Unapologetic Journeys: The Black Belt Mindset, Sovereignty & The Power of Taking a Stand inspired by Serena Williams and Kasey Brown

In this episode of Journey to Black Belt, Shantelle Thompson explores the black belt mindset—not just in martial arts, but in life, leadership, and cultural identity.

Sovereignty, power, and the courage to walk your own path—no matter the cost.

Using Serena Williams’ crip walk at Wimbledon and the Super Bowl as a lens, we explore how Indigenous, Black, and marginalized women are policed when they step into spaces that were not built for them, and what it means to reclaim our space, use our platforms, and carry the cost of taking a stand.

For Indigenous people globally, sovereignty is deeply personal. It is about our right to exist fully, to express our identity, to take up space, and to lead without apology—whether in sport, business, leadership, culture, or personal transformation.

But standing firm in our truth comes at a cost. It is not always safe to take a stand. We are witnessing attacks on Indigenous sovereignty, gender rights, and DEI initiatives worldwide.

• New Zealand: The attack on Te Reo Māori and the erasure of Māori language and culture.
• America: The rollback of gender rights, DEI programs, and the silencing of marginalized voices.
• Australia: The consequences of the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum (October 14, 2023) and its impact on reconciliation and treaty conversations.

This episode will challenge listeners to reflect on:

• What does it take to stand firm in your power when the world pushes back?
• Who gets to take up space without consequence? Who pays the price for standing out?
• What happens when we shrink, and what happens when we refuse?

This is a conversation about more than the cost of taking a stand—it’s about the power and possibilities that come when we choose courage over comfort, sovereignty over silence. Because those who dare to stand know this truth:

🔥 The cost of inaction is far greater than the risks of stepping up. 🔥

Through her own journey from mental health crisis to world champion, Shantelle shares how sport can be a battleground for self-mastery and social change, a platform for reclaiming space, amplifying marginalized voices, and challenging systems that were never built for us.

This episode challenges listeners to reflect on:
✅ What does it mean to be a black belt beyond the mats?
✅ What happens when we stop waiting for permission and take our place?
✅ How do we use our power, privilege & platforms to create change?
✅ Why taking a stand—despite the cost—is the only path to sovereignty?

Because every time we rise, resist, and reclaim space, we create a world where others can do the same.

💥 What happens when we refuse to shrink? 💥

It’s more than a belt. More than competition. It’s self-mastery, sovereignty, and the courage to take a stand.

In this episode, I explore:
🔥 The power & cost of taking up space & refusing to be silenced
🔥 Why sport is a battleground for social change & leadership
🔥 The truth about privilege, responsibility & using our platforms
🔥 How those who dare to stand create space for others to rise

💡 Key Takeaways:
⚡ Being a black belt is about mindset, discipline & responsibility.
⚡ Sport is a powerful tool for challenging systems & reclaiming space.
⚡ Sovereignty is deeply personal—it’s about owning your voice & power.
⚡ Taking a stand comes with a cost, but shrinking comes with a greater one.
⚡ Courage creates change—every time we rise, we empower others to do the same.