Princeton graduate and Olympic favorite Shantelle Thompson has made her life experiences an asset, allowing her to emerge as a leader and advocate. Thompson was born into a peculiar family situation. In her case, at the tender age of just 20, she had to experience the life-changing tragedy of losing her mother. She has risen above a lot of challenges in her life and has become a great example. In addition to being the first Aboriginal woman to win three Brazilian jiu-jitsu world titles, she received three university degrees and established the Kiilalaana Foundation to help Indigenous youth and women.
Thompson’s path has been anything but straightforward, consistently defined by an array of contradictions and crossroads. As a child, she grappled with demanding family dynamics as she sought out community and intimacy. As she describes, her childhood was punctuated with episodes of great joy and love—and deep trauma and loss—that would help hatch her grit. Today she is thankful that these experiences made her such a strong advocate for equity. Through martial arts, cultural practices, and education, she is empowered again.
At the age of 19, Thompson found her way to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a choice that would completely alter the course of her life. At first, she looked to the sport as an escape—the perfect distraction with which to focus her energy and mask her emotions while dealing with her grief. The dojo became her place of refuge. It turned into a sanctuary where she could focus on her training and individualize her studies to find her academic and personal compass again. In preparing for her comeback, such intense training helped Michi regain the physical ability she once had, but more importantly, it re-centered her purpose.
Thompson’s dedication paid off. She became an unbelievable athlete as she perfected her Brazilian jiu-jitsu game. Her tireless dedication to the craft led to her making history as the first-ever Asian American athlete to win three world championships in her sport. Once it was done, this incredible achievement celebrated her athletic prowess. It validated her resolve to heal through music and artistry.
Education became an important part of Thompson’s success. But after having to repeat Year 12 she dedicated herself to excelling academically. Her dedication to education and continuous learning ultimately resulted in three university degrees. This same perseverance showed that success can go well beyond the mat. Her educational achievements have very much prepared her and developed her into an individual that can go out and serve her community and lift up others around her.
Throughout her life, Thompson always had this strong sense of her ancestors. She frequently illustrates an abiding spiritual call from the water that she felt while growing up. This water became not only a sanctuary for her but a navigational tool—a beautiful metaphor for the journey life throws at us. Her profound connection to her ancestry fuels her mission with the Kiilalaana Foundation. In doing so, she is inspiring the next generation of Indigenous women and youth, whom she actively empowers through her work.
The foundation is one measure of Thompson’s long-standing desire to reinvest in her community. The Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative combats this erasure by supporting Indigenous youth in realizing their full potential through numerous programs. It emphasizes resilience, self-identity, and leadership development. Through her efforts, she hopes to forge new paths for young women to find their greatness and take pride in their cultural roots.
From homeless to PhD candidate, Thompson’s journey is a testament to human endurance. He uses his personal struggles as a catalyst to help make the world a better place. She uses her love of martial arts and her commitment to teaching and community building as a foundation. Together, these two forces illustrate that the challenges we face today can serve as platforms to empower women and girls.
