Tola Newbery - Black Belt Profile

Name: Tola Newbery
Age: 38
Started training: May 2010

How did you first get interested in BJJ?

I was studying at drama school. A friend and a few other artsy, film and music people I knew were training BJJ. I figured if they were doing it, there had to be something to it.
At drama school, we spent a lot of time learning about movement, rhythm, timing, momentum and space. When I started training BJJ I realised those same ideas existed in a more-squashy way.
I already had all sorts going on.
I didn't hesitate.
Give me another obsession.

What led you to start training at GSW?

I followed some mates, made more mates and couldn't turn back.
The coaching was direct. The humour was dry.
I struggled to understand the techniques and immediately fell in love with rolling.
There was something about the honesty of BJJ that hooked me.
You can't really hide on the mat.
Someone is trying to choke you.
You have to deal with it.

Can you share a memorable experience or achievement from your time training at the school?

Starting a beginners' programme and creating a Kids BJJ class is something I'm proud of.
Creating a space where tamariki build confidence through movement, learn BJJ, and hear and use te reo Māori.
Hey, I could call it 'Little-Jits'...
It brings together BJJ, Māori movement, play, language and whānau.
For me, it's about creating a space where tamariki can become comfortable in their own bodies, understand pressure, look after one another, have a laugh and learn that they're capable of more than they think.
It's not just about learning to fight.
It's about learning how to stand, move, breathe, adapt and look after each other.
Everyone on that mat has whānau.

How has BJJ impacted your life outside the gym?

Hard times are less hard.
Pressure is less heavy.
Problems become bite-sized.
BJJ taught me that I don't always need to solve the whole problem.
Sometimes I just need to survive the next 30 seconds, draw a breath. Create a little space and move.
Take a breath. Find your space. Keep moving.

What advice would you give to someone new to BJJ or to our school?

Wash up.
Brush your teeth
Trim your nails.
Show up.
Tap early. Tap often.
It's dangerous, scary, ridiculous and fun.

Look after your training partners.
They're not obstacles standing in the way of your progress.
They are your progress.

How do you balance your training and your daily life?

Somewhere along the way, BJJ stopped being something I did and became part of how I move through the world.
Butt-scoot the world!

From walking into GSW because a few artsy mates made it look cool, I've somehow ended up with lifelong friends and a passion for helping people tie their belts.

Work. Music.
Acting.
Movement.
Whānau.
Teaching.
And strangling people.

Turns out they all fit together pretty well.
Movement is the movement.
Keep moving.

Shout out to our mates who’ve moved on or passed on.

Long live GSW.

And remember:
"If you need help, put your hand up so I know who to ignore."
— Geoff Grant