The Women of Daisy Fresh

by Melissa Logan Sanders

Almost everybody in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community knows the story of the famous Daisy Fresh men. Now, it’s time to learn about the Daisy Fresh women!

Meet Melissa Logan Sanders. Melissa is a 43-year young single mom of three boys, 16, 15 and 10, and she is a blue-belt Jiujiteira who trains at the legendary Pedigo Submission Fighting in Mt. Vernon Illinois, known as “Daisy Fresh”, under Professor Heath Pedigo. Melissa who has published eight young adult novels and loves to write will be sharing the stories of the women of Daisy Fresh as well as her own personal journey there. Her hope is to inspire all women, but especially the older, overweight women who are looking to change their lives for the better.

Located in an old Daisy Fresh laundromat the gym gained notoriety for the story of a group of athletes who put everything else in their lives on hold and started living at the gym, training full time and chasing their dream of becoming Jiu-Jitsu world champions. Daisy Fresh became a highly prolific workgroup in the sport’s global circuit, winning numerous titles at IBJJF and producing high-level athletes such as Andrew Wiltse, Chad Hawkins, Sathya Wiltse, Chris Heatherly, and Alejandro Wajner, to name a few.

Watch the brilliant video below to learn more about the Daisy Fresh gals:

Melissa Logan Sanders

Melissa is a 43-year young single mom of three boys, and a blue belt Jiujiteira who trains at the legendary Pedigo Submission Fighting, known as “Daisy Fresh”. Melissa has published eight young adult novels and loves to write, she is also a US Coast Guard Veteran. Email