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This is Part 2 of our conversation with Robin Hopkins.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there to hear the moment that changed everything.

In this episode, we move beyond the incident and into what came after.

After being shot in the line of duty, Robin’s life shifted in ways no one prepares you for. The physical recovery was only part of the story.

What followed was a deeper fight—through chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse—and the realization that some of the hardest battles weren’t new at all, but rooted in unresolved trauma from her past.

This is the part of the story we don’t often hear.

What it takes to rebuild.

What healing actually looks like.

And how strength can take a completely different form.

Horses for Heroes (website)

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She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

If you're interested in learning self-defense:

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

Aylin Villalobos knew how to fight.

As a former MMA fighter and coach, she trained to protect herself—and others. But at 18, she entered a relationship that would slowly take control of her life.

In this episode of She Fights with Heather Winkeljohn, Aylin shares how a relationship with an older fighter and coach became emotionally controlling and deeply damaging—despite everything she knew about strength, discipline, and self-defense.

Now 26, Aylin reflects on her path forward: the impact on her identity, her confidence, and her ability to return to the cage—and the work it takes to rebuild.

This is not just a story about fighting.

It’s about recognizing red flags, reclaiming your voice, and understanding that strength doesn’t always look the way we expect.

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If you or someone you know may be in a controlling or abusive relationship, you’re not alone. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

• Services are free and confidential.
• They can assist with safety planning, resources, and emotional support.
• If immediate danger exists, call 911 first.

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She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

Amy Vigil Percherski shares a deeply personal story of survival, resilience, and ultimately—freedom.

At just 14 years old, Amy found herself trapped in a relationship marked by control, fear, and isolation. What began as young love quickly turned into years of emotional and psychological abuse, manipulation, and trauma.

In this courageous conversation, Amy opens up about the reality of what she endured—and how she found the strength to break free. She speaks candidly about reclaiming her voice, rebuilding her sense of self, and letting go of the insecurity and worthlessness that had been placed on her.

This is a story not just of survival… but of transformation.

Domestic Violence Website - (link)

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She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

In 1945, the world changed in the New Mexico desert — but for many families, the fallout never ended.

Today’s guest, Tina Cordova, is the co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, an organization fighting for recognition and compensation for people harmed by radiation exposure from the Trinity nuclear test.

After losing several members of her own family to cancer — and facing her own diagnosis — Tina refused to stay silent. She stepped into the fight, challenging the federal government and amplifying the voices of families across the Tularosa Basin.

In this episode of She Fights, Tina shares the history behind the Trinity test, the devastating health impacts experienced by generations of New Mexicans, and the ongoing effort to secure justice through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

This isn’t just a story about history — it’s about accountability, transparency, and what happens when a woman refuses to accept silence as an answer.

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Learn more or support the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium:
www.trinitydownwinders.com

Email: tcordova@queston.net

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Information about RECA claims:
https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca

If submitting documentation by mail, consider sending materials via certified mail with return receipt. Once received, the DOJ has up to one year to process the claim and return documents.

Some organizations or attorneys may offer to file claims on behalf of individuals for a fee. Please be aware that no one can guarantee results or expedite placement in the claims process.

The New Mexico Department of Health assistance: 833-796-8773.

Additional resources and updates about the application process can be found at:
www.trinitydownwinders.com
https://fernandez.house.gov/live/
https://www.lujan.senate.gov/

To learn more about the documentary:
www.firstwebombednewmexico.com

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Topics in this episode: Trinity nuclear test, Tularosa Basin Downwinders, nuclear fallout, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act RECA, environmental justice, New Mexico history, nuclear weapons testing, cancer clusters, government accountability, nuclear testing victims

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She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

Roslyn Gallegos was a stellar student with a full-ride scholarship to nursing school. Before completing her first year of college, she was pulled into a world of addiction, exploitation, and an abusive relationship that nearly cost her everything.

Now a licensed social worker, Roslyn has transformed her pain into purpose. In this episode, she joins Heather for an open and honest conversation about what it truly took to rebuild her life—and why helping girls and young women develop self-worth may be the most powerful prevention of all.

Recommended reading: Rebecca Bender: "In Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant" (link)

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She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

She Cried That Day.

Heather interviews the filmmakers behind a documentary on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, with a particular focus on two sisters who are courageously fighting for justice for their murdered sister. It’s an incredibly powerful conversation — thoughtful, and handled with real care.

In 2015, Dione Thomas was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in Gallup, NM. She Cried That Day is a feature documentary directed by Amanda Erickson that examines the unresolved death of Indigenous woman Dione Thomas, and the ongoing fight for justice by her family. Through intimate access to Thomas’s sisters and their advocacy within New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) movement (website), the film exposes the systemic failures surrounding Indigenous women’s cases while honoring the resilience, strength, and determination of those left behind.

Amanda Erickson
Amanda Erickson is an Ndé (Apache) filmmaker and the director of She Cried That Day. The documentary marks her feature debut and reflects the systemic failures happening in New Mexico in regards to MMIW and more specifically, the case of Dion Thomas (website).

Christine Means
Christine Means is Dione Thomas’s sister and a central voice in the film. After Dione’s death in 2015, Means became an advocate within the MMIWR movement, publicly demanding answers and justice for her sister and other Indigenous women.

Karen Watson
Karen Watson is another of Dione Thomas’s sisters and appears in the film sharing the family’s grief and frustration over the lack of resolution in Dione’s case. She supports ongoing advocacy efforts to bring awareness to violence against Indigenous women. Karen is also involved in the Aunties for Justice organization/advocacy group (website).

Darlene Gomez
Darlene Gomez (website) is an attorney and Indigenous rights advocate who appears in the documentary providing legal insight and support for families affected by the MMIWR crisis, including Dione Thomas’s family. Darlene was a founding member of the task force for NM MMIW and exposes some of the failures happening at the state level.

New Mexico Department of Justice (website)

Email Amanda Erickson at amanda@seesclearly

----------

She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

Dayna Davis is a Jackson Wink MMA Academy fighter, coach, wife, and mom whose journey is rooted in resilience.

She survived deep betrayals of trust early in life, experiences that were later compounded during her time in the Marine Corps. As a young woman, she navigated exploitative relationships, struggled with her health, and carried wounds that many never see.

Through martial arts, MMA, and fitness, Dayna began transforming heartbreak into healing.

Today, she coaches women in self-defense and fitness, teaches MMA to people with disabilities, and uses her story to help others reclaim strength, agency, and confidence. In this episode, Dayna shares how discipline, movement, and community helped her survive—and ultimately rebuild.

This is a story about pain, yes—but more importantly, about power, purpose, and choosing to fight forward.

Listener note: This episode discusses trauma and sexual assault. Please take care while listening.

Support resources:
If you are in the armed services and believe you have experienced sexual assault, contact the DoD Safe Helpline — confidential and available 24/7:
1-877-995-5247 | safehelpline.org

For additional support, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center:
nsvrc.org/find-help

----------

She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.

Send us Fan Mail

Robin is a former Marine, retired sheriff's deputy, a current Air National Guard member, a wife and a mom.

As a sheriff's deputy Robin was responding to an active shooter when she was shot and critically injured. That injury didn’t just end her law-enforcement career; it marked the beginning of a profound journey.

In the aftermath, she faced challenges that many of us know all too well, but don't talk about: chronic pain, alcohol abuse, PTSD, depression, the list goes on, then the unexpected unresolved trauma from her childhood—particularly the influence of her mother’s trauma on her own life.

Horses for Heroes (website)

----------

She Fights is a podcast about resilience, recovery, and the strength it takes to rebuild after adversity.

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.