(IN) COURAGE

Before I go through the ‘interview’, I want to give a little back-story. I’ve met this person, at a Martial Arts Seminar. Right away I loved the infectious energy she exudes and a great Martial Artist to boot. Once again, feeling honored she participated. So, enjoy and be encouraged by this just as much as I did!

1) What do you do for a career? (also include if you are a parent/grandparent)

After working as an English as a second language instructor/college writing professor/faculty developer for about a decade, I became an academic integrity administrator. I develop policy, help design assignments, and evaluate curriculum, and advise students, faculty, and staff on how they can reflect on, understand and stick by their own values, encouraging themselves and those around them to do work that reflects their true knowledge and honest efforts. (I still teach college writing part-time, and I also train in and teach martial arts when I can.)

2) Who has inspired you? Why?

Oh, lots of people! Friends and colleagues have inspired me over the years–and of course, members of my various martial arts families too. Three in particular come to mind–one is a math and physics professor, also a life-time Isshin Ryu practitioner, who developed and teaches an honors seminar at his university on martial arts and self-defense. As a final reflection project, he asks students to write about the eight principles of martial arts and how to apply them in their daily lives. How cool is that?! Another is my first karate sensei. And also my high school history teacher, who organized a self-defense seminar when I was a student–and who I actually credit with putting me on the path of martial arts myself. 

More broadly, I would say, educators, artists, anyone who’s willing to (a) put in the work, (b) show up for others, and (c) live by their own personal values, contentment level, and their own understanding of what makes a good life. (Hint: It doesn’t have to do with money, degrees earned, or outward indicators of “success.”)

3) What are some examples of things you’ve done that are courageous?

I think listening to my inner voice and setting boundaries–saying “no,” “this isn’t for me,” “it’s not for me anymore” or “it’s not for me right now”–is brave. Deciding that I don’t always want to or have to live by other people’s expectations, or their goals for me, is brave. Starting over is brave. Giving myself permission to be bad at something–or, not be good at something right away–is brave. I walked away from a dojo situation a few years ago that had become toxic and difficult for me–it was hard to do, but I’m so glad I did. It opened up so many other possibilities and paths–in martial arts and life. I’m training in grappling now (a little bit of judo, mostly jiu jitsu) … something I never thought I’d do! Finally, something I tell students often–and sincerely believe myself–is that making mistakes and having courage to admit and learn from our mistakes, is brave.

4) Do you have a ‘bucket list’? Would you mind sharing at least one thing on that list?

I lived in Spain for two years–one year in college and one year after, both life-changing–and I would love to go back. In fact, most of my bucket list items are probably travel-related! My last big trip before the pandemic was to Macchu Picchu, and I did an internship in El Salvador for a couple of months when I was in graduate school. I would love to go back to those places, too. Finally, I’ve never been to Japan–Japan is on my bucket list, for sure.

5) What inspiring advice would you give for others?

I heard Gene Simmons (lead singer of KISS) say in a radio interview once that “life is too short to have anything but delusional notions about yourself!”–and I thought, YEAH. I love the swagger–as Gene might say, the chutzpah–in that. And in the old film Sunset Boulevard, there’s a moment where silent film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) turns and tells struggling writer Joe Gillis (William Holden), “I *AM* big; it’s the pictures that got small” … taken out of context (I won’t say exactly how; I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it), I love the self-belief in that too. That kind of energy doesn’t come naturally to me, but I can conjure it from time to time.  

6) Is there something about you/your work or hobby you’d like to be shared?

I’ve been blessed to be loved by so many incredible friends and learn from so many wise teachers over the years. There’s no doubt in my mind that no one has shown up for me, or challenged me to grow, like the members of my martial arts tribe(s) have. You know who you are. I wouldn’t be where I am–really, I wouldn’t be who I am–without you. THANK YOU. 

7) HOT SEAT! What is your question for me?

Two questions! (a) What is your favorite movie (or top 3 if you can’t pick one), and why? (b) If you could go back and tell the kid version of yourself something that current you believes younger you needed to hear, what would you say and why?

Another response that has TWO questions!  I love it!
Part a)
Favorites are tough, so I’ll talk about top picks. There are movies are ones I can watch over and over again.  ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’, and ‘Lilo and Stich’ come to my mind right away. Any movies with Minions I’ll watch too!  Guess it’s me being a ‘kid at heart’.

Part b)
Gosh! This is a good one. Much of what I’ve been doing over the last 18 months, is do thing to make ‘younger Jessica’ proud. I’d say to her… “Your Tenacity will always help you; you are stronger than your circumstances! You don’t have to be perfect, give yourself grace.”   She probably couldn’t fathom it all, but I’d want to try to give her encouragement and hope.