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| | | BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // June 2025 | | Dear Globetrotters,
We’ve been running this newsletter since March 2014, and it’s very rarely been more than a few days late. This is one of those rare times—and it’s a sign of just how busy this summer is for us. With seven camps in just three months, things are a bit hectic around here, but we’re loving every minute of it 🙂
I just returned from our 10th USA Camp in Maine and had an amazing time. It’s by far the busiest camp of the year in terms of scheduled activities, so there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. I’m still waiting on the final batch of photos from that event, so I’ll include them in next month’s newsletter instead.
A few weeks ago, we hosted the spring edition of Zen Camp in Poland. It’s a beautiful time of year to be there, but next year we’ll be returning to our regular October dates. Keep an eye out for the announcement and ticket sales launch later this summer!
I’m back home in Denmark for a bit now, getting ready for Iceland Camp, which kicks off in just 12 days. After eight amazing years, we’ve decided that this will be the final edition. I’m not ruling out a return sometime in the distant future—but hey, it’s called Globetrotters after all, so we kind of have to, you know… globetrot 😄
More than 1,500 participants are already signed up for this year, but there’s still time to join us! Here’s the current ticket availability for our upcoming camps: I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of you soon! Have a great day, | | | |
What you'll find in this month's newsletter: - Photos from Zen Camp in Poland
- Featured Globetrotter: Natalie Shahid
- Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Bariot Submission Fighting
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| | | No more Beach Camp next year, so this is your last chance! |
| | We’re once again heading off to this summer gem on the Baltic coast and a full week of sun, sea, sand, and all the Jiu Jitsu you can handle. Hope to see you there!
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| | | Photos from Zen Camp in Poland |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | TWO Winter Camps next year: One for families and one for adults! |
| | | Our Family friendly summer camp in Austria has been incredibly popular, so we decided to do another edition in the Winter! It will be directly followed by our usual adult Winter Camp. Join one or join both!
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| | | | | | Featured Globetrotter: Natalie Shahid |
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| | Age: 30
Belt: White
Profession: Mechanical Designer
How many years in BJJ: Around 2
Other martial arts: Muay Thai
Where do you live: Wherever my van is
Where are you from: Germany
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I live in a van with my labrador, Cookie. |
| | What inspired you to travel and train? Back in 2020, I went to a BJJ camp and met so many amazing people. That experience made me realize how training is one of the best and easiest ways to connect with others and really get to know a country. You don’t just meet locals and fellow travelers—you also learn from different styles and perspectives. It just felt like a win-win. Tell us about your most recent trip and what's next – where have you been and where are you going?
My most recent trip was to the Canary Islands, where I spent about three months, mainly on Fuerteventura. I trained at Sutemi BJJ in Corralejo. It honestly felt like becoming part of a family. The coaches, Matteo and Luis, welcomed me with open arms and even connected me with other gyms across the islands. I trained three times a week in both gi and no-gi and learned a lot.
Since the islands are small and attract a lot of tourists, people came and went constantly—but everyone was welcomed like they’d been part of the gym forever. Unfortunately, I injured my knee while kitesurfing after two months and couldn’t train properly anymore. Still, I was welcomed to join classes, watch, learn, and even try techniques that didn’t stress my injury. That meant a lot.
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| | What do you enjoy most about travelling? Definitely the people. I’m very social and love building real connections. In Germany, things can feel pretty rigid—work, eat, sleep, repeat. In other places, people live with a different mindset. They work to live, not live to work. That energy inspires me.
Traveling also forces me out of my comfort zone. I constantly learn new things, get inspired by people I meet, and sometimes end up trying their hobbies—like kitesurfing because a friend raved about it, or freediving after meeting someone passionate about it. And let’s be honest: warm weather and good food are huge bonuses. I’m a big foodie and I love having fresh fruits and veggies every day—so much better in sunny places.
Any particularly memorable experiences that made it all worth it?
Traveling alone in a van can feel isolating, but BJJ gyms are like built-in communities. You immediately have something in common with the people there. Most practitioners are respectful and genuinely interested in helping each other—not just trying to crush everyone. It's a privilege to learn from so many people, and sometimes I even get to share something with them in return.
