This week, Shama sits down with Maddie Morales!a 13 years old at Fighting Chance Academy, Maddie hasbeen training Jiu Jitsu with her dad at I was 6 years old at Fighting Chance Academy in Kerrville, Texas. "He opened the gym because he has always been a huge martial arts nerd and so that my sister and I had a place to learn how to defend ourselves, especially because we were petite females, and he was always hearing stories of kids being bullied. My mom supported us through this because she always wanted us to have healthy self-esteems and be able to protect ourselves. When I first started Jiu Jitu I only liked training and didn’t really like to compete, but then I got the competition bug, and now I love challenging myself and competing all over the country."Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

In this episode we talk about the realties and experiences of training in your 70’sGuests: Elaine Wynn, Lily Pagel and Marion GimbelHosted by: Shama KoLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

In this episode we talk about all things related to being in your 60’s and training Jiu Jitsu.Guest: Betty Broadhurst, Kim Blake & Karen BurnsHosted by: Shama KoLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

On this episode of Ask aBlack Belt, Shama sits down with Nattie Boss!Based in Texas, Nattie Boss is a holistic performance coach and registered dietitian for athletes. She is the owner of Body By Boss, LLC. Her company uses a trauma-informed approach to support BJJ athletes in healing trauma, expanding consciousness, optimizing health, and enhancing performance. Her methods for transformation include a combination of science, somatics, breathwork, and energetics. She is a mom, wife, BJJ black belt competitor, judo brown belt, kettlebell trainer, and Pause breathwork facilitator. She is also the host of the Empowered Athlete Podcast.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week Shama sits down with, Alex Enriquez!Alex began her BJJ journey in 2009. She is a black belt at Atos Atlanta under Professor Bruno Frazatto. She also has six years of experience in wrestling at Cambridge High School under Don St. James and Life University under Ashley Sword and Christian Flavin. Among her accomplishments are being a multiple time IBJJF Pan American champion and open class champion in both gi and no gi. Artemis Women's Submission Series Pro bracket champion and the NFC female blue, purple and brown belt of the year. She is also a 3x GA Girls State champion, 3x Female High School All-American (Folkstyle & Freestyle) and WCWA All-American.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with Joslyn MolinaJoslyn Molina started doing jiujitsu when she was 5/6yrs old. She competed in her first Pankids in 2020 in California. She is a 3x gold pan champ now going for her 4th gold this year. She has won 7 Jitz Kings Kids superfights, 1 fight 2 win, 1 submission hunter pro. She just start competing at ADCC in June 2023 and has won multiple times in her division. She also started competing in the women’s bracket when she was 10 . Since then she has challenged herself with doing the teens brackets and women’s brackets or superfights whenever she can.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with  Landrie JosephLandrie began her jiu jitsu journey in March of 2015, and continued her training under professor Bruno Mendes with Soul Fighters Martial Arts Training Center in Allen Texas.Landrie began competing at 5.5 and won Pan Kids at the young age of 7! She has stayed on the competition scene throughout the years earning two more silver Medals at Pan kids in 2020 and 2021.Landrie has enjoyed doing super fights with Fight 2 Win and Submission Hunter pro winning several at each venue.Most recently, she competed in the ADCC open in Austin earning a double silver. She is looking forward to doing more on the ADCC platform in 2024.In the last year, Landrie started helping teach the kids class at her academy, and this quickly became one of her favorite part of her jiu jitsu journey.She is currently 13 years old and a green white belt.She lives in McKinney Texas with her mom and dad and three dogs. Landrie currently attends McKinney Christian Academy and also plays Basketball and Softball.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

On this episode of Ask a Black Belt, GIG Ambassador, Kelly Moore sits down with  10th Planet black belt, Nora Mora. Training jiu jitsu since 2011 at 10th Planet, she's been running the women’s jiu jitsu program for 7 years at 10th Planet San Diego. Learn about her Jiu Jitsu journey and lessons she’s learned as she offers advice for those with Autism and how Jiu Jitsu has aided in her journey of self-discovery.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

On this episode of Ask a Black Belt, Shama sits down with Nicholle Stoller, the first homegrown (white to black) female black belt under Shawn Hammonds. She is currently the head ladies' instructor for her team association's headquarters academy in Nashville, TN. Learn about her Jiu Jitsu journey and lessons she’s learned as she offers advice for those with Autism and how Jiu Jitsu has aided in her journey of self-discovery.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

