Women in Jiu-Jitsu

🎙 Coffee Talk Jiu-Jitsu: Starting, Thriving & Returning as a Female in the Sport – with Amber Orchard

Episode Summary:
In this candid and caffeinated episode of Coffee Talk Jiu-Jitsu, host Sam Hardy sits down with 10th Planet Brown Belt Amber Orchard to dive into the unique experiences of women in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—from those first intimidating classes to navigating plateaus, training while pregnant, and finding your own style on the mats.

Amber brings both expertise and humor to the conversation, sharing what it was like starting out with a built-in advantage (having her brother, Nathan Orchard, as a coach), how gym culture impacts women’s training, and why “mom strength” is absolutely real. Whether you’re a woman stepping on the mats for the first time or a coach looking to create a more welcoming environment for female students, this episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Breaking Into BJJ as a Woman
  How Amber’s first experiences were shaped by support, preparation, and partner selection—and why that matters for all women starting out.

• Overcoming the Intimidation Factor
  Why sweaty strangers and gym culture can be barriers—and how instructors can help new female students feel safe and included.

• Navigating the “Purple Belt Plateau”
  What makes progress harder to measure for women at higher ranks and the importance of cross-training with other female practitioners.

• Rolling Style & Competitive Fire
  Why Amber embraces a high-paced, submission-hunting style—and how being “fiery” can be a powerful tool, especially for women.

• Training Through Motherhood
  The reality of training while pregnant, recovering postpartum, and reshaping your game when life (and energy levels) change.

• Mom Strength & Mental Resilience
  How giving birth can shift your mental toughness and physical capabilities in ways that carry over to your jiu-jitsu.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Instructor Involvement is Crucial: New female students benefit greatly from partner guidance and a protective, inclusive gym culture.

• Diversity in Training Partners Matters: To truly measure progress, women often need to roll with other women at their skill level.

• Embrace Your Style: A competitive, aggressive game can be empowering—don’t tone it down to “fit in.”

• Motherhood Changes the Athlete, Not the Competitor: Post-baby, training becomes more intentional, and mental resilience is amplified.

• Your Game Will Evolve: Life stages bring new adaptations—don’t fear them, work with them.

📌 Episode Resources & Mentions

• 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu – Learn more about the system Amber trains under.

• Follow Amber Orchard on Instagram for training insights, competition highlights, and mom-life on the mats: [Insert Handle]

• Connect with Sam Hardy on Instagram: [Insert Handle]

🥋 Who This Episode is For

• Women new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Coaches looking to create a more inclusive gym environment

• Parents balancing training with family life

• Anyone interested in the mental and physical evolution of an athlete over time