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# 🏳️‍⚧️ Molly Reis: Life as a Trans Black Belt in BJJ
- URL: https://fightingmatters.com/molly-reis-life-as-a-trans-black-belt-in-bjj/
- Published: 2025-05-05T11:28:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T05:18:00.000Z
- Description: 🎙️ A powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and resilience in the martial arts community.
- Author: Fighting Matters
- Tags: Podcast, Video, Trans Inclusion, Women in BJJ

🎙️ A powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and resilience in the martial arts community.  
  
In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan and Mike Mahaffey are joined by special guest Molly Reis, a three-stripe black belt and one of the most senior trans women in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Molly shares her journey through the sport, from competing every weekend in Texas to finding belonging in Seattle’s queer BJJ scene. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning mid-career, navigating concern trolling, and why visibility in leadership is key to true inclusion.  
  
⸻  
  
👥 Featuring:  
  
Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬  
Mike Mahaffey ‪@OldBastardBJJ‬  
Molly Reis  
  
⸻  
  
🧠 Topics We Cover:  
  
• What it’s like to transition after earning your black belt  
• How hormone therapy impacts physical performance  
• Creating safer spaces and inclusive gyms for queer athletes  
• Concern trolling, etiquette, and rolling while trans  
• Why allyship in BJJ must go beyond tolerance  
  
⸻  
  
📖 Chapters:  
  
[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&ref=fightingmatters.com) Introduction to Diversity in Jiu-Jitsu  
[03:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=181s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Molly's Journey in Jiu-Jitsu and Transition  
[06:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=362s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Experiences of Support and Rejection  
[09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=559s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Navigating the Jiu-Jitsu Community as a Trans Woman  
[11:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=719s&ref=fightingmatters.com) The Impact of Transition on Jiu-Jitsu  
[14:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=892s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Understanding Hormone Therapy and Its Effects  
[18:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=1097s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Life Changes Post-Transition  
[21:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=1264s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Adapting Jiu-Jitsu Techniques After Transition  
[23:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=1436s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Creating Inclusive Spaces in Jiu-Jitsu  
[26:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=1619s&ref=fightingmatters.com) The Role of Community in Supporting Trans Athletes  
[30:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=1811s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Conclusion and Future Perspectives  
[45:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=2740s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Mindset and Gender Dynamics in Jiu-Jitsu  
[47:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=2822s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Creating Inclusive Spaces in Martial Arts  
[47:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=2872s&ref=fightingmatters.com) The Power of Representation in Leadership  
[49:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=2967s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Celebration vs. Tolerance in the Community  
[51:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=3068s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Navigating Political Sensitivities in Jiu-Jitsu  
[52:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=3131s&ref=fightingmatters.com) The Role of Allies in Supporting Trans Rights  
[56:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=3386s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Understanding Concern Trolling  
[01:01:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=3671s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Debunking Myths About Trans Athletes  
[01:05:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=3931s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Engaging in Good Faith Conversations  
[01:10:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=4258s&ref=fightingmatters.com) The Hypocrisy of Gender Politics in Sports  
[01:18:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=4725s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Encouragement for Trans and Queer Athletes  
[01:19:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvuNP0WsWOM&t=4789s&ref=fightingmatters.com) Finding Community and Resources in Jiu-Jitsu