4th of July: Freedom to Train, Freedom to Fight
Since I can remember, the 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. Until recently, this was always because it brought family and friends together down the shore with food, drinks, fireworks, and the beach. Now, I realize it is so much more…
Why do we celebrate the 4th in America?
July 4th, 1776, marked American Independence from Great Britain. The 13 original American colonies separated from British law.
Side note: I’m happy to report that my home state, New Jersey, was one of the original colonies!
Anyway, we were no longer subject to heavy taxes and imposed laws by the British government.
Freedom
Freedom isn’t just about fireworks and barbecues.
Freedom is earned, defended, and protected.
Freedom wasn’t built overnight. We worked for it, and we must protect it… on and off the mats.
Freedom Comes with Discipline
The freedom to train is built on:
Showing up when it’s hard
Taking care of your body so you can keep going
Protecting your teammates, not just yourself
Knowing when to push… and when to tap
The athletes who stay in the game are the ones who respect that freedom. They don’t cut corners. They train smart. They look out for their partners.
If you love this sport, you have a responsibility to yourself and to your community to protect that freedom—because it can be gone in a second.
Reflection on Sacrifice
This week, we reflect on the military. Those who have served, those who currently serve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Freedom is a privilege… and that privilege comes with a cost. The military community and their families sacrifice a lot so that we may live freely in America. With the majority of the world not enjoying our freedoms, the 4th is a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in this country.
Final Thoughts: Protect What Matters
As we celebrate the 4th of July, I’ve been reflecting on what freedom really means—not just as an idea, but as a responsibility.
In the United States, we have the freedom to train, to speak, to move, to build, to fight for what we love. But this isn’t the case everywhere.
In much of the world, freedom is limited. In many countries, people (especially women) can’t train, can’t speak freely, can’t travel without permission.
In the Middle East and other parts of the world, basic rights are controlled or stripped away. There are places where women are silenced, where opposition is punished, and where life choices are not your own.
For those of us in the U.S. (and other countries), and especially in the combat athlete community, the freedom to train is a gift. The freedom to step on the mats, to test yourself, to recover from injury and come back stronger… that’s something many people can only dream of.
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Dr. Megan Lisset Jimenez
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