Fighting “Like a Girl” (and beating boys)
I’ve been on a bit of a health kick lately, and honestly, it’s been refreshing. Between smarter food choices and staying active, I’ve been feeling more energized and confident. So, when the chance came up to spend the weekend at my National Guard Armory for Military Combative training, I thought, “Why not?”
Little did I know, I was about to spend hours grappling, sweating, and proving just how much “fighting like a girl” can mean holding your own—and then some.
The training focused on Jiu-Jitsu, and let me tell you, it wasn’t just for the faint of heart.
Each match required us to fight for the dominant position for three straight minutes. When you’re tangled with someone who’s just as determined as you are, those three minutes feel like an eternity. I went through four matches that day, and the highlight? I beat a boy. (Yes, I’ll be bragging about that for a while.)
But my toughest match came last. My opponent, a girl just as stubborn as me, scratched my face while trying to lift my head into a chokehold. I wasn’t about to let that happen, and I didn’t.
The fight was intense, but then the blood from the scratch started pouring down my chin, staining my OCPs (Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform) in the process.
They finally kicked us off the mat and DQ’d me, leaving me with a gash on my face as a battle scar. And if you see me around town sporting this lovely mark, I’ll just say, “Oh this? You should see the other guy” (just kidding—she only got bruises).
This whole weekend reminded me of something my dad always told me growing up: “Be the one to finish the fight, and I won’t be mad. Don’t be the one to start it.”
That advice came in handy in third grade when a boy on the playground decided to pick a fight with me. I ended it—quickly—and left him in tears. My mom? She had a heck of a time explaining it in the principal’s office. My dad, on the other hand, was proud as could be.
Growing up with a dad who was a wrestler, I was raised to stand tall and handle myself.
Whether it was self-defense lessons or just dealing with teasing, he made sure I knew that “fighting like a girl” was never an insult.
It means being strong, smart, and fearless. This weekend, I got to put those lessons to use. Since enlisting in 2022 and focusing on Military Intelligence, my dad has proudly (and humorously) referred to me as his "little Oxymoron."
In combatives, the Army doesn’t see gender. You’re not a guy or a girl in those moments—you’re a soldier, and the goal is survival. It’s about strategy, resilience, and refusing to give up, no matter who’s across the mat from you.
To the parents out there, especially those with daughters: teach them to be confident and capable.
My dad’s lessons shaped who I am today, and they’ve stuck with me through every challenge, on and off the mat. Whether it’s martial arts, self-defense, or just showing them they can hold their own, you’re giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime.
As for me, I had an absolute blast this weekend. Now I’m seriously looking into a weekend class—maybe a mix of calisthenics and fighting, or Pilates if I’m feeling fancy.
Either way, I’m all in on staying strong and proving that “fighting like a girl” is a force to be reckoned with.
So, the next time you hear someone throw that phrase around, think of me—face scratched, chin bleeding, but still standing after my fourth match, with my uniform stained and a grin on my face.
Fighting like a girl? It looks a lot like grit, determination, and success.