Dr Jenna Macciochi

I could feel myself wanting to freeze and just let them do whatever they wanted to me.

And it was intense and emotional and it was intense.

I didn't have to go back.

Like I could have stopped at any time, but almost like exposure therapy, like I needed that.

I needed to expose myself to things that I didn't know how to do or was avoiding.

And I think so much of the time we avoid things because we want to keep safe and it feels safe to avoid, but we're almost kind of giving ourselves a front row seat to future pain in that way.

It's been about two years now.

And from that, I've also got a community.

I don't know if it's normal in the martial arts community, but the gym where I go, like everyone's supportive and friendly and it's so welcoming.

And like, so I get more and more out of it as I keep doing it.

And also-

I'm not very good.

Like it's really, really like a tough learning situation.

Like I can go to the gym and I know what I'm capable of and I can go for a run and I've done like various half marathons and things, but then to be completely like a newbie and just be like, I can't remember my left from right, you know, it's humbling, but it's just, it's been such a tonic.

It's unreal.

Yeah.

100%.

Well, there was a really interesting study, actually, when I started getting into jiu-jitsu, started looking at the research, obviously, like a true nerd.

And there's a really interesting study showing the oxytocin response

So this is a neurochemical that is to do with love and bonding, but not just the romantic love, but, you know, it could be people, friends, the favorite barista at your coffee shop, and that you get this boost of oxytocin when you're grappling with someone in jujitsu.