In this episode, our guest panel discusses training jiu jitsu when you're over 50. We discuss longevity in the sport, how menopause impacts training, the importance of diet for women in their 50’s, training strategies, and injury preventionPanel Guests: Michelle Wagner, Deanna Yohe and Gretchen BrocardHosted by: Shama KoLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

On this episode of Ask A Black Belt, Shama sits down with black belt champion, mother, wife and academy owner Victoria Maciel Antelante  She talks about those that have inspired her, coming back after pregnancy and overcoming hardshipsLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with Divana Sandoval AKA “Divana The Beast”, a 12 years old and currently a yellow/black belt training out of GFTeam Orange, CA. Divana is extremely active and loves any sports she comes across but most she loves God! Divana takes sports seriously and is very competitive. She participates in Jiu-jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing while in school she participates in practically every sport. Divana beat the entire school while a 6th grader in the most pushups (Jr & High School) during state testing! She also loves to hike, ride bikes, rollerblade, you name it! If she has an opportunity to go to the gym with her older sister, she’s all for it.Divana’s been training Jiu-jitsu for about 5 years and competing for about the same time. Divana has multiple championships in the following: 4 x Gi & No Gi SJJIF Worlds, 2 x IBJJF Pan Kids, 2 x IBJJF Con Kids, 4 consecutive years JJWL Season Champion. She’s been training MMA for a few years and is a 2 x MMA United Fight League champ, 2 x IFS Kickboxing. She’s been training wrestling for about 2-3 years, but recently took it seriously and started competing more and earned championships in the following: 2 x State Freestyle champion 1 x State Folkstyle 1 x State Folkstyle runner up, 1 x 4th National Folkstyle champ.Divana loves to be challenged and doesn’t mind being added to an older and/or heavier bracket she’s always up for a challenge win or lose. Divana is a humble little girl that loves to hang out with her parents especially her dad (she’s a daddy’s girl), but yet has big goals that include, to be one of the best UFC fighters. I can go on and on about Divana, but with this being said Divana is active, loves challenges and loves sports. She hopes to own her own gym and be able to teach and help the unprivileged.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with first-degree Black Belt and school owner (Vien Jiu Jitsu), April Parks. April is an educator and mom of four. Born and raised in Syracuse, NY April has always been driven by sports and competition With a background as a Division 1 Track athlete behind her April ventured onto the mats for the first time in 2011, and never looked back.As a full time working mom, April was able to garnish 3 IBJJF World Championships at Adult (Blue Gi/Purple Gi) 2 World Championships at Black Belt in Masters, 7 Pan No Gi Titles (Adult Blue-Brown, 3rd place at Black Adult, 2 Black Belt Master Titles) and a myriad of other accolades within the IBJJF. April is a Medusa CJJ veteran and the founder of Grappling Getaways, professionally organized themed travel and training camps for women.April seeks to empower and inspire whoever she can. April has invested a tremendous amount of time in sports psychology and performance mindset.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with 12 year old orange belt, Charlotte Stollar.She trains out of Independent MMA and Fitness, a Roberto Traven affiliate, in Villa Rica, GA. Charlotte is a sixth grader at Central Middle School in Carrollton, Ga, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while participating in band, chorus, cross country, wrestling, and track, in addition to her jiu jitsu training. She competes regularly at the many Atlanta-area competitions including IBJJF, NAGA, Newbreed, Tap Cancer Out, and AGF. She has also traveled to Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee to compete. Last year, she was invited to be a sponsored athlete of the American Grappling Federation. Over the past two years, Charlotte has attended three Girls in Gis seminars and plans to attend many more in the future.Charlotte began training when she was 5.5 years old. She hopes to earn her green belt by the time she turns 14 and wants to earn her black belt by 22.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

