| View this email online if it doesn't display correctly |
|
|
| BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // May 2026 | |
Dear Globetrotters,
Spring Camp in Tallinn, Estonia was once again a great success and we had no snow this year! 😂 It was our 7th (?) time in Tallinn and we never really grow tired of it, so we already booked the camp again for 2027.
Here is the updated ticket status for the upcoming camps this year: | |
|
|
What you'll find in this month's newsletter: - Photos from Spring Camp in Estonia last month
- Featured Globetrotter: Jillian Peterson
- Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Lewes Grappling Club
|
|
|
| 75% booked for this summer's camp in the capital of Denmark! |
|
|
Way back in 2013, the first ever BJJ Globetrotters camp was held in Copenhagen. Over 100 camps later, we’ve travelled everywhere from El Salvador to Estonia to Greenland. Now we’re going right back to where we started!
|
|
|
|
| Photos from Spring Camp in Estonia last month |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bring the family to Austria in the summer! |
|
|
For this summer camp, we’re heading to beautiful Wagrain for five days of training among the rolling hillsides that are now brilliantly green and ready for you to explore.
We will have lots of Jiu Jitsu and activities for all ages!
|
|
|
|
| Featured Globetrotter: Jillian Peterson |
|
|
|
|
Age: 43
Belt: Black
Profession: Gym owner (Galaxy Grappling) and Human Resources as my boring office job
How many years in BJJ: 13
Other martial arts: Sambo, Kickboxing, and MMA
Where do you live: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Where are you from: Sacramento, California, USA
Any fun facts you'd like to share: I got a tattoo done on a reality competition show and I love escape rooms. |
|
|
What inspired you to travel and train? I always wanted to travel and I joined the US Army when I was 20, but I didn’t start BJJ until I was 30. I decided in 2017 that I was done with the military and I booked a month long trip to train BJJ in Bali. It was a life-changing solo trip that I needed to figure out what to do next in my life. The Bali MMA crew were amazing and I highly recommend that gym to everyone! After that trip, I became hooked on solo travel. Everywhere I go, I bring a no-gi kit just in case I want to train too. Tell us about your most recent trip and what's next – where have you been and where are you going?
Last trip was the Globetrotters Spring Camp in Tallinn! It’s my favorite camp and I try to do it every year. The people make it so special and it’s such a fun and beautiful location.
Next is a weekend trip to Lisbon with two friends I met at my first Globetrotters camp. I went to the Iceland camp solo and met two women that live in Europe, and we clicked instantly. We try to do a camp every year together. But this is just a girl’s weekend to catch up.
|
|
|
What do you enjoy most about travelling? The food and culture! I admit I was a product of the terrible American education system, and now I just want to experience other cultures and learn while I travel. And the food! Omg! I get so excited to plan all the different restaurants I want to go to. Food tells a story too!
Any particularly memorable experiences that made it all worth it?
I’m not sure about worth it, but I feel like I’ve made it because Alistair Overeem said I was terrible after a charity kickboxing match I did in Bali. I hadn’t done any kickboxing in over a year, and when I was training in Bali they asked if I wanted to do an exhibition kickboxing match on two days notice at their charity event. Sure! YOLO right?! I got demolished, but it was for a good cause. Afterwards Alistair told me I should be embarrassed by my performance. But he saw me fight!! Total win.
What has surprised you the most while travelling? The amazing people I’ve met! I’m more of a solo traveller and somewhat introverted when I’m solo (not at camps though). But the people I’ve been able to make connections with have made it worth it. |
|
|
| Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip? I am a budget traveller! Being a gym owner doesn’t rake in the big dollars haha. It’s all about research and having a basic itinerary. Put in the time before you go to research the best places and restaurants, but still be flexible if the plans don’t go according to plan. Research and flexibility!
Any advice for your fellow Globetrotters? Don’t wait for the perfect time to travel! Your life will never line up perfectly, and don’t be afraid to do solo traveling. If I waited for friends to join me, then I’d still be waiting. Even go travel during the off-season and you’ll still have an amazing time. Take advantage of matsurfing. Meet amazing people and just get out there! You won’t be disappointed. |
|
|
|
| 5 tickets left for USA Camp next month! |
|
|
A genuine American camp experience in the crisp woodland air of Maine. A full week of Jiu Jitsu and evening bonfires by the shores of a shimmering lake. One of our most popular BJJ camps 2026.
|
|
|
|
| BJJ Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Lewes Grappling Club |
|
|
Where is the gym located?
Lewes, East Sussex,UK
How many people train there?
We're a small club at the moment. 10-15 people.
Is the gym growing - if so by how many new members each month or year?
We are still very new. Only been opened a few weeks. Trying to grow slowly and organically. No need to rush these things.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training? From complete beginner to Brown.
When did the gym open?
March this year.
|
|
|
Some facts about you:
Name: Gareth Rossi Age: 45 Belt: Officially Blue, but ditched the devil's pyjamas a while ago. Now more concentrating on freestyle and Catch wrestling. Profession: Can't tell you that one I'm afraid. Years in BJJ: 7 Other martial arts: Freestyle and catch wrestling, previously did some karate and Kung Fu when (much) younger, and a little bit of Judo. Currently living in: Just up the road from the club Originally from: Sussex born and bred |
|
|
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence A fool and his money are easily parted!! Essentially the BJJ scene in Lewes had quietened down a lot, and there were absolutely no nogi sessions without travelling to Brighton or Eastbourne. A few of us were discussing it over a social media post, and next thing you know, I've spent a big lump of cash on some mats. I'm easily swayed by peer pressure.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they? All sorts, from 17 years old at college, to college teachers, a real mix of people from all walks of life. Most of them also train at other clubs as well. We don't, and won't turn anyone away as long as they're good people.
Why do they train? Why do any of us train? Personally I feel it keeps me young and playful, and helps me to burn off excess energy. I've never really asked any of the others at the club, but we never cover any self defence aspects, so mostly just for the love of having a roll around I guess. |
|
|
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically? We run as a non-profit, and now the mats are paid for, we have very little in the way of expenses, so essentially the only thing we have to make sure of is that the venue hire is paid and the mats are cleaned. I'm currently working shifts, so making sure everything fits in around my schedule can be a bit hectic.
Lewes is quite a small town, so there's always going to be limited interest in what is a fairly niche sport, but we aren't really looking to get big and make money anyway. The hardest part is finding a venue with storage. I've got no idea where to look if we decide we need more space.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
Getting brighter. We have now got a small 10th Planet gym opened up as well. I get on well with the coach there and we recommend people each others way depending on what they are looking for. I drop in at his club, and he drops in at mine. It's a small but friendly scene that can only get bigger and better.
What’s the best thing about your gym?The absolute freedom. We have no affiliation so we can literally do what we like. You want to roll, we can roll. You want to cover technique, we can do that. There's zero structure. It's probably a bit chaotic really, but it works for us.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym? Lewes is a lovely little town, and if you visit in November, Lewes Bonfire is a spectacle that you will not believe. We are only minutes walk away from the South Downs National Park, and 15 minutes on the train to Brighton. There's a lot of history in Sussex, lots of green spaces, and lots of nice beaches.
----
Thanks for sharing! If you'd like to visit Lewes Grappling Club, you can contact them here. |
|
|
|
