Girls in Gis Podcast

Cat Discianni is the co-owner and head instructor of jiu jitsu at New Asgard Martial Arts alongside of her husband and she is a Tac Team Black Belt under Paramount BJJ. Cat enjoys competing and coaching all people in jiu jitsu, especially women and started her teaching career as the women’s class jiu jitsu instructor at Paramount as a blue belt. She holds multiple notable competitive accolades inc...

 Michelle Marciniak is 14 years old yellow-white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, out of Las Vegas. She began training jiu jitsu when she was 9 years old. Toward the end of 2023, her and her brother began training at Diamond Grappling Academy where they currently train today. Around the same time, she started getting more serious about her competition. In addition to all the local tournaments, they st...

 Alexa Yanes is the Founder of Open Guard Collective (formerly the Groundwork Foundation) and a driving force behind its mission to create meaningful, community-driven impact through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, education, and global outreach. With over a decade of training, Alexa has competed professionally at the highest levels of the sport around the world. Her accomplishments at black belt include win...

Emily Kwok is a multiple-time IBJJF champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an early veteran of women’s MMA, and one of the sport’s pioneering female athletes. A school owner and head instructor at Princeton BJJ, she brings over two decades of experience on and off the mat. Emily has been a driving force in creating space for women in the sport — co-founding Groundswell Grappling Concepts in 2008 as the...

  Elizabeth is a dedicated and driven 9-year-old athlete who actively competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. Known for her discipline, coachability, and competitive spirit, she approaches both training and competition with focus, resilience, and a genuine love for the sport. Her training spans multiple world class programs across Florida and New York. She represents Alpha Miami Grappling o...

  Kendall Reusing is a 3x IBJJF NoGi Black Belt World Champion, 2024 ADCC bronze medalist, 4x USA Wrestling National Champion, and an 8x IBJJF World Champion at all belt levels overall. She is also the co-owner of 4 Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu academies, a worldwide seminar and camp facilitator, a podcast host of her show, Get A Grip, and a combat sports commentator and interviewer for both IBJJF and F...

On this today's episode of NEXT GEN , Shama sits down with Lovey! Lovely Lucy is not just a youth combat sport athlete; she’s a force of nature! Training fiercely in jiu jitsu, boxing, MMA, and taekwondo, she radiates enthusiasm for competition while showcasing incredible sportsmanship. As she gears up for thrilling superfights and her boxing debut, Lucy dreams of winning the GAMMA Youth Nati...

On this episode of AABB, Shama sits down with Lyzz Mitrovic! Lyzz Mitrovic has been training martial arts since 2010. She started her journey with Hapkido, receiving her Black Belt in 2013. Wanting to learn more martial arts, she began training BJJ in 2014. She quickly became an avid and tough competitor in BJJ, and after numerous competition accolades, received her Black Belt in 2019 under Dustin...

 On this Episode of Next Generation, Shama sits down with Isa! Isa is an 8-year-old Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Southern California who trains out of Legacy West Valley in Northridge. As a homeschooled student, she’s able to dedicate time and focus to her training, allowing her to develop both discipline and passion for the sport. Known for her big smile and contagious energy, Isa has a natural ability...

On this episode, guest host Torrie O’neil-Strong sits down with 2 stripe black belt, Caitlin Murdock. She earned her black belt under Eduardo de Lima, direct student under Carlos Gracie Jr. and started training under de Lima with my dad when I was 12.  25 years later, “I'm an active competitor in the adult division under Pedigo Submission Fighting. My husband and I moved to the PSF HQ over th...

Welcome to our newest podcast, Champions in Life where we talk with people who champions both on and off the mats. On episode 2, we welcome Molly Jimenez! A carpenter by trade, Molly loves to travel, gardening, cooking, spending time outdoors and racing motorcycles. She loves empowering other women and fostering community through Jiu-Jitsu. She has two boys, four and twelve, a wonderful husband an...

On this Episode of Next Generation, Shama sits down with Helena Crevar. Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/ Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/ Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGis Facebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGis Twitter: @_girl...

On this Episode of Next Generation, Shama sits down with Bella Oclaray. Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/ Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/ Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGis Facebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGis Twitter: @_girl...

