We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! The member spotlight turns to Reah Saunders, one of our Melbourne CBD lunchtime Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu regulars! Let’s all keep calm…and ca-REAH on!
Occupation: Indirect Procurement Specialist
Martial Arts/Sports: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
How did you get into the sport?
I was on maternity leave and wanted to start a martial art for self-defence and to fill some time. A BJJ gym opened at the bottom of my street (in Sydney). I did a trial, fell in love and the rest is history.
What are your immediate training goals?
To turn up to lunch class 3-4 times a week. If I can do that, I am happy.
What are your goals for the next five years?
To still be doing BJJ and enjoying it as much as I do now.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
I love the culture. I tried a few gyms in Melbourne before joining Absolute. I like that everyone is friendly and supportive and always willing to help. And not just within your own gym, I often reach out to the Women’s group in St Kilda and get the same response.
What is your favorite move?
I like an Omapalata. I even sing the Pina Colada song as I’m doing one and change the word Pina Coalda for Omapalata (pulling it off is rare, but I give it a red hot go).
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
My partner recently got me hooked on the podcast ‘Australian True Crime’. So most recently I listen to that. I also like to read.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I’m from England and moved to Australia in 2008. We lived in Sydney for 8.5 years and then moved to Melbourne in 2016.
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
I like people in history that have challenged society and the norms. So people like Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk, Alan Turing and The Suffragettes. People that put their self on the line to change our futures for the better.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
You’re going to be bad at this forever, but that’s not why you started, so just keep going.
“Reah is one of the most patient, lovely and passionate people you could ever hope to train with! When she walks on the mat I feel safe and scared at the same time! Without her motivation and backhanded compliments I never in a million years would have a blue belt! She is the reason I go hard or slack off (haha) 
irreplaceable!!!” – Trish Brew, training partner
“Since this English girl started training, I have always known her to be a strong person. I have always liked her character and behavior in and out of the class, and she is a student who is always smiling and kind. As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner she has solid fundamentals and a good attendance in classes despite working full time, being married and a mum of a beautiful boy. She is another Wonder Woman at AMMA.” – Thiago Stefanutti, coach