Interviews

**USE HEADPHONES TO LISTEN** To see the video of this episode, join the Grappling Central group on Facebook, where it was streamed live! Kurt talks about his recent Asia tour, getting kicked out of the Samurai Museum in Japan and shirtless living!

Ffion Davies is one of the UK's top BJJ competitors and a Judo black belt. In this episode we talk about how Ffion got into martial arts, her judo career, how she got into BJJ, breaking down her competition success, and covering a lot of women related topics in BJJ including women teaching, should you date your instructor and dick pics, probably too much about dick pics. Find Ffion on instragram: www.instagram.com/ffioneira3 Find out more about CF24: www.cf24jiujitsu.co.uk

Master Maurico Gomes joins the show to talk about the early competition scene in Brazil, longevity in the art and Jiu-Jitsu's customizable nature. He also covers the blue belt blues, athleticism and rolling with his son, Roger Gracie.

Lee Kemp is a 3 time wrestling world champion and hall of famer. Saeed Esmaeli is a renowned wrestling coach working with some of the top wrestling, MMA and Jiu Jitsu competitors. In this episode we talk about Lee's and Saeed's journey in wrestling, how Lee improved as quick as he did, beating Dan Gable, what drives people to succeed, working with MMA and BJJ athletes, the programs that they have put together and are now touring around the UK and much more. Find out more about lee at: Leekemp.com

Harley Flanagan was the frontman and bassist for NYC's legendary punk band Cro-Mags. He is also a Black Belt under Master Renzo Gracie and a highly respected instructor. He talks about brawls, riots, NY's old punk scene and how he got started in BJJ!

Ryan is joined by special guest co-host, Rose Gracie! Together they interview WEC and Bellator veteran Chad George. Chad talks about his passion for teaching, "accidentally" starting his MMA career and his viral Bellator debut. He also covers goal setting.

In this episode John Hacklemann discusses the Conor McGregor bus attack, training Chuck Liddell, differences between MMA and self defense, the single most important thing you can do to stay safe on the street, sparring vs drilling, and more. This is an incredibly informative episode, especially if you're interested in self defense and/or MMA! Follow John on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePitOnlineDojo and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ThePitMaster

Tyler Driskell is a teammate, instructor and good friend of Ryan's who has a unique story and interesting perspective of BJJ. He talks about why he competes, leg locks, progression in Jiu-Jitsu, Gi vs No-Gi and what makes an academy successful

Sensei Gary Goltz joins the show to talk about starting Judo in 1965, life lessons from competition, advice for parents and his strong desire to see BJJ and Judo work together more. He also tells the hilarious story behind his Conan O'Brien appearance

I talk with personal trainer and BJJ black belt Ben Zhuang going DEEP into the supplements, exercises, and conditioning protocols, and recovery procedures to help with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other grappling arts. Follow Ben and see the exercises he's referring to on Instagram [@coachbz](https://www.instagram.com/coachbz/) Follow Stephan on Instagram @stephan_kesting

Arin Adjamian talks about going from being overweight with an eating disorder to becoming a successful Sport Nutritionist and BJJ champion. He also covers meal prepping, calories, the effects of diet on testosterone, fat consumption and cutting weight.

Jessica Huneycutt is the yoga instructor for the New Orleans Saints National Football League team. In this episode we go deep into how Yoga and other techniques are used at an elite level to help athletes recover as fast as possible, prevent injuries, and prolong their careers. We also talk about surviving sexual assault, travelling to India, living in ashrams, doing yoga for improved jiu-jitsu performance, and her own personal BJJ training. This is a really good one - I hope you enjoy it and share it with someone else who might benefit from the information in the conversation! Follow Jessica on Instagram @jessica.huneycutt

Ryan's Strength & Conditioning coach Scott Shetler joins the show to talk about catering your lifting to meet your grappling needs, the impact of time limits on athletes, cardio vs muscular endurance and nutrition.

