Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Niemann.
Hi Carrie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was 32, a single mother of 2 boys, and working as a dental hygienist. During an tumultuous marriage and ugly divorce, my older son (Gage), already very hyper, had developed significant anger management issues. My Mother, my best friend, had recently passed from a rather rare form of cancer, which traumatized both me and my older son quite a bit. I was on the brink of a serious mental break, barely holding it together.
In an attempt to find a positive male role model and constructive way for my son to manage his anxiety and stress, I enrolled him in a small martial arts academy, where he practiced Tang Soo Do. The head instructor was a retired Army Command Master Sargent (drill Sargent), so discipline in the class was strict, but fair. As my younger son ( Chase, now 18mo) waited with a sitter, I watched the class. I saw Gage develop flexibility, strength, and over time, real confidence. It piqued my interest.
After about 6 months, I negotiated more time with the sitter so I could try a class out myself. I’ve never been so anxious! Anxiety has ruled my decision making all my life, but this time I fought it back and participated. It was difficult to breathe. My delayed comprehension was in full effect, but I stuck it out, and made it through the class. I joined that day.
Over the next several years, I trained like I was addicted; and maybe I was. With every technique learned, my confidence grew! I was no longer the sheepish people pleaser I had always been. I was kind, but firm in my principles. That my not seem like much to most people, but for me, it was huge. It was the first time in my life that I was physically strong, and felt like I was learning who I was. I wasn’t such a chameleon anymore. I dare say I was actually beginning to believe in myself.
Life went on, and situations changed. When Gage was ready to attend high school, we moved into a school district I found preferable in an even smaller town with a low teacher to student ratio. Unfortunately, this meant we couldn’t make Tang Soo Do class on time. There was, however, and man teaching Jiu Jitsu in his garage with quite a few students. When we went to observe the class, I was so impressed with how well he conveyed information about fundamental concepts and principles that I was sold. We joined immediately.
Gage was a natural! Chase really seemed to enjoy it as well. I was the only female in the adult class, but none of the guys gave me a creepo vibe, and they genuinely seemed committed to my progress. It was a great environment. My kids were making friends (which they had both struggled with) and all of us were becoming more confident. From my perspective, Jiu Jitsu seemed a much more practical way to defend myself because if the technique is correct, strength is less a factor than with striking. I loved it!
The instructor and I also got along well. My Tang Soo Do instructor was very formal (to be expected in traditional martial arts), but Gabe, my Jiu Jitsu instructor, was more approachable. He also seemed to have a genuine personal commitment to his students’ development; not only in the sport, but as decent people. He was patient, kind, firm, and always excited to answer any questions his students asked.
He did eventually move into an actual facility and the classes grew. When he moved again into Bay City, he already had a solid student base. The students all showed up to help with the move, which further illustrated the culture of reciprocity he was working to build. After his divorce, things began to go downhill, which is when we began spending more time together. I wasn’t thinking about a relationship. I was worried about my friend. Eventually our friendship turned into a romantic relationship, which according to our friends, was inevitable. Our personalities are very similar.
As things developed, and I continued to train and compete, we worked together to build the gym into a viable business. Gabe is a legitimate phenom at developing curriculum and explaining principles to the students. I am better at organization and logistics. It works for us.
Over the last 6 years, we have worked hard to build our gym family. Teaching technique is important, but developing culture is paramount. When you’re in the business of teaching people how to break or choke other people, you MUST also teach them to be responsible with that knowledge. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind, on or off the mats. We try to lead my example showing kindness and empathy to all our students. At the end of the day, we have to be able to sleep knowing the effect our teaching will have on our students and anyone they deal with. Nothing is more important to us.
We have both been to many academies wherein competition is the most important pursuit. These teams usually have great competitors, but they can also have a “kill or be killed” mentality. We want to make martial arts accessible to EVERYONE who needs it. Yes, I said “needs”. We have had the immense honor of watching our students, young and old, learn to trust themselves, believe in their abilities, develop real confidence, become their own advocate, learn empathy and compassion, and try to pass that on to the newer students. It’s and amazing thing to watch! It gives me goosebumps!
We know we will never be wealthy teaching martial arts in this small town, but that’s really not the point. The point is to bring martial arts, and all its wonderful, life changing aspects to those who really need them. We have multiple students who are on the Autism spectrum. We both have ADHD (GenX, go figure) and anxiety for days, so we understand how beneficial training can be in learning to deal with the hand life has dealt. We want to pass this on to as many as we can for as long as we can.
I love my Team, all my Coaches, my husband (Gabe), and what we are doing here. It’s not about the money. It’s about having a truly positive effect on the people in my community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In no way has this been a smooth road. COVID almost shut us down for good. There is always something needing repair in the gym or our vehicle. There is always some unexpected expense that takes our account to almost zero (sometimes into the negative). There is literally always some reason we have to juggle bills no matter how much I plan. Five years ago, I was going to grab lunch for a youth summer training cam we were hosting, and I was T-boned in an intersection. Because COVID was new at the time and we didn’t really know anything about it, I didn’t go to the hospital. We found out later, however, that one of the discs in my lower back had collapsed. The insurance company offered an insulting amount that wouldn’t even cover my truck repair, so we decided to go through litigation. Well, also because of COVID, that took 4 years. In the meantime, I tried to rehab myself as best I could. I had to build by core enough to support my, now weaker, spine and compensate for the collapsed disc. It was so painful.
It helped me develop my current philosphy, however. “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional”.
We’ve been impressed with Matagorda Mixed Martial Arts, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We have programs for youth students beginning with Jiu Jitsu at age 5, and Taekwondo at age 7. Kickboxing is available for students 15 and up. We also offer Taekwondo, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu for teens and adults.
Our classes are all coed, and in the interest of keeping the training sessions focused and effective, students are asked to dress appropriately. That means YES, you have to wear underwear. YES you have to wear a shirt or rash guard and spats, shorts, or leggings under your gi. Fingernails and toenails must be clean, trimmed, and filed for class. Long hair must be tied back. Jewlery must be removed. All attire must be clean. No one wants to be the smelly guy who is always scratching his/her partners or making things weird by not wearing appropriate clothing. Nobody wants to train with that person.
We encourage all prospective students to take advantage of our free trial training session so they can meet the Team, and make an informed decision about membership.
Matagorda MMA is blessed with a phenomenal head instructor who can explain anything to anyone, and is dedicated to continuously improving his own knowledge base so he can give his students the absolute best instruction possible. Professor Gabriel doesn’t withhold techniques or have favorites on the mats. He wants everyone to succeed. Coach Carrie (that’s me) is patient and playful with the students, and is motivated by their success. Martial arts has had such an impact on our lives, and we want to pay that forward by making training as accessible as possible.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
It seems evident that martial arts, Jiu Jitsu in particular, is gaining popularity amongst the public. I think it will continue to grow as a sport, and hope to see more women getting involved.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://matagordabjj.com
Image Credits
All taken with my iphone
