Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris And Anna Golv
Hi Chris and Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our story starts with my (Chris) entry into martial arts in 2009. I had played team sports all of my life, but after a short stint in college that didn’t work out, I was left with a big void. I really needed a competitive, physical outlet. I had been a fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), so I decided to try kickboxing. I was honestly too scared to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) because I had never done any sort of grappling before. Shortly after starting though, in my pursuit to try MMA, I began doing BJJ as well. After a few amateur fights, I quickly realized it was not going to be a career. I kept doing JiuJitsu though because it was fun, and I could still compete regularly without the physical damage of MMA.
JiuJitsu was always a hobby that I enjoyed, but my wife and I both entered the field of fitness. I became a personal trainer, while Anna went into corporate wellness. Our dream was to open a fitness gym together.
As I continued to train in BJJ, and with the support of my instructor, doing JiuJitsu and having a gym started to meld together. I received my black belt in December of 2019, and we opened Higher Ground in August of 2021.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A big challenge for us, and I think every small business owner, was COVID and most of 2020. We had been looking for spaces and feel very fortunate that we hadn’t signed a lease before the shutdown. We used this time the best we could though, improving our vision and mission, and preparing ourselves for when things got back to normal.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our mission explains what we do the best. “Promoting personal growth, both physically and mentally, through the art of Brazilian JiuJitsu.”
We offer classes for ages 4 and up. JiuJitsu is a great physical workout, an even better mental workout, and is a place to socialize and take part in a community.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a very active child. I loved playing outside, and eventually found my way to youth sports. I played soccer, basketball, and track and field through highschool. I was always shy and a little introverted, so having sports helped with letting me open up and express myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Hgbjjmn.com
- Instagram: @highergroundbjjmn
