Chokes and Consciousness

Michaela and Deja analyze the recent UFC White House event, societal influences, and the importance of awareness in a rapidly changing world. They explore themes of media manipulation, celebrity culture, personal growth, and midlife crisis. Michaela and Deja explore the nature of pressure, how to handle uncomfortable situations, and the importance of space for growth. They share personal insights,...

This episode Deja and Michaela cover the upcoming UFC 250 event, the controversy surrounding its organization, and predictions for the fights. They also share personal updates, training insights, and reflections on life's challenges and growth. They explore a wide range of topics, including movie sequels, conspiracy theories about underground cities, and the importance of hydration and self-care....

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore a wide range of topics, including A.I., UFOs, aliens, and the nature of reality. They share personal insights, theories, and encourage listeners to question what they know and stay curious about the unknown. This episode dives into the recent MVP event, Ronda Rousey's comeback, the state of MMA and BJJ culture, the influence of UFC's monopolization, and t...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss the significance of staying grounded during the new Taurus season, the controversy surrounding UFC fighter pay, and the exchanges between Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison. Michaela and Deja explore the importance of roots, patience, and discipline in personal growth, especially through the lens of martial arts, sports, and life challenges. They discuss how...

In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore the importance of decluttering not just in our physical environment, but also within our minds and spirits. Deja and Michaela share personal insights on how seasonal transitions inspire reflection, growth, and a more intentional way of living. Key Topics included the symbolism of spring for renewal and decluttering; emotional and mental clutter; recognizi...

For this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss their last few weeks, recent competitions for fellow teammates, recent UFC events and news, fight strategies, and the evolving landscape of MMA, the UFC business model, and BJJ. We analyze the controversial UFC White House card, upcoming competitions, and the impact of monopolization in the sport. Plus, a humorous dive into a bizarre dolphin kidnapping s...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the fleeting nature of February, the impact of global warming on weather patterns, and the art of manifestation. They dive into the significance of the upcoming Chinese New Year, specifically the Year of the Fire Horse, and discuss the collective energy affecting personal experiences. The duo also shares insights on physical reco...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss their recent health struggles, the importance of nutrition and supplements, and the significance of Aquarius season. They reflect on personal growth, training experiences, and share updates from the UFC, including fight results and discussions about notable fighters like Thug Rose and Justin Gaethje. Michaela and Deja discuss the current state of UFC, par...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their experiences so far in January, discussing the wrestling season, personal health challenges, and the importance of outdoor play during childhood. They explore themes of motivation and endurance as they transition into the new year, sharing updates on wrestling events and predictions for upcoming UFC fights. They reflect on Rafael Lovato Jr's' retu...

In the last episode of 2025, Deja and Michaela reflect on the year, transitioning from the year of the snake into the year of the horse, and on the importance of grounding oneself and reflecting on personal experiences. Michaela and Deja emphasize the need for awareness and adaptability in the face of change, holding self accountable in breaking loops, and challenging self to move towards internal...

Summary In this 60th episode, Michaela and Deja reconnect after a brief hiatus to discuss the impact of seasonal changes on their energy and motivation. They dive into the importance of competition in maintaining accountability, share updates on their upcoming brackets for No-Gi Worlds, and reflect on the challenges of embracing winter's energy. The duo also touches on their Spotify Wrapped experi...

In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore the transition into the holiday season, the start of wrestling season, and the impact of cosmic events like Mercury retrograde on daily life. They explore personal challenges, the evolution of film technology, and the implications of A.I. on society. The discussion also touches on astrological insights, the significance of the new moon in Scorpio, and the...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the significance of the Beaver Moon during Scorpio season, the challenges of maintaining motivation, and the impact of recent betting scandals in the UFC. They reflect on personal experiences, the importance of intrinsic motivation, and the balance between health and legacy in the sports world. The discussion also touches on the...

In this special Halloween episode, Deja and Michaela embody Spider-Man and Blade, discussing their favorite Halloween traditions, candies, and the evolution of trick-or-treating. They share personal stories about their childhood Halloween experiences and delve into the origin stories of Spider-Man and Blade. The conversation also touches on the significance of Scorpio season, emphasizing themes of...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their recent experiences, including adventures in New York and Philadelphia, personal growth during Libra season, and insights into competition and self-worth. They discuss the impact of astrology on their emotions and decisions, share highlights from recent UFC events, and celebrate upcoming birthdays. The conversation emphasizes the importance of bal...

In this episode full of technical difficulties, Deja and Michaela navigate these issues with laughter, exploring various themes including seasonal preferences, nostalgic candy memories, cooking experiences, and the evolution of technology and communication. Deja and Michaela explore a variety of themes ranging from the impact of technology on education, the evolution of soda consumption, nostalgic...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the challenges of technical difficulties, the vibrant energy of the Libra season, and the importance of physical activity and nutrition in managing energy levels. They share personal insights on astrology, upcoming competitions, and reflections on personal growth, while also discussing current events in MMA and boxing. The conver...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Deja and Michaela chat with their teammate, Robyn, who shares her unique journey from a theater background to the world of Jiu-Jitsu, discussing the challenges and triumphs she has faced as a female athlete. Deja, Michaela, and Robyn explore themes of community, resilience, and the mental aspects of training, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's aggr...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their recent experiences at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con/Masters World Championships in Vegas, the personal growth that comes with competition, and the importance of technique and strategy in grappling. They also share insights on notable matches, the camaraderie among competitors, and their future plans in the sport. They reflect on the emotional aspects o...

Summary In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore various themes related to Jiu-Jitsu training, including the importance of safety, the history of the QWERTY keyboard, and the transition from Leo to Virgo season. They emphasize the need for effective communication and energy awareness in training partnerships, while also discussing the dynamics of working with lower belts. The conversation highli...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela celebrate their 50th podcast milestone while reflecting on their recent experiences in competition. They discuss the importance of growth, self-reflection, and the challenges faced during competitions. The conversation underscores the importance of acceptance and mindfulness in navigating unexpected situations, highlighting the lessons learned from both successes...

Deja and Michaela discuss various topics, including the energy of Mars in Libra and its impact on their mindset and interactions. They reflect on their experiences in recent competitions, emphasizing the significance of community and support in their journeys. The UFC's potential shift to Netflix for broadcasting, the rise of weight loss drugs, and the implications for mental health in competition...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore the themes of competition, personal growth, and the mental aspects of training in jiu-jitsu. They discuss the importance of facing one's inner opponent, finding balance, and the excitement of competing. Deja and Michaela also discuss their experiences from their first competitions, the impact of weather on training, and offer encouragement to new competit...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their journey as podcasters over the past year, discussing themes of resilience, growth, and the importance of grit. They celebrate milestones, share personal stories of overcoming adversity, and emphasize the value of community and active listening. The duo also explores self-care practices, health discussions, and their aspirations for the future, al...

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore the themes of impostor syndrome, personal growth, and the journey of learning in Jiu-Jitsu. They discuss the feelings of self-doubt that often accompany promotions and the importance of taking ownership of one's achievements. The conversation also explores the impact of the environment on performance, the significance of nature's signals, and a lightheart...