She Shield
She Shield
Sofia Espina
She Shield is your one stop pod for all things personal safety with weekly guest speakers. I’m your host, Sofia, and my goal is to help educate women and men on concealed carry, martial arts, and all topics self-defense. 
2.27 Sofia & Lena Break Down Hollywood Gunfights: The Ballerina, Black Widow & More
This week on the She Shield Podcast, Sofia and Lena Miculek switch things up for a more laid-back, reaction-style episode as they break down some of the most iconic female fight scenes in action movies and TV. From the brutal close-quarters fights of Atomic Blonde to the over-the-top gun handling in Resident Evil, the tactical chaos of Black Widow, and scenes from Ballerina, they dive into what actually makes sense… and what’s pure Hollywood magic. The conversation covers everything from real...
May 26
35 min
2.26 What It Takes to Make Team USA: Inside Shotgun Worlds Prep with Lena Miculek
On this episode of She Shield, Sofia sits down with Lena Miculek for Part 1 of a two-part conversation diving into the world of competitive shotgun shooting, preparation, and what it really takes to compete on the world stage. Lena shares her history with shotgun competition, how she developed as a shooter over the years, and what goes into qualifying for and preparing for the IPSC Shotgun World Shoot. From training structure and mindset to handling pressure and expectations, this episode giv...
May 18
1 hr 6 min
2.25 Building Your Arsenal as a Creator in the Gun & Safety Industry
This week on She Shield, Sofia sits down solo to talk about what it actually looks like to become a creator in the self-defense, competition, outdoor, and preparedness space, without losing yourself in the process. From figuring out whether content creation is simply a passion project or something you want to grow into a business, this episode breaks down the foundational steps creators often overlook: identifying your audience, building a consistent posting cadence, planning content efficien...
May 11
19 min
2.24 Before You Carry Anything, Learn to Fight Too with David Heineman of Stay Safe Martial Arts
In this episode of She Shield, Sofia sits down with David Heineman to break down a truth most people skip past: tools don’t replace skill. With nearly 30 years of experience across Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, David brings a layered perspective on what real self-defense actually looks like. From competing on major stages like IBJJF Pans and Worlds to building Stay Safe Martial Arts from an “underground” COVID-era training group into a thriving academy, his...
May 4
1 hr 14 min
2.23 Pack Smart, Move Far, Stay Safe: The Reality of Outdoor Preparedness with Bethany Taylor
Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia interviews Bethany Taylor, founder of Iron Soul Trailblazers. As an outdoor educator, adventure trip host, and safety and preparedness advocate, Bethany has built her life around helping women step confidently into the outdoors. In this episode, she and Sofia dive into the intersection of adventure and responsibility, covering everything from trail safety and solo travel awareness to the mindset required to operate independently i...
Apr 27
1 hr 4 min
2.22 What Shooting Can Learn From Dance (And Why It Changes Everything) with Ryan Di Lello
Season 2 of She Shield Podcast is here! In this episode, Sofia sits down with Ryan Di Lello to explore a perspective most shooters overlook, movement as a true performance skill. Coming from a background as a professional dancer, Ryan brings a completely different lens to competitive shooting, one rooted in body awareness, timing, and intentional movement. What might look like speed on the surface is actually built on precision, efficiency, and control. Together, they break down the biggest m...
Apr 22
1 hr 22 min
2.21 From Targets to the Hunt: Inside Competitive Archery with Madison Thompson
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...
Apr 13
48 min
2.20 From First Shots to Fast Tracks: How USPSA Builds Real Skill with Alastair Steward
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 st...
Apr 6
1 hr 21 min
2.19: Michelle Waterson-Gomez (Karate Hottie): The Fight Doesn’t End- Motherhood, Mindset & Self-Defense
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 ...
Mar 30
1 hr 59 min
2.18 USPSA or IDPA? The Truth No One Explains with Caleb Giddings
In this episode of She Shield Podcast, Sofia sits down with Caleb Giddings to break down one of the most common questions in the shooting sports world: USPSA or IDPA… and which one is actually right for you? Caleb brings a no-BS perspective as they unpack the real differences between the two disciplines, beyond what you see on the surface. From stage design and scoring to gear choices and mindset, this conversation cuts through the confusion and gives listeners a clear framework for deciding ...
Mar 23
33 min
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