Sophia McDermott
Affiliation, Gym / Organization you represent Sophia Fit
Personal story, Achievements / medals/ awards Sophia was born in Melbourne, Australia in May of 1979 and has an identical twin sister, Lulu, and a younger sister, Amelia. Sophia’s love of training all started when she was 4 years old as a Jazz and ballet dancer. At the age of 11, she began gymnastics with her twin sister and both girls found their true child hood love. They thrived and spent following ten plus years training at a national level.
Having to retire from gymnastics due to a serious long term stress fracture in her shoulder, Sophia was still keen to pursue something both physically and mentally challenging. In 2002 at the age of 21, she began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art that focuses primarily on ground technique.
Sophia was the first Australian female to receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She is a 4 x State, National, Pan Pacific and Pan American Champion, as well as a 2 x No Gi World Champion and a World Champion.
Her competitive career has taken her throughout Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil and Europe.
In 2007 Sophia moved to the United States to continue her competitive career in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Now retired from competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu she focuses on teaching women’s classes and self defence classes.
Sophia also has had many years of experience as a teacher and coach. She began teaching gymnastics in 1994 at age 14. She has an extensive background in Gymnastics and has work with students both beginner and elite at different schools and institutions throughout Australia. In 2001 Sophia received her Personal Training qualifications and focused on teaching functional strength and conditioning as well as nutrition. Sophia has more than 15 years experience as a gymnastics coach, Jiu Jitsu teacher and personal trainer, working with individuals, big groups in studios and corporate centers. Sophia has experience in occupation health and safety, post rehabilitation and pregnancy. She has worked with young and old, beginner and elite, and every different body type and fitness level imaginable.
Currently Sophia teaches women’s group classes in self defense, jiu jitsu and fitness. She also teaches jiu jitsu and nutrition seminars worldwide and host Lifestyle Camps geared towards health and wellness and empowerment. Sophia also focuses on online lifestyle coaching/ personal training/ meal plans and is a writer for multiple reputable health and fitness magazines.
Additional information Sophia’s focus is to share her knowledge about health, fitness, training and BJJ with a spin on pregnancy. She strives to inspire and empower women and encourage them to follow their dreams through her training, competing, group classes and seminars and lifestyle camps.
Links to interviews and Articles
Current articles can be read here: https://sophiadrysdale.squarespace.com/articles-by-sophia-1/
Media 2009 – 2014
Blitz Magazine. Magician on the mat, 2009
http://www.blitzmag.net/people/bjj-mma/178-magician-on-the-mat
*The Fightworks Podcast, 2010. Australia’s First Female BJJ Black Belt. https://thefightworkspodcast.com/2010/07/13/sophia-mcdermott-australias-first-female-bjj-black-belt/
Dragon Door, Sophia’s Journey 2010. http://www.dragondoor.com/articles/sophias-journey/
Graciemag, Sophia Returns Down Under for Seminar Tour. 2013. http://www.graciemag.com/2013/05/sophia-drysdale-returns-to-home-down-under-for-seminar-tour/
Video of Australian Seminars. https://youtu.be/sFYfqtX2t94
Graciemag, Sophia Drysdale to host largest women’s Jiu-Jitsu camp in Australia Feb, 2014 http://www.graciemag.com/2014/02/sophia-mcdermott-drysdale-leads-another-all-female-open-mat-for-95-ladies-in-australia/
Graciemag, Sophia Drysdale leads another all-female open mat for 95 ladies in Australia, 2014
*Fuji Sports, Video Interview.World No Gi Champion. May 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TKsyjf_J4E
Sophia Drysdale & Mackenzie Dern Help Spread Jiu Jitsu to Mexico, Graciemag, 2014 http://www.graciemag.com/2014/08/sophia-drysdale-mackenzie-dern-help-spread-jiu-jitsu-to-women-in-mexico-las-vegas/
Women’s camp in Mexico. http://www.bjjlegends.com/bjj/index.php/news/item/1287-the-impossible-dream-a-quest-for-equality
*Awakening Fighers profile: http://www.awakeningfighters.com/athletes/sophia-mcdermott-drysdale/
2015 media.
