Gunz and Bunz: A Podcast Featuring Strong, Successful Women

Season 2 Episode 3 of the Gunz & Bunz Podcast features Samantha Schell! A first-degree BJJ black belt, former pro MMA fighter (17 fights, 2x amateur champion at atomweight), and co-owner of Schell Shock BJJ with her husband John. Samantha shares her powerful journey: full scholarship to Florida State University (Criminology & Psychology), stepping into the cage, surviving seven knee surger...

On Season 2 Episode 2 of the Gunz & Bunz Podcast, the OG crew sits down with Sarah Wills — 2026 IBJJF Pan American Gold Medalist, Sambo National Champion, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, and Team USA international competitor. Sarah brings the heat with her aggressive, submission-heavy style and shares her incredible journey: losing over 100 pounds, overcoming major adversity, and rising to be...

Welcome back to the Gunz & Bunz Podcast! 🎙️Season 2 Episode 1 kicks off with the original crew (the OG’s from Season 1) reuniting for a full Season 1 recap and an in-depth breakdown of the unforgettable Empowher Event. From the wildest moments, biggest lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories of Season 1 to the energy, networking, and key takeaways from Empowher — this episode is packed with lau...

Dr. Jen Jitsu (@drjenjitsu), a 15-time IBJJF Masters World Champion, BJJ black belt, PhD in Nutrition & Human Performance, and board-certified sports dietitian, joins the Gunz & Bunz Podcast for Episode 23!Discover how this elite Jiu Jitsu athlete and scientist blends cutting-edge sports nutrition with high-level BJJ training, recovery strategies for athletes in their 40s, and practical fu...

Join us on Episode 22 of the Guns and Bunz Podcast as we sit down with Melissa Sheppey, a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athlete, purple belt, and passionate advocate for women in grappling. Celebrating 10 incredible years of training and competition, Melissa shares her inspiring journey rooted in discipline, resilience, and personal growth on and off the mats. As a proud wife to Brandon and...

Welcome to Gunz & Bunz – the podcast celebrating strong, successful women who dominate in life and on the mat! In Episode 21, host Bethany welcomes the incredible Brooklynn Stanley, a 19-year-old college freshman and rising star in combat sports. With 7 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under her belt (literally – she's a blue belt!), Brooklynn also wrestled in high school, qualifying for the s...

Meet Sara Aistrop – a powerhouse working mom, devoted wife of 16 years, proud mother of four sons, MeMaw to two granddaughters (and one grandson on the way), AND a fierce Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor! In Episode 20 of the Gunz & Bunz Podcast, we dive deep into how Sara balances a demanding career as a medical receptionist in Critical Care, over a decade in pharmacy, and her burning passion f...

In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with North Carolina’s trailblazing Principal of the Year, Summer Joy Rogers. With 27 years in education, Summer has done it all: 4th-grade teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and now a decade-strong principal who opened a brand-new school in South Charlotte and launched the state’s very first Leader in Me On-Demand School. Summer drops straigh...

🎙 *“Today on the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome the amazing Samantha Ojeda! Samantha is someone who truly embodies resilience, balance, and passion in every part of her life. By day, she’s a digital marketing professional, bringing creativity and strategy to everything she touches. Outside of that, she helps run a mobile bartending business with her boyfriend of three and a half years— talk abou...

✨Episode 17 of Gunz & Bunz ✨Today, Bethany welcomes Rachel Behn — a true powerhouse in the wellness community who has spent over a decade inspiring others through movement, mindfulness, and connection. Originally from Pennsylvania and now based in Charlotte, Rachel is the proud founder of Bodhi Love Yoga, blending yoga, free movement, and somatic practices to create spaces where people can r...

✨ Today on the Gunz & Bunz Podcast, Bethany sits down with Kaycee, the Chief Marketing Officer of Premier, Inc. She’s redefining what it means to blend strategy, innovation, and storytelling to create lasting change in healthcare. A proud Florida native and Florida State alum, Kaycee went on to earn her MBA from American University in Washington, D.C. Beyond the boardroom, she’s married to th...

✨ Today on Gunz & Bunz we welcome Aisha Stack – a powerhouse Online Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Director, wife, and proud mom of three. With certifications in health coaching, group fitness, and nutrition, Aisha brings a well-rounded and empowering approach to women’s wellness. She recently achieved Pro Natural Bodybuilder status in the wellness division, proving that de...

