On Top of the World: Brionna Alexis

Story and Photos By Evelyn Sutton

Trying to survive in a male dominated sport? Brionna is who you want to talk to. She’s an expert not just on survival but on how to excel in a man’s world. She’s never worried about being the only woman in the room, she’s done it a million times. If she is there, it’s because she means business. Her confidence is deadly and her skill speaks for itself. Brionna brings over 12 years of wrestling experience from both high school and college to her Jiu-Jitsu. A practice she credits for having saved her life. She’s a woman with a purpose, walking on top of the world. Now she’s getting ready to take it by storm.

JM: Tell us about yourself. How old are you? How long have you been training?
BA: I’m 26 years young. I have been training for 6 months with some time off.

JM: What does a typical day in your life look like?
BA: A typical day for me starts with at least 10 minutes of yoga after I’ve brushed my teeth, of course, to really jump-start and energize my day. It also helps me set my intention and get my mind ready. Then I get ready, pack my gym bag and work bag. Work until 5 p.m. then I’m at the gym, my sanctuary, until 9 p.m. or so.

JM: What first attracted you to BJJ?
BA: A few girls I wrestled with in college had trained in the art and that scratched the surface for me. In the beginning of the year a friend and fellow teammate invited me to like his gym’s Facebook page. After I did that, I got a message from the gym owner inviting me to class. From the moment I walked in to the end of the first class, I felt at home and knew this was where I needed to be. Since then, I haven’t looked back. They saved my life.

JM: How was your first BJJ class?
BA: I’m not going to lie, that first class was tough, but about halfway through, it was easier to make connections and grasps concepts because of the way our coach was presenting the material.

JM: What impact Jiu-Jitsu has in your life, as a woman, and individual?
BA: BJJ has impacted me in the best ways. It’s helped my self-esteem, my mental health, my mood, everything. The environment plays a huge role in that as well. I’m in a safe place where I can be myself without persecution or judgment. As a woman who has been in a physically abusive relationship, I wish I had started BJJ earlier. I’ve learned how to better defend without causing injury to myself. I’m not as afraid of people touching me as I once was. I feel more comfortable in my own skin, like I truly can conquer the world. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that BJJ has made me better as a whole.

JM: You wrestled in high school and college. Tell us about that experience.
BA: I wrestled in college and high school and found a ton of successes on and off the mat. In high school there were very few female wrestlers. California women’s wrestling was just starting to gain traction. I competed in 3 female tournaments, the rest were all male dominated. In college, it’s a whole different sport. In high school we wrestle folk style in college, women wrestle freestyle, so as soon as you get recruited you learn a new style. In college I wrestled mainly women but we still trained with the guys. It was nice to be able to do work with the male heavyweight, then go to someone your weight and be able to make them fly. When you’re at the collegiate stage, your sport is your life, you eat sleep and breathe wrestling. I loved to get the head and arm and I loved to throw, it didn’t matter how big you were, how good, you would get thrown.

JM: What are some of the advantages your wrestling background gives you in BJJ?
BA: There are numerous advantages that wrestling has given me. I’ve been wrestling for over 12 years now and much has become second nature. Shots and re-shooting, I can do without thinking. As in BJJ, wrestling is all in the hips so if you have good hips, your base is unstoppable. Those were some of the first comments I got once I started training, it was with a base like mine, it’s going to be deadly. Hips and headlocks.

JM: Favorite position and favorite submission?
BA: My favorite position is half-guard side control. Because of my background, I feel more comfortable with that and s-mount. I just learned the s-mount so I’m still getting familiar with it but soon, it’s going to be deadly. My favorite submission is the kimura. I have a habit of sticking my elbows out so when I can return the favor, I’m all for it lol!

JM: What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
BA: That is a good question. I like to plant and garden, and I love kids!

