Jesus P. - Diagnosed Age 22

Before lupus, I was a collegiate athlete. Coming home from Fresno State, I joined my local junior college football team before earning an opportunity to play for San Diego State University. I injured my knee before I could make it and during my recovery I became ill for over a year, worse pain I've ever felt in my life.

Turns out I had chronic pancreatitis and a cancerous gallbladder. After a cholecystectomy and several positive ANA test and a family history of lupus, I was sent to a rheumatologist. March 18, 2013, he agreed with my primary doctor’s preliminary diagnosis of lupus.

In 2016, after countless procedures, a couple surgeries and my broken engagement due to my illness, I decided enough was enough and found jiu jitsu. Fast forward to 2018 after few tournaments and a medal under my newly promoted blue belt and getting into Muay Thai and boxing. I can't wait for what my journey in the MMA world holds. Life is a continued battle of ups and downs. Just like belt promotions you go from the bottom to the top only to get promoted and start from the bottom again. You’re constantly striving for greatness. Train to Reign! My goal is to one day become a World Champion Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and spread Lupus Awareness while doing so.[