What has surprised you the most while travelling? Before I hit the road, people warned me that traveling solo—especially as a woman in a van—would be risky. But after more than 1.5 years on the road, including a whole year living in a Skoda Fabia with my dog, I’ve never had a seriously bad experience.
Surprisingly, I’ve found that most people are kind. Sure, some cultures are more open than others, but there's always someone willing to help if you ask. You’re never really alone, and nothing is impossible.
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| | | Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip? Yes, I live on a budget. Since I live in a van, I avoid expensive and crowded campgrounds. On the Canary Islands, I only parked in wild spots and used the gyms for showers. Often, people from the gym would suggest safe and quiet areas to park or places to avoid.
Last year in Portugal, I made a friend and ended up staying with them for a couple of weeks. Later, I tried BJJ matsurfing and went to Sicily, where I met Enrico. He let me stay in his empty house for two weeks, showed me around the island, and we later met again at the Heidelberg camp. These kinds of connections are priceless—and they save a lot of money too.
Any advice for your fellow Globetrotters? If you want to train somewhere, just ask. I usually message the gym or the coach directly on Instagram before arriving—just to introduce myself, ask if visitors are welcome, and check what kind of class it is (gi or no-gi). Out of 27 gyms I’ve visited, 25 welcomed me with open arms. None ever said “no.”
So don’t be shy or lazy. Reaching out can lead to amazing experiences. You’ll get more than just a good roll—you’ll become part of a global community.
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| | | | Two Caribbean Island Camps this winter: December and February |
| | | During this week on the tropical island headquarters of BJJ Globetrotters, you’ll get to experience multiple Jiu Jitsu classes each day, a sunset Open Mat overlooking the Caribbean Sea and complimentary surf lessons every morning on some of the world’s most stunning beaches.
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| | | | BJJ Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Bariot Submission Fighting |
| | Where is the gym located?
Stewartby, a village in Bedfordshire, England.
How many people train there?
We have about 10 regular members, and other gyms come and join our classes.
Is the gym growing - if so by how many new members each month or year?
Yes, it’s slowly growing by one or two new members each month
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training? White belt through to black belt
When did the gym open?
March 2024.
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| | Some facts about you:
Name: Lee Elliot Age: 49 Belt: Brown belt Profession: Property management Years in BJJ: Dipped in and out starting in 2003 Other martial arts: Kickboxing Currently living in: Bedfordshire, England Originally from: Oxfordshire |
| | Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence My friend and I met whilst training at another gym, and we were inspired to launch our own gym in our local area. We came up with the idea after spending countless hours also training together in my garage.
Bariot is a welcoming and inclusive club where all individuals, regardless of their belt level, are made to feel equal and can come together to train. We decided at the beginning to focus on no-gi due to its rising popularity in the BJJ community. We now train both no-gi and gi.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they? We have three instructors two black belts and a brown belt. We have a mix of students, mainly white belts, and a couple of blue belts. We have higher belts from other gyms come and visit us to train, as we offer a pay and train option. We let people know our doors are open to anyone—all we ask are people are respectful and hygienic. So far, so good!
Why do they train?
BJJ offers a multitude of benefits, one being that it immerses you in the present moment, providing a brief escape from the demands of everyday life. Stepping onto the mat allows you to set aside any worries or pressures you may be facing.
That’s why I think a lot of people enjoy it, along with the social aspect of meeting new and interesting people from all walks of life.
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| | What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
We have not experienced any major challenges so far. Our location could be slightly better. Unless you live in the village where we train, people have to get transport to us, which is why we're looking to get our own place in a better location... which is proving slightly harder than we thought, seeking the relevant permissions etc. But we are keeping a eye out.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
I can only see good things for the future of BJJ locally and nationally. It's a growing sport and is gaining a lot of traction in our local area. There seems to be a lot of interest—you can tell by the amount of clubs. We've connected with a couple of gyms who have similar beliefs to us—210 Jiu Jitsu and Viking Academy—so big respect to them and we appreciate their support..
What’s the best thing about your gym?Definitely the people.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym? We're pretty well situated here in Bedfordshire. We have history, good food, and loads of open countryside and a few pubs if that’s your thing 😎👍🏻
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Thanks for sharing! If you'd like to visit Bariot Submission Fighting, you can contact them here. |
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