Chokes and Consciousness

Chokes and Consciousness

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!

Episodes

March 16, 2026 141 mins

For this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss their last few weeks, recent competitions for fellow teammates, recent UFC events and news, fight strategies, and the evolving landscape of MMA, the UFC business model, and BJJ. We analyze the controversial UFC White House card, upcoming competitions, and the impact of monopolization in the sport. Plus, a humorous dive into a bizarre dolphin kidnapping story and reflections on dinosaurs a...

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In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the fleeting nature of February, the impact of global warming on weather patterns, and the art of manifestation. They dive into the significance of the upcoming Chinese New Year, specifically the Year of the Fire Horse, and discuss the collective energy affecting personal experiences. The duo also shares insights on physical recovery in sports, celebrates achievem...

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February 2, 2026 107 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela discuss their recent health struggles, the importance of nutrition and supplements, and the significance of Aquarius season. They reflect on personal growth, training experiences, and share updates from the UFC, including fight results and discussions about notable fighters like Thug Rose and Justin Gaethje. Michaela and Deja discuss the current state of UFC, particularly focusing on Amanda Nunes'...

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January 12, 2026 106 mins

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, t...

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December 29, 2025 99 mins

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 discussio...

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December 8, 2025 101 mins

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 influ...

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November 20, 2025 117 mins

In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore the transition into the holiday season, the start of wrestling season, and the impact of cosmic events like Mercury retrograde on daily life. They explore personal challenges, the evolution of film technology, and the implications of A.I. on society. The discussion also touches on astrological insights, the significance of the new moon in Scorpio, and the importance of self-care and person...

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November 8, 2025 71 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the significance of the Beaver Moon during Scorpio season, the challenges of maintaining motivation, and the impact of recent betting scandals in the UFC. They reflect on personal experiences, the importance of intrinsic motivation, and the balance between health and legacy in the sports world. The discussion also touches on the upcoming competitions and the colle...

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October 31, 2025 81 mins

In this special Halloween episode, Deja and Michaela embody Spider-Man and Blade, discussing their favorite Halloween traditions, candies, and the evolution of trick-or-treating. They share personal stories about their childhood Halloween experiences and delve into the origin stories of Spider-Man and Blade. The conversation also touches on the significance of Scorpio season, emphasizing themes of introspection and transformation, ...

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October 15, 2025 88 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their recent experiences, including adventures in New York and Philadelphia, personal growth during Libra season, and insights into competition and self-worth. They discuss the impact of astrology on their emotions and decisions, share highlights from recent UFC events, and celebrate upcoming birthdays. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balance, exploration, and community in...

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October 3, 2025 66 mins

In this episode full of technical difficulties, Deja and Michaela navigate these issues with laughter, exploring various themes including seasonal preferences, nostalgic candy memories, cooking experiences, and the evolution of technology and communication. Deja and Michaela explore a variety of themes ranging from the impact of technology on education, the evolution of soda consumption, nostalgic childhood snacks, reflections on a...

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September 26, 2025 119 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore various themes, including the challenges of technical difficulties, the vibrant energy of the Libra season, and the importance of physical activity and nutrition in managing energy levels. They share personal insights on astrology, upcoming competitions, and reflections on personal growth, while also discussing current events in MMA and boxing. The conversation emphasizes the significance ...

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September 11, 2025 112 mins

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Deja and Michaela chat with their teammate, Robyn, who shares her unique journey from a theater background to the world of Jiu-Jitsu, discussing the challenges and triumphs she has faced as a female athlete. Deja, Michaela, and Robyn explore themes of community, resilience, and the mental aspects of training, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's aggressive side and navigating the ups ...

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September 2, 2025 115 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their recent experiences at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con/Masters World Championships in Vegas, the personal growth that comes with competition, and the importance of technique and strategy in grappling. They also share insights on notable matches, the camaraderie among competitors, and their future plans in the sport. They reflect on the emotional aspects of competition decisions, the antici...

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August 22, 2025 106 mins

Summary

In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore various themes related to Jiu-Jitsu training, including the importance of safety, the history of the QWERTY keyboard, and the transition from Leo to Virgo season. They emphasize the need for effective communication and energy awareness in training partnerships, while also discussing the dynamics of working with lower belts. The conversation highlights the balance between creativity...

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August 14, 2025 100 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela celebrate their 50th podcast milestone while reflecting on their recent experiences in competition. They discuss the importance of growth, self-reflection, and the challenges faced during competitions. The conversation underscores the importance of acceptance and mindfulness in navigating unexpected situations, highlighting the lessons learned from both successes and setbacks. They share personal ...

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August 7, 2025 109 mins

Deja and Michaela discuss various topics, including the energy of Mars in Libra and its impact on their mindset and interactions. They reflect on their experiences in recent competitions, emphasizing the significance of community and support in their journeys. The UFC's potential shift to Netflix for broadcasting, the rise of weight loss drugs, and the implications for mental health in competition. They also discuss the growing pop...

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August 1, 2025 91 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore the themes of competition, personal growth, and the mental aspects of training in jiu-jitsu. They discuss the importance of facing one's inner opponent, finding balance, and the excitement of competing. Deja and Michaela also discuss their experiences from their first competitions, the impact of weather on training, and offer encouragement to new competitors to embrace the journey. They ex...

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July 24, 2025 118 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela reflect on their journey as podcasters over the past year, discussing themes of resilience, growth, and the importance of grit. They celebrate milestones, share personal stories of overcoming adversity, and emphasize the value of community and active listening. The duo also explores self-care practices, health discussions, and their aspirations for the future, all while maintaining a light-hearted...

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July 16, 2025 120 mins

In this episode, Deja and Michaela explore the themes of impostor syndrome, personal growth, and the journey of learning in Jiu-Jitsu. They discuss the feelings of self-doubt that often accompany promotions and the importance of taking ownership of one's achievements. The conversation also explores the impact of the environment on performance, the significance of nature's signals, and a lighthearted discussion about ice cream truck...

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