Listen in to my engaging interview with UK martial artist, Mary Stevens. Mary is a dynamic instructor and martial art woman, an author of children's books, a mother, and project manager for FairFight, an Nonprofit Organization that uses martial arts as a vehicle to empower vulnerable women in Zimbabwe and India. Her full bio with the podcast link can also be found here: www.themartialartswoman.com.

Links & Info: 

Fairfight: www.fairfight.nl

Mary's children's books: Warrior Monkeys and the Volcano Adventure  https://www.amazon.com/dp/019277171X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_zSThFbNW1D3TX

Jamie Clubb of Clubb Chimera Martial Arts: https://clubbchimera.com/

Andrea's Motivational Books:

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

The Martial Arts Woman Podcast Sponsor: The Adventures of Harry & Friends

https://www.amazon.com/Harrys-First-Martial-Arts-Lesson/dp/1733468420

With a passion for teaching and a natural talent for martial arts, Adette Rice felt a strong desire to break down the gender barriers and change the public impression of martial arts training. She set out to create a learning environment in which all members are welcomed, supported and accepted. Since opening the doors in 1999, Adette has positioned Driftwood Martial Arts as the premier training centre in Kitchener/Waterloo and a top school in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Before opening her studio Adette was an avid and highly successful competitor winning several national and world championships. After retiring from competition Adette put her focus on developing champions amongst her own students with great success. Her students continue to perform at the highest level both nationally and internationally. A key area of focus for Adette is community involvement. 

Her training began training in Hamilton, Ontario under the direction of Sensei Layton Morrison in 1990. Adette currently holds the rank of 7th dan in Goju Ryu and continues to train under Carlos Montalvo Hanshi. 

Adette continues to work tirelessly to dispel many of the stereotypes associated with the martial arts. When she’s not punching and kicking Adette enjoys spending time with her husband and children and is an avid traveler always on the lookout for the next adventure. When she finally manages to spend time at home she loves to cook, read, run and cuddle with the dogs.

Links & Info: 

Adette's School: https://www.facebook.com/driftwood.martial.arts

Andrea’s Motivational Books:

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

The Martial Arts Woman Podcast Sponsor: The Adventures of Harry & Friends

https://www.amazon.com/Harrys-First-Martial-Arts-Lesson/dp/1733468420

Lucie Marsh is currently one of the few females ranked as 6th Dan in the SKIF organization. She lives in the UK and has run her own dojo and competed in more than 7 World Championships, several European championships, and hundreds of National Championships.  While her background and achievements seem completely normal, Lucie's background and journey in martial arts is riddled with traumatic events including beatings from local girl gangs when she was younger, sexual harassment in her career, an abusive relationship. She had her first taste of martial arts in her early 20's when she joined her architect father in Malaysia and learned to compete and win. She continues to compete today even though she has crippling and chronic arthritis in her hips and can barely walk. Somehow, she is able to perform the kata in competition through the pain. Learn how Lucie overcomes all through martial arts and goes from trauma to triumph in this captivating interview.

Andrea's motivational books:

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

Collegiate karate perspectives from four martial art women! Listen in as these women share why collegiate karate is so important and why their instructor, Sensei Swanson, is so instrumental in their love and participation in this martial art. These women share a perspective rarely discussed, how practicing karate during their college years helped them achieve and grow into the accomplished women they are today. SEE THEIR FULL BIOs IN THE BLOG VERSION OF THIS PODCAST WHEN PUBLISHED at: www.themartialartswoman.com. 

Links & Info:

Karate Science (Dynamic Movement) book by Sensei J.D. Swanson, Ph.D: https://www.amazon.com/Karate-Science-Dynamic-Movement-Martial/dp/1594394598/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=karate+science&qid=1595695747&s=books&sr=1-1

Andrea's Motivational Books: 

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

Other Books: The Adventures of Harry & Friends https://www.amazon.com/Harrys-First-Martial-Arts-Lesson/dp/1733468420

The Java Buzz Show with Andrea, Restita & Jane: @thejavabuzz on Facebook. 

Do you think you would be the person you are today if not for martial arts? Martial arts saved me from being negative, unhappy and miserable. Before martial arts, I was not confident or secure in who I was. Now, I have goals & dreams and martial art friendships that are deep in my heart. I have the confidence to step out and share my stories and the stories of other martial art women because it is my passion and purpose.  

Martial arts help you find the "extraordinary you," and they are a tool that help you become the person you truly want to be. Listen to how martial arts saved me from failure and negativity and maybe you will recognize how important they are in your life, too. Never give up!

