Episode #22
From Self-Silencing to Self-Trust: Dr. Leslie Davis on Women, Jiu Jitsu & Mental Wellness
What happens when we stop making ourselves smaller, quieter, easier, and more agreeable? In this episode, Jenn and Mal sit down with Dr. Leslie Davis for a conversation that goes far beyond Jiu Jitsu. After Mallory experienced Leslie’s powerful roundtable on self-silencing at Roll Model Grappling Camp, the conversation stayed with her—and we knew we needed to bring it to the podcast. We talk about the ways women learn to silence themselves, often without even realizing they’re doing it, and what happens when we finally start trusting our own voice, instincts, boundaries, and bodies. Leslie takes us into the intersection of mental health, relationships, power, boundaries, self-defense, and Jiu Jitsu, including why learning to recognize a bad position on the mats can be surprisingly similar to recognizing one in a relationship. We also talk about Defend & Rise, why self-defense is about far more than knowing how to fight, the importance of verbal boundaries, and what changes psychologically when a woman realizes she doesn’t have to be powerless. And, of course, we bring it back to Jiu Jitsu—what happens when women stop apologizing for taking up space, start trusting themselves, and realize they are capable of more than they thought. This is a conversation about finding your voice, setting boundaries, building self-trust, and ultimately learning what it means to rise. Our Sponsors Roll Models Women’s Only Grappling Camp July 9–11, 2027 www.rollmodelswanted.com/collections/womens-grappling-camp Use code CHOKE50 for $50 off your registration. MilUsos Skincare We’ve seen a real difference in our skin texture, breakouts, and even the scarring and irritation that comes from living on the mats. www.milusosskincare.com Use code CHOCHI when you shop MilUsos. Limitless Tape Custom gear and some of the best finger tape we’ve found for grapplers. www.limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop Use code CHOKEHOLD for 10% off. Chokeholds & Chill — real conversations about Jiu Jitsu, women in the sport, life, and all the messy stuff in between.
