TFN Talks with Sarah Thackray
TFN Talks caught up with Sarah Thackray, Canadian born international Jiu Jitsu Champion, who has won every major tournament on the international Jiu Jitsu circuit, to talk about her life and what it takes to succeed in the high octane sport of professional martial arts. Some of Sarah’s titles include the Gi and No Gi World Champion, Abu Dhabi World Pro and UAE Grand Slam Champion, European Champion, Pan American Champion, United States and Brazil National Champion.
Sarah, where were you born? Where did you grow up and where has life taken you recently?
I was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. I have traveled the world throughout my professional sports career and have also lived in Sao Paulo and Toronto.
When you were growing up did you ever imagine you would be where you are now in regards to your sport and your passions?
As a kid and teenager, I was always involved with sports. I competed in horseback riding for many years and loved the dedication and hard work that was needed to succeed at a high level. As you know, horseback riding is a very expensive hobby. Because of financial constraints, I decided to step away from the sport. I missed the passion it brought to my life and wanted to try something new. One day I wandered into a jiu jitsu gym, not knowing anything about it. I tried one class and fell in love with it.
You have taken home several world championship titles in your sport. Can you tell us about the disciplines you practice and compete in and can you you share about what it takes to achieve this level of mastery? What keeps you inspired?
By 2018 I was able to accomplish a major dream of mine - to win every major tournament on the international Jiu Jitsu circuit (World Championships, No-gi World Championships, The Pan Americans, European Championships, American Nationals, Brazilian Nationals, The Abu Dhabi World Pro, and UAE Grand Slam). This took an immense amount of focus and a mindset of believing you can accomplish anything. I was training and teaching jiu jitsu 7 days a week for several hours and weightlifting 6 days a week as well. At this time there was a fire lit inside of me, and my desire to keep performing at that level of intensity was a top priority. Although not sustainable long term, it was a time in my life that I’ll never forget.
What have been some of your biggest challenges that you had to overcome both personally and when it comes to your sport?
In terms of sports and performance, the biggest challenge I’ve had to face has been the mental aspect. You can do everything perfectly to prepare for a tournament externally (training, nutrition, staying injury free etc.) but if you don’t have your mental game dialed nothing else will matter. In most sports there is a term called the “flow state” where you feel completely immersed, energized, and focused. Finding the perfect balance of nervous energy, confidence, and desire to win helps me achieve this. In the past I have had trouble keeping my anxiety under control due to a fear of failure. Putting myself in difficult situations repeatedly has helped me to realize that failure isn’t fatal and that having the courage to keep trying is a success in itself.
Riding on the back of the last question, what are the sacrifices you have had to make to achieve the level at which you are in your sport?
To achieve the level of success in jiu jitsu that I was able to, took more sacrifice than I can explain. It has taken a toll on my physical health. To be honest, I wouldn’t say it would be worth it to do everything again at the same level of intensity. I had to put everything on the back burner that was not directly tied to training and competing. My relationships, health, and academic career took a backseat.
Tell us about your multifaceted hobbies outside of martial arts?
Outside of martial arts, I have lots of hobbies! Mountain biking, weightlifting, cooking, yoga, and reading are some of my favourite things to do.
If you had not become a professional in the field of martial arts where do you think your life would have taken you?
Before jiu jitsu, I had always wanted to become a helicopter paramedic. I imagine it would be one of the most rewarding and exciting jobs to help someone who is having one of the worst days of their life, and be instrumental in getting them to safety to begin their healing process. I have always been fascinated by medicine. Before doing jiu jitsu full time I went to university and studied physics and nuclear medicine.
You have done volunteer work with the City of Delta Police force. Can you tell us about your role and what inspired you to participate?
I volunteered for the Delta Police department for several years as an auxiliary/reserve constable. This involved special training and then volunteering at community events, ride alongs, and helping with the officers’ training. One of my favourite roles in was as an actor for the E.R.T. (SWAT) team training sessions. We had full days of role playing where myself and other volunteers reenacted scenarios to help the officers practice response strategies to rare situations. I acted as everything from a gunshot victim, to a hostage, to a terrorist sniper (armed with just a paintball gun of course). I was considering a career in law enforcement at one point during this, but decided it wasn’t for me.
What according to you are the most important qualities in a person?
To me the most important quality in someone is their ability to unapologetically be themselves. I feel like the world we live in today is stifling in that we are expected to conform to certain behaviors, and follow certain paths in order to be “successful.” When one person feels free to do whatever brings them the most joy it creates a ripple effect out into the world and inspires others to do the same. I dream of a world where we as a society are less constrained by wealth and status, and I believe that this quality of personal freedom is an integral part.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
If I could live anywhere, I truly would stay in Vancouver. Traveling the world has opened my eyes to how great my hometown truly is. I love living in a big city but having such spectacular nature all around. The level of Jiu-Jitsu training here is excellent. We also have some of the best mountain biking and hiking trails in the world with the towns of Whistler and Squamish close by. Vancouver aside, I have also really enjoyed Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. I would like to visit Morocco one day as it is where my mother’s side of the family is from.
Do you have any big plans for the next five years? What do you envision in your future?
Although I have spent a lot of my life hyper focused on sports achievements, as time goes by I am realizing how healthy it is to have a balance in life. Over the next five years I would like to continue teaching and training jiu jitsu for the joy of it. I’ve found it very rewarding to teach kids/teens and especially those with disabilities, and that is something I would like to pick up again post-pandemic. Outside of that I am hoping to continue working in Nuclear Medicine. Particularly in the the field of PET (positron emission tomography) and its applications in cancer research. As well, I’d love to continue mountain biking and keep improving my skills. It has been so exciting to be a beginner at a sport again and to see the progression with that!
What is the meaning of life according to Sarah Thackray?
I’m not sure I know what I think the meaning of life is. That is a very challenging question! But I believe the meaning IN life is to be deeply fulfilled by activities that provide intrinsic worth. Whether that is raising a family, becoming a brain surgeon, rescuing stray dogs, or anything else you could Imagine. It could be a multitude of different things throughout one lifetime. The beauty is that it is so different for everyone.