Chewjitsu

David Avellan is a BJJ black belt, ADCC 2009 Bronze Medalist, creator of "The Kimura Trap System," and owner of the Freestyle Fighting Academy. On this episode, David shares his start in martial arts, transitioning to wrestling, lessons learned from wrestling, starting a gym with minimal training and no business experience, how he raised money for the gym by running tournaments, how working with Lloyd Irvin changed the trajectory of his business, the importance of culture for a successful gym, mistakes he made in training methodology as a younger grappler, when to develop your toughness, the process of developing the "Kimura Trap System," the benefits of drilling, winning bronze at the 2009 ADCC World Championships, tips on time management, the importance of recovery as you age, how to train optimally, and his thoughts on the ADCC and CJI. If you want to learn more from David, check out https://davidmma.com/join Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

TJ graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1999 with a degree in Behavioral Sciences. Over the next several years he attended NATO's premier fighter pilot training course, EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) and became an F-16 fighter pilot. He served overseas in Korea and deployed to Iraq as a combat flight lead, and was recognized as the Hill Air Force Base Flight Lead of the Year in 2005. Later he served as an instructor and evaluator pilot at ENJJPT, overseeing student training and managing several operational components of the program. During that time he also earned an MBA from Texas A&M - Commerce. He retired after more than 20 years of service in 2019. TJ is also a Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt and the Vice President of the "We Defy Foundation." On this episode, TJ discusses his time in the military as a fighter pilot, what he enjoyed most about being a fighter pilot, why he started Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of Jiu-Jitsu and a community for military veterans, how he got involved with the "We Defy Foundation," the importance of research to assist with funding, the mission of the "We Defy Foundation," how "We Defy" has impacted the lives of military veterans, learning how to deal with failure through Jiu-Jitsu, and how stopping competing can improve your Jiu-Jitsu. Learn more about the "We Defy Foundation" here: https://wedefyfoundation.org/ Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jason "Blind Fury" Keaton. Jason is a BJJ black belt, musician, and owner of Blind Fury Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Jason discusses his start in martial arts, first starting his training in Wing Chun and then transitioning to BJJ in 1996, what it was like learning martial arts with visual impairment, how learning Wing Chun helped with learning BJJ, training as much as possible as a younger grappler, meeting Renato Tavares, the evolution of BJJ training, improving your BJJ by working from your worst positions, how to tell if you train at a good gym, how he developed an effective side control, staying healthy as you get older, coming back from a severe neck injury, how learning music transfers to BJJ, and how he got the nickname "Blind Fury." Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how setting expectations in Jiu-Jitsu can make you fragile as well as lead to frustration in training. We also discuss how to build a healthy ego in Jiu-Jitsu. We talk about getting caught by less experienced training partners, how we are constantly changing, the importance of having a plan, the book "The Worry Cure," for dealing with rumination, what we get wrong about the ego, how to help students get out of a rut, focusing on the "small wins" in training, and how competing can help your ego and build more grit. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the best advice they would give or wish they got through each belt rank in Jiu-Jitsu. We also discuss the most powerful technique to employ in BJJ (learn to experiment, how to avoid stagnation in BJJ, and the benefit of teaching. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss two rules for Jiu-Jitsu. Rule #1 - Expect to get thrown off a horse into a pile of manure. Chewy shares a story of getting thrown off of a horse and how the expectation of this possibility helped with the discomfort and difficulty of the process of learning to ride. We discuss the realization that struggles and difficulties are a part of getting better at Jiu-Jitsu, expect that there will be difficulties with learning Jiu-Jitsu, why failure is the "buy in" for improving, avoiding failure will hold you back, and the goal in training should be to develop skills. Rule #2 - When your lungs are burning…look fresh! Chewy shares a story of a tough tournament match where even though he was tired, looking fresh gave him the edge over his opponent. We also discuss why showing fatigue will give your opponent a boost, the importance of paying attention to your opponent's breathing pattern, how much of Jiu-Jitsu is mental vs. physical, why the physical precedes the mental when building confidence, why Jiu-Jitsu is a philosophy of doing, update your ego through challenging yourself, and move towards your fears. