I’m so glad our paths crossed. I believe there’s always meaning in that. I’d love to hear your goals and explore how I can help you reach them. It’s been a long, rewarding journey to arrive at work that feels truly aligned. I’m here, wholeheartedly, to support you.
My Royce Gracie Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu
In October 2023, I was honoured to receive my Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu from Master Royce Gracie. This moment marked the culmination of over 15 years of dedicated practice, training, and growth in the art.
I’m proud to be Royce’s first and only female Black Belt in Canada, and the fifth woman in the world to receive this distinction. It’s a recognition I carry with deep respect and gratitude.
This achievement represents more than a personal milestone. It’s a testament to what’s possible for women in martial arts, and a reminder that strength, perseverance, and commitment open doors that were once closed.
Jiu Jitsu continues to shape how I move, teach, and lead. It’s an integral part of how I help others build confidence, skill, and a sense of power in their own bodies, and their lives.
Today, my work is rooted in the belief that strength is a practice, and empowerment is a process…
Through my programs, retreats, and classes, I help women and teen girls build real strength, from the inside out. Whether we’re on the mats, in the woods, at the beach, or pushing through the shared experience of training with sweat, grit, and perseverance - my work is about cultivating power, confidence, and connection in our bodies and in our lives.
I now live on Gabriola Island, where I’ve created a new studio and retreat space surrounded by ocean, forest, and quiet. It’s here that I continue to teach, train, and offer experiences that bring people home to themselves - through movement, discipline, connection, and joy.
About Emma
Martial Arts has been the conduit and catalyst for profound change and extraordinary growth in my life. I’ve experienced this transformation firsthand - and witnessed it in countless others. While the physical benefits are well-known, it’s the deeper shifts in confidence, clarity, and resilience that continue to move me most.
I began training at 16, shortly after a breakup, searching for something that was mine alone. I drove to my first class in a beat-up Ford Escort and never looked back. From that day forward, the discipline and focus of Martial Arts became a foundation in my life.
As an adult, I continued to train across disciplines: Boxing, Kickboxing, and Jiu Jitsu, and eventually opened a studio in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood. What started as a small gym grew into a tight-knit, deeply supportive community. We trained together, but more than that, we showed up for each other.
