In this episode of She Shield Podcast, Sofia sits down with Madison Thompson to dive into the world of archery from two very different, but equally valuable, perspectives.

Madison, a competitive archer specializing in compound bows, shares her journey back into the competition space and how that transition has shaped her approach to both shooting and hunting. She breaks down how competitive archery actually works, from structure and scoring to the discipline and mindset required to perform at a high level.

Alongside Madison’s competitive experience, Sofia brings her own background into the conversation through recreational recurve and traditional archery, creating a well-rounded look at the sport from both technical and intuitive angles.

This episode highlights the contrast between precision-driven competition shooting and the more instinctive nature of traditional archery—while also revealing the shared fundamentals that connect them both.

Whether you’re curious about getting into archery, looking to compete, or simply want to understand the differences between compound and traditional shooting styles, this conversation offers insight, perspective, and a deeper appreciation for the craft.

Episode Resources & Ways to Support the Show

• 🎥 Watch this episode on the She Shield YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@sheshieldpod
• 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
• 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
• ⭐ Rate & review the podcast: this helps the show reach more people who can benefit from self-defense education.
• 📲 Follow on Instagram: @sheshieldpod for episode highlights, behind-the-scenes, and episode updates. Check out your host Sofia @fit4fia.

To learn more about Sofia and or to train with her, visit fit4fia.com

This Episode is brought to you by Right to Bear. Right to Bear is a legal defense membership designed to support everyday citizens who take personal responsibility for their safety. Their program provides access to experienced attorneys and legal resources if you’re ever forced to defend yourself or others in a critical incident.

See their membership options here: http://Www.protectwithbear.com/pages/plans

Use code “FIT4FIA10” at checkout to receive 10% off your membership.

Episode Resources:

1. Madison's Social Media

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Alastair Steward. Alastair shares a story that hits at the core of what it means to take ownership of personal safety and skill development.

Originally from outside the United States, Alastair didn’t grow up around firearms or the culture that surrounds them. But after becoming a U.S. citizen, he made a conscious decision: if he was going to carry, he was going to do it right.

That decision led him to USPSA, and what started as a way to build confidence quickly turned into an obsession with growth.

In this conversation, Alastair breaks down how stepping into competition accelerated his skill at a level most people never experience. He talks about what it feels like to walk into your first match with zero experience, the mental barriers that stop people from starting, and why USPSA might be one of the most practical (and overlooked) ways to become more capable.

This episode is especially for the person who’s been sitting on the fence, unsure if competition shooting is “for them,” or intimidated by the idea of showing up as a beginner.

Because Alastair proves something important: you don’t need a perfect starting point, you just need to start.

Episode Resources & Ways to Support the Show

• 🎥 Watch this episode on the She Shield YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@sheshieldpod
• 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
• 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
• ⭐ Rate & review the podcast: this helps the show reach more people who can benefit from self-defense education.
• 📲 Follow on Instagram: @sheshieldpod for episode highlights, behind-the-scenes, and episode updates. Check out your host Sofia @fit4fia.

To learn more about Sofia and or to train with her, visit fit4fia.com

This Episode is brought to you by Right to Bear. Right to Bear is a legal defense membership designed to support everyday citizens who take personal responsibility for their safety. Their program provides access to experienced attorneys and legal resources if you’re ever forced to defend yourself or others in a critical incident.

See their membership options here: http://Www.protectwithbear.com/pages/plans

Use code “FIT4FIA10” at checkout to receive 10% off your membership.

Episode Resources:

1. Alastair's Social Media

Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Michelle Waterson-Gomez, widely known as the Karate Hottie, steps into a completely different kind of conversation, one that goes far beyond the cage. She opens up about where she’s at now after her professional fighting career, and the identity shift that comes with stepping away from something that once defined everything.

This episode dives into the reality of balancing motherhood with a high-level fight career: the pressure, the guilt, the discipline, and the constant question of “Am I doing enough in either role?” Michelle shares what it really looked like behind the scenes, and how becoming a mother didn’t weaken her as a fighter, but reshaped her entirely.

The conversation also explores a deeper, more personal mindset: how she determines whether she’s truly ready, not just for a fight, but for the next chapter of life. Because the hardest battles aren’t always physical.

Now, Michelle is channeling everything she’s learned into something bigger. From raising her daughter in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to building and leading her own school, she’s focused on equipping women with real, practical self-defense skills, and the mindset to back it up.

This is a raw look at transition, identity, and what it means to keep fighting, even when it no longer looks the same.

If you’ve ever questioned your next step, struggled with balance, or wondered what comes after your biggest chapter… this one hits.

Episode Resources & Ways to Support the Show

• 🎥 Watch this episode on the She Shield YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@sheshieldpod
• 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
• 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
• ⭐ Rate & review the podcast: this helps the show reach more people who can benefit from self-defense education.
• 📲 Follow on Instagram: @sheshieldpod for episode highlights, behind-the-scenes, and episode updates. Check out your host Sofia @fit4fia.

To learn more about Sofia and or to train with her, visit fit4fia.com

This Episode is brought to you by Right to Bear. Right to Bear is a legal defense membership designed to support everyday citizens who take personal responsibility for their safety. Their program provides access to experienced attorneys and legal resources if you’re ever forced to defend yourself or others in a critical incident.

See their membership options here: http://Www.protectwithbear.com/pages/plans

Use code “FIT4FIA10” at checkout to receive 10% off your membership.

Episode Resources:

1. Michelle on Instagram