Daring Humans to Breakdown Barriers with Shantelle Thompson - Professional Athlete, Aboriginal Educator & Mentor
Photo courtesy of Australian Commonwealth Games
“It’s an opportunity to challenge people’s boundaries and get them comfortable with being uncomfortable”
Shantelle Thompson is a strong and proud Barkindji - Anglo Saxon woman, who is most known as the Barkindji Warrior. She is the proud mother of 3 children including twins, a 3 times World Champion in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Artists competitor, a support worker for the stolen generation, Kiilalaana program coordinator, volunteer, and mentor.
Growing up in Dareton, NSW Shantelle is still strongly connected to her country and the community of Sunraysia. Her mission is to empower people to understand their power to overcome adversity, hardship and surviving in life to being the creator of the life they dream for themselves.
Her fight is to challenge the boundaries, smash stereotypes and change the narrative that surrounds what it means to be Aboriginal, a woman from a diverse and marginalised background and a mother in Australia and the world today.
With a driving purpose to fight for those unable to fight for themselves, she is a voice for those who do not have a voice and to be a light for those who feel lost in the darkness. She believes that actions speak louder than words, so strives to show what is possible through her journey as an athlete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Freestyle wrestling, being a storyteller and sharing her story where and when she can.
Through her work with Kiilalaana Shantelle is giving women the tools, wisdom, mindset and “heartset” to stop being defined by their circumstances and overcome adversity - to find their Warrior Within and live courageously, lead from the heart and ‘dare greatly’.
“In our polarised, divided and anxiety-driven world, we need to be alive with purpose, meaning, and a deep sense of belonging and connection. It’s only when we connect with our hearts and live from a place of wholeheartedness that will we see a shift in the world.”
Photo courtesy of ABC News: Shantelle taking a group of girls at Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville through physical skills and mental resilience
What drives your passion?
I am passionate about helping others to become brave, bold, and to own themselves without apology, to walk with deep self-worth despite their “shadows”. Every time one person does the work to be their best selves, to be authentic, they consciously and unconsciously give others permission to do the same.
My vision is to see more people shed old pain, by giving themselves permission to deeply understand their shadows and step out into the light. When an individual heals and walks with self worth and love, they radiate healing into the world; into the people they connect with every day. The ripple effect is that we can become a collective movement, and we can change the world. One person at a time.
I am determined to become my own best self in honor of my family, community, and those I serve. I will then share my blueprint as a map for others to find their Warrior Within.
What’s one of your greatest accomplishments to date and what impact did it have on you, others, society or the world?
Shantelle is a champion athlete in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu. She was on the shadow team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, is an Oceania Wrestling Champion and is also on the Australian National wrestling team. In 2019, Shantelle was awarded the NAIDOC Sportsperson of The Year - one of only 7 other women in its 34yr history.
Despite her achievements in sport, her greatest accomplishment has been breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma, fear, low aspirations, victim mentality and allowing the future to be defined by circumstances and others’ opinions.
“I am challenging the narrative around Aboriginality, culture, people and ‘black excellence’ and being a woman in a world that often just wants you to be quiet or disappear.
I broke the cycle when I wrote my own narrative, one driven by courage, deep self love and a determination to be my own hero in service of those I loved. NO one was coming to rescue me, I had to rescue myself so I could then help others.”
I have given my children a clean page to write their own story, one that is determined by themselves, not defined by old trauma or history. For my mob I am helping people remember who we are beyond the scar tissue and trauma of history and colonisation, that we have an inherited responsibility to step up, do the healing work and live with self-determination.
Because our ancestors fought so we could be where we are right now, it is our job to make this world a better place for the next generations. And for the rest of the world,
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve experienced or overcame in your journey?
Growing up and waging battle was a way to get by: as the survivor of sexual abuse at six, being a fair-skinned Indigenous woman — "I never quite fit into either world" — and the oldest kid in a big single-parent family. "I started fighting because I had no other choice," she said. "Some of the experiences I had being around family violence and some of the other issues, I kind of always stood up for myself. Back then it was easy to answer with your fists and your mouth”
Learning to live and lead from the heart has provided Shantelle with incredible strength and compassion, making her a remarkable leader, coach and mentor for building physical and mental resilience to achieve their dreams. Even if it means at times being alone because others do not understand, or they fear what you represent and where you are going, she understands what it takes and how to advance despite those adversities.
“Sometimes it means going it alone until others can see or trust who you are and what you stand for”
When you are writing a new narrative and going places that others have not been, it can be scary and lonely. But ohhhh so worth it when you can reach behind you and bring the next person with you. And I can hand a new empowered legacy to the next generation.
Shantelle with her three children.
Who do you turn to for guidance, advice or support?
In the past it would have been my Grandmother, Aunties and mentors who I trusted. Today that is still the case. However, today I also deeply value creating space for stillness so I can connect and hear the voice within, hear the universe and the ancestors. Because that deep knowing is innately within all of us, we just need to have the courage to learn how to sit and listen long enough for that knowing, wisdom and guidance to be heard.
Shantelle’s Aunt encouraged her to take up martial arts to keep her away from trouble. She was 19 when she first stepped onto the mat. This introduction to the sport would prove to be her saviour in her darkest hour after the birth of her twins. When Shantelle was in the midst of post-natal depression, having sport to focus on she found it to be not only rewarding but also life-changing.
Complete the following sentence, “A leader is someone who….….”
A leader is someone who lives and leads from the heart in the service and empowerment of others.
Connect with Shantelle:
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Instagram: Barkindji Warrior Shantelle Thompson Warrior Dreaming
Facebook: Shantelle Thompson Barkindji Warrior
Twitter: Shantelle Thompson
Website: www.shantellethompson.com