”I got this!”
In 2016 LOUISE SONDLO reached a high point in her new career. After years working in PR for Patriksson Communications and Gina Tricot and Nike, among other names, she’d committed to her love of training and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Louise would switch lanes, becoming a partner in SPR Athlete Factory in Stockholm. The same year she won the World Master Championship in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a purple belt.
With the first couple of months of 2018 behind us, and the rust growing on the resolutions to commit to regular workouts I hear around me, I thought I’d bring you some inspiration from the source. As a major fan of martial arts, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to chat a bit with Louise about her passion before letting her nail her practice.
Louise Sondlo at SPR Athlete Factory, Stockholm
Who or what got you into Jiu Jitsu? Did you ever feel the same drive towards any other sport?
My boyfriend, who’s a 3rd degree black belt. I wasn’t interested in the beginning and it took a while for me to get hooked. Now there is no return to a life without it. I absolutely love the sport!
I never felt the same about anything else. I wanted to be a dancer when I was younger and did that when I was a kid, but absolutely no sports. Nothing never caught my interest and I was so occupied doing other things I found more exciting. Friends, discos and boys for instance.
You have been working with PR most of your adult life. How was leaving your career in communication to focus on being an athlete?
I’m not a full-time athlete as I thought I would miss working with communication after a while, but so far I haven’t shed a single tear over my ”old career”, wishing it back. It’s more of the opposite. I never have Sunday anxiety anymore and now I love going to work every day, which I thought was just some utopian ideal before.
Tell me about your role-models. How did they influence your life and career choices?
A classic answer – My mom. For always working hard and showing me that it is the key to almost everything in life. She was a single mom raising 4 daughters all by herself. And even though life didn’t always give her lemons nor did it serve her lemonade, she always kept on going, keeping her head high. I love her for that.
Then there is a bunch of female athletes in the BJJ community that I really admire. For continuously training, fighting and doing their best to get a piece of the pie in a very male dominant sport. And I absolutely LOVE Serena Williams. She’s a fucking bad-ass! And one of the greatest athletes of all times. Talk about ”started from the bottom…” Such an inspiration!
When it comes to business and career, I have always been both inspired by and grateful to my first boss in the PR world, Lena Patriksson. She’s the founder of Patriksson Communication. Another bad-ass. Balancing kids, family life, leading companies, mentoring, and what not. She leads with a firm hand, yet open for taking in others. She and my first years in that industry, opened up many doors for me and I learned a lot. I am forever grateful for that.
What about your greatest motivations?
My kids for sure! And the feeling of any accomplishment after its done. That feeling is motivating in itself. The drive to explore this life and my own boundaries. Like what you can and cannot do with your body for example.
I decided to do it with 1000% dedication and intention
In terms of getting ready for a match, what do you usually do and did you prepare differently for the world championships?
I took myself seriously. That was different. I decided to do it with 1000% dedication and intention. Before I’ve always done everything a bit half-heartedly and sloppy. This time I said to myself that it’s ok to go for it fully, without excuses and self-made limitations. I’m my worst critic and enemy. I also read a lot of affirmations during the last period of preparations. Which really works for me.
What is your favourite submission/strike?
The Kimura* is one of my favorites. And recently I’m finding a collar choke from side position to have the potential to be a new favorite.
*The Kimura is a double joint armlock which consists in applying painful pressure on the opponent’s shoulder and is difficult to escape. If your opponent refuses to submit, he or she could suffer from a broken arm, torn rotator cuff, or dislocated shoulder.
Some martial artists and fighters are a bit superstitious or religious. Some pray and sign before their fight, perform certain moves or keep a gri-gri with them. Do you have any rituals or lucky thought before entering the tatami?
I’m not one of those. I just try to be as focused as I can before I step on the mat and tell myself ”I got this!”
Besides the gold, what has been your greatest victory in life?
Except my kids, I must say that coming back from a period where I was burnt out and totally exhausted and at the same time going through a personal crisis. When I got out of the dark tunnel, and saw the light again, I felt stronger than ever and very proud of myself. A both humbling and strengthening experience.
Despite the work and energy put towards victory, defeat is also part of the fighter’s journey. What was your most memorable defeat and what did you learn from it?
I’ve learnt to never give up before-hand. Before ALL the minutes of a fight are over. To fight to the bitter end. Anything can happen. In my sport you can turn around a fight from the darkest places when it looks like you’re going to lose, to a victory. Who knows… suddenly you might get a Kimura.
Louise’s World Master Championship medal on display at SPR Athlete Factory, Stockholm
Do you watch the UFC? If so, who are your favourite and your least favourite fighters?
Wow, tricky question, since I have many favorites and am such an MMA geek! I could turn this into an essay… ;.) In the small-guy’s division, I love Mighty Mouse, Jose Aldo, Dominique Cruz, Anthony Pettis, TJ Dillashaw. They always mix it up, and bring entertaining fights. And of course, Conor McGregor. He is the only one in UFC history that now has TWO belts in two different divisions. He’s a loud-mouth and a trash talker but whether you love or hate him, you have to respect that he’s the best in the world. And he puts his money where his mouth is. So hats off!
Same with Cris Cyborg and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. They are SUCH damn good fighters and always deliver.
Among the bigger guys, I’m a huge fan of Demian Maia, for staying so true to BJJ and grappling and using that in MMA better than anyone else. Also love Cain Velasquez. And the now retired Dan Henderson. A true fighter!
I’m not a big fan of Yoel Romeo, too much “god this” and “god that”. Or Bisping. He’s apparently a super nice guy, behind the trash talk front, but I think he has such a boring fighting style.
I’ve learnt to never give up before-hand
Louise Sondlo in the changing room of SPR Athlete Factory, Stockholm
How do your children feel about their mom being cool and bad ass?
My 16 year-old doesn’t think I’m cool at all! I’m just as embarrassing as any other mom that doesn’t do martial arts. My 4 year-old don’t know anything else than that her Mommy does BJJ. I bet she thinks that’s something all grown-ups do. I hope that by seeing me do the sport, it gives her an open mind and can work a little bit as a gender neutralizer – both men and women do wrestle!
Talking about children, you’re currently pregnant (congratulations!) with your third child and keep showing up at the dojo/gym every day. Having kept a Kickboxing training routine myself while pregnant, I’m curious to know how you’re adapting your own program to your changing body?
My first 16 weeks were pure hell and I couldn’t train at all. I was sick 24/7 and pretty much couldn’t get out of bed. Now I’m back on track and I’ve been able to train again for some weeks. I basically did a lot of the same type of training and it isn’t until week 20 that I stared to adapt and modify my routine. For example: no more jumps, lunges and movements stressing the pelvis or stretching the hips in end range. Also, I modified core training towards more focus on stability and the deep abdominal muscles. I’m now about to switch from higher intensity workouts to slow and controlled weight lifting. I’m trying to be very attentive to how my body feels and reacts to training while pregnant and I will keep listening throughout the different stages of change. But I’m a big advocate of training during pregnancy! SO many benefits for both mother and baby. Both during and after.
words SAMANTHA BRAUN
photos ANDREA DAVIS KRONLUND
