Chelsah’ Lyons: Never Stop Learning
Chelsah’ Lyons: Never Stop Learning
I met Chelsah’ for the first time at the 2017 IBJJF World Championships in Long Beach. She had just won the bronze medal for her brown belt division. Some people need space after they compete, time to reflect and recover, but not Chelsah’. She was talking a mile-a-minute, despite being awash with emotion. Chelsah’s personality and humor were infectious and we couldn’t stop laughing.
Chelsah’ is a licensed massage therapist, instructor at Marcello Garcia Jiu Jitsu of Dallas, pro competitor, and No Gi World Champion. She put herself on the map last year at the Fight To Win Pro 35 in Dallas, where she claimed a submission victory over black belt world champion Monique Ricardo. Chelsah’s response when asked how it felt to win that match? “I f#&*n’ surprised myself. I’ve never done a toehold that good before.” Chelsah is constantly pitting herself against the best in the world, and is excited to do it. Let’s get to know a little more about BJJ Tees sponsored black belt, Chelsah’ Lyons.
Name: Chelsah' Lyons
Age: 33
Team: Marcelo Garcia, Dallas
Black Belt
BJJ Tees: Where are you from, and where do you currently train?
Chelsah’: Dallas, Texas, Marcelo Garcia Dallas
How long have you been training?
Since 2010
How did you first get involved in Jiu-Jitsu?
I joined an MMA gym with the desire to become a cage fighter, and truly learn how to handle myself if ever attacked again by someone who wanted more than my possessions.
How much do you train every week? Do you have a day job? What is your daily schedule like leading up to a big competition?
My training schedule doesn't shift much closer to competition, because I've shifted my life to be on the mats as much as possible. Multiple jobs make this and paid bills possible. I teach classes, as well as private lessons. I'm a moblie Licensed Massage Therapist, and a specialist at a Cryotherapy Sauna. I train six days a week, usually twice a day. One day active outside the gym. Closer to fight and comp. dates, I'll take less clients that week, to avoid burning out my body for anything other than the love of competition.
You compete at a lot of Fight To Win Pros. Do you train differently for a F2W than for a tournament?
( I heart #teamnosleep.) I'm always training and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can, so there's not a huge shift. Sometimes they are weeks apart from each other, which means you are training for both, with a focus on the one that's closest. The main difference I see is trying to hold back some things that are fair game in F2W, yet not welcome in a tournament setting, while acknowledging where points are lost/gained as well. It's a learning process inside everything gained from competing in general. Either way, I just try to focus on getting better at Jiu Jitsu.
Do you have to follow a strict diet? What is your diet like? What are your favorite foods to eat?
I wouldn't say strict by any means. My body treats me well and training let's me pretty much eat what I want and still be in shape. Even with that gift in life, I stay conscious about healthy food choices and crave food that produces clean energy since I'm in motion more often than not. I love fresh fruits and veggies, but I still indulge my appetite at times with no shame. I love just about anything Southern, Asian, or sweet, not necessarily in that order. Also, coffee. Coffee is my favorite food group.
What are some of the challenges you have faced along your journey as a competitor?
I came into Jiu Jitsu as a naturally aggressive, and strong girl. Being the only girl in training for the majority of my years, this didn't seem to be a bad thing. It still isn't, but I do think it became a challenge to learn how to control the beast inside, so as to continue to learn and grow as a martial artist. I want to be a complete competitor, able to face any kind of competitor or strengths in style. I wish I had more competitive girls to train with. My coach had to pull me aside at one point and tell me, “You don’t roll like a girl.”
Do you get nervous before you compete? What do you do to get mentally prepared for a match?
I don't really get nervous too much these days. I know going into these matches that I've trained until I feel like I don't have anything to be nervous about (or until there's nothing left in me). I trust Jiu Jitsu and I trust my training. I have a great coach and team with varying training partners, including some outside of my home gym, and different fighting styles. This exposes me to new ground fighting encounters every week. Thanks to an interesting life, and some experiences, I'm not intimidated by size, experience, sex, age, ego, or much else in facing off with people. We all breathe air. I know in competition that we're going to throw down and we're going to do Jiu Jitsu. That means I get to do two things I completely love at the same time. I'm less nervous and more excited. I get so excited about this life that I have to meditate and go to that place of "no mind" just to keep calm energies through the days building up to it.
I don't really get nervous, I get excited.
Also, music. So much music. I have a competition music list with over 150 songs that I've continued to compile over time. It's a mix of Hip Hop (old, new, underground, Korean), drum and bass, gangsta rap, and house music. I listen to it when I train and then before competition. It puts me in the same mindset and zone to go out there and play my game, like I do everyday.
Do you have any hobbies outside of Jiu-Jitsu?
Give me nature and exploring. Art in any form, and Life. I'm not sure if those are considered hobbies. I'm not sure I have "hobbies". I love laughter and life, and try to do what makes me happy by setting myself up to love what I'm doing at any time and place, surrounded by awesome people on the same vibe.
Do you have any embarrassing stories from your training or competition?
Worlds at purple belt. My third fight with our friend, Ketra Bartek. I had chosen a sports bra that wasn't quite cut as high as it should be. It was a life lesson in competing. We both went in for grips and we both established, only she had my sports bra in her grips. We both went for the pull, and I totally pulled a Janet Jackson. Haha! Keep it classy! Luckily for me, she was on point and responded when an "oh shit!" escaped from my lips. We had a full battle, and in the small post match talk when I laughed at how I almost became more popular than I cared to be in that moment, she let me know "oh yeah girl, I had you covered”. Oh, how I love Jiu Jitsu girls. They cover you in the best and worst ways. My sports bras have now evolved with my game.
What is some advice you would give to other girls (or guys) who want to be competitors?
Have fun! Trust your Coach and be surrounded by good people.There's a lot of focus that goes into competing, and even more so is preparing. Train until you feel like you couldn't have prepared anymore up to that point, and be ready to learn from your wins and your losses. I learn more about myself as a competitor and a person with every match. Remember to have fun with it! The journey should be enjoyed in all of it's ups, downs, and otherwise.
Anything else you want us to know about you?
There's far too much, and yes, it's extremely interesting, but the world's not ready to hear all about that yet. Next time.
Any shout-outs you want to give?
My love and admiration to all of the people who have believed in me. To those who have been a light on this path to realizing all that it's worth and the neverending possibilities in life, thank you. Special shout outs to my friends, Marcelo Garcia Dallas Team and my students, Coach Rob Ables, Steve Paek, Steve Hilbert, Clay Alexander, Anthony, Jared Lorenz, Brad, Cody Vu, Jerry Gilbert, Joe, Ryan and Evonne Wise, The McCormicks, Ruben Serna, Amber McCreary, Minah Turner, Micaela Chan. Nick Mitria, BJJ TEES, Dr. Erica Perez, Seth Daniels, Missy Estrada, Katty Strite, Chelsea Cope, Lynn Lyons, Seth Lyons, Walter Lyons, Robert and James Hart, Avery Ferrell, Brandon and Katie Benoit, Jack and Jennifer Carter, Dan Butterfield, Dominique Navarette, Circe Vogel. Jessica Miramontes, Alex Rodriguez, David Dietsch, Jairo Bautista, Ross Vollmer, Marcello Garcia, Danielle Calderon, John Graham, Javier Bacallao, Kristine Felts, and Mario and Eddie Lozano. Also, Wynn & Cynde Lyons & The Lyons Family, the MG Ladies, and Jesse Mercer.
Follow Chelsah’ on Instagram @chelsahsan for some good vibes.