Today on the podcast, we’re welcoming Kelly Dowdy, a true example of leadership, balance, and lifelong growth. Kelly has been married for 22 years and is the proud mom of 14-year-old boy/girl twins who are stepping into their freshman year of high school. With a 25-year career in education, Kelly has worn many hats: teacher, literacy facilitator, assistant principal, and principal at the elementar...

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Gunz & Bunz Podcast — the show that celebrates strong, successful women who lead by example both on and off the mats! This week, host Bethany Guthard sits down with Veronica Douglas, a powerhouse who’s redefining what it means to be driven, resilient, and unapologetically herself. Get inspired as Veronica shares her unique journey, the challenges she’s overcome, an...

Welcome back to the Gunz & Bunz Podcast, where strength meets resilience and real conversations inspire change. In this episode, host Bethany Guthard sits down with Hannah Preservati — certified strength & conditioning coach, MMA fighter, gym owner, and total powerhouse.💥 Hannah’s journey from Division 1 basketball to multiple ACL tears, MMA victories, and launching her gym Tenacity is pa...

Meet Brittney Spencer — a wife, mom of two, former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst, purple belt in Jiu Jitsu , and published children’s author. As the Women’s Coach at Triumph Fight Academy , she’s helping women step into their strength on and off the mats. When she’s not working as an Information Security Professional , Brittney’s diving into her passions: tea, volunteering, TV, shoes, Alabama foo...

Meet Kaytlyn Sandmeyer — a dedicated mom of 3, MMA fighter, and Director of Project Management who lives to lead and uplift others. As a Jiu Jitsu blue belt and the Women’s Jiu Jitsu Coach at Rowan Wrestling Academy, she’s committed to building strength and confidence in every woman who steps on the mat. ✨ In this episode: What it takes to balance family, career, and fight training How she uses m...

Welcome to our special Mother’s Day episode featuring our beautiful host, Bethany Guthard — this time, with a twist. Her own kids take over the mic to ask the questions and celebrate the woman they know best. Bethany is a mom of two, wife, sister, Christian, teacher, and Jiu Jitsu blue belt. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is a National Board Certified educator. She’s als...

Meet Dr. Kelli DuBois — chronic illness warrior, social and behavioral scientist, pianist, educator, and entrepreneur. She’s a first-degree Level 3 Taekwondo black belt, a Jiu Jitsu blue belt, and a living example of strength through adversity. Living with Ulcerative Colitis, Kelli has turned her personal health battle into a professional mission. She’s building a business to help others with chro...

Meet Amber Boyd — newly engaged, stepmom to twin boys, D1 collegiate athlete, police officer, Navy veteran, and the first female SWAT member in her department. Amber has served in Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. She’s a certified powerhouse, balancing life, leadership, and legacy while collecting sneakers and championship medals. Most recently, Amber brought home gold from the PANS Jiu Jitsu Champi...

In Episode 6 of Gunz & Bunz , host Bethany Guthard sits down with the vibrant and focused Mia Cason — a former college athlete, personal trainer, kickboxer, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiast. Fresh off graduation and newly married, Mia reflects on the journey that shaped her into the driven woman she is today. From balancing academics and athletics to coaching clients in fitness and stepping...

In this energizing episode of Gunz & Bunz , host Bethany Guthard sits down with Pamela — a Canadian-born, American citizen, BJJ blue belt, and homeschooling mom of three. Pamela is the wife of a military pilot, a culinary artist featured on the Canadian Food Network, and a woman who lives with relentless purpose. Between running her home, raising strong kids, training in Jiu Jitsu, and making...

In this deeply personal episode of Gunz & Bunz , host Bethany Guthard sits down with her daughter, Hannah Guthard — a vibrant 11-year-old who’s already modeling what it means to be strong, successful, and purpose-driven. Hannah is a Jiu Jitsu competitor, honor roll student in Pre-AP classes, school ambassador, church volunteer, and athlete who balances dance, volleyball, and guitar — all while...

In this empowering episode of Gunz & Bunz , Bethany Guthard sits down with Ashley — a wife, mom of three, co-owner of Triumph Fight Academy, and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt. 💪 Ashley shares her journey from business school to building a thriving gym alongside her husband, all while raising a family and finding time to pursue her own passions — including training, reading, and playing pick...

Meet Addie — a wife, mother, and woman of faith who transformed her life through the unexpected power of Jiu Jitsu. In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Addie shares how stepping onto the mats helped her conquer insecurity, build confidence, and discover a sisterhood of strong, supportive women. Host Bethany Guthard and Addie dive deep into topics of self-worth, faith, mental toughness, a...