The Problem With Women in BJJ: Ffion Davies

Ffion Davies joins James Smith to reveal the problem with women in jiu-jitsu, a sport often gatekept by a "sausage fest" mentality and dangerous myths about self-defense. Davies, a six-time world champion, exposes why the current narrative is failing women and how the lack of equal pay is a quiet crisis threatening the sport's growth. They confront the reality of the "big strong dude" syndrome, the biological discrepancies in training, and the high-stakes battle for financial respect in elite competition.

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We cover:

⬛ Why the "Self-Defense" Narrative is a Dangerous Lie

⬛ Equal Pay, ADCC & The Battle for Financial Respect

⬛ Why Athleticism is a Trap for Beginners

⬛ The Truth About Skin Infections & "Ballgate"

⬛ Why You Should Learn from Purple Belts, Not Just Legends

Chapters:

00:00 Breaking Barriers for Female Grapplers

2:56 Challenges Facing Women in the Sport

6:33 Building Trust and Community in Training

10:02 Reframing Motivation for Jiu-Jitsu

15:19 Realistic Expectations for Beginners

17:23 First Experiences and Gym Challenges

22:53 Judo vs Jiu-Jitsu Training Differences

29:35 Judo People Are Unique Athletes

36:05 Gi vs No-Gi: Technical Differences

45:56 Skin Infections and Training Hygiene

52:26 Armor Gym: A New Training Environment

59:56 Seminar Dynamics and Rolling Etiquette

1:01:57 Competing in Adult Divisions

1:04:06 Encouraging New People to Try Jiu-Jitsu

1:09:44 The Global Jiu-Jitsu Community

1:12:36 Fion Davies' Current Projects

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