Interviews

Hosts Roye and Prof. Miguel go into Professors history and exactly what led him to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and motivated him into opening an academy.

Richard Bresler is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Rorion Gracie's first Jiu-Jitsu student in America, and the author of the book "Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life." Richard shares his story of how he met Rorion Gracie, how he started training , how jiu-jitsu offers a new beginning, what it was like training with Rorion Gracie, meeting and training with Rickson Gracie, his experiences from the early Gracie challenge matches, being a part of the first UFC and what it was like attending UFC 1, the story behind Royce Gracie being chosen to fight in the first UFC, Richard's falling out with Rorion, Richard's relationship with the Gracie Family today, and his book, "Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life." You can purchase the book and learn more at https://worthdefendingbook.com/ and Facebook/Instagram @wothdefendingbook Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to [https://bit.ly/31HEWoT](https://bit.ly/31HEWoT) and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out [https://www.epicrollbjj.com](https://www.epicrollbjj.com/) and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Dan Hardy is a former UFC fighter, commentator, and fight analyst. In this episode we discuss Dan's start in martial arts, his entry into professional MMA, his career in the UFC, his retirement due to a heart condition, his transition to the commentary table, his desire to continue to compete, his journey into psychedelics and much much much more.

This week we're joined by Matt Skaff! Matt is a 10th Planet black belt who specializes in the anaconda choke. The anaconda is powerful because it's not just a choke: it's a powerful positional system with a lot of submission options. Matt's key advice for the anaconda: - Don't squeeze too early!- Don't go deep too early: you don't want them to control your elbow.- Use your lat for power: pinch your elbows to your core.- Grab your tricep, not your bicep. Internally rotate your thumb down.- Before you gator roll, pull them back and sprawl at 45°. Listen to Matt's Skaff on The Grappling Discourse: [https://anchor.fm/matt-skaff](https://anchor.fm/matt-skaff) Videos referenced in this episode: - Rafael Mendes vs. André Galvão [https://youtu.be/7-F9PksNNIo](https://youtu.be/7-F9PksNNIo)- Rafael Mendes anaconda choke [https://youtu.be/Nw2xfELw4wc](https://youtu.be/Nw2xfELw4wc) **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Single vs. Double Lever Control [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/)- Committed Techniques [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/)- Position Over Submission [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/)- Predictable Responses [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/)- Technique Chaining [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/)- Kinetic Chains [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/)- 3 Joint Rule [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/)- Myopia [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/)- Overwhelming Force [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/) **Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!** If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at **a fraction of the cost of a single private.** Sign up here for a free trial: [https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Follow us on social: [](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

DO YOU WANT EXTRA EPISODES, MATCH BREAKDOWNS, AND TECHNIQUES? Join The GOON SQUAD on our PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/BJJGOONS Tim Spriggs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timspriggsb... Nico Ball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/no_new_nico/​

Craig Jones joins the show to talk about his "Gringo Spanish", Shark attacks, the Gabi Garcia super fight, his time spent coaching on Ultimate Fighter, BJJ in MMA and making money in Jiu-Jitsu. He also discusses how to beat wrestlers with Jiu-Jitsu!

This week, we're joined by Drew Weatherhead from Because Jitsu! Drew shares his best practices for transmission of knowledge and efficient learning. Book referenced in this episode: Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374533557](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374533557) Find Drew online at: Drew Weatherhead Jiu-Jitsu [https://drewjitsuonline.com](https://drewjitsuonline.com) Because Jitsu [https://www.instagram.com/because_jitsu](https://www.instagram.com/because_jitsu) **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Concepts vs. Techniques [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-vs-techniques/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-vs-techniques/)- Form to Leave Form [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/)- Teach to Learn [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/)- Cognitive Load [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/)- Theory of Alignment [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/)- Economy of Motion [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/)- Cognitive Dissonance [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/)- Beginner's Mind [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/)- Path of Least Resistance [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/)- 3 Joint Rule [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/)- Alignment Over Position [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/)- Respect People, Not Positions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/) **Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!** If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at **a fraction of the cost of a single private.** Sign up here for a free trial: [https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Follow us ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Paul Schreiner joins the show to talk about escaping bottom side control, learning to be comfortable in every position and controlling mat anxiety. He also discusses the importance of having an order of operations in your game to perform at your best!

Joel Blanton is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has been training for over 20 years. Joel and Chewy share their first encounter at a tournament, how training in Professional Wrestling led to Joel's start in MMA, what the MMA scene was like in the early days, his start in Jiu-Jitsu, the ability to avoid confrontation, how to come back from a loss, tips for recovery for older grapplers, how to keep training exciting, giving back through Jiu-Jitsu, and applying lessons learned from Jiu-Jitsu to life. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to [https://bit.ly/31HEWoT](https://bit.ly/31HEWoT) and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out [https://www.epicrollbjj.com](https://www.epicrollbjj.com/) and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

"Judo" Jimmy Wallhead is a judo black belt and professional mixed martial artist. In this episode we talk through Jimmy's martial arts career, from his start in Judo to his career fighting in many of the world's top MMA organizations including UFC and Bellator, the issue he's had with the UFC and his role of head coach of an up and coming MMA team.

