Shantelle Thompson is a mother to three young children and a graduate teacher, but six days a week she becomes Barkindji Warrior, Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter.

It is a name with which to market herself, but it also bolsters her psychologically. In battle, her armour is her gi, or fighting kimono, with its indigenous design cloth patches from her community in Mildura.

''I have been Barkindji Warrior in my mind for a long time. It gives me the belief to do what I have to do when the nerves set in,'' Ms Thompson said.

''It reminds of everything I have accomplished so far, where I come from,'' she said.

Ms Thompson, of Reservoir, will reveal her name officially in April when she competes at the Victorian state titles, part of her journey to become a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion. Her confidence and ambition are fuelled by all-women Brazilian jiu-jitsu group, Australian Girls in Gi .