By Terra Avilla
“Don’t give up, Peach! You got this!”
That’s the voice I heard. Strong, loving and impossible to miss echoing through the auditorium during Anna’s last jiu-jitsu match.
Some little kid out there was trying every sneaky move in the book, but Laura’s voice cut through it all, calm and encouraging.
Later, when I rewatched the video she sent me, I realized her recording captured something mine never could — her genuine care. (Mine was just me shouting like a wild parent, of course!)
Laura’s video wasn’t just better quality; it was full of heart. Hearing her cheer for my daughter made me cry.
I met Laura years ago as just another parent sitting next to me on the jiu-jitsu mats, juggling water bottles and tying belts. But after seeing her two to three times a week for four years, she’s become my friend… one of those rare, steady, good-to-the-core people who make life brighter just by showing up.
Laura somehow does it all. She’s a busy mom of three, yet she still manages to be the ultimate “gym mama” for all the kids.
She’s the one quietly keeping things running behind the scenes, helping organize parties, reminding little ones to wash their hands, snapping pictures and videos so every parent gets to see those special moments they might have missed.
She’s always ready with a bandage, a kind word or a snack when someone forgets theirs.
She’s also always there for her best friend Carina, helping with every surprise, event, or last-minute chaos that comes with being part of this jiu-jitsu family. And somehow, in her gentle and modest way, she makes it all look effortless.
Laura isn’t loud or flashy. Not at all actually. She’s soft-spoken and humble but her impact is what really ripples through the whole gym. She’s a mama to all the kids, a friend to all of us parents, and one of the biggest reasons our little community feels like home.
We love you, Laura. Thanks for the magic you bring to every mat, every moment and every kid (even the ones that aren’t yours!).
