The Women Who Fight Podcast

We loved our chat with Chanel, she's a superstar in every way; Graphic Designer, Photographer and Progress Sponsored BJJ Athlete. She has also released her own line of great merch in collab with Progress - she's a force to be reckoned with. In our conversation Chanel spoke about her eating disorder and difficulty with mental health, and how BJJ has helped her.  Unfortunately since recording, Chane...

Join us for our chat with Mike Leng - everything about nutrition in the BJJ and MMA circle from his years of experience.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guests: Unorthodox Nutrition Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

We were eager to learn more about Zoe following her impressive performance at our WF Invitational. With so many people curious about her, we thought the best way to introduce her story was by bringing her onto the podcast. In our interview, we got to know the Oxford graduate and biology teacher who’s been making waves in the BJJ competition scene. Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guests: Zoë Lundy Sound...

This episode explores the postpartum experience! We talk to accomplished female BJJ Black Belts and our fave Women's Health Physiotherapist; Chloe Stevens. Our black belt guests are Natalia, Leoni and Tanya.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guests: Natalia Drummond ,  Una Quinn , Chloe Stevens , Chelsea Leah , Samantha Cook Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

This episode explores breastfeeding! We talk to accomplished female BJJ Black Belts and our fave Women's Health Physiotherapist; Chloe Stevens. Our black belt guests are Natalia, Leoni and Tanya.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guests: Natalia Drummond , Leoni Munslow, Tanya Lindsay Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

In this episode we had we explore the experience of pregnancy. Our guests are Chelsea - Black belt and owner of Escapology; Una Quinn - Black belt in Ireland from Team Torres; Chloe Stevens women's health physiotherapist. We talk about the feelings, hormones, dos and don'ts and more!  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guests: Chloe , Chelsea , Una Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant  

Sula is our WFI winner and Gi coach for our WF camp next month. As a high level competitor, Sula regularly competes internationally, pushing her resilience and developing a strong mindset. She has a glowing presence and we loved chatting with her in this episode.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Sula-Mae Loewenthal Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

Rosa Walsh is an incredible athlete, and we are thrilled to have her coaching at our BJJ camp in April. We had a chat to get to know her a little bit more, and we loved how fun and relatable she was, talking about her journey so far - we can't wait to learn from her!  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Rosa Walsh Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

Introducing Jessa Khan, BJJ black belt and 2023 IBJJF Worlds champion.  Jess is a rising superstar, and it was a pleasure to chat to her about her experience growing up in the sport and teaching from as young as 16.  We discussed her upcoming super-fight against Danielle Kelly on ONE Fight Night 14, her incredible experience winning IBJJF Worlds at black belt this year, the realities of being a wo...

Chloe is a Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Nutritionist based in Canterbury. Chloe treats a wide range of issues like pelvic pain, low back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis, PCOS, post and ante natal rehab. She is passionate about supporting all women to become the strongest, healthiest and most confident version of themselves. Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Chloe Stevens Sound Edit...

Angela Chang has been in Thailand for the past 6 years living out her dreams – fighting in the ring and fighting for equality. With almost 50 professional fights, Angela has an aggressive fighting style and is currently in the world rankings via WBC Muay Thai. She also runs muay-ying.com , a platform she uses to help inspire change for gender equality and inclusion in Muay Thai. Hosts: Shanti & Ma...

Georgia is on a mission to spread the wisdom of conscious combat coaching around the world to make martial arts accessible to all trauma survivors. Georgia runs online and in person trauma informed kickboxing programs and works with martial artists to help them develop trauma informed curriculum in their chosen style. Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Georgia Verry Sound Editor and Composer: Will Gran...