JM: What things do you find hard in training?
BA: Mentality. After working all day, it’s hard to set all of that aside — all the personal issues everything — and just train. Before I get ready, I look at myself and decide who I want to be. Do I want to be someone who quits and just drives home or do I want to be the badass I know I am and go put in the work. It’s a grind but the results are worth it. It’s also reinforcing when I walk into the gym and people are genuinely excited to see me. My coach is ready and happy I’m there. The environment makes it easy to set all the negativity aside to improve myself and those around me.

JM: And what do you find easy? What comes natural to you in BJJ?
BA: What comes natural is the people part, I give off good vibes and get the same back.

JM: Just like Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling is known as being a male-dominated sport. How was that experience growing up and how does it compare to your experience now with BJJ as an adult woman?
BA: Growing up, it made me tough. I’m a survivor of sexual assault as a child so when I started to wrestle, I also started playing football in high school. I had to be one of the guys. I started lifting and just adapting. I had to make it be known that I wasn’t there because I wanted to date the guys or anything like that. I was there because I meant business. I’ve done nothing but male dominated sports because I know, if anyone is going to put on and compete with them, it’s going to be me. Now as an adult, I don’t have to prove or qualify myself, it’s not necessary. Now I walk in, still take it serious but my point is already proven. I let my skill speak for itself.

I’ve been the only woman (in the room) multiple times whether it be in sports or in my professional career. You are there on your own path with your own goals, who cares what others think and what they have to say? Don’t be discouraged. I’ve been there before. You earned your right to be there. Be there and be phenomenal.

JM: How did it feel to receive your very first stripe on your BJJ belt?
BA: It felt like confetti was about to come down from the ceiling. I felt like crying. It was like I just received another wrestling plaque. In my personal life, I’ve been going through a lot and that just made me feel like all the hard work was worth it. The staying late, being exhausted, all worth it and I want more.

JM: What do you consider the greatest challenge for women in Jiu-Jitsu?
BA:I’ve found most men don’t like to roll with women, they tend to hold back until they find out that you’re a lot stronger than you look. Don’t take it easy on us guys, we’re here to put work in just like you.

JM: What do you consider the greatest accomplishments of women in Jiu-Jitsu?
BA: The increased rise of awareness of the sport amongst women and the fact that there are more womens’ classes offered now. There is much more being done in BJJ for women than in previous years. It’s about time!

JM: Do you have any female role models in the BJJ or in wrestling?
BA: Cindy Omatsu. She is the first Asian American woman to become a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, which is incredibly inspiring. Her life story is amazing as well.

JM: What are your future plans for Jiu-Jitsu?
BA: I want to keep belting up and become a black belt. Can’t stop, won’t stop, I’m addicted. I’m going to be transitioning to MMA as well. That and BJJ plus wrestling is going to make me unstoppable. It’s time to take the world by storm.

JM: What is your best advice for women who train at gyms where they are the only female?
BA: Don’t be down on yourself, you’re going to see more tough days than good ones. You may have to put in more work than your counterparts but the pay off will be much greater. I’ve been the only woman multiple times whether it be in sports or in my professional career. You are there on your own path with your own goals, who cares what others think and what they have to say? Don’t be discouraged. I’ve been there before. You earned your right to be there. Be there and be phenomenal. “Ain’t a single thing I can’t accomplish and not a single mind I can’t astonish.”

JM: What is your hope or resolution for 2021?
BA: It’s simple, I just want to be happy and healthy. I want that for myself and my family. I want to let go of negativity and all of the things holding me back. I want to be present and be in the moment. Also, I want to keep promoting up. Let’s see how much I can do in a year. I’m beyond motivated, I have my moments as well but I hope this motivates everyone to try something new, to do something different and to get at least 1% better each day.

Evelyn Sutton

Evelyn Sutton is the publisher and founder of Jiujiteira Magazine. With over 30 years of experience, she brings her editorial and Creative Director knowledge to create a publication that serves the community of women who compete, train, teach and promote Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Contact: jiujiteiramagazine.com