Links & Info: 

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

Martial artist, entrepreneur, holistic health, Cirque Du Soleil, Master Ken, Speaker, Self-Defense expert and school owner, Tiffany Richards. Tiffany Richards is a martial art school owner and holistic health practitioner.  Listen in as she shares her experiences in all of these topics, and more! 

Tiffany is the Co-Founder of Peaceful Warrior Martial Arts with Sensei Richard Poage who passed away in 2017. The mission of the school is to create a family community of health, wellness, healing and friendship. She carries on his legacy at the school along with a wonderful support team. She also has a business in holistic health and in her twenties had an exciting journey traveling with the Cirque du Soleil as a massage therapist and fitness coach. She was also Master Ken's live show manager and was a speaker more than once at the Martial Arts Super Show.  Listen to her inspiring journey as a woman, martial artist, and entrepreneur, and what advice she gives to martial art women today. 

Peaceful Warrior Martial Arts: https://www.facebook.com/peacefulwarriorphx/

The Back Rub Company: https://thebackrubcompany.com/

Andrea's motivational books: 

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies)

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

"If this touches one person, I'm blessed!" - Sarah Tucker. Sarah talks about creating this lively book series for children based on martial art tenets. If you are an instructor, parent, or homeschool educator, you need to meet Harry & Friends! This fun Podcast discussion explores the behaviors and relationships of children through this powerful martial art book series that delivers relevant and important life lessons. Do not miss this enjoyable chat about entertaining kids and teaching martial art tenets through these adorable characters!  We also talk about the obstacles of writing and publishing books. 

Links & Info:

Facebook for The Adventures of Harry & Friends: https://www.facebook.com/The-Adventures-of-Harry-and-Friends-a-Black-Belt-Principles-Series-115803746498286/

Sarah's Book: Harry's First Martial Art Lesson: https://www.amazon.com/Harrys-First-Martial-Arts-Lesson/dp/1733468420

Andrea's motivational books: The Martial Arts Woman: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/1544916213

Listen to this fascinating and fiery interview with AnnMaria De Mars, World Judo Champion and Entrepreneur - Owner of 7 Generation Games - games that make you smarter!  AnnMaria says, "you can either fight to not lose or fight to win," and she applies this across the board from competition to life. Learn what she considers a big mistake in her martial art journey and what the only thing is that she ever watches on television. Her biggest life-lesson is to always remind yourself how far you have come to where you are today.    She was the first American to win a gold medal in the World Judo Championships in 1984! Listen in as we chat about why she began martial arts at age 12, why competing was important to her, what women should be aware of when choosing a school or instructor, raising children while working 2 or 3 jobs, what winning the Judo Championship means to her, her entrepreneurship, and her business, 7 Generation Games, and so much more. There are a few "bleeps" here and there...let's just say this interview is fired up! Don't miss it!  Links & Info:  AnnMaria De Mars Links & Info: www.7generationgames.com   - 7 Generation Games, USA "We make games that make you smarter"  www.strongmindstudios.com  - Strong Mind Studios, Chile Andrea's books: The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies) Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

Meet Debbie Hoplamazian, Emily Darlage, Jane Larkin Meiser and Susan Serota, four martial art women who do not know each other but who share their insights on the importance of being a martial art woman, empowerment, why women should learn martial arts, and how to take the first step into the martial art school. They all manage or own martial art programs or martial art outreach. 

I hope you take a few minutes to listen to their journeys. I am sure you will learn something new and be inspired and motivated to be all you can be. 

Links & Info:

Emily Darlage: https://www.facebook.com/ShiningSpiritWarrior/

Susan Serota: https://kinneykarate.com/

Jane Larkin Meiser: https://www.facebook.com/amarenmei/

Debbie Hoplamazian: http://shotokankarateofmd.com/index.html

Andrea's books: 

The Martial Arts Woman on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

Listen to my captivating interview with TRINA PELLEGRINI! Currently, Trina co-hosts a new show with Cynthia Rothrock on Facebook. Check it out! Trina's interview is enlightening and is a reminder of the importance of martial art and/or self-defense training. Trina's childhood abuse struggle (not graphic, but emotional) fuels her to train in martial arts and eventually become a martial art master and a self-defense expert for women.  Trina talks about how she teaches situational awarness and how martial arts and self defense helped her defend two separate attacks. 

Today, she teaches her very own self-defense system for women, TRU, under her overarching program, Unafraid Women: @unafraidwomen on Facebook. Women learn simple skills, techniques, and especially situational awareness.  And, Trina shares a surprise about the truths of situational awareness.  We also talk about her martial art background and her husband! Be prepared for a martial art journey like no other! 

Links & Info

Unafraid Women Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/unafraidwomen/      (@unafraidwomen on Facebook)

The Martial Arts Women Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X (or contact me for signed copies) 

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone Book: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X

xoxo