What does it mean to fight for your identity, culture, and sovereignty? To embrace your truth, step into your power, and create a path that’s meaningful not just for yourself but for others too?
In this powerful episode of the Represented Podcast, I’m joined by Shantelle Thompson OAM—a proud Barkindji/Ngiyampaa woman, mother of five, and 3x Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion. Known as the Barkindji Warrior and Warrior Heart, Shantelle’s story is one of resilience, reclamation, and inspiration.
From growing up as the second eldest of 17 siblings to becoming a cultural leader and world-class athlete, Shantelle shares how she transformed pain into purpose and despair into determination. Through her foundation and the Warrior Heart community, she’s creating space for others to reconnect with their identity and find their Dreaming.
Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:
🛡️ What it truly means to embody a “warrior heart” in the face of challenges.
🛡️ How martial arts taught Shantelle life lessons about perseverance, discipline, and breaking cycles of despair.
🛡️ The importance of cultural reclamation and how Shantelle uses her platform to fight for social justice and equity.
🛡️ Practical ways to stand in solidarity with First Nations people on January 26th and beyond.
🛡️ How her upcoming book, Warrior Heart: Suicide to World Champion, is set to inspire readers to embrace their own power and courage.
Shantelle’s story will leave you feeling inspired to face your own challenges with strength, purpose, and heart.
LINKS:
Shantelle Thompson
I’d love to invite you to dive deeper into racial inclusion work by joining me for the next round of my 10 week online program REPRESENTED. Check out all the details and join the waitlist 👉🏾 https://anniegichuru.com/represented
Come say hi on Instagram, let me know where you are tuning in from. I’d love to hear from you 👉🏾 https://www.instagram.com/annie.gichuru
With Love,
Annie
