Who Am I?
I’m known as “that tiny Girl who does chucks” to some people but, I’m also a “person” who’s determined to make a positive impact on the world!
I’m a first-degree black belt, actor, stunt performer, tricker, archer, advocate for Women and Girls, and …I’m the creator and host of Spill it! with Eccaia.
When you love what you do as much as I love extreme martial arts, performing, and empowering others, there truly are no limits.
The Martial Artist & Tricker Me
As a person who earned their first-degree black belt at the age of 8, trains daily with nunchucks, katana and most recently sānjiégùn (3-section-staff) + is trained in the use of bo, escrima, kamas, is studying the art of stunt performance and fight choreography for film, as well as archery. I know a little bit about drive and determination against heavy odds. Add in martial arts tricking practice, and tournaments, my life is full but, I do it because I love it.
The Performer Me
In 2017 I was given the opportunity to perform on stage with Barenaked Ladies and again in 2019. This time, in front of 15k people at the DTE Music Centre in Detroit. As scary as those experiences were, they also solidified my love for live performance. It’s like nothing else I’ve felt before. When performing live, it’s about creating connection and, that give-and-take between the audience and the performer. It’s not about me in that moment. It’s about us and what we are creating together.
The Actor Me
Is it the spotlight, or becoming known as a celebrity that draws me in? No. I’m actually an introvert and don’t like being the center of attention but, think for a moment about a TV or movie character who inspired you to be more. To do more. To be kinder. To open up to the possibility that you are made for more. That you are not limited to what others say you are. Having the opportunity to challenge myself, show up and inspire people by taking on the persona of another, or create a world of escape, even for a moment is “my why”.
The Entrepreneur & Influencer Me
We each have one life to live. One opportunity to forge our own path and hopefully make a positive, lasting impact. That’s why I asked my Mom to help me create my webcast and podcast, Spill it! with Eccaia.
These initiatives are not about me. It’s about giving back, taking a stand for what I believe in and about making a difference for Girls around the World.
We are not all sugar and spice as my Mom constantly reminds me. We are not fragile or fearful, unless taught to be. We are innovators, creators, educators and leaders. We are the future and that future – when we work together – will be limitless!
My Mission
To empower Girls impacted by bullying, subjugation, oppression or violence. Inspiring them to push past perceived limits and break the cycle of bad-mouthing and minimizing each other. So, they can embrace their unique strengths and be who they were born to be.
Not who others want them to be.
Biography
A self-described rebel with a cause, Eccaia Sampson is a 4x World Champion Martial Artist, Nunchaku enthusiast, Actor, Entrepreneur and Podcast Host who is committed to shattering gender stereotypes, and ending inequality.
A member of Team Revolution and a former member of the Pulse Performance team, Eccaia has developed a unique perspective when it comes to managing the pressures of live performance.
She is best known for her double nunchuck performances with the Barenaked Ladies, her starring role in KT Tunstall’s Human Being music video and Zoom.TV “Break a Nail” series mini-documentary.
Eccaia has spent the last 4 years studying fight choreography for film with the goal of landing a role that enables her to perform her own stunts. She is currently most passionate about inspiring others to challenge outdated ideologies, speak up and end oppression.
As a recipient of the 2021 Leading Women Leading Girls Building Community award for her commitment to creating positive change for Women and Girls, Eccaia is committed to continuing her efforts to inspire others to speak up and speak out against oppression. Promote individualism, diversity, equality, and lead by example.
Influenced by women like Action Designer Mindy Kelly, Scarlett Johansson, Milla Jovovich, P!nk, and Emma Watson, she aspires to land a strong female action role in a major film, in the next stage of her career.
Social Consciousness
A social conscience is “a sense of responsibility or concern for the problems and injustices of society”.[1]
While our conscience is related to our moral conduct in our day-to-day lives with respect to individuals, social conscience is concerned with the broader institutions of society and the gap that we may perceive between the sort of society that should exist and the real society that does exist.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
In The Press
“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values – and follow my own moral compass – then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.”