The hardest part of training isn’t the throw—it’s getting to the gym after a brutal workday. Holly Ann Frazier knows that challenge firsthand.

A root canal assistant by day and elite Sambo and judo competitor by night, Holly shares how discipline, community support, and countless hours on the mat took her to the 2025 Sambo World Championships in Kyrgyzstan.

In this Grapplezilla Podcast episode, Holly talks about balancing work, school, and world-class competition—and what it meant to carry the support of her community onto the international stage.

She also breaks down the tactical differences between judo and Sambo, including grip fighting, the Georgian grip, drop seoi nage, and harai-goshi.

In this episode, Holly discusses:

• How she balanced a demanding job with elite-level training

  
  

• Crowdfunding her path to international competition

  
  

• What she learned competing at Pan Americans and the Sambo World Championships

  
  

• How she adapts her game across judo, Sambo, and MMA-influenced training

  
  

• Grip-fighting strategy and the adjustments that can decide a match

  
  

• Managing nerves with music, warm-ups, and competition routines

  
  

• The growth of American Sambo and the women helping move the sport forward

  
  

• The athletes and coaches who inspire her development

  
  

Whether you’re a grappler, martial artist, combat sports fan, or someone working toward an ambitious goal, Holly’s story offers an honest look at the persistence behind competing on the world stage.

Subscribe to the Grapplezilla Podcast for more conversations about grappling, martial arts, and the people shaping combat sports.

Here is Holly Anne Frazier’s social media account where you can find her online:

Instagram: @hawleee_

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Until next time…Grab, Throw, Tap!

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