About Me

My name is Ann Wright. I am a first-degree Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt. I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and studying self defense for over 13 years. I earned my black belt in 2019, and in 2022, I won the Black Belt Masters' World Championship. I started training Jiu Jitsu in college at 17 years old, just looking for something fun to try, not knowing it would become the passion I want to share with the world.

As a kid, I skipped 6th and 7th grade. (I’m a self-proclaimed nerd, and proud of it.) I graduated high school at 15 years old which means throughout my entire high school career, I was younger and smaller than everyone else. Honestly, I’m still pretty little, but now I know how to use my size to my advantage. When I started BJJ, I had never seriously played any sports. I was awkward and uncoordinated, but I enjoyed the challenge, so I stuck with it, and it has been so rewarding. One of my favorite things about Jiu Jitsu is the opportunity it gives a smaller person to learn how to use their technical abilities, leverage, and timing to defeat a bigger, stronger opponent.

I also have bachelor’s degrees in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude and with a Pierre Laclede Honors College certificate. I am a lover of all creatures, big and small. My dogs, Gibson and Buddy, are my world. I adopted Gibson in 2016, and Buddy was a “foster-fail” in 2019. I just couldn’t say goodbye to those sweet, puppy eyes. I love taking them on walks and any time spent outdoors. I enjoy working out, reading and true-crime podcasts. And I may have a bit of a cookie addiction.