A lil bit more about me...
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the importance of a community
I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) back in college at Virginia Tech.
Funny enough, I wasn’t particularly athletic growing up, but a friend convinced me to check out the school’s MMA club.
Years later, here I am, still on the mat as often as I can.
BJJ came into my life at a time when I felt isolated. I had just moved to a new country and was struggling to fit in. Beyond the workout and self-defense aspects, BJJ introduced me to incredible people and a supportive community. It taught me the value of humility, respect, and camaraderie. Joining that MMA club was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It reminded me how essential being part of a community is, and that lesson has shaped many areas of my life.
Cultures and Travel
While BJJ taught me the importance of community, my experiences as an immigrant helped me appreciate the beauty of diversity. It’s natural to gravitate toward what feels familiar, but stepping out of your comfort zone is where true growth happens.
When I moved to the U.S. as a young adult, leaving my family and friends behind in Ivory Coast and France, I had to navigate entirely new cultures and perspectives. It wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. Since then, I’ve developed a passion for learning from different people and experiences.
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Travel has become an important part of my life, with Asia and South America topping my bucket list. Surrounding myself with diverse mindsets has taught me to appreciate differences and share a few things from my own culture too.
Professional Wrestling
Exploring new cultures and perspectives has also shaped how I view entertainment, and one of the most surprising interests I’ve developed is in professional wrestling.
​Growing up, I barely watched WWF (now WWE). It wasn’t a big thing where I lived. But as a young adult developing my personality traits and various life interests,the pro-wrestling industry captured my attention.
Where people may use terms such as “pre-determined fight” or “soap opera”, I realized that professional wrestling is so much more. I see it as a fascinating representation of a successful product based on the magnificent use of two basic elements : Storytelling and User Experience (and incredible athleticism).
Each show blends narratives, characters, and performances to transport the audience into a fictional world. I had the chance to attend several live events, including from smaller organizations, and it always amazed me to see the passion and engagement of the audience. It is fascinating to see how audience feedback shapes the product in real time, adjusting storylines, characters, and pacing based on reactions. It’s a perfect example of how understanding your audience can drive success.
Entertainment and Fiction
You may have already guessed my strong appreciation for various types of arts able to transport people into fictitious worlds and create strong emotions while drawing subtle parallels to real life.
For me, good storytelling and character development are everything. When done well, I’m hooked.
This is why I always had a passion for Sci-Fi movies, adventure video games, and graphic novels. I love learning about the “behind the scene” and the complexity of using basic tools to create fictional environments. It is actually one of the reasons why I learned about Unity, which is a popular platform for developing video games.
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Entertainment allows us to escape, recharge, and experience a spectrum of emotions. It’s a vital balance to staying grounded in reality while nurturing creativity.
And more…
Balancing creativity and reality wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my furry companions.
This quote is among the first pages of my PhD dissertation. I am an animal lover and my cats have been with me through thick and thin. I am grateful to have them in my life as they’ve taught me responsibility, care, and the importance of balance in life.
And when I’m not working or exploring other interests, you can also find me build some nice Lego set 🧱 or trying new baking challenges 🎂.
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It is all about a healthy and fun balance!