Conscious Combat Club

Jamie Marich, Ph.D. and Anna Pirkl, MFT both speak internationally on topics related to addiction, trauma, mindfulness, or recovery. They each hold belts from Gracie University of Jiu-Jitsu and have personal experiences transforming their trauma through jiu-jitsu.

Their latest book is "Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu", a practical guide for survivors, jiu-jitsu practitioners and therapists to facilitate embodied recovery.

I have read it and it is EXCELLENT! Highly recommend!

Georgia, Jamie and Anna discuss:

• How they came to write a book about trauma healing through jiu jitsu
• Why Jiu-Jitsu has so much potential as a trauma healing tool
• Some of the benefits of practicing Jiu-Jitsu for survivors
• What the window of tolerance is and how to use scaling from 0-10 to check in with yourself and others
• What the term "trauma informed Jiu-Jitsu" actually means
• Why the "trauma-informed" lens leads to the most effective teaching and learning
• How instructors should and shouldn't use breath as a grounding strategy
• Tools coaches can use to be more trauma-informed
• Tools survivors can have in their toolkit to facilitate better experiences with Jiu-Jitsu

AND SO MUCH MORE!! This was a wonderful conversation that I know you're going to get a lot of value from.

You can find the book by searching "Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu"

You can connect with Jamie and Anna via:

www.traumamadesimple.com

https://warmheartcounseling.com/

www.jamiemarich.com

On instagram:

@drjamiem

@annas_art_therapy

Join the Conscious Combat Club on Facebook to meet fellow listeners of this podcast and help us transform martial arts into more inclusive sports for everybody.

Sign up to the Conscious Combat Club newsletter here to get the latest updates about mindful and trauma-informed martial arts practices, clubs and research.

If you'd like to join The Fight Back Project, you'll find the waitlists for Melbourne here and online here.

If this podcast has inspired you to create your own trauma-informed martial arts program, you can register for my 12 week online course here.

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Alvaro Fernandez is a Mexican black belt under Renzo Gracie and longtime student and teacher of 4 way psychology. Georgia met Al a few months ago when a student of his emailed Georgia saying he had helped her through trauma informed bjj. Georgia realised the gift the Al had in helping students practice visualisation and decided to help him set up an online business.

You can now officially work with Al by joining the free Facebook group. You can also book 1 on 1 sessions and try out his membership risk free for 7 days via The Fight Back Project.

Georgia and Alvaro discuss:

• What is 4 way psychology
• Using visualization to help trauma survivors uncouple triggers and flashbacks from combat
• The process Al taught Georgia to manifest the outcome she wanted when competing in the BJJ Nationals

Sign up to the Conscious Combat Club newsletter here to get the latest updates about mindful and trauma-informed martial arts practices, clubs and research.

Join the Conscious Combat Club on Facebook to meet fellow listeners of this podcast and help us transform martial arts into more inclusive sports for everybody.

If you'd like to join The Fight Back Project, you'll find the waitlists for Melbourne here and online here.

If this podcast has inspired you to create your own trauma-informed martial arts program, you register for my 12 week online course here.

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Samantha is a full time police officer for St. Louis County Police Department and the new title she is about to add (due March 28th, 2022) is a Mom! She has been training Jiu-Jitsu for roughly 9 years. She majored in Criminology and Criminal Justice in college, and focused heavily on Human Trafficking trends while attending.

Christina is an accomplished BJJ, fitness and nutrition coach. After graduation Christina was introduced to and fell in love with MMA and more specifically Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Three years into her BJJ training she earned her Purple belt and was given the opportunity to teach BJJ for a company called PalmsSports in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She taught at the all-girls school, Al Erteqa'a School. In the short amount of time she was there she had won 3 consecutive UAE Jiu-Jitsu World Pro Championship coach titles. She has since returned to the states and opened up a BJJ school, RNACFBJJ Team, with 4x BJJ World Champion and partner Rene Nazare-Azevedo. This is where she can pass on her passion and knowledge of BJJ to others. Christina believes in the power BJJ has when it comes to being therapeutic and healing. It has helped her through her past traumas and because has seen firsthand how it has helped and benefitted her she has partnered with Samantha Glenn to create A New Grip, INC.

Together they use BJJ as a therapeutic way to help human/sex trafficked survivors and sexually exploited individuals take back their lives and start fresh. Georgia, Samantha and Christina discuss:

• The impact of the pandemic on human trafficking
• What you can do as a parent to protect your children
• The New Grip program and how it started
• Next steps for A New Grip and how you can get involved!

