Chokes and Consciousness

Simplistic Longevity

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss the new Kendrick Lamar album GNX, nostalgia with connection to music from their childhood, and exploring how their music consumption has changed over the years. Michaela and Deja discuss their experiences with the changing weather, feelings of restlessness, and the challenges Michaela faces as she begins coaching a high school wrestling team. They reflect on the chaotic energy of the week, the importance of self-care, and the need for better nutrition among young athletes. The conversation also delves into the intricacies of wrestling rules and scoring, highlighting the learning curve for both coaches and athletes. They also touch on upcoming competitions, recent Jiu-Jitsu events, and the integrity of athletes in the face of performance-enhancing drugs. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the MMA awards from mmafighting.com and notable recognitions in the sport. They also provide updates on upcoming fights and emphasize the importance of longevity in training and self-care. The conversation shifts to finding balance amidst chaos and the significance of mindfulness. They conclude with reflections on their personal growth and the importance of being present while planning for the future.
 

The Paradox of Free Will

In this episode, hosts Michaela and Deja celebrate their 20th episode while discussing themes of consciousness, manifestation, and personal growth. They explore the significance of the new moon and the transition into Sagittarius, reflecting on the past year and their journey of self-discovery. The conversation delves into the Matrix trilogy, emphasizing the importance of letting go to gain control and the power of affirmations in manifesting desires. They also discuss the Tesla 369 method for manifestation and the significance of recognizing patterns in personal growth. As they look ahead to 2025, they emphasize the importance of staying ready and the continuous journey of self-improvement. The conversation also touches on holiday shopping experiences and the significance of certain dishes like mac and cheese during family gatherings. In this episode, Michaela and Deja share personal updates, including a recent reunion and experiences with the cold weather. They discuss fundraising efforts for girls' wrestling and express excitement for an upcoming wrestling meet. They also preview UFC 310, highlighting the lack of women's representation on the card, and touch on recent PFL championship results. In this conversation, Deja and Michaela engage in a light-hearted discussion about various sports, including bocce ball and volleyball, before transitioning to upcoming Jiu-Jitsu events. They highlight the significance of notable competitors in the Jiu-Jitsu world. The conversation then shifts to the importance of knowledge and experience in Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing that understanding techniques is not enough without the practical application and emotional engagement that comes from competition and practice. In this conversation, Michaela and Deja explore the complexities of consciousness, perception, and free will. They discuss how our understanding of information and experiences shapes our reality, emphasizing the importance of self-inquiry and reflection. The dialogue highlights the paradox of free will, where the perception of limitations can hinder personal growth. They also touch on the significance of recognizing incremental progress in various aspects of life, including jujitsu, and the necessity of balancing rest and effort in pursuit of goals.
 

Pay It Forward!

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss various themes, from Thanksgiving preparations to work dynamics, manifestation practices, creative aspirations, and the challenges of coaching a high school girl's wrestling team. They share personal insights about their experiences, emphasizing the importance of relationships, intentional living, and the journey of self-improvement. Michaela and Deja discuss various topics on their evolving energies and the excitement surrounding their gym's new space while engaging in light-hearted banter about their favorite Thanksgiving dishes. The conversation also touches on MMA and the results of the IBJJF crown event. Finally, Michaela shares her anticipation for her upcoming competition, highlighting the growth and camaraderie within the martial arts community. Additionally, Deja and Michaela discuss their upcoming competitions, the importance of planning for the new year, and the concept of paying it forward in the context of Jiu-Jitsu. They emphasize the significance of community support, acting without expectations, and the wisdom of Maya Angelou regarding humility and responsibility. The dialogue highlights personal growth, mentorship, and the journey of learning in martial arts.
 

Don't lie to your eyes!

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss personal growth regarding self-perception. In this episode, Deja and Michaela celebrate recent promotions in their Jiu-Jitsu community, reflecting on the achievements of their peers and the growing number of upper belts in their gym. They discuss the Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, analyze the implications of such matches on the sport of boxing, and express their frustrations with the nature of exhibition fights. They also touch on upcoming events in the grappling world, including the IBJJF Crown and Marcelo Garcia's return. Additionally, Deja and Michaela discuss the importance of planning for upcoming jiu-jitsu tournaments and matches, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and understanding one's limits. They delve into the theme of perception versus reality, exploring how biases can distort our understanding of situations, particularly in the context of sports and personal experiences. The conversation highlights the significance of being open-minded and accepting different perspectives while acknowledging the potential impact of our perceptions on ourselves and others. The episode concludes with a Zen talk on navigating biases and the importance of being mindful of how our perspectives shape our reality.

Uncertainty and Redefining Self w/Nikki M.