In this episode I talk with Riccardo Ammedolia, BJJ black belt under the Mendes Brothers, ADCC commentator, and worldwide jiu-jitsu ambassador. We talked about training in Brazil, rolling with Rafa Mendes, judging and reffing in BJJ, staying well rounded, curriculum development and more. If you train BJJ then I think you'll really like this one! Riccardo trains and teaches in Hamilton, Ontario at http://www.atoshamilton.com. You can also follow him on Instagram at @riccardoammendoliabjj or on Facebook at facebook.com/RiccardoAmmendoliaBJJ/

Professor Yamasaki joins the show to discuss cross training, why BJJ won't be in the Olympics, Women's Jiu-Jitsu, take downs and building a kids program. He also tells the story of removing a drug dealer from a favela with the Brazilian Federal Police!

Maximiliano Ulloa York is a paraplegic jiu jitsu competitor and runs the International Jiu Jitsu without Limitations Federation and Para Jiu jitsu magazine. Maximiliano started jiu jitsu whilst fully abled and through an accident became paraplegic. In this episode he details his accident, recovery, getting back into jiu jitsu and how it helped him, helping others through the International Jiu Jitsu without Limitations Federation and spreading awareness for para jiu jitsu through the Para Jiu Jitsu magazine. For more info visit: www.ijjwlf.com For info on para jiu jitsu magazine visit: www.pjjmag.com

Professor "Gordo" is the man credited with developing the Half Guard into an offensive position. He talks about the rules in BJJ competition, finding the right school for you and training though injuries. He also opens up about why he left Gracie Barra.

In this episode I talk with elite powerlifter, kettlebell instructor and BJJ practitioner Jason Kapnick about conditioning program design, building a balanced body, functional movement screening, injury prevention, and training for optimal athletic performance. It was a great conversation, and I hope you come away from it having learned as much as I did! You can find out more about Jason, or go to him for training, at [https://catalystsportnyc.com](https://catalystsportnyc.com) Finally, if you found this episode interesting or useful please share The Strenuous Life Podcast with ONE person in your social or training circle. Thanks, Stephan

Professor Helio "Soneca" joins the show to talk about the early days of Gracie Barra, career opportunities in BJJ, working with elite MMA fighters and building an academy. He also states that the Rubber Guard was a position he came up with decades ago.

Professor Charlie Liu is the co-founder of Digitsu and a long time BJJ practitioner. He talks about self defense, small joint manipulation, asking questions in class, starting Digitsu and filming disaster stories.

Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey star in the London production of The Lion King musical. Shaun is a BJJ black belt and George is a blue belt. I sit down with Mufasa and Scar to talk about their professional careers, Shauns history from the early days of UK BJJ, Georges introduction to Jiu Jitsu and journey since, training on the stage in between shows, signing the national anthem for Lennox vs Tyson, self defence, how they fit in time to train and much more.

This episode is just a little different! Today 12 BJJ black belts give their single best piece of advice for people just starting out in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. White belts looking for tips and help with their training will really benefit from watching this, and if it doesn't fire you up and get you on the mat grappling then nothing will! Here are the BJJ black belts featured in this video: Stephan Kesting http://www.grapplearts.com Bernardo Faria https://bernardofaria.com Brandon 'Wolverine' Mullins http://www.justgipants.com Travis Stevens http://www.fujisports.com/blog/travis-stevens/ Rob Biernacki http://www.islandtopteam.com/ Pshemek Drabczynski http://www.besthometrainer.com Ritchie Yip http://www.infighting.ca Sean McHugh https://www.alliancekelowna.com Elliott Bayev http://www.openmat.ca Jason Manly http://instagram.com/jasonmanly Michael Zenga http://www.bjjfanatics.com Perry Bateson http://www.nwjja.ca/ Also you can download my (Stephan's) checklist of BJJ positions and techniques for free at http://www.grapplearts.com/book See you on the mat!

Amal Easton joins the show to talk about being one of the first Americans to travel to Brazil to learn BJJ in the early 90's, meeting Renzo Gracie, BJJ for every day people and training for longevity. He also discusses some of BJJ's cultural nuances

Jackson Sousa shares his powerful life story, from beginning his life in the Favela (slums) in Rio to becoming a decorated champion. He also talks about Terere's influence on him and for the first time in an interview opens up about beating drug addiction