You can learn more and get involved by following the girls and the program on instagram @anewgripbjj

Sign up to the Conscious Combat Club newsletter here to get the latest updates about mindful and trauma-informed martial arts practices, clubs and research.

Join the Conscious Combat Club on Facebook to meet fellow listeners of this podcast and help us transform martial arts into more inclusive sports for everybody.

If you'd like to join The Fight Back Project, you'll find the waitlists for Melbourne here and online here.

If this podcast has inspired you to create your own trauma-informed martial arts program, you register for my 12 week online course here.

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Steve is a technology leader, process strategist, and advisor with 20 years of experience leading teams, building products, and growing companies.

He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the founder of BJJ Mental Models: one of the world's top Jiu-Jitsu podcasts and educational resources.

Georgia and Steve discuss:

• The dangers of statements like "BJJ saved my life"
• Why these days Steve is less interested in armbars and more interested in making BJJ a safe inclusive space
• The current cultural and systemic problems in many BJJ clubs
• Effective learning in BJJ
• Creating psychological safety in BJJ
• Respecting people, not positions
• The impact of the human tendency to be biased toward certainty

And more!!

Listen to Steve's podcast, BJJ Mental Models wherever you're listening to this episode and check out his webiste: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/

Sign up to the Conscious Combat Club newsletter here to get the latest updates about mindful and trauma-informed martial arts practices, clubs and research.

Join the Conscious Combat Club on Facebook to meet fellow listeners of this podcast and help us transform martial arts into more inclusive sports for everybody.

If you'd like to join The Fight Back Project, you'll find the waitlists for Melbourne here and online here.

If this podcast has inspired you to create your own trauma-informed martial arts program, you register for my 12-week online course here.

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Briana Bowley is a Trauma Coach and a Martial Artist. Knowledgeable in mindset and embodiment practices for peak performance, having worked with and alongside some of the world's most notable in their chosen field. As a Martial Artist Briana dabbles in Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, and Wrestling.

While working with extreme sports athletes, including many combat sport athletes, she came to realize that at the heart of most client's problems was trauma.

Bri and I have a tonne in common and we have a SUPER interesting conversation not limited to:

• Why combat sports can provide safety for some survivors
• Trauma in nervous system perspective explained
• Briana's tips on stepping into a martial arts gym for the first time
• And much more!

Connect With Briana :

Facebook

Instagram

Fierce+Free ebook

How To Get Involved :

We now have a FACEBOOK GROUP called The Conscious Combat Club. It's a place for martial artists who believe that combat sports are about so much more than getting up on a podium. This group is for you if:

• You want to make combat sports safer and more inclusive for everyone
• You want to find trauma informed practitioners
• You want to bounce ideas for trauma informed instruction
• You want to connect with like-minded instructors focused on empowerment rather than medals
• You want to make your club more trauma aware

Basically if you listen to this podcast you'll deffs want to join!

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Georgia on Instagram

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Danae Hudson (Co-owner of Valley Self-Defense, Civilian, and Kids Instructor) has been training in Krav Maga for 4 years. Danae was looking for a self-defense class after some traumatic experiences in her life and work in the Middle East. Though she only planned on attending for a few weeks, the community she found at Krav Maga Minneapolis and Valley Self Defense, as well as the confidence she gained from Krav Maga, kept her coming back. Danae teaches civilian classes at Valley Self Defense, as well as helping with Kids and Women's classes and workshops.

Danae and Georgia discuss:

• How Valley Self Defense became trauma informed
• How trauma informed krav maga is different to traditional krav maga
• Gun safety

Connect With Danae :

Valley Self Defense

How To Get Involved :

The Fight Back Podcast

Facebook

Apple Podcasts

Georgia on Instagram

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Sarah is a Muay Thai fighter, trauma survivor, and the founder of the Women of Muay Thai Instagram page. She found muay thai as a form of therapy from childhood sexual abuse and it helped empower her to leave her abusive ex-husband. Unfortunately, she found that not all gyms provide the best environments for women - they're male-dominated and not always guaranteed to have the insights or information women need to feel comfortable or succeed in that setting. She created the IG community Women of Muay Thai with the intent to connect the women of muay thai so we can know we aren't alone in the hardships and we can grow stronger together.

