Charlene Elgie

Coach

Charlene began her martial arts journey in December 2022 with Small Circle Jujitsu before transitioning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shortly afterward. Despite having spent much of her adult life dedicated to strength training, she came to Jiu-Jitsu with no previous martial arts experience. Her introduction to the sport came through her two boys, who had already been training for several years. After years of watching from the sidelines, she decided it was finally time to step onto the mats herself. What began as something she wanted to experience quickly developed into a genuine passion.

What Charlene loves most about Jiu-Jitsu is how fundamentally sound it is. It has taught her to remain composed under pressure, think clearly when she is uncomfortable, and recognize that even from a difficult position, there is almost always a way to improve it. Learning to trust herself in those moments has given her a confidence that extends far beyond the mats.

Training also gives Charlene something she finds difficult to achieve anywhere else: complete focus. Once she steps onto the mats, everything outside the gym seems to disappear. Her attention is entirely in the moment — the position she is in, the problem in front of her, and figuring out what comes next. That combination of physical challenge, problem-solving, and mental focus is a huge part of what keeps her coming back.

Jiu-Jitsu has become something Charlene and her boys genuinely share a passion for. Coaching has added another dimension to the sport for her. She loves sharing what she has learned with others, but she has also discovered that teaching sharpens her own Jiu-Jitsu. Breaking down a technique makes her pay closer attention to the details, think more deeply about why something works, and strengthen her own understanding. For Charlene, coaching and learning go hand in hand.

Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, Charlene enjoys strength training, playing guitar, spending time outdoors, and has a particular love for plants.

What Charlene loves most about Union Jiu-Jitsu is the people. Somewhere along the way, teammates and coaches became friends, and many of those friendships began to feel more like family. Union is a place where she feels genuinely welcomed, comfortable being herself, and proud to be part of the team. She has tremendous respect for the coaches who continue to share their knowledge, challenge her, and make her want to keep learning. She truly couldn’t imagine having a better group of people to learn from or train alongside.

For Charlene, Jiu-Jitsu has become much more than a sport. It is something she shares with her family, a constant opportunity to challenge herself and learn, and a community she is incredibly proud to be part of.

Her philosophy on the mats is simple:

“Being in a difficult position doesn’t mean you’re stuck there. Stay calm, keep working, and find a better one.”