She Fights

Heather Winkeljohn
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Some fights don’t happen in a ring. They happen in silence.In survival.In recovery.In deciding to keep going. She Fights is a new podcast hosted by Heather Winkeljohn — a martial artist, nurse, entrepreneur, and woman who has lived through the realities she now gives voice to. These are not polished success stories. These are honest conversations with women who have fought through trauma, loss, fear, and self-doubt — and are still standing. She Fights is about resilience without bravado. Strength without performance. Courage without pretending it was easy. If you’ve ever had to rebuild yourself quietly … this podcast is for you.  Host - Heather Winkeljohn Heather Winkeljohn is an entrepreneur, registered nurse, martial arts instructor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She is a co-owner of the world-renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy, co-founder of Smart Girl Self Defense, and the host of She Fights, a podcast under Unstoppable Voices Media that shares powerful stories of women overcoming adversity through resilience and strength.  UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com

Episodes

  1. She Cried That Day

    2D AGO

    She Cried That Day

    Send a text She Cried That Day.  Heather interviews the filmmakers behind a documentary on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, with a particular focus on two sisters who are courageously fighting for justice for their murdered sister. It’s an incredibly powerful conversation — thoughtful, and handled with real care.  In 2015, Dione Thomas was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in Gallup, NM. She Cried That Day is a feature documentary directed by Amanda Erickson that examines the unresolved death of Indigenous woman Dione Thomas, and the ongoing fight for justice by her family. Through intimate access to Thomas’s sisters and their advocacy within New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) movement (website), the film exposes the systemic failures surrounding Indigenous women’s cases while honoring the resilience, strength, and determination of those left behind. Amanda Erickson Amanda Erickson is an Ndé (Apache) filmmaker and the director of She Cried That Day. The documentary marks her feature debut and reflects the systemic failures happening in New Mexico in regards to MMIW and more specifically, the case of Dion Thomas (website). Christine Means Christine Means is Dione Thomas’s sister and a central voice in the film. After Dione’s death in 2015, Means became an advocate within the MMIWR movement, publicly demanding answers and justice for her sister and other Indigenous women. Karen Watson Karen Watson is another of Dione Thomas’s sisters and appears in the film sharing the family’s grief and frustration over the lack of resolution in Dione’s case. She supports ongoing advocacy efforts to bring awareness to violence against Indigenous women. Karen is also involved in the Aunties for Justice organization/advocacy group (website). Darlene Gomez Darlene Gomez (website) is an attorney and Indigenous rights advocate who appears in the documentary providing legal insight and support for families affected by the MMIWR crisis, including Dione Thomas’s family. Darlene was a founding member of the task force for NM MMIW and exposes some of the failures happening at the state level. New Mexico Department of Justice (website) Email Amanda Erickson at amanda@seesclearly She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity. Jackson Wink Gym (website) Smart Girl Self Defense (website) Disclaimer: This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential. New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

    27 min
  2. The Fight That Changed Everything

    JAN 26

    The Fight That Changed Everything

    Send us a text Dayna Davis is a Jackson Wink MMA Academy fighter, coach, wife, and mom whose journey is rooted in resilience. She survived deep betrayals of trust early in life, experiences that were later compounded during her time in the Marine Corps. As a young woman, she navigated exploitative relationships, struggled with her health, and carried wounds that many never see. Through martial arts, MMA, and fitness, Dayna began transforming heartbreak into healing. Today, she coaches women in self-defense and fitness, teaches MMA to people with disabilities, and uses her story to help others reclaim strength, agency, and confidence. In this episode, Dayna shares how discipline, movement, and community helped her survive—and ultimately rebuild. This is a story about pain, yes—but more importantly, about power, purpose, and choosing to fight forward. Listener note: This episode discusses trauma and sexual assault. Please take care while listening. Support resources: If you are in the armed services and believe you have experienced sexual assault, contact the DoD Safe Helpline — confidential and available 24/7: 1-877-995-5247 |  safehelpline.org For additional support, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center: nsvrc.org/find-help She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity. Jackson Wink Gym (website) Smart Girl Self Defense (website) Disclaimer: This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential. New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

    26 min
  3. Robin Hopkins - When Survival Is Just the Beginning.

    JAN 13

    Robin Hopkins - When Survival Is Just the Beginning.

    Send us a text Robin is a former Marine, retired sheriff's deputy, a current Air National Guard member, a wife and a mom.  As a sheriff's deputy Robin was responding to an active shooter when she was shot and critically injured. That injury didn’t just end her law-enforcement career; it marked the beginning of a profound journey.  In the aftermath, she faced challenges that many of us know all too well, but don't talk about: chronic pain, alcohol abuse, PTSD, depression, the list goes on, then the unexpected unresolved trauma from her childhood—particularly the influence of her mother’s trauma on her own life. Horses for Heroes (website) She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity. Jackson Wink Gym (website) Smart Girl Self Defense (website) Disclaimer: This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential. New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

    29 min
  4. Toya Kaplan: Awareness, Healing, and the Fight to Protect Children

    12/29/2025

    Toya Kaplan: Awareness, Healing, and the Fight to Protect Children

    Send us a text *** This episode discusses sensitive topics related to abuse and exploitation. Listener discretion is advised *** In the premiere episode of She Fights, host Heather Winkeljohn speaks with Toya Kaplan, a community advocate dedicated to the prevention of child trafficking in the United States. Toya shares insight into how trafficking operates, why awareness and education are critical, and what individuals and communities can do to help protect vulnerable children. She also reflects on her personal journey of healing after overcoming abuse and generational trauma, and how reclaiming her voice became part of her mission. Learn more about Toya Kaplan’s work: (website) She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity. Jackson Wink Gym (website) Smart Girl Self Defense (website) Disclaimer: This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential. New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

    31 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Some fights don’t happen in a ring. They happen in silence.In survival.In recovery.In deciding to keep going. She Fights is a new podcast hosted by Heather Winkeljohn — a martial artist, nurse, entrepreneur, and woman who has lived through the realities she now gives voice to. These are not polished success stories. These are honest conversations with women who have fought through trauma, loss, fear, and self-doubt — and are still standing. She Fights is about resilience without bravado. Strength without performance. Courage without pretending it was easy. If you’ve ever had to rebuild yourself quietly … this podcast is for you.  Host - Heather Winkeljohn Heather Winkeljohn is an entrepreneur, registered nurse, martial arts instructor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She is a co-owner of the world-renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy, co-founder of Smart Girl Self Defense, and the host of She Fights, a podcast under Unstoppable Voices Media that shares powerful stories of women overcoming adversity through resilience and strength.  UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Winkeljohn
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 She Fights
  • Show Website
    She Fights