 On this episode of Ask a Black Belt, Shama sits down with Chelsah’ Lyons!    Chelsah’ Lyons is a Marcelo Garcia Dallas 1st Degree Black Belt under Rob Ables. She is also the Owner/ Head Instructor at LP Martial Arts in Lewisville, Texas. She has 14 years experience and is 2 x NoGi World Champion, 2 x NoGi Pan American/Absolute Champion, 2 x Fight to Win NoGi Light Weight Belt Champion and Black B...

Welcome to our newest podcast, Champions in Life where we talk with people who champions both on and off the mats. In this first episode we are join by  4x Black Belt World Champion & artist Dominyka Obelenyte. Learn more about Dominyka at: Instagram: @ domdabomburmom   Art: https://www.dominyka-art.com/ Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www....

In our first podcast of 2025, Shama sits down with Kaloni Elvis-Marie Brown! Kaloni Elvis-Marie Brown (nick name Kk) has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for nine years since the age six.  She began her Jiu Jitsu journey when her mom took her and her younger brother Ludah to try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu out and Kk instantly fell in love with it. For the past seven years she has trained under Kim Terra...

For this, Shama sits down with the founding members of Girls in Gis, Ashley Freeman Nguyen,  Belinda Bueno Serrano, Vicki Serrano & Tatiana Erichsen. Tune in as we reminisce the early days of Girls in Gis, the trials and tribulations and how being a part of this community has impacted their lives. Guest: Ashley Freeman Nguyen, Belinda Bueno Serrano, Vicki Serrano & Tatiana Erichsen  Learn...

In this episode we sit down with Holly, Kendall and Emma Reusing and talk about all things parenting and Jiu Jitsu. In this episode we tackle all angles of the mother, daughter and sister dynamic and learn how Jiu Jitsu ties into their dynamic. This is one you don’t want to miss. Tune in, listen and learn. Guest: Holly Reusing, Kendall Reusing and Emma Reusing  Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homep...

On this episode of Ask a Black Belt, Shama sits down with Katie Egan! Katie Egan is a black belt training out of the Seattle, WA area at Foster Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a One Jiu Jitsu affiliate as both an athlete and head coach of the nogi program. She is a Pan and American Nationals Champion along with a Worlds, Brazilian Nationals, and Europeans medalist. In addition to competing and coaching she i...

In this episode we talk all things heavyweights! Guests : Hillary VanOrnum, Delana Maule and Shannon Menees Hosted & Curated by: Torrie O'neil of The Mighty Dames Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/ Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/ Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/ Facebook Group: https://www.f...

This week, Shama sits down with Maddie Morales! a 13 years old at Fighting Chance Academy, Maddie hasbeen training Jiu Jitsu with her dad at I was 6 years old at Fighting Chance Academy in Kerrville, Texas.  "He opened the gym because he has always been a huge martial arts nerd and so that my sister and I had a place to learn how to defend ourselves, especially because we were petite females,...

In this episode we talk about the realties and experiences of training in your 70’s Guests: Elaine Wynn, Lily Pagel and Marion Gimbel Hosted by: Shama Ko Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/ Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/ Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups...

In this episode we talk about all things related to being in your 60’s and training Jiu Jitsu. Guest: Betty Broadhurst, Kim Blake & Karen Burns Hosted by: Shama Ko Learn more about Girls in Gis: Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.com Events: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/ Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/ Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/ Facebook Group: https://www.faceb...

On this episode of Ask aBlack Belt, Shama sits down with Nattie Boss! Based in Texas, Nattie Boss is a holistic performance coach and registered dietitian for athletes. She is the owner of Body By Boss, LLC. Her company uses a trauma-informed approach to support BJJ athletes in healing trauma, expanding consciousness, optimizing health, and enhancing performance. Her methods for transformation inc...

This week Shama sits down with, Alex Enriquez! Alex began her BJJ journey in 2009. She is a black belt at Atos Atlanta under Professor Bruno Frazatto. She also has six years of experience in wrestling at Cambridge High School under Don St. James and Life University under Ashley Sword and Christian Flavin. Among her accomplishments are being a multiple time IBJJF Pan American champion and open clas...