Tara Thornton’s journey through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is far more than just a personal athletic pursuit. It is a mission to uplift others, build communities, and change the culture of combat sports for women across Asia. She is a fierce competitor, a committed activist, and the passionate founder behind Roll For Change, Women’s Grappling Thailand, and Women’s Grappling Asia.
As an athlete sponsored by Common Ground Jiu Jitsu and a member of both New School BJJ Brixton and Born to Roll Club, Tara’s work stretches beyond podiums and medals. She is fighting for something bigger: belonging, visibility, and real equity in the world of grappling.
Tara does not just travel to train. She moves with intention. Her nomadic lifestyle has allowed her to train at gyms across the world, learning from a wide range of people and cultures. But more importantly, it has given her the platform to bring her message of inclusion to corners of the sport where women often feel left out.
“I just want women to feel how I felt when I finally found belonging in this sport,” she says. “At New School BJJ Brixton, I saw what true inclusion looks like. We have so many women on the mats, an incredibly diverse community, and support from our head coach Reiss Bailey and his partner Athena that has been life changing for me.
Whether she is in the UK, Turkey, Thailand, or elsewhere in Asia, Tara uses her time to connect with local athletes, amplify their voices, and create spaces where women in grappling can feel truly seen.
One of Tara’s standout initiatives is Roll For Change, a grassroots fundraising campaign that uses open mat events to support other women led groups in martial arts. It is more than a charity. It is a celebration.
These events feature sparring, raffles, and community building, with all proceeds going to organizations like Her Fight Network and the Enyo Foundation. These are groups working to make martial arts more accessible and safer for women.
“Roll For Change started with a simple question. What if our open mats could be about more than just training?” says Tara. “It is about community, collaboration, and creating a space where women feel welcomed and valued.”
From London these mats create real friendships, solidarity, and shared stories while funding future change.
In 2025, Tara co founded Women’s Grappling Thailand and Women’s Grappling Asia alongside fellow BJJ brown belt and Phuket based coach, Lucy Greenway. Their goal is to build a consistent cross gym community for women athletes across Asia, a region where many women still train in isolation.
Their first major project is a weekly rotating rounds event across Phuket, where competition style sparring is hosted at different gyms each week. This breaks down gym rivalries and fosters community through training.
“We knew there were amazing women here, but no platform to bring them together,” Tara explains. “We wanted to change that.”
The response has been overwhelming. Women from all over the island and even neighboring countries are starting to connect, spar, and grow together. The movement is just beginning, but it is already making real change visible.
Tara does not just share her wins. She is open about the struggles too. The weight of travel, the emotional ups and downs of competition, and the hard days in the gym. It is this raw honesty that sets her apart.
“Empowerment is not always about feeling strong,” she says. “It is about doing the work even when it is hard. Even when you feel like you do not belong.”
Through social media and in person events, Tara talks about vulnerability as a strength.. She reminds athletes that it is okay to feel doubt and that the journey matters as much as the destination.
Tara is proud to be a sponsored athlete of Common Ground Jiu Jitsu, a brand redefining inclusivity in BJJ gear. Their message is simple. Every athlete deserves gear that fits, feels good, and performs at the highest level.
“They are one of the few brands actually designing for real people,” says Tara. “I love that their gear works for all shapes, sizes, and genders.”
With adjustable fits and a wide range of sizes, Common Ground’s mission aligns perfectly with Tara’s values. No one should feel excluded based on how they look or what size they are.
Despite only training for three years, Tara has already built a powerful competitive resume. She is
She competes for New School BJJ Brixton and Born to Roll Club, but her focus is not on club loyalty. It is on building something that lasts, a sport where all women can thrive.
With major tournaments like AJP World Pro and the 2025 IBJJF European Championships on the horizon, Tara is pushing herself harder than ever.
But for her, it is not just about gold. “Medals are cool, but the real win is when a young girl sees someone like her on the mat and knows she belongs.”
After years of constant movement, Tara is now choosing to lay foundations. With Thailand as her home base, she is investing in the local grappling scene. Not just by teaching and training, but by building systems of support for women athletes.
““I still travel,” she says, “but now every trip has purpose. It is about connection, collaboration, and community building.”
The nomad has not stopped moving, but now she is moving with even more intention.
In a sport where women have often been pushed to the sidelines, Tara Thornton is leading a movement of belonging, equity, and transformation. She is reshaping what success in combat sports looks like, not just through titles but through community impact.
Whether it is advocating for better representation, building platforms for women, or simply showing up with vulnerability and heart, Tara is changing lives.
“I am always thinking about the next generation,” she says. “I want them to inherit a better sport than the one I started in.”
Through action, honesty, and heart, Tara Thornton is proving that you can be an elite athlete and a community leader. And that the most powerful thing you can do is help others feel like they belong.
Do follow her on Instagram and follow @womensgrapplingthailand and @womensgrapplingasia
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