This week we're joined by Phrost, the founder of Bullshido. You probably know Bullshido as one of the internet's best resources for debunking fake martial arts, fake news, and other bullshit. In this episode, Phrost shares his toolkit for inoculating yourself against bullshit. Phrost's advice: - Enforce the burden of proof.- Avoid dichotomous (black and white) thinking.- Keep your identity small.- Trust data, not anecdotes.- Beware of those promising certainty.- Understand that imperfect solutions are still useful.- You can have too much of a good thing.- It's easier to guard your mind from bullshit than to get it out later.- You have to give a shit about the truth.- Beware confirmation bias: is it true, or do you want it to be true?- Check your sources, and then check the checks on those sources.- Biased does not equal false.- Asking for money does not immediately make you a scammer.- Don't assume an edge case applies to the whole. **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Keep Your Identity Small [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/)- Probabilistic Thinking [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/)- Marginal Gains [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/marginal-gains/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/marginal-gains/)- Certainty Bias [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-bias/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-bias/)- Mindfulness [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/)- Confirmation Bias [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/confirmation-bias/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/confirmation-bias/) **Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!** If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at **a fraction of the cost of a single private.** Sign up here for a free trial: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

This week we share part two our interview with Pabs Carela. This was originally on our Patreon, but we decided to share it with you all as a taste of what we got going on there. In this episode we go in-depth about the American vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling history, crack dispensaries, and a whole lot more.

Bruno Frazatto joins the show to talk about academy ownership, developing students and building an advanced open guard game. He also explains how he feels the fundamentals of BJJ have changed over time with the growth of the sport!

Walter Masterson trolls anti-vaxx and pro-conspiracy rallies. He's brave, funny and insightful, and I was honored to have him as a guest on episode 332 of The Strenuous Life Podcast. Follow Walter on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/waltermasterson On TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@waltermasterson On Twitter at https://twitter.com/waltermasterson On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/waltermasterson/ Cheers, Stephan Kesting

Kade Ruotolo is a Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt who trains out of Atos HQ. We start off the podcast discussing Kade's recent victory at *Who's Number One* by "Buggy Choke." We discuss how Kade developed this new technique and how he implemented the submission into high level competition. Kade shares what it was like starting Jiu-Jitsu at 3 years old, the relationship and support he received from his parents, what makes Andre Galvao a great coach, his class structure and training schedule, favorite tournament format and his thoughts on competing in Combat Jiu-Jitsu, the match that was most meaningful, why training Gi and No-Gi is important, what its like having a brother who is a high level competitor, how surfing has impacted his Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of drilling, training leg locks, predictions for the future of Jiu-Jitsu, the upcoming Polaris Squads event, how to stay motivated, and advice to parents to help their kids stick with Jiu-Jitsu. Kade's also discusses how he handles tough training sessions. Check out Kade's next tournament: The Polaris Squads Event on August 7, 2021. Polaris Event Details: https://polarisprograppling.com/ Learn more about the Chewjitsu Training Camp going on August 27 - 29, 2021 https://www.chewjitsu.net/contact-us/ Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/31HEWoT and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Manscaped. Check out https://www.manscaped.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off and free shipping! Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://www.patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

This week, we're joined by Erin Herle! Erin is a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, an elite competitor, and the founder of #submitthestigma, a mental health awareness organization for grapplers. Learn more about #submitthestigma here: [https://www.submitthestigma.org/](https://www.submitthestigma.org/) This episode references the book Mindset, by Carol Dweck: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322) **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Mindfulness [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/)- Growth Mindset [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/)- Incremental Learning [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/)- Consistency [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/)- Habits Over Results [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/)- Dictate the Pace [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/)- Growth from Discomfort [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/)- Table Selection [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/) **Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!** If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at **a fraction of the cost of a single private.** Sign up here for a free trial: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Roger Gracie joins the show to talk about building a dangerous mount, escaping bad positions, closed guard, coming back to training after a break and the value of positional training. He also talks about why he feels less can be more with techniques!

Jon Thomas is a BJJ master strategician with an uncanny ability to connect grips, sweeps, submissions and positions together to create a seamless attack gameplan. In this episode we do a deep dive into the closed guard position and I think your jiu-jitsu will definitely improve if you implement his training methods and organisational concepts. Check out The Closed Guard System in video format at https://www.grapplearts.com/closedguard

Jeff Lawson is a BJJ black belt, a judo black belt, and a former MMA fighter. In the episode we talk about how Jeff got into judo, how he transitioned into mixed martial arts in the early days of the sport, his time on the ultimate fighter, some of his coaching philosophies, and his journey with psychedelic plant medicine.

How to learn from instructionals, avoid bad seminars, improve BJJ training methods, the Australian MMA scene, trends in grappling, and much more with the eloquent Sonny Brown from the Sonny Brown Breakdown! And check out the latest Grapplearts instructional on the Closed Guard at https://www.grapplearts.com/closedguard

Kurt Osiander joins the show and in typical fashion, the interview goes right off the rails! Topics covered include diabetes, catheter injuries, moms who hate heavy metal, hospital food and an alternate universe where cats own people. Language warning!

In today's Q&A Josh answers A LOT of questions including, his thoughts on steroids in bjj, politics, and how to develop attributes

Documental dedicado a nuestro proyecto en Alliance Chile. síguenos, comenta y comparte para así ayudarnos.

This week, we're joined by newly minted black belt Margot Ciccarelli! Margot leads us on one of our most interesting discussions ever: her philosophy of movement vocabulary. Margot argues that we speak with our bodies, and that movement is a form of communication. In this episode we talk about the vocabulary we use in Jiu-Jitsu: how we label, speak, and listen with movements we make. **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Dictate the Pace [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/)- Feedback Loop [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/)- Shuhari [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/)- Growth From Discomfort [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/)- Growth Mindset [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/)- Predictable Responses [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/)- Windows of Opportunity [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/)- Controlled Breathing [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/)- Staying Loose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/)- Mask Your Intentions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/) **Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!** If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at **a fraction of the cost of a single private.** Sign up here for a free trial: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/premium/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)