in this episode of AABB, Shama chats with black belt competitor and instructor, Alexa Yanes of Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ in San Antonio, Texas!She began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 8 years ago and always knew Jiu Jitsu was something she loved to do, but had no idea where it would take her.Yanes started competing as a white belt for the fun of it, but quickly became more dedicated at blue belt. She has traveled all over the world to compete, teach, and train. She is a multiple time IBJJF open champion at every belt, World no gi champion, Pan American medalist and Abu Dhabi Grand Slam medalist. She has been fortunate enough to make jiu jitsu her primary focus and loves spreading the knowledge of jiu jitsu for her fellow females. Her goal is to show the community it is possible to make a living and how to find opportunities in this sport.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with  Atos Blackbelt and IBJJF gold medalist, Heather Woods!Raised in Boise, Idaho, Heather started traveling at 19 and put on a gi for the first time during a trip to Brazil nearly 10 years ago. Since that day, Heather has traveled and trained all over the globe, eventually earning her blackbelt from the legendary World Champion, Andre Galvao, and the renowned Atos Academy, one of the top competition teams in the world! In addition to her Atos team, Heather has also trained with notable jiu-jitsu luminaries in many other countries, making her style unique.Heather is not only a credentialed competitor, whose skill and training have been tested at the highest levels but a top-notch coach whose passion for jiu-jitsu inspires and motivates her students!Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingisLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with 17 year old blue belt Annabell Kline!She trains under Ray and Rachel Casias at Tennessee Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, a Zenith affiliate. She began her Jiu Jitsu journey at the age of 14, with the intention to learn a form of self defense alongside her younger brother, who had been getting bullied in school. After a few short months training, she discovered her true passion and increased her training regimen in preparation for future competitions. After going undefeated at white belt, Annabell moved through the belt ranks fairly quickly, earning her grey and yellow belts within a year, winning Kids International at grey belt in 2019. The year 2020 marked the beginning of the Covid pandemic, which sidetracked Annabells training regimen, focing a year off from in-gym training.Following her return to the gym in 2021, Annabell quickly obtained her green and blue belts, placing 3rd in the 2021 Pan American and Jiu Jitsu Con Championships, only one short month after earning her blue belt. She went on to place 2nd in the 2022 Pan American Championship. In addition to success on the competition circuit, Annabell is also an accomplished instructor. She began coaching the TBJJA kids classes at green belt and was taking over as lead instructor by the time she hit blue belt.She is now the lead instructor for the kids conditioning and competition classes, creating intense conditioning regimens for the serious competitors. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for Jiu Jitsu with the next genration of practitioners. In her own words, “Seeing these kids grow and become not only amazing athletes, but amazing people, brings me so much pride and joy”. Annabell is known for her technical proficiency in Jiu Jitsu, along with her humble and respectful demeanor both on and off the mat, earning her the respect of her peers and students alike.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Shama sits down with newcomer, Isabella Delgado.Isabella Delgado is a 9 years old from Caracas, Venezuela. She has lived in the United States for 4 years, specifically in Kissimmee, Florida. She has been practicing Jiujitsu for a year and from the first time her dad took her to train, She fell in love with Jiu Jitsu and it has become an important part of her life. She trains 5 days a week and she combines her training with functional exercises and meditation exercises. She says she loves Jiu Jitsu and it her passion. In the future she says she want to be a lawyer like her mom and dad. She also loves playing the piano, swimming, reading a lot and above all training with her dad. She considers herself fortunate that he also teaches her Lucha Sambo in which he is an expert and she says that has also helped her a lot in my Jiu Jitsu. She loves her family.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

This week, Florida GIG ambassador and founder of The Mighty Dames, Torrie O'neil sits down with up-incoming young grappler,Taylor Ellis.Taylor Ellis is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Kevin Williams at Raptor BJJ. Her jiu jitsu journey has been fast and furious. Her natural ability and athleticism has led Taylor to quickly rise through the ranks and she has collected many medals along the way. She started jiu jitsu almost 3 and a half years ago and had her first big win at the 2021 IBJJF Pan Americans where she took home the gold. After doing jiu jitsu for two years she went into the wrestling world to try and better her game. She ended up winning two different state titles and won a lot of random tournaments. After around 4 months in the wrestling world she came back into jiu jitsu and won ibjjf international at yellow belt. After having her yellow belt for almost a year she got promoted to green belt. As a green belt she went on to earn the IMMAF World MMA title in Abu Dhabi after only practicing 3 times for it. A few weeks later she was promoted to blue. There is no limit to what this rising star will accomplish.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingisLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis

In this episode, our guest panel discusses New Year Resolutions and how to maintain our goals throughout the year.Hosted by: Shama KoGuest: Darla Sedlacek, Celeste Cronin, and Nattie Boss.Learn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingisLearn more about Girls in Gis:Homepage: https://www.girls-in-gis.comEvents: https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/Shop: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/shop/Donate: http://www.girls-in-gis.com/donate/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GirlsinGisFacebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGisTwitter: @_girls_in_gis_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/girlsingis