Grace under Pressure

In this episode, I’m joined by Sophia McDermott. Sophia is the first Australian female to receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is a multi-time world champion (4 x Australian National Champion, 4 x Pan Pacific Champion, 4 x Pan American Champion, 2 x World No Gi Champion, and a World Champion), personal trainer, lifestyle coach, and nutritionist. Sophia focuses on teaching Jiu-Jitsu through her online platform BJJ with Sophia. This platform focuses on women’s specific Jiu-Jitsu, which includes live online, interactive classes, and BJJ technique and drilling videos. Additionally, she does many lifestyle camps and luxury retreats focused on holistic movement and improvement. Her approach to wellness, both on and off the mats, is lifestyle-based to find balance in a world of instability. For more information on Sophia’s programs, follow her on social media! Linktree – https://linktr.ee/sophiamcdermott Website – www.sophiafit.com Instagram – @sophiamcdermottbjj

In this episode, I am joined by Jackie Shaeffer. She is a purple belt out of Elevate Jiu Jitsu in Midlothian, Texas. As avid competitors on the local and IBJJF scenes, Jackie and I break down the experience of competition and our 9-5 work. Specifically, we dive into our work as teachers and how it crosses over into Jiu Jitsu. Join in on a fun, lively conversation!

This episode features a conversation with Kendall Vernon. She is the founder and owner of Gaidama, a female Jiu-Jitsu company. She is also a co-owner with her husband of Primate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tusla OK. In this episode, we discuss how and why Kendall founded Gaidama, a company that primarily focuses on women’s nogi gear. From discussing quality control to size inclusivity, Kendall shares key insights into why Gaidama is a successful company. Primarily through their three primary missions of focusing on quality, supporting small female businesses, and giving back to the earth, Gaidama continues to attract jiujiteiras. In discussing her passion for sustainability, Kendall supports the Ocean Cleanup Project. OCP is a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. To learn more about the Ocean Cleanup Project visit their website – www.theoceancleanup.com. For more information on Gaidama visit the website and follow them on socials! Website – www.gaidama.com Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/gaidama.usa/ Instagram – @gaidama.usa Tiktok - @gaidama

This episode features a conversation with Shama Ko. She is black belt under Paulo Brandao on the Gracie Humaitá team. On this episode we discuss Shama’s experience within the Jiu-jitsu community over the years, competition, and involvement in the Girls in Gis organization. Shama is the operations manager of the nonprofit Girls in Gis organization. This organization, Girls in Gis (GIG), is dedicated to building and strengthening the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community for women (those that identify as) and girls and as a whole. GIG provides experiences that foster the community of women and girls in the martial art while encouraging new women and girls to participate. For more information on GIG, check out the links to their website and social media platforms! Website: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGis/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GirlsinGis

In this episode, we are joined again by Stephanie Williamson. Much has happened since her last appearance on the podcast, specifically receiving her black belt. We discuss what that experience was like – the emotions, the excitement, and the new chapter this opens in her jiujitsu life. Join in on the conversation!

This week is a little different! We are starting a book club! The first book we will cover is Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin. Here is a little excerpt from the about section: One of the most popular Fortune articles in many years was a cover story called What It Takes to Be Great. Geoff Colvin offered new evidence that top performers in any field--from Tiger Woods and Winston Churchill to Warren Buffett and Jack Welch--are not determined by their inborn talents. Greatness doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed over decades. And not just plain old hard work, like your grandmother might have advocated, but a very specific kind of work. The key is how you practice, how you analyze the results of your progress and learn from your mistakes, that enables you to achieve greatness. Please send in your thoughts, questions, insights, and so forth to our website, Instagram, or facebook page! www.guppodcast.com @guppodcast www.facebook.com/guppodcast

Lisa Shackelford This episode features a conversation with Lisa Shackelford. Lisa is the owner and coach of Gulf Coast Jiu Jitsu in Biloxi, MS. She has been a student training under world-class Professor Erick Raposo since May 2016. She is currently a purple belt and has years of experience with competition as well as teaching children and adults from all backgrounds. On this episode, we discuss what it is like opening and running a Jiu Jitsu school, with all its challenges and benefits of helping others. Lisa shares her insights into what makes coaching an invigorating challenge for herself and her students as she seeks the improvement of her students’ techniques. Links to Gulf Coast Jiu Jitsu: https://gulfcoastjiujitsu.net/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076212258791 https://www.instagram.com/gulfcoastjj/

Join in a conversation with husband and wife Ben and Sarah Willis. On this episode, we discuss how jiu-jitsu played a major role in bringing us together and how it remains a major part of our lives. We also break down how men and women can train together in a healthy, respectful manner that benefits both men and women. Ben Willis is a brown belt under Nathan Lott and Erik Medlin. He was born and raised in Mississippi, where grappling at any level was not available growing up. He went to North Carolina for high school where he was introduced to wrestling as a sport. In college, this love for wrestling naturally flowed into jiu-jitsu. Everyone’s life has before and after moments they will always remember, and I can emphatically say that finding Jiu Jitsu is one of my greatest after moments. Sarah Willis is a purple belt under Nathan Lott and Erik Medlin based out of Brookhaven, MS. She is an avid jiu-jitsu practitioner and competitor. Alongside jiu-jitsu, Sarah also has a background in other martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga. Additionally, she is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, and she formerly was an NPC bikini competitor.

This episode features Valéry Brosseau. She is a BJJ purple belt and trains in Toronto, ON. In addition to her training, Valéry works in the mental health field as a speaker, writer, and mental health advocate. She combines her lived experience with mental illness with over 10 years of volunteering and working in the mental health field. Additionally, she helps companies by offering “mental health in the workplace” training and workshops for their staff, including training, and educating their staff in suicide prevention Valéry now delivers talks and workshops, writes for well-known mental health publications, organizations such as #Submit the Stigma, and in 2019, she delivered a TEDx talk on the stigma surrounding suicide. Please visit her website for more resources and information: https://www.valerybrosseau.com/