In this episode of Chokes and Consciousness, hosts Deja and Michaela welcome their first guest, Nikki May, to discuss her journey in martial arts, particularly Jiu-Jitsu. The interview explores the importance of community, navigating uncertainty in training, and the role of competition in personal growth. They explore the fun aspects of food and friendship and the ongoing debate between Gi and No-Gi training. Nikki shares her experiences and insights, emphasizing the value of competing and the evolution of her training journey. Nikki offers advice for overcoming challenges and reflects on her goals in Jiu-Jitsu while highlighting her experiences working with kids in the sport. Additionally, Nikki May shares her experiences with burnout in Jiu-Jitsu, the mindset she adopts before competitions, and the pressures of performance. Furthermore, the discussion concludes with redefining oneself in the face of uncertainty, and the importance of self-awareness and personal stability. The speakers emphasize the significance of community support and maintaining a positive mindset while navigating challenges in both sports and life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chokes and Consciousness03:32 Nikki's Journey and Background06:29 Check-in and Energy Discussion09:28 Transitioning to Jiu-Jitsu18:33 Exploring Influences and Inspirations24:07 Nostalgia and Martial Arts Movies25:59 First Experiences in Jiu-Jitsu29:05 Transitioning to Regular Classes30:05 Gi vs. No-Gi Preferences37:13 The Journey of Competing43:25 Early Competitions and Lessons Learned52:40 The Evolution of Skill in Jiu-Jitsu54:58 The Rise of Female Athletes57:25 The Importance of Weight Training01:00:36 Navigating Injuries and Recovery01:10:42 The Role of Community in Recovery01:22:47 Advice for Overcoming Challenges01:28:09 The Journey of Jiu-Jitsu: Goals and Growth01:30:35 Navigating Aging and New Faces in Jiu-Jitsu01:39:46 Overcoming Burnout: Finding Balance in Training01:43:05 Mindset and Competition: Preparing for the Mat01:53:09 Learning from Losses: The Value of Experience01:55:14 Community and Connection: The Role of Relationships in Jiu-Jitsu01:57:10 Navigating Communication and Feedback02:00:23 Finding Inspiration in Sports and Life02:01:04 The Journey of Jiu-Jitsu: Learning and Growth02:03:06 Redefining Self in the Face of Uncertainty02:11:25 Personal Stability and Self-Awareness02:16:20 Embracing Change and Positivity02:23:53 Choke and consciousness outro edit.mp3
 

Karmic Portals

In this episode, Michaela and Deja discuss Michaela's recent competition, the month of November and its significance, as well as the concept of karmic portals and letting go of old patterns. Additionally, Michaela and Deja reflect on their recent jujitsu competitions, discussing match experiences, training strategies, and the importance of recognizing and improving techniques. In conclusion, they focus on their Zen Talk of karmic cleansing, encouraging listeners to take responsibility for their actions and the energy they put into the world.
 

Embracing our 'Villain Era'

In this episode of Chokes and Consciousness, Deja and Michaela explore the theme of duality, reflecting on their recent birthdays and personal growth. The episode highlights exciting developments at Ground Theory, including a new location and the anticipation of a special guest. Additionally, Deja and Michaela then transition into a light-hearted exploration of their 'villain era,' discussing how they relate to villains and the energy they feel. Furthermore, they touch on UFC fight predictions and updates. The dialogue emphasizes the imp. They touch on how everyone has to face challenges to evolve and how recognizing and accepting the darker aspects of oneself can lead to empowerment and balance in life. The dialogue emphasizes the duality of human nature and the necessity of both light and dark energies in personal development.

Finding Joy!

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore a variety of themes, including personal growth, the significance of tattoos, memorable experiences like scorpion hunting, and the fear of spiders. They reflect on life and death, share their thoughts on the Final Destination movies, and discuss their weekly updates. They discuss the idea of becoming a tree and the legacy one leaves behind. The conversation also touches on the return of UFC and MMA news and the challenges of transitioning from an athletic career to retirement. Finally, they discuss the joy of practicing jiu-jitsu and the personal growth that comes with it. In this episode, Deja and Michaela celebrate their birthdays, share memorable Halloween experiences, and reflect on life lessons learned over the years. They discuss the importance of relationships, finding joy, and setting boundaries to protect one's energy. They end with a reminder of the ability to manifest one's reality through positivity and self-awareness.
 

Spices of Positivity

In this episode, Deja and Michaela celebrate their upcoming birthdays and reflect on their personal growth over the past year. They share stories from their childhood, including memorable experiences in school and sports, and discuss their recent adventures in jiu-jitsu training. In this discussion, Deja and Michaela reflect on their experiences leading up to 2025, discussing the importance of affirmations and the power of positive thinking. Deja shares about her recent road trip to Colorado, highlighting the beauty of nature and the challenges of navigating new environments. Furthermore, they explore the theme of intrusive thoughts, particularly in the context of driving through the mountains, illustrating the mental challenges that can arise in stressful situations. The discussion then shifts to updates on competition training, discussing upcoming events and personal growth in their respective martial arts journeys. Overall, the conversation highlights the evolving landscape of MMA and the importance of trying new approaches in training and competition. The episode emphasizes the journey of self-improvement and the courage required to embrace change.
 

Transformative Chaos

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss their caffeine journeys, share their latest life updates, the impact of aging on time perception, and the exploration into intriguing conspiracy theories, specifically those predicted by The Simpsons. Additionally, Deja and Michaela discuss their fitness routines, fall festivities, their favorite seasonal treats, and the latest UFC/MMA and jiu jitsu news. During their Topic of the Week and Zen Talk, they explore the importance of personal growth and transformative energy, especially in the context of recent events like the solar eclipse. Furthermore, they discuss the mental and physical aspects of training, the importance of establishing routines, and the transformative energy that comes with change. The conversation emphasizes the need for motivation, resilience, and the acceptance of both forced and unforced absences in one's journey.