Emily's Pajama Party

Send us Fan Mail Jiujitsu is a physical sport that is incredibly demanding on the body. This week Emily sits down with her friend Diana. Diana Wang is a seasoned physical therapist with nearly a decade of experience and a passion for Jiu-Jitsu. She has dedicated her career to helping athletes understand their bodies and prevent injuries, particularly in the BJJ community. Through her work at Open...

Send us Fan Mail As a mother, you face a multitude of challenges, from parenting responsibilities to personal aspirations. In this post, we explore how Janel navigates the demands of single motherhood while pursuing her passion for jujitsu. Discover the valuable insights she shares about personal growth, resilience, and the importance of finding balance in life.

Send us Fan Mail In today’s world, many parents are searching for ways to enrich their children’s lives beyond the traditional classroom. This episode explores how Mary, a homeschooling mother of three, has seamlessly integrated Jiu Jitsu into her family's daily routine. From building self-defense skills to fostering a strong family bond, this journey is packed with valuable insights for anyo...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where confidence can be scarce, the stories of those who embrace their fears can be truly inspiring. In this episode of the podcast, Emily and Brie dive deep into the world of Jiu-Jitsu, exploring not just the techniques and training, but the personal growth and resilience that come with the practice. Brie, a seasoned Physician Assistant and a dedicated mom of two, shar...

Send us Fan Mail  In a world that often emphasizes youth and traditional paths, the story of Martine, a 71-year-old jiu-jitsu practitioner, breaks the mold. Her journey from self-doubt to empowerment showcases the transformative power of martial arts and the importance of community support. Martine is curious, joyful, and such a story teller! Also, the episode involves nose honking, because why no...

Send us Fan Mail  In a world where physical activities often demand intense competition and focus, the harmonious blend of yoga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers a refreshing perspective. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the journey of Bianca, a passionate yoga teacher and BJJ practitioner, as she shares her insights on how these two disciplines complement each other beautifully. Bi...

Send us Fan Mail In the world of martial arts, few experiences are as transformative as stepping onto the jiu-jitsu mat. In a recent podcast episode, Desirae shares her incredible journey from being a supportive parent to becoming an active participant in the sport. Her story illustrates not just the physical challenges of jiu-jitsu but also the profound personal growth that comes from embracing t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Rachel and Annalee illustrate how Jiu-Jitsu transcends being just a sport; it becomes a transformative journey that fosters empowerment, community, and resilience. Their stories remind us that embracing challenges—whether on the mats or in life—can lead to personal growth and deeper connections with others.

Send us Fan Mail Hi everyone, Emily here. Each week I typically interview amazing women in the world of brazilian jiujitsu. This is a bonus epsiode where I interview Clay, the guy that got me into BJJ! It is a fun talk between us, definitely a departure from my norm and a fun little peek into my life where social and sport combine. The jiujitsu community is filled with fantastic individuals, here...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Pajama Party, Emily sits down and talks with her friend Alexandra. She has trained in martial arts most her life, and over twenty years in Jiujitsu. BJJ was there for her during really tough moments where she leaned into the community and the chance to work through life's most challenging battles. She has worked hard to create not one, but two communiti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Pajama Party podcast, host Emily sat down with Maya, the founder of Alchemize, to discuss her inspiring journey in creating a women-centric jiu-jitsu apparel brand. From her early entrepreneurial spirit to the challenges of designing functional and stylish gear, Maya's story is one of empowerment and transformation.

Send us Fan Mail  In today’s fast-paced world, finding activities that empower us and foster community is essential. Ellen, a PhD student and passionate jiu-jitsu practitioner, shares her journey of discovering strength, confidence, and friendship through the art of jiu-jitsu. Join us as we delve into her experiences and insights, proving that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to profound p...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with Evelynn, whose full-blown obsession with BJJ is equal parts inspiring and hilariously relatable. Evelynn shares how jiu-jitsu took over her life in the best way — from the joy, the challenges, and the breakthroughs, to the moments that made her fall even deeper in love with the sport.  A fun, high-energy episode that celebrates passion, growt...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with Jenna for a deep, technical, and incredibly insightful conversation about grappling as a smaller-framed athlete. What begins as a friendly chat quickly turns into a mentoring moment, with Jenna breaking down the strategies, leverage, and mindset shifts that smaller practitioners can use to thrive on the mats.  Full of practical wisdom, detail...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with her friend Robyn—one of the funniest, most genuine people you’ll ever meet. What starts as a simple chat quickly turns into an unexpectedly honest, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation that goes in all the best directions. Robyn’s humor, her realness, and the way she opens up remind us how much depth and warmth can hide behind the laughter....

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with her friend Jody for an honest and refreshingly real conversation about the early days of BJJ. From the lessons nobody warns you about to the mindset shifts that make all the difference, Jody shares what she wishes she’d known as a white belt—and what she hopes new practitioners can carry with them as they start their own journey.  A warm, enc...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with her friend Karina to talk about the real, everyday challenge of finding balance as a mom, a full-time professional, and a dedicated BJJ practitioner. Karina opens up about the pressures, the routines, the messy moments, and the small wins that help her keep moving forward. This honest conversation is all about showing up for yourself even whe...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, I sit down with AJ, owner of a thriving gym in Indianapolis built on one powerful philosophy built on community. AJ shares her journey, the heart behind creating an inclusive space on and off the mats, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, vulnerability, and building a place where every person feels seen.  A conversation full of warmth, purpose, and the...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with Daniela — known on Instagram as The Jiujitsu Mom — to talk about motherhood, identity, and finding strength and community on the mat. Daniela shares her honest, heartfelt journey into jiujitsu, the challenges she’s navigated along the way, and the joy she’s found in carving out space for herself while inspiring others to do the same. A warm,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Emily’s Pajama Party , I catch up with my friend Courtney , who brings her trademark humor and honesty to the mic. Courtney opens up about stepping away from jiujitsu when life got stressful and finances got tight — and what it felt like to come back to the mats after time away. We talk about balance, burnout, and learning to give yourself grace when life doesn’...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Emily sits down with her professor, Leo, for a fun and insightful conversation that blends history, culture, and a whole lot of personality. Leo shares pieces of his background, his journey from Brazil to teaching jiu-jitsu in the U.S., and the deeper meaning behind the art he brings to the mats every day. Plus, he helps clear up some of the most commonly mispron...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Emily’s Pajama Party , I sit down with my friend Olivia , a dedicated jiujitsu athlete who’s been training for three years and is already an avid competitor. Olivia opens up about what drives her to compete, how stepping onto the competition mats has built her confidence, and the lessons she’s learned through both victory and defeat. We talk about how competitio...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Emily’s Pajama Party , I sit down with my friend Torrie , whose journey to the jiujitsu mat is all about representation, courage, and self-expression. Torrie shares how she found her place in a sport where she didn’t always see herself reflected — and how she’s learned to celebrate what makes her unique both on and off the mats. We talk about belonging, confiden...

Send us Fan Mail  This week on Emily’s Pajama Party , I’m joined by my friend Kimberly , who opens up about the highs and lows of recovering from a major injury that took her off the mats for over a year. From surgery to setbacks to finding her way back to jiujitsu, Kimberly shares how she turned recovery into a journey of self-discovery and strength. Her honesty, resilience, and willingness to sh...

Send us Fan Mail  This week on Emily’s Pajama Party , I’m joined by my friend Jen , who brings her background in kinesiology and personal training to help us understand what it really means to train with purpose. We talk about setting realistic goals, staying consistent, and using the right support — from nutrition to mobility — to build confidence and strength as women in jiujitsu. If you’ve ever...