Summary

In this conversation, Lauren Barone, a Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and owner of the Philly Phenoms in the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), shares her journey in the world of Jiu-Jitsu, her experiences as a competitor, and her transition into team ownership. She discusses the challenges and rewards of competing in a male-dominated sport, the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone, and her aspirations for the future of women's involvement in Jiu-Jitsu. Lauren emphasizes the significance of personal growth, community, and the evolving landscape of professional grappling.

Check out the PGF: https://www.pgf.world/

Connect with Lauren and the Philly Phenoms

@thiccgirljitsu

@phillyphenoms

In this episode of the BJJ Babes podcast, I speak with Mendi and Kari, the founders of the Unbreakable Women's Jiu-Jitsu Camp. They discuss their personal journeys in jiu-jitsu, the importance of creating a supportive environment for women in the sport, and the role of competition in personal growth. The conversation highlights the significance of community, the preparations for their upcoming grappling camp, and valuable advice for beginners in jiu-jitsu.

To find out more:

https://unbreakable-bjj.com/

Instagram: @unbreakablejiujitsu

@kari_genesisbjj

@mendicarlson_bjj

Training hard shouldn’t mean wrecking your skin. In this episode, I sit down with Becky, the founder of MilUsos Skincare, a brand created specifically for grapplers who need skincare that actually works — without a 12-step routine.

Becky shares how her own experience on the mats exposed a major gap in the skincare world: a glut of products were way too harsh for daily use. MilUsos was born out of the need for powerful, effective, and simplified skincare designed for athletes who live in gyms.

We talk about common skin issues grapplers face, why “more products” isn’t better, and how to protect your skin barrier while still preventing things like breakouts, mat funk, and irritation.

Whether you’re dealing with constant sweat, friction, or post-training flare-ups, this episode will help you rethink skincare in a way that fits real life on the mats.

To learn more about MilUsos, visit:

www.milusosskincare.com

Instagram: @milusos_skincare

Blu, known online as The Neurodivergent Grappler, joins us to share her journey training BJJ as a neurodivergent athlete. From managing decision paralysis to finding the right community, Blu offers an honest, empowering look at what it means to thrive by doing Jiu Jitsu your own way.

Connect with Blu through instagram, @neurodivergent_grappler

To share your story, dm me on insta or TikTok, @bjjbabespodcast, or shoot me an email: [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Christina Lucidi, a 10th Planet purple belt whose jiu jitsu journey defies expectations. Christina lives and trains with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) — a connective tissue disorder that affects joint stability and mobility. Despite the challenges, she’s found ways to adapt her training, protect her body, and continue to thrive on the mats.

We dive into how Christina discovered jiu jitsu, what it’s been like navigating a sport that often demands intensity from a body that needs gentleness, and the creative adjustments she’s made to keep rolling safely. She also opens up about mindset, recovery, and redefining what “progress” looks like when your body has unique limits.

If you'd like to reach out to Christina, she is on instagram @secretknives and TikTok @christina10pwsd

Come listen to Erika, a BJJ purple belt, mother, and plant medicine practitioner, share her story of training BJJ, living in Scotland, and sharing her traditional plant medicine from Peru with others!

To connect with Erika and learn more about her work:

Instagram: @erikacaya1204

@nativewisdomhub

www.erikahuarcaya.com

To share your story, hit me up! @bjjbabespodcast on Instagram and TikTok

[email protected]

Hey babes! Welcome back! This week, come listen to me chat with Sarah Fanning, BJJ white belt, and Academy Relationship Manager at Tap Cancer Out!

Come listen to Sarah's journey as she went from planning rodeos in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to planning BJJ competitions and Global Grappling Day, all for a worthy cause!

Connect with Sarah on Instagram: @sarahfanningg

Learn more about Tap Cancer Out

www.tapcancerout.org

Instagram: @tapcancerout

TikTok: @tapcancerout

Connect with me

[email protected]

Instagram and TikTok: @bjjbabespodcast

You never know what someone is carrying with them when they walk in the door to train. Jiu Jitsu, and other martial arts, when taught in a healthy environment, has many benefits for trauma survivors, including survivors of intimate partner violence. That's why Molly Higgins, a BJJ purple belt, and PhD student, has dedicated her research to advocating for martial arts as a therapeutic tool for survivors of intimate partner violence. Through her research, Molly has created guidelines for gyms to implement to help them create and maintain a space that welcomes and supports trauma survivors.

This conversation is an important, and timely one. The link to Molly's guidelines is here: https://osf.io/3zdsv

Connect with Molly on instagram @mollyhigg

Welcome back babes! This week I'm talking to one of my classmates from the weekly women's class I attend in San Diego. Cat is a BJJ white belt and a scientist. We talk science, BJJ, and some heavy topics about toxic gym dynamics, including grooming and abuse - so trigger warning on that. Thanks to Cat for sharing her story and being vulnerable,

Hey babes! Welcome to this week's episode. This week, I interview Tess Kent, a celloist and jiu jitsu purple belt based out of Texas. Come listen to us chat about gym selection, competition, learning theories, and more!

To connect with Tess: @tesskent.2 on instagram

To share your story, send me a DM or email

Instagram and TikTok: @bjjbabespodcast

Email: [email protected]