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Chokes and Consciousness

Chokes and Consciousness

Written by: Deja Jackson
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About this listen

A sports podcast dedicated to the engagement and elevation of Women’s mma and grappling. Michaela, former collegiate athlete, current mma fighter, and jiu jitsu practitioner. Deja, former collegiate athlete, and current jiu jitsu practitioner. Both Michaela and Deja have a love for women’s sports and a passion to continue ascending the voices of women within the mma and grappling world. Come listen and have fun with us!Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • River Endurance
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their experiences so far in January, discussing the wrestling season, personal health challenges, and the importance of outdoor play during childhood. They explore themes of motivation and endurance as they transition into the new year, sharing updates on wrestling events and predictions for upcoming UFC fights. They reflect on Rafael Lovato Jr's' return to wrestling at the age of 42, the importance of team dynamics, and how personal experiences shape one's endurance in both sports and life. The discussion also touches on the significance of maintaining relationships and community support, as well as finding one's flow state in various activities. They emphasize the need for steady movement and the importance of being present in the moment, while also acknowledging the challenges of motivation and the impact of external factors on personal growth.

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome Back and January Reflections 03:32 Wrestling Season and Personal Updates 06:31 Childhood Memories and Injuries 09:26 The Shift in Childhood Fearlessness 12:31 The Contrast of Childhood and Modern Kids 15:25 New Year Motivation and Energy Burnout 18:26 Finding Flow and Endurance in Life 21:38 Updates on Wrestling Events and Competitions 27:10 The Rise of Patty and Marketability in MMA 29:25 Weight Classes and Fight Dynamics 31:11 Health Risks in Combat Sports 32:20 Ben Askren's Recovery Journey 33:20 The Importance of Hygiene in MMA 34:29 Soap Preferences and Personal Care 37:27 Driving Responsibilities and Growing Up 42:23 Upcoming UFC Fights and Predictions 50:42 The Competitive Spirit in Sports 51:39 Age and Athleticism: A New Perspective 54:41 The Dynamics of Team Sports Across Generations 58:43 The Balance of Experience and Youth in Competition 01:01:36 Endurance and Mastery: The Journey of Improvement 01:15:44 Finding Flow: The Muse and Presence 01:20:06 The Power of 1%: Small Steps to Growth 01:23:02 Endurance Over Motivation: The Steady Path 01:28:39 River Flow: Energy and Presence 01:39:34 Commitment and Connection: The Importance of Relationships 01:46:32 Choke and consciousness outro edit.mp3

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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • Run Like a Horse
    Dec 29 2025

    In the last episode of 2025, Deja and Michaela reflect on the year, transitioning from the year of the snake into the year of the horse, and on the importance of grounding oneself and reflecting on personal experiences. Michaela and Deja emphasize the need for awareness and adaptability in the face of change, holding self accountable in breaking loops, and challenging self to move towards internal and external growth. The discussion encourages listeners to shed attachments that no longer serve them and embrace life's fluidity as they transition into the 2026 new year!

    Chapters

    00:00 End of Year Reflections and New Beginnings 03:33 The Year of the Snake: Transformation and Growth 06:34 Personal Check-Ins: Health and Performance 09:33 Competition Recap: Vegas Experience 12:30 Lessons Learned: Celebrating the Process 15:30 Setting Goals for 2026: Emergence and Growth 18:27 Breaking Cycles: Personal Development and Awareness 21:34 The Transition to the Year of the Horse 24:39 Connecting Experiences: Shedding and Growth 27:34 Looking Ahead: New Year Aspirations 32:06 Personal Growth and Competition Mindset 35:20 Transitioning Energies: From Snake to Horse 38:02 Embracing Movement and Change 41:26 Reflections on Recent Fights and Sports Trends 57:32 The GOAT Debate: Generational Comparisons in Sports 01:05:39 Transitioning from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse 01:08:49 The Process of Shedding and Growth 01:10:35 Reflecting on Past Decisions and Growth 01:13:13 Understanding Plateaus in Personal Growth 01:17:10 Breaking the Loop: Lessons from 'Stranger Things' 01:22:03 The Importance of Connection and Facing Challenges 01:25:30 Characteristics of the Year of the Horse 01:27:40 Pacing Yourself for Growth 01:30:37 Finding Flow and Awareness 01:34:31 Reconnecting with Yourself 01:37:13 Closing Thoughts and Intentions for the New Year 01:39:30 Choke and consciousness outro edit.mp3

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Hibernating Within
    Dec 8 2025

    Summary

    In this 60th episode, Michaela and Deja reconnect after a brief hiatus to discuss the impact of seasonal changes on their energy and motivation. They dive into the importance of competition in maintaining accountability, share updates on their upcoming brackets for No-Gi Worlds, and reflect on the challenges of embracing winter's energy. The duo also touches on their Spotify Wrapped experiences, highlighting how music influences their moods. The conversation takes a turn as they navigate online rivalries and personal growth, culminating in a recap of recent UFC fights and jiu-jitsu performances. They conclude with a Topic of the Week on going with energy and a Zen talk on embracing the winter season and personal growth.

    Chapters

    00:00 Reconnecting After a Break 03:26 Seasonal Changes and Energy Shifts 06:25 Competition Preparations and Bracket Updates 09:37 The Journey of a Competitive Hobbyist 12:32 Embracing Winter's Energy 15:31 Reflections on Youth and Nutrition 18:21 Music and Personal Growth 22:17 Introduction to the Online Scrappin' Drama 23:03 The Knee Injury Incident 25:52 Highlight Reel Controversy 28:26 The Fourth Highlight and Its Implications 30:37 Petty Responses and Social Media Dynamics 35:10 Reflections on Competition and Ego 39:15 The Nature of Martial Arts and Social Media 42:56 Recap of Recent Fights and Performances 47:30 Prelims and Main Card Highlights 51:09 UFC's Transition to Paramount and Fighter Retirements 53:23 The Grit of Henry Cejudo and Upcoming Contenders 56:37 Brandon Moreno's Early Stoppage and Injury Discussions 01:00:51 UFC Rankings and Dana White's Controversial Comments 01:08:58 The State of MMA and Fighter Opportunities 01:09:38 Who's Number One: Jiu-Jitsu Highlights 01:14:52 Embracing the Energy: Coping with Seasonal Changes 01:16:45 Inspiration from the Community 01:19:51 Finding Joy in Consistency 01:23:06 Shifting Routines and Self-Reflection 01:27:08 Overcoming Blocks and Embracing Change 01:30:10 Hibernating Within: Embracing Winter's Lessons 01:39:32 Embracing Abundance and Gratitude 01:41:20 Choke and consciousness outro edit.mp3

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    1 hr and 42 mins
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