Nika Schwinden
I am Nika. I'm 35 years old, I'm a mother, I teach Jiu-jitsu for women, I'm an athlete and I'm very, very happy and grateful for life. I'm going to tell you a little bit of my life story and how Jiu-jitsu and a little girl named Maria changed my world.
When I was 15 my father was murdered and my family broke down. Soon after that I lost my brother, and that changed my history for a long time. Growing up in a broken family, without my father and my brother, made me become a bitter and aggressive person- one without a purpose in life for quite some time. I couldn't understand my place in the world and because of that I hid behind work, and I stayed away from people, from relationships and from love. But God, in His wisdom, changed my path.
When I was 24 I had Maria, and that was a turning point in my life. After Maria, nothing would be as before. The world became colorful, and my life made sense again. When I was still pregnant I started a course in Psychology; I was now going to be responsible for another life besides my own, and I needed to be a better person. Halfway through the course I realized that it would not be enough to have a University degree, that I needed to make peace with myself. It was at this point that I found Jiu-jitsu, and once more my path would change course.
In August 2013, I graduated in Psychology and soon after that, in October, with my daughter's father's support (and that of many dear friends'), I became World Champion for the first time. One thing led to another, and I gave up the Psychology practice and started teaching Jiu-jitsu classes for women. Since then, the Psychology background I have in me started to show on the mat, and I realized that I could be more useful to the world by teaching women, who like me, had forgotten that besides their children, their family and their work and whatever else may happen, they are special people and need time to do something for themselves.
Today I work with tons of women who also serve as a model for me, and my daughter is my pupil on the mat and outside it; she is the greatest joy of my life. Jiu-jitsu made me rediscover myself as a human being and made me see that I must give back to the world all the stories of overcoming and resilience that I learned along these 35 years of my life. Nowadays I am a different person-whole and fulfilled- because of Maria and because of Jiu-jitsu. Before I had them in my life, my chances of getting everything right were very small.
"They changed me, and everything went right."
LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT NIKA
Nika Schwinden
What is your current state of mind?
I believe that I have to give people all my best. I don't like to go out of my home unless I'm to share love, peace, and good vibes.
My Addictions are:
Jiu Jitsu / Roller / Stand up / Surf / All the things that can connect me to nature.
Biggest accomplishment in life:
My daughter, my first competition at worlds of ibjjf...I'm very thankful for some people who are with me on my journey.
Words that most describe you:
Focused, warrior, persistent, in love with my lifestyle.
If you could have a super power, what would that be :
Power of healing
What is it that you want to do when you grow up?
What I'm doing right now- bjj lifestyle
**Tell us one thing we don’t know about you but we should:
I buried my parents when I was fifteen ... My life was not easy. But it made me who I am and got me here.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
Inequality because just 15% of people in the world don't have anything to eat.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A simple life with so much love.
What is your greatest fear?
Disappointing those who care about me.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Mandela, Bob Marley, Frida Kahlo.
Which living person do you most admire?
A public person- I admire Michelle Obama and the new Pope, Francis.
What do you like most about yourself?
My posture
What is the trait you most DISLIKE in yourself?
Let me try to explain...I like to be very fair with all the situations that are around me, but sometimes I don't know how to deal with some situations, and I'm explosive trying to solve the problem.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I love to eat!
What is your greatest regret?
I can't explain this here. Lol .. But on the other hand, chocolate is always a great regret!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to be more passive.
If you were to die and come back as another person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I'm a soul, in another life I think I would be the same soul, in another body. That’s it.
What is your most treasured possessions?
My daughter, and my friends that are my family that god gave to me as a gift.
Where would you like to live if you could live anywhere in the world?
Hawaii for sure!!!!
What is your ideal occupation?
Teaching Jiu Jitsu.
Who are your heroes in real life?
We all are the truly heroes.
What is your life motto?
Ubuntu.
Ubuntu- It's a word in my language that expresses that we have to serve people, love each other, respect, have empathy and compassion... increase our human capacity of comprehension and acceptance, independence of the differences.
It's generously, solidarity, and the true desire of happiness and harmony between society.
List 3 things you cannot live without?
My Daugther , My friends, And Jiu-Jitsu
What is your legacy?
My legacy is to try to make a difference in people's lives, because that's what really matters...and to be a living example of treating people with love and compassion.
What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Take a deep breath.
**What do you consider your greatest personal failure?
Having a short memory.
Many thanks to: God always.
Last word: Alooohaaaaaaaaa!
TALENTS AND PASSIONS
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