The Martial Arts Woman Podcast

Imagine discovering martial arts in your late 60s after attending your very first self-defense class. Then imagine earning your black belt, becoming an instructor, and refusing to let two knee replacement surgeries stand in the way of your passion. That remarkable journey belongs to today's guest, Mary Lou Daczka. Mary Lou's story is a powerful reminder that age doesn't define our limi...

Janelle Gabriel shares how Krav Maga prepared her to face an unexpected assailant who harassed her and her husband while they were on vacation. Her heightened awareness and mental preparedness gave her the confidence and advantage she needed to protect herself. She opens up about what first drew her to Krav Maga and how her dedication to the discipline helped her grow from a student into a lead in...

Darlene Quinn was enrolled in a karate class at an early age—around five years old—as a way for her mother to manage her rebelliousness. However, her childhood karate training was abruptly interrupted when she was hit by a car while walking home from class one day. Even at such a young age, karate had a lasting impact on her. She learned a deep lesson about respect that positively influenced her l...

Haley Walden is a copywriter, brand voice strategist, fantasy author, and martial artist with a background in Korean martial arts. At age 14, she discovered Tang Soo Do and a love for both traditional and creative forms. After a 12-year hiatus, she returned to martial arts. In 2021. She earned her first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. As a multi-passionate geek, she has many obsessions, includin...

When Cristine was 14 years old, she suffered an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) hemorrhage in her brain. To save her life, the neurosurgeon removed 6 cm of her motor cortex. She was not supposed to survive. The doctors told her family she would be bedridden and probably never walk or talk again. Fast forward to today. How did Cristine go from that devastating diagnosis to becoming a martial art c...

Denise leads by example! Her Kenpo training began in 1994 at the Boise Kenpo Karate school. Today, she holds a 6th-degree black belt. Her 1st-degree rank was significant, as she was the first woman to be promoted to a black belt in a Kenpo organization in the state of Idaho at that time. She later took over this school, which she operated for many years until a promotion at her day job at the Vete...

Barbara White, a long time martial art woman, shares about her martial art journey and her loving relationship with her husband, Bob White, who recently passed away. He was her husband and best friend as well as a well-known martial artist in the martial art community. I also learned that Barbara has been a nurse for 40 years which allowed her to care for her husband! What a giver! Barbara is the...

Audrey Hussey is a super fit conscientious high achiever type martial artist! That's a mouthful, but I think when you hear her talk about her martial art journey you will agree that she has a spunk and spirit that outshines many. From learning a martial art alongside some of her kids (and she has 6 kids, btw), to coming to a near screeching halt when she saw the perfect and affordable location...

This exceptional woman, Stephanie Dunham , faced childhood trauma and torment for years, but today finds healing in martial arts. She is a black belt who teaches her own program a couple of times a week, and on the side, helps other women heal from their tragedies and is involved in a ministry to combat sex trafficking. Amazing, right? She is a reminder that we can all make a positive difference i...

Jane and I became friends a few years ago after she invited me to be a co-host on her podcast, The Java Buzz Morning Talk Show. Since then, I learned that Jane is a true friend to many. She is selfless in many ways and reaches out to those who need encouragement, a smile or just a quick hello. Aside from this, she is an accomplished martial artist, a business owner, and a positivity enthusiast. He...

Dr. Jean Kanakogi is an amazing positive force not only in martial arts but in all that she does. She holds a B.S. and M.S in Criminal Justice/Protection Management and a PhD in Psychology. She is a recently retired Senior Special Agent for the US Government with extensive experience in conducting criminal and administrative investigations. With a career spanning for over 25 years in law enforceme...

Sabotage. Sexualization. Misplaced loyalty. At what point do you realize your martial art experience is not what it should be and how do you change that? Lisa shares how she ended up in a dojang that demeaned her and diminished her ability to achieve her black belt after the appropriate amount of training. Yet, she eventually found her way through this negative experience to the other - and more p...