January: Gracie Mag. Mexico seminar promotion. http://www.graciemag.com/2014/12/meet-the-drysdales-black-belt-champions-robert-sophia-in-mexico-february-21-22/
*March. Gracie Mag. Australian Girls In Gi camp, . http://www.graciemag.com/2015/03/sophia-drysdale-teaches-bjj-camp-for-120-women-in-australia/
March: Jiu Jitsu Mag. Australian Girls In Gi camp. http://jiujitsumag.com/womens-jiu-jitsu-blowing-up-down-under/
March: 2015 Australian Girls In Gi, Stuart Cooper film, Video Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTL94WbpFFo
May: Fuji ads in Graciemag and Jiu Jitsu mag. (see attached.)
June edition (released in May): Jiu Jitsu Mag article (printed). On competing in BJJ and Ms Figure. see attachment.
June: Women Who Roll Interview. Sophia’s Personal Journey http://www.womenwhoroll.com/sophia-drysdale-interview/
June: Women Who Roll Article. Oklahoma Camp. http://www.womenwhoroll.com/sophia-drysdale-seminar-oklahoma-martial-arts-academy/
*June: Grappler’s Planet. Sophia’s Story. http://grapplersplanet.com/jiu-jitsu-travellers-sophia-mcdermott-drysdale-story/
July: Grappler’s Planet. Women’s Mexico Camp. http://grapplersplanet.com/womens-mexico-camp-mackenzie-dern-sophia-drysdale-2/
July: Girls In Gi article. Working Harder, Taking Chances and Giving More. http://www.girls-in-gis.com/blog/sophia-drysdale-working-harder-taking-chances-and-giving-more/
August: Karate-Live. Interview with Sophia. http://www.karate-live.com/interview-with-sophia-drysdale/?srchstext=sophia%20drysdale
August: Fuji Sports ad. (see attached.)
September: Girls In Gi article. Texas Seminar Recap. http://www.girls-in-gis.com/blog/3289/
September: Southwest Muscle Classic, Unlimited Overall Champion Ms Figure Interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPs8elAsQ3g * this is hilarious!
*September: BJJ Legends. Strength, Dignity and Perseverance. http://www.bjjlegends.com/bjj/index.php/reviews/tournament/item/1375-strength-dignity-perseverance-sophia-mcdermott-drysdale
September: Fuji Banner (with Ronda Rousey) see attached. Master World Championships
December. Gracie Mag ad for gis. http://graciemagshop.com/product/fuji-sekai-gi/
From 2016 Media
December 2015, BellaFit Magazine, video interview, Australia Tour. https://youtu.be/KYIlKOAohD4
*January, FitLIfe magazine. http://fitlife.pub/2016/01/09/meet-sophia-drysdale/
January, HopeBJJ, Nutrition e book review. http://hopebjj.myfreesites.net/blog/world-champion-sophia-and-her-new-e-book
*January, BJJ Heroes, Fighter Encyclopaedia. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/sophia-mcdermott-drysdale
February, Goodlad Unscripted, Profile. http://www.goodladunscripted.com/2016/07/19/sophia-drysdale-profile/
March, Graciemag review of my nutrition e book that was handed out 5000 competitors at the Pan Ams.
March: Jiu JItsu Times podcast. The Life Of Sophia McDermott Drysdale (The first guest of their new launch), (429 shares.) https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/podcast-life-sophia-mcdermott-drysdale/
September, Cageside Concussion Podcast: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cageside-concussioncase/cageside-concussioncast/e/sophia-drysdale-sep-25-2016-46582363
October: Goodlad Unscripted, Moving Up: http://www.goodladunscripted.com/tag/sophia-drysdale/
Author , https://sophiadrysdale.squarespace.com/nutrition-e-book/
Columnist ;
https://sophiadrysdale.squarespace.com/blog/
The Athletes Sportsbag Sophia is a ‘Featured Columnist’ for The Athletes Sportsbag Membership Program
Jiujiteira Magazine – Sophia Mcdermott – A Journey of Empowerment: https://jiujiteiramagazine.com/sophia-mcdermott
February 2021 This documentary about my LIfestyle Camps has just released. Created by
Yoon Young Lee from www.millaleeprogect.com this documentary is the closest thing that captures the essence of my camps.