Kim’s Jiu Jitsu journey began in 2012, where she first trained under Professors Andy and Mike Main at Pure MMA in Denville, NJ and was awarded her blue belt from them in December 2013. Kim then trained for a year under Professors Marcos Duarte and Abraham Awad at SubForce BJJ in Lyndhurst, NJ. Kim moved to Colorado and started training at Easton Training Center in 2015; first advanced Gi training under Professor Ian Lieberman and was awarded her purple belt. Then in 2017, Kim transitioned to NoGi training with Professor Eliot Marshall and Professor Jared McLuskey and was awarded her brown belt in 2019. In 2020, she moved to Crested Butte and trained at the Dank Arts Dojo (garage gym) and then Gunnison Jiu Jitsu before opening up Ahimsa Jiu Jitsu in Crested Butte. 

Kim is grateful that her Jiu Jitsu journey has allowed her to train at several different academies with amazing leadership, instructors and training partners! Being exposed to different styles and aspects of the game has provided an incredible opportunity to explore the movement of Jiu Jitsu, as did transitioning from Gi to NoGi. Kim believes that Jiu Jitsu has made her stronger and more resilient on and off the mat.

Kim likes to say that Jiu Jitsu is the Yang to Yoga’s Yin. She completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Lily Russo in Mancos, CO in 2023 and is currently enrolled in a 300 hour Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Program. Kim knows that if she shows up on her mat, Jiu Jitsu or Yoga, she’ll leave with a smile on her face and peace in her heart.