Bio

Emily Kwok is a multiple time IBJJF World Champion, MMA Veteran, co-owner and co-head instructor of Princeton Braziiian Jiu Jitsu, co-founder of Groundswell Grappling Concepts, featured instructor on the classic, “How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent” series with Stephan Kesting, peak performance consultant and freelance writer.  She is widely regarded as an early pioneer of the BJJ scene in North America, being one of the first females to rise to prominence as the sport expanded around the world.

Training and competing since 2000 in BJJ, she has won numerous BJJ titles throughout Canada, Japan and the United States. She is also an early veteran of women’s MMA, having fought amateur and pro in the legendary all female promotion, SMACKGIRL. Emily has extensive experience directing small to large martial arts schools in addition to strategizing and organizing seminars and camps throughout the USA. She also previously worked in sales and support for GracieMag and was a Project Manager for MGinAction. 

Currently, Emily works closely with Josh Waitzkin in his Peak Performance consulting business. Additionally, she is an independent coach and consultant, co-owner, teacher and mentor at Princeton BJJ, tours the world conducting seminars and has increasingly been devoting more time to creative writing.

Emily has a BFA from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (now Emily Carr University) and lives in NJ with her husband, 3 spirited children, bulldog and bossy cat. 

Notable Accomplishments

  • IBJJF Masters 3 Pan American Champion (2023)

  • IBJJF Masters 3 Euros World Champion (2023)

  • IBJJF Masters 3 World Champion (2022)

  • IBJJF Masters 3 Pan American Champion (2022)

  • IBJJF Masters 2 World Champion (2018)

  • IBJJF Adult Pan American Championship 3rd place (2008, 2012)

  • IBJJF Adult World Championship 3rd place (2010)

  • IBJJF Adult American Nationals 2nd place (2009 absolute)

  • IBJJF Adult World No Gi Championship 2nd place (2007, 2011)

  • IBJJF Adult World No Gi Champion (2010)

  • IBJJF Adult World Champion (2007)

  • ADDC 2007 Veteran (2007)

  • SMACKGIRL KOREA MMA Victory (2005)

 

Shoyoroll short

This piece was shot in the winter of 2017. It was a huge honor to be given the opportunity to share my life with their artistic team because they championed an alternative and inclusive reality for those of us who have a passion to fight. This short recognizes that we can contribute something significant in our time, and that fulfillment and happiness is always within reach if we work towards and embrace the next frontier.

Selected Articles I’ve written

 

Becoming the Conscious Competitior

“The fact of the matter is that there will be nothing learned from any challenge in which we don’t try our hardest. Growth comes at the point of resistance. We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities.” – Josh Waitzkin, The Art of Learning

Fully in, let it go. Fully in, let it go. Fully in, let it go. Fully in, let it go. Fully in, let it go.

I had time to tell myself to breathe deeply five times before the start of the match. As I walked from my corner to meet the referee and shake my opponent’s hand, I told myself to breathe and adapt, just as I had two weeks earlier, sitting neck deep in a tub of ice.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Helped Me Realize I Am Enough

It is no exaggeration to say it’s taken me about one-third of my expected adult life to feel comfortable in my own skin. It’s comical to me that I found my most natural state while fighting through the physical discipline of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a methodical yet punishing, niche sport that has risen to prominence in the United States in the last 20 years. The success of the sport parallels the growth I’ve experienced within my personal journey, making my way as a minority and immigrant, facing the unknown, and being the underdog. Somehow through being doubly challenged, I developed a narrative about inclusion in this space and not only found my voice, but have tried to make room for others.

My Child Won’t Break and Neither Will Yours: The Insight of a BJJ Parent

This past weekend I got to experience being a mother to a brave little girl who decided she wanted to fight her own battles. A few months ago, one of our instructors approached us about wanting to run a small kids tournament to help familiarize them with sport rules and share a deeper love for the game. Our instructor, Cindy, is a well-seasoned competitor herself and did a phenomenal job organizing all aspects of our event. She created the opportunity for me to come and just be a mom to my tiny fighter. I wasn’t there to wear five hats — I am so thankful.