When people see a black belt, they usually see the end of a journey. They see achievement, discipline, and years of training. What they don’t see is the story underneath it; the reason someone starts in the first place.
For me, my Royce Gracie black belt didn’t begin on a mat. It began on one of the worst days of my life.
Years ago, I was attacked in a moment that took away a lot. It happened fast, but what it left behind stayed with me for a long time. Afterward, I felt defeated. I replayed it in my head constantly. I questioned everything from my awareness to whether I would ever truly feel safe again. I felt beaten down emotionally. I found myself scanning rooms, watching people more closely, and being somewhat fearful. It was exhausting carrying that weight every day.
I reached a point where I knew I couldn’t keep living like that, so I started training, thanks to a friend. My husband trained me from the very beginning and was with me through the entire journey. He pushed me, supported me, and believed in me on the days I didn’t believe in myself. Starting wasn’t easy. Some days, just walking in the door felt like a victory.
When I began learning self-defense, every class felt personal. I was forced to face the exact feelings I had been trying to avoid. Being put in tough positions taught me how to stay calm when my instinct was to panic. I learned to breathe, to think, and to work through pressure instead of freezing. Each training session reminded me that discomfort isn’t something to run from, it’s where growth happens. Slowly, the fear that once followed me everywhere started to fade, and confidence took its place. I began to trust my body and my decisions again.
As I kept training, I became inspired by the history of Helio Gracie and the foundation of this art and the idea that technique and resilience can overcome size and strength. That message hit home. I was learning how to be patient and mentally tough. It showed me that real strength is quiet. It’s built through consistency and the decision to keep going, even when things feel hard. That mindset started to carry over into every part of my life.
And there were a lot of hard days. Days when I left training exhausted, sore, and frustrated. Days when progress felt slow and I wondered if I was getting anywhere. There were moments I felt discouraged, but I kept coming back.
Looking back now, those were the days that shaped me the most. They taught me discipline and persistence. They showed me that growth isn’t always obvious in the moment; it’s built by simply showing up and doing the work again and again.
Receiving my Royce Gracie black belt, under Royce himself, was an emotional moment I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just about earning a belt after years of training. It represented the distance between the person I was after the attack and the person standing there that day; stronger, calmer, and more confident than I ever thought I could be. Royce has changed my life by showing what true dedication, humility, and lifelong learning look like. To earn a belt under his name is an incredible honor.
My kids, Samantha and Josh, have been a huge part of this journey too. They motivate me every day and remind me why resilience and growth matter.
What started as a response to trauma turned into a lifelong path of healing and purpose. Royce Gracie Jiu-jitsu didn’t erase what happened to me, but it transformed how I carry it. It taught me that our hardest experiences don’t have to break us; they can build us into something stronger. It gave me a sense of control, confidence, and peace that I didn’t think I would ever feel again.
When people ask what this belt means to me, I tell them it means freedom. Freedom from the fear that once controlled my life and freedom to help others discover their own strength. My journey is proof that even in our darkest moments, we can rebuild. We can take what tried to break us and use it as a foundation to keep going.
And that’s what this black belt really represents; not just skill, but courage, resilience, and the power to keep moving forward, no matter what.
Michelle Cassady is co-owner of the Royce Gracie Academy in Macomb, where she is an instructor.
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of TSPR or its license holder, Western Illinois University.
Diverse viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged.