Keywords: self-identity, personal growth, barriers, self-belief, change, vision, self-exploration On the night before my 100-day ceremony begins, I sit in the quiet and return to myself. This episode is a grounding yarn — a calling back of my spirit, my energy, and my truth. I speak about identity, the barriers I’ve carried, and the stories I’ve outgrown, and I invite you to reflect on your own journey alongside me. I ask the questions that matter: Who am I to myself? Where am I in my life ri...
Ngayi — I’m bringing you inside the real fight: the one that happens before you ever step onto the mats. In this episode of Journey to Black Belt, I’m sharing the truth behind the Warrior Heart Activation Workshop — what it is, who it serves, and how it’s helping me and others move from survival into sovereign living. This isn’t just about jiu-jitsu. It’s about the mindset, healing, and inner discipline it takes to rebuild trust with yourself, to keep showing up when life knocks you down, and...
This episode isn’t about medals or wins. It’s about the real fight — the one that happens off the mats, in the quiet moments when you question your worth, your capacity, and your calling. I share one of the hardest lessons from my journey to black belt — the time I went into shutdown instead of showing up. I tried to hold more than I had capacity for, telling myself, “You’ve won world titles, you can do this.” But my body whispered, “You don’t feel safe yet.” That moment became o...
What does it take to develop a black belt mindset? In this conversation, Shantelle Thompson explores the profound journey of becoming a black belt, not just in martial arts but in life. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and the intertwining of personal growth with the practice of jiu jitsu. Shantelle shares her experiences as a mother, athlete, and entrepreneur, highlighting the lessons learned on the mats and how they apply to everyday life. The discussion delves into t...
🔥 What does it take to chase dreams that feel out of reach? In this episode of Journey to Black Belt, Shantelle Thompson, the Barkindji Warrior, shares the challenges, sacrifices, and radical responsibility required to walk a path toward something greater. Through the lens of jiu-jitsu, personal growth, and cultural wisdom, she explores how to stay committed to long-term vision, embrace the struggles, and make aligned decisions even when the journey feels impossible. 🌿 Key Themes & Takeaw...
Mastery isn’t about arriving—it’s about becoming. In this episode of Journey to Black Belt, Shantelle Thompson reflects on the deeper lessons of Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, and the black belt mindset. Becoming a black belt isn’t just about skill—it’s about resilience, self-discipline, and trusting in the timing of your journey. Through her own experiences, Shantelle shares how challenges shape us, why dreaming big matters, and how embracing the process leads to true empowerment. 🔥 Insid...
In this episode of Journey to Black Belt, Shantelle Thompson explores the black belt mindset—not just in martial arts, but in life, leadership, and cultural identity. Sovereignty, power, and the courage to walk your own path—no matter the cost. Using Serena Williams’ crip walk at Wimbledon and the Super Bowl as a lens, we explore how Indigenous, Black, and marginalized women are policed when they step into spaces that were not built for them, and what it means to reclaim our space, use our pl...
In this powerful episode, Shantelle Thompson, the Barkindji Warrior, takes us on a journey through the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu, cultural identity, and personal empowerment. From stepping onto the mats as a young mother to standing as a black belt and world champion, Shantelle unpacks the lessons learned in the pursuit of self-mastery, resilience, and sovereignty. Through the lens of anti-fragility, she explores how adversity isn’t just something to be overcome—it is something that s...
🌿 Journey to Black Belt – Season 4 Overview "More Than a Belt: The Path to Self-Mastery, Sovereignty & Legacy" This season is about more than Jiu-Jitsu—it’s about stepping into the arena of life, mastering mind, body, and spirit, and reclaiming sovereignty over our story, choices, and future. The black belt is not the destination; it is a way of being—a commitment to discipline, growth, and purpose beyond the mats. Whether your arena is sport, business, leadership, or personal transformat...
Keywords warrior journey, self-mastery, Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, resilience, empowerment, First Nations, transformation, legacy, sovereignty Summary In this yarn, Shantelle Thompson shares her profound journey as a Barkindji warrior, emphasizing the importance of self-mastery, resilience, and the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu. She reflects on her personal experiences, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way. The yarn highlights the significance of planting se...