Rachelle's lifelong ambition of becoming a school teacher came to an abrupt stop early on in her career when she was attacked in the hallway of a public school by a male teenage student who "lifted her off the floor by her throat." When she complained to the Principal, he called her melodramatic and he told her to just calm down. She wasn't a martial artist then...not yet, and this was not even th...

Joelle White has been an online friend of mine for years. The one thing I always enjoy about her is her sense of perseverance from her journey from white belt to black belt in martial arts to her unwavering desire to overcome the hardships she faces in her life. I'm happy that she began her blog so many years ago after reading her eloquent responses to my blog. I knew immediately that she needed t...

Martial art woman, Emily Darlage, has been an online friend of mine for a long time. She is a beautiful person with a warrior spirit who teaches martial arts at her school. Emily's positivity and kindness always warms my heart and in this interview these very traits shine through as she shares her martial art background and love for teaching. As we know, even the most kind people face struggles, o...

A child to Holocaust survivors, Zosia Gorbaty candidly shares the story of how her parents survived the most bleak and hopeless times of their lives. They were literally walking to their deaths at a death camp and somehow miraculously found each other thanks to her father's whistling of a few notes of a familiar song. They were able to escape. The story is amazing.  Zosia's father was a conce...

Ariel Farley ("Arley") is a vibrant martial art woman. She lives in the smoky mountains of Tennessee and practices Krav Maga as well as Tai Chi and self-defense. In some ways, she is a beginner as she began practicing Krav Maga in 2019. However, she has come a long way in her training and is an assistant instructor at her school now, also. She understands the important benefits martial arts offers...

"We can all grow together and be stronger for it." - Sabrina Bliem.  Today's interviewee, Sabrina Bliem, a/k/a The Karate Shrimp, highlights how martial arts changed her life, improved her mindset, provided unexpected opportunities and allowed her to heal through difficult personal situations. This exuberant YouTuber and blogger shares vulnerable moments as a woman who was harassed by one of...

Abbey Rickman is an inspiring woman with an amazing martial art mindset who overcame several life challenges. She tore her ACL not once, but twice. The initial one caused a  disappointing honorable discharge from the military where she dreamed of being a military police officer (security forces). Somehow, she landed exactly where she needed to be and found happiness in her current career as a...

Where do I begin? Dalia Vitkus has an array of astounding stories that will blow your mind. She grew up in a rough part of town in Chicago dealing with peeping toms, gangs and bullies. At age 15 she was very nearly raped in France by the manager of a disco club (a buxom French woman stormed into the bathroom to save her!). She defended her boyfriend in a fight by kicking the assailant with her boo...

Jackie Bradbury began martial arts just shy of her 40th birthday. She was a two pack a day cigarette smoker at the time and realized she had to change her ways. She also needed to find a way to deal with a stressful job. She decided to begin martial art training with her family and the rest is history. She and her long-time husband, to whom she refers as her best friend, train together and recentl...

Lynda Hatch was born with a hearing impairment that was discovered around 6 months of age. So, don't be shocked when you hear a male voice on this podcast! Her husband, David Hatch, graciously translates throughout the interview. Lynda wanted to make sure that listeners knew she was the one answering the questions and her husband is translating so you will on occasion hear her respond verball...

Joan Cather: "Martial arts for women are a safe haven, a place where they can grow at their pace."  Joan Cather is a passionate, determined and goal-oriented individual who does not accept barriers from preventing her from being the best person she can be in all areas of her life. She is a martial artist, instructor, and school owner who truly wants the best, not only for herself, but for all...

Michelle Schramm's life story has some shocking twists and turns. But, today, she copes with her traumatic past with a new perspective, thanks to martial arts. By profession, Michelle is a school  teacher who recently opened her own private schoolhouse, a pretty impressive gesture that fulfilled one of her personal goals. This ambitious teacher's past, however, is filled with debilitating abuse be...

In 2013, Lena Smith's son was murdered when she was just beginning martial arts and was a yellow belt. Her son struggled with mental illness and addiction and she was worried about him. Though just a yellow belt when he was murdered, Lena found comfort in the dojo and a chance to heal through her martial art practice. She says, "Karate helped me fill the void in my mind." Her martial art story beg...