is a cheap flight (Explore+Anywhere feature in Google Flights).
That said, I don’t compromise on safety or experiences. I’m happy to pay extra for a good hostel with a female-only dorm, and I always have a budget for experiences that matter to me.
Any advice for your fellow Globetrotters?
- Take care of your body. Traveling can mess with your body’s rhythm, so keep an eye on your health. Also, treat wounds early, especially in hot, humid countries like in SEA where hygiene differs. I learned these the hard way: I got a skin rash my first week and later a small wound that became infected and kept me off the mat for a month. Ah, of course, get good travel insurance with coverage for medical bills.
- Contact gyms in advance. Message the gym and let them know you’re coming. Ask about class schedule, visitor fees, gear (like gis). Also, language barriers can cause confusion, so confirm everything clearly! It may save you some stress :)
- Learn local phrases. Even knowing a few words in the local language can make a huge difference. While people will usually try speaking English, they are not always comfortable with it.
- Re. BJJ gear. I traveled with two no-gi sets, which was enough for me to rotate and wash one while wearing the other. Some gyms have gis to rent, others don’t, so you may end up doing only no-gi classes. If you plan to train in the gi, consider travel gis.
- Be open. Different cultures approach BJJ in their own way. Some focus more on tradition and discipline, while others are more relaxed. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but be respectful and remember that you don’t have to stay if it’s not a good fit. I recommend paying for a single class to test the waters before committing to more. Also, stay open to where you train. Some gyms may not look like much, but they’re often the best they could put together. These places often have some of the most passionate communities.