Lindsey is a Functional Sports Nutritionist, with a masters in Exercise and Nutrition Science, helping female athletes make weight safely, healthily and maintaining high performance. She is also a level 2 strength and conditioning coach and a BJJ purple belt.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Lindsey Doyle Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant  

Maggie is a high level BJJ Black Belt and has fought on some of the worlds biggest stages. Medalling at countless IBJJF tournaments, she has always been an active competitor. Maggie pours all of her love and energy into building her business ChampionFit, which focuses on online fitness and strength and conditioning for all. Maggie is fighting on Polaris in a week, the biggest UK grappling invitati...

Amy started bjj in 2013 when she was 13. A natural talent, Amy has had many achievements including winning first place at ADCC 60+ category last year (2022), with an incredible performance.  Amy is fighting on Polaris in a week, the biggest UK grappling invitational, on their first women's Grand Prix. Unfortunately we had some technical issues with Amy's sound, as you will hear. We apologise!  Hos...

In this episode we have Elisabeth Clay with us, a dominating competitor who won gold in the 2022 Nogi Worlds and Nogi Pan Ams in both absolute and weight categories. We were delighted to have the chance to speak with her in the run up  to her appearance on Polaris this week (Saturday 11th March) where she will be fighting on Polaris' first women's Grand Prix.  Hosts:  Shanti & Marina Guests: Elisa...

Brianna is a Canadian grappler who fought her way through the ADCC east coast trials last year to win first place, and then winning silver at the 2022 ADCC.  Growing up, she played competitive rugby until BJJ took priority when she was in her early 20's. She has rocketed into the spotlight with her recent performances displaying her incredibly high level BJJ. Brianna is fighting on Polaris this we...

Gráinne Donnelly is an Advanced Physiotherapist and educator in Pelvic Health who is also delving into the world of clinical academia. She is passionate about improving the standard of clinical practice and services that women access, and carrying out research on a population that is significantly under researched.  Emma Brockwell is a physio and founding member of the collaborative campaign group...

Dr. Kokes primarily focuses on sports medicine and pain management, with a strong passion for regenerative medicine. This is our second podcast with Dr. Kokes, where we spoke about her (relatively) recent pregnancy, training, her delivery and postnatal experience.  Warning** Some of the conversation about the birth is graphic, some listeners might find this triggering. Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest...

Nicky Keay is a Clinical Lecturer in Medicine at University College London and Research Fellow in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University. She conducts clinical research in sports and dance endocrinology and is a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the British Menopause Society. Nicky's aim is to redefine optimal health and fitness for th...

Júlia Scardone was Born in Brazil, moving to England at the age of 13. When she was 18 she started competing in Judo for Great Britain in the -52kg weight category. She completed a Degree in Sport Development and Physical Education while training full time and working. She now runs Carlson Gracie Hull with her partner Owen Livesey, and is mother to baby Thiago.  There is some swearing in this conv...

Chelsea is a black belt in BJJ and an active competitor. Co-owner of the gym Escapology in Cambridge with her partner Tom, she had her daughter just before covid and experienced antenatal depression. This topic is widely misunderstood, and we invited her on to talk about her experience and open up the conversation.  Hosts: Shanti & Marina Guest: Chelsea Leah Sound Editor and Composer: Will Grant

Mike Piekarski lives in Eastern Washington where he works as a performance coach specialising in sports performance for combat athletes and as a physical therapist.  Mike originally went to college to study psychology at Binghamton University in Upstate New York, however during his time there he discovered his true passion - BJJ. He has since focused on his martial arts training competing in BJJ,...

Kelly McNulty is a PHD student studying the effects of menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use on performance, recovery and adaptation in sports women.  Kelly started a platform called Period of the period with the goal to ‘change the narrative for women’s health and performance in sport & exercise through awareness, evidence-based education & support”. Period of the period insta Hosts: Sha...

Joyce Harper is an author, academic, scientist and educator. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London in the Institute for Women’s Health where she is Head of the Reproductive Science and Society Group. She is a Director of the Embryology and PGD Academy which delivers an online certificate in clinical embryology and founder of Global Women Connected. She has worked in...