Ep. 41- Carl Sims and Miyo Strong- The Pit Challenge & Women's Self Defense Instructors

Miyo Strong is the Program Director of Smart Defense. As a survivor and advocate, Miyo has taught self-defense for over a decade and has led programs for Temple MMA and Empower Self-Defense. After chasing down her photography goals and earning her master’s and craftsman degrees from Professional Photographers of America, Miyo decided to pursue Jiu Jitsu full time as a competitor and coach in 2016. A black belt under Johnny Carlquist, Miyo also holds certification as a strength and conditioning coach from the prestigious Gym Jones. Miyo is a 5x Jiu Jitsu World Master Champion in both Gi and No Gi, a former MMA fighter, and holds a record of 6-0 in Jiu Jitsu super fights. Through the Smart Defense program, Miyo has empowered thousands of women, teens, and survivors with life-saving skills, confidence, and healing through movement, community, and education. Carl Simms was Born in Riverside, California. His family moved to Preston, Idaho when he was 12 in 1982. Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in Preston in a predominately LDS community. As a JW they were strongly discouraged from pursuing Athletics and/or pursuing Higher education. He completely left the religion in his early 30’s. During his teenage years his father taught him the trade of Machining. After High School (1987) he worked in his Machine shop for about 5 years. After which he worked out in Industry. Now married to his wife Cali with kids he joined up with his Dad and they became business partners forming Millennium Machining Inc. in Preston, Idaho In 2008 Carl officially started Jiu-Jitsu and competed regularly. He took 2nd at Blue Belt IBJJF Worlds and 1st at Purple, 1st at Brown, and 1st twice at Black Belt Gi and No Gi. In 2016 he established Proving Grounds Invitational an invitation, only EBI style tournament. That is where he first met Miyo Strong Throughout the years, he has taught self-defense. In 2022 he helped teach a Women’s self Defense class with the inaugural college program of Smart Defense (with the Elizabeth Smart Foundation) he taught with Miyo as the head instructor at Southern Utah University In 2024 he established The Pit Challenge a Grappling Industries style tournament. Instagram: Carl: https://www.instagram.com/carl_warren_g._sims/ Miyo: https://www.instagram.com/utahjitsmama/ Smart Defense: https://www.instagram.com/esfsmartdefense/  Elizabeth Smart  Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsmartfoundation/  The Pit Challenge: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchallenge/   Get you some Salt Electrolytes: ⁠⁠⁠www.GoEarnYourSALT.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SALT Electrolytes Wholesale Application: ⁠⁠ https://saltelectrolytes.com/pages/wholesale