In this episode, Shantelle Thompson, the Barkindji Warrior, shares what it truly means to fight for your Dreaming and go all in. Shantelle reflects on her personal journey to becoming a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the sacrifices she’s made, and the mindset required to fully commit to a dream without a Plan B. Through powerful storytelling, she explores the courage it takes to pursue something bigger than yourself, overcome setbacks, and find strength in resilience. Whether you're chasi...
In Episode 3 of the Journey to Black Belt podcast, we’re expanding our vision beyond the mats. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, humility, and personal growth, but its impact extends far beyond the sport itself. In this episode, I explore how Jiu-Jitsu connects us across borders and cultures, creating a powerful tool for personal and global change. I’ll share my experiences in how this art form has helped me break barriers and how it continues to empower communities wo...
Journey to Black Belt - Episode 2: "Finding Purpose: Why This Path Matters" In this episode of the Journey to Black Belt podcast, I dive deep into the meaning of purpose and why it’s such an essential part of the journey. This is the second part of our four-part series, where I explore how Jiu-Jitsu became more than just a martial art for me – it became a path to healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Join me as I share how this journey has transformed from a personal pursuit into a greater...
Evolving the Legacy: The Black Belt as a Movement Podcast Brief: Welcome to the Journey to Black Belt podcast, where we explore the path of resilience, growth, and empowerment through the art of Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, we're diving into the "why" behind the journey to black belt and the deeper reasons that drew me to Jiu-Jitsu. This episode kicks off a 4-part series where I’ll share my story, experiences, and insights on why the journey to black belt is more than just a desti...
Title: Tap Out Now, To Win Later: A Lesson for the Mats and Life Podcast Series: Journey to Black Belt with Shantelle Thompson Episode Theme: In this episode, Shantelle Thompson dives into the powerful metaphor of “tapping out” in Jiu-Jitsu and life. She explores how the moments when we surrender can be some of our most strategic and empowering decisions. This episode emphasizes that knowing when to step back or let go can set the stage for future victories. It teaches listeners how to play t...
Episode Title: Dealing with the In-Between: Navigating Life’s Uncertain Phases Description: In this episode of Warrior Heart Yarns, we dive into the often uncomfortable yet transformative space known as the "in-between"—those moments where you're no longer where you were but not yet where you want to be. Join Shantelle Thompson, the Barkindji Warrior, as she shares personal stories, insights, and practical tools on how to navigate life’s transitions with resilience, purpose, and heart. ...
In this episode, we journey into the intricate weaving between the high-intensity world of Jiu-Jitsu competition and the essential practice of mental health care and living life. Come and listen to a deep yarn and insight in what is happening in my world and the choices I am making to keep my dreams alive while meeting life. Yarning about how I am exploring how taking time away from the mats can be as crucial as the time spent on them. You will hear how as a seasoned competitor I share...
Is a dream or calling still worth it? Is the calling stronger than your fears? Stronger than the battles you have to face both within yourself and the external world? It has been a while since I had the capacity to record an episode for the podcast. I have been drowning in the mental illness of this season and fighting to get my head above water. Today and the last few days something has shifted, and I felt compelled to share some of the journey I have been moving through in lif...
Black belt lesson - humility. As I make space to create a more reflective practise and to go deeper with 'Dadirri', I begin to create more space to sit with myself as a human-being in this season. I realise how much I punish myself for not being who and where I think I 'should' or 'could' be. And yes there is 100% some accountability that needs to be had here, and the cost of not acting on my 'nudges/whispers' sooner means there are definitely prices to pay. However, beat...
First competition for the year done and dusted. It has been about 6 months or so since I last competed. And it has been to long both for the experience and for the love of the game. On the 11th May, I competed at the VIC state titles, I was fortunate to get one match against another black belt in the Open weight adult female Black belt Gi division. And this match gave me a lot of insight as to my state for mental, physical, emotional, technical and strategy for my Jiu Jitsu. With 16 we...