On this episode of The Fight Back Podcast, Sarah bravely shares her story. Georgia and Sarah talk about the importance of telling your family and trusted friends about the things that are happening in your relationships especially when there's abuse involved. And despite the failed relationships before, Sarah shared how she found her true love. Listen to find out

Connect With Sarah:

Women Of Muay Thai Instagram

How To Get Involved :

The Fight Back Podcast

Facebook

Apple Podcast

Georgia on Instagram

If you've been inspired by this podcast and you'd like to start your own trauma informed martial arts program, check out the course I'm running next year!

https://www.fightbackproject.com/trauma-informed-martial-arts-coaching Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

Today (November 25th 2021) is The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

To increase awareness of the domestic violence prevalent in all communities, Penny McKay, graduate of The Fight Back Project, asked me if we could share her story today.

I want to make it very clear that Penny asked me if she could share her story in the hope that it might help someone listening. I do not and will not ever ask my clients to share their stories, this was her choice.

Please also note that this episode comes with a trigger warning and know that we do discuss a cult, abuse, rape and other potentially triggering topics. Please be kind to yourself and listen at your pace, if you like.

Not only is Penny a survivor, she is an advocate and diversity and inclusion advisor with qualifications in psychology, disaster recovery, gender and development and currently completing her masters in women's and gender studies at Flinders University.

Penny and Georgia discuss:

• Penny's story from growing up in a cult, to being sexually assaulted as a teenager, being raped by a trusted partner, and the impact on her nervous system throughout her journey.
• Why Penny googled 'trauma informed kickboxing'
• Penny's experience with The Fight Back Project and what makes it trauma informed to her.
• How The Fight Back Project has impacted Penny
• Why kickboxing can be helpful for survivors, rather than harmful as many people assume.
• What the patriarchy is, how it contributes to abuse and how 'choice' leads to empowerment
• Penny's work you did with women in prison who used force
• Overfunctioning vs underfunctioning in response to anxiety or stress
• The lack of affirmative consent laws and how our legal system perpetuates violence.

Instagram: voiceofsmallchange

Twitter: smallchange__

Website www.voiceofsmallchange.com

Resources:

https://blueknot.org.au/

https://1800respect.org.au

https://qlife.org.au/

https://mhfa.com.au/

Cover photo by instagram: joel_adams

Kylie is a Kenpo black belt and life long martial artist. She started training martial arts in her childhood and has trained in Brazillian JiuJutsu, Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and MMA. She created the Brave Woman Page in 2015, to share the stories of girls who do martial arts from all around the world.

On this episode of the Fight Back Podcast, Georgia and Kylie talk about the story behind the Brave Woman Community and what it stands for.

Kylie shares the impact of growing up in martial arts, the ways she feels it has made her more assertive and confident, the martial arts community and the impact of training on her mental health.

Connect With Kylie on Instagram @bravewoman_

How To Get Involved :

The Fight Back Podcast

Facebook

Apple Podcast

Georgia on Instagram

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga

**Trigger Warning** - In this episode, we discuss addiction, abuse, rape and self harm. Like the title says, this story has a happy ending, but please honor your need for safety at all times while tuning in.

Jo has now been in recovery from addiction for almost 10 years, been living a life free from unwanted violence and abuse for almost 4 years, owns a successful tattoo shop in Saint Catherine's Ontario with her husband Chris, and fills the rest of her time training Muay Thai and jujitsu and making the most of every moment with her son

Chris and Jo host a weekly zoom meeting for addiction recovery through the organization "Refuge Recovery". The recovery meeting info is "Bond Street Tattoo Refuge Recovery" meeting Wednesday nights 6pm EST. Everyone welcome who's interested in exploring a Buddhist approach to recovery from addiction.

https://refugerecoverymeetings.org/meetings/refuge-recovery-bond-street-tattoo-st-catharines-on-wednesdays-online-6pm-est-3pm-pst

Zoom meeting ID: 892 3942 7077

You can connect with Jo on instagram @jocoletteart

How To Get Involved :

The Fight Back Podcast

Facebook

Apple Podcast

Georgia on Instagram

Thank you so much to Nari for the beautiful song "Shape Me" heard at the beginning and end of this episode. Nari wrote this song about Shape Your Life, a boxing program for self-identified female survivors of violence in Canada. She wrote this song using the words and experiences shared by participants with Cathy Van Ingen. You can find out more about Shape Your Life in my interview with Cathy in Episode 8. You can hear more of Nari's work by going to her Instagram: @narithesaga