She Fights
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.
She Fights
She Cried That Day
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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.