Daniel. College graduate in Psychology, Pre-Physical Therapy student.
“Martial arts has always been a part of my life. From my childhood days training Tae Kwon Do, my teenage years training Hap Ki Do to boxing at the Cal State Northridge Matador Boxing Team, I have always strived to better myself as a martial artist and as a person. But it wasn't until after college when I started training jiujitsu that I truly felt that I had found my niche. Jiujitsu for me encompasses simplicity, discipline, and mastery of every little thing in life (you should see how I cut watermelons). It makes me better in every arena of my life.”
Los Angeles-based photographer Mik Milman has captured eye-opening portraits of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners.
His series ‘People Who Train’ features everyday people, including a musician, a veteran, a lawyer, a nurse and a tattoo shop owner, alongside illuminating and inspiring anecdotes on why they practice the art.
Check out some photographs below and follow the project on Facebook.
Luis Carrillo. Lawyer, Deputy Chief Legal Officer in Consejo Nacional de Fomento Educativo (CONAFE), Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I train to achieve full balance in my life and to challenge myself every single day.”
Samantha Leos. Nutritionist, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I started to train because of my husband. We discovered that Jiu Jitsu is a great way to spend time together, to have something in common, and to be healthy in mind and body. And along the way I realized how fun it is!”
Daniel Romero. Musician, artist, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I have always been an all around artist, ranging from music, martial arts and recently spray paint art. Jiu Jitsu has allowed me to keep an open mind not only on the mat but also in life. September of last year I experienced the most painful thing of all, the loss of my mother. However with the love and support of friends, family, and fellow jiu jitsu practitioners I was able to stay above water. I train to keep pushing myself to new limits everyday, just as she would have wanted. The time I put into this is not just for myself or those around me but for my mother, to show her the man she had raised is striving for something new everyday.”
Rants. Piercer, tattoo shop owner, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I’m not exactly sure what inspired me to train BJJ.
I tried weight lifting, boxing, kick boxing and cross fit, but nothing gave me the satisfaction of BJJ. At first I did it to stay in shape, but as I delved deeper into the BJJ rabbit hole, I slowly began to discover a philosophy and life style. It truly changed my life for the better in a truly positive manner. It is physically, mentally and spiritually challenging. I have learned to trust and be trusted. A truly humbling experience. BJJ opened up a whole new world to me.”
Ivan, a financial analyst who recently received his MBA, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I train Jiu-Jitsu because it makes me a better person. I have been training for 5 years mainly under my Jiu-Jitsu idol Romulo Barral. I like working hard and constantly learning new things. Jiu-Jitsu gives me the opportunity to continue improving. A lot of the mentality I have learned in training easily translates into my professional and personal life. I live a much healthier lifestyle now and I feel blessed to have made many great friends thanks to jiu-jistu.”
Marissa. Home health nurse, nurse informaticist, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I train in BJJ for a number of reasons. During nursing school, I had gained a lot of weight from stress and poor eating habits. My boyfriend, Jon, a blue belt, encouraged me to join for months and months, but I kept putting it off thinking that I would never be good at it, or I would never have time to train. Long story short, after I had graduated with my BSN, I eventually caved into his encouragement (and begging!), and have been addicted since! Not only does Jiu Jitsu provide a great outlet for my stress and frustration from nursing, it provides balance to all aspects of my life.”
David Mercado. Veterinarian, Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
“I train jiu jitsu because it gives me everything: It gives me peace, health, friends, a job as an instructor, it gives me happiness and I consider the practice of Jiu Jitsu technique and philosophy in everyday life as a path to inner peace and god.”
[via People Who Train]