Ok, so I may be a lil’ biased on this one. Brianne’s my girlfriend and we actually met at Jiu Jitsu. As you can gather from this interview she has been into Jiu Jitsu for a while now. From my perspective it was refreshing to meet a female who had the same interest as me BEFORE she met me. This guarenteed she was actually interested in bjj and not just tagging along to hang out with me. I wanted to offer this interview for any female followers of my blog. Sometimes it’s better to hear things like this from someone who is still a beginner. It’s easier to relate to someone who is either going through the same things you are, or has recently, instead of a female black belt who may have been a beginner over 10 years ago. I hope you all find this interview interesting and entertaining. If any females want to weigh in with their thoughts they are more then welcome. I also highly recommend reading Bjj Grrl’s Blog for more of a female prospective. Also of course Hillary Williams website for more info on her goals and accomplishments. Enjoy!

TheMove- What is your name?

Pouncing Puma- Brianne Genschel

TheMove- What is your rank?

Pouncing Puma- 3 stripe Blue

TheMove- How long have you been training?

Pouncing Puma- Almost three years now

TheMove- What is your lineage?

Pouncing Puma- I began training under Noel Danforth who is a brown belt under Joe Moreira. Noel has moved south and I am currently training under Jon Lamarche who is a black belt under Joe.

TheMove- What academy do you train at?

Pouncing Puma- Foundry Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – “Train in a barn, Get good!”

TheMove- What’s your mat name?

Pouncing Puma- The Pouncing Puma

TheMove- Tell us a bit about your martial arts background and history?

Pouncing Puma- I developed an interest in martial arts when I was in High School due to some friends I had met at the time. They got me involved in Japanese Jiu Jitsu at the time, but while we were training that they discovered BJJ. We began training in their back yard and on their living room floor. This was back in 1998. When I graduated High School and went on to college I gave up martial arts for a time, but the pull was too strong and before I knew it I was back training BJJ with Noel and Missy (his wife). I’ve been consistently involved for almost three years now.

TheMove- What got you into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Pouncing Puma- Back in ’98′ BJJ in Maine was no more than a whisper. When my buddies Matt and James discovered it we began training in the back yard. We moved to the community center in town and used to dabble before our JJJ class started. They are definitely to blame for my love and addiction to the sport. Thanks guys!

TheMove- What’s kept you invested BJJ all this time?

Pouncing Puma- The camaraderie of my team. The people I train with have become some of my closest friends. My team is something that keeps me motivated at those times when I feel my game is slipping, and push me at those times when I am excelling and on a run with my game. They are also the people I spend much of my time with off the mats. They are my BJJ team and my BJJ family.

TheMove- How long do you see yourself practicing bjj?

Pouncing Puma- Forever. That was an easy one.

TheMove- If you could use 3 words to describe your game type what would they be?

Pouncing Puma- Pressure, Pressure, Pressure.

TheMove- What is your favorite technique?

Pouncing Puma-
Favorite Submission: Ezekiel
Favorite Guard Pass: Bull Fighter Pass
Favorite Position: Full Mount
Favorite Take Down: Drop Sao-Nagi

TheMove- Training with mostly guys it must be tough, do you have any tips for a female beginner? This could be mental tips as well.

Pouncing Puma- Don’t be intimidated! This is a man’s sport in the eyes of many, but the guys in my club have learned not to under-estimate a woman. They may be bigger than we are, and naturally stronger, but this is a sport of technique, skill and brains. You have to know how to outsmart your opponent whether they are male or female.

TheMove- Do you think training with males mostly is a good thing or does it
hinder your game and growth?

Pouncing Puma- I think that training with mostly all men has forced me to rely more on my technique and ability to think through my game. There is no way I am going to out-muscle them, so I have had to develop techniques and game plans that will be effective.

TheMove- What is your biggest frustration as a female competitor in a sport
mostly run by men?

Pouncing Puma- They never have women’s sized shirts at competitions. I always have to give my competitor shirts to my boyfriend! You know women are competing. If you are going to give shirts to competitors buy ones that will fit women as well! Seriously . . . This is my biggest frustration.

TheMove- Who is your favorite female BJJ fighter and why?

Pouncing Puma- I think Hillary Williams is vicious. I watched her compete at the Pan Ams last years, and I’ve since seen some videos of her fights. This is a girl that has it together and is a kick ass BJJ fighter.

TheMove- Who is your favorite male BJJ fighter and why?

Pouncing Puma- Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza – We named our dog after him.