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by Michael Pixley. Michael is a Jiu-Jitsu purple belt training out of Pedigo Submission Fighting, he is the NAIA 2017 National Champion and Wrestler of The Year, 2019 NCAA Division 2 National Champion, 2x World and Pan Am Champion at Blue Belt, and the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials winner in the **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene do a live recording of the podcast and discuss the importance of building a solid system of escapes from side control. We also discuss if escaping from side control is the most difficult position to escape from, the approach you should take when escaping side control and what people lack the most, if escaping is a skill learned in the instructional setting or from experience, the biggest misconception when escaping side control, one quality or attribute to give you the ability to become amazing at escapes, and the "Iron Squirrel." Q&A: Is it better to look for escapes such as shrimping, ghost escape, inverting, or waiting on your opponent to move? If Chewy has learned something new when teaching a technique? What side control escapes chain together well based on common reactions? What's the best way to escape once you get flattened out? What is the best way to shoot a single leg takedown? How to improve cardio for BJJ? What to do when you're the smallest person in the gym? How to implement information from an instructional into training? If you're interested in picking up Chewy's new side control escape series check out the link: https://www.chewjitsu.io/sales-page1718800981045 Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the importance of building a strong defensive side control to create a better offensive Jiu-Jitsu game. We discuss how initially we focus on bottom side control defense as newer grapplers, but eventually stop focusing on this part of our game. We also discuss why having poor defense can make your offense less effective, how a solid defense will improve your submission rate in competition, why confidence in your escapes works like a safety net, why grapplers panic in bottom side control, the first step in getting better at side control escapes, why Chewy decided to start focusing on his bottom side control escapes as a BJJ brown belt, the biggest and most common mistakes in relation to escapes and defense, and the importance of mastering a handful of techniques. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the impact the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) will have on the state of grappling and the upcoming ADCC world championships. We discuss our thoughts on Craig's motives and strategy when promoting the CJI, the importance of using high quality production to attract spectators, the increased attention that Craig Jones and the CJI has brought to grappling, why the timing of the CJI is bad for the athletes, the pros and cons of splitting the elite grapplers between the two tournaments, the CJI ruleset, the Gabi Garcia vs Craig Jones superfight, and the results of Chewy's Instagram poll of whether people would attend the CJI, ADCC, or neither. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, we answer the question of whether you should always focus on "position before submission" in Jiu-Jitsu. We discuss getting chokes without solidifying a position, using leg locks, advantageous positions that aren't the "traditional"BJJ positions, the benefits of position before submission for beginners, how submissions are initiated through transitions, how tournament rules dictate the grappling style, a rule that is commonly broken in Jiu-Jitsu, and the importance of being coachable. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer 5 questions that we received from podcast listeners. We discuss the following topics: - What's the best way to "unlock" the hips? - What is Chewy's favorite historical time period? - Should Jiu-Jitsu have an "off season"? - Where do we see BJJ evolve in the next 5-15 years? - What are some strategies for dealing with the negative voice inside you when you get smashed in training? Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by BJJ black belt and founder of "BJJ After 40," Mike Bidwell. Mike joins the podcast to discuss his start in traditional martial arts, how stretching his hips improved the health of his knees, Mike's favorite stretch to improve hip flexibility, Mike's most important rule to follow before full rolling, how to "clear the calculator," the importance of having Jiu-Jitsu as a release, the two critical questions to ask yourself in BJJ, how training evolves as you get older, the utilization of "Precovery," active recovery, the "Pomodoro Method," how to build good habits, who inspired Mike's coaching, recovering from an injury, how Mike discovered BJJ, and the idea behind "BJJ After 40." To check out the full tournament schedule for The Chewjitsu Open head over to https://chewjitsu.nuwaycombat.com/ Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Amanda Leve is a Jiu-Jitsu black Belt, multiple-time ADCC Trials winner, and former professional MMA fighter. Amanda joins the podcast to discuss how a medical condition abruptly stopped her MMA career and how this encouraged her to dive back into grappling competition, how Amanda got started BJJ, how Amanda developed a passion for MMA, developing a different perspective on practice, how working with a mindset coach helped athletic performance, the importance of a warm up, Amanda's experience competing against Gabi Garcia, Amanda's tournament prep, dealing with competition anxiety, the importance of posture to show confidence, how to build cardio for grappling, recovery for, how to know when you need to take time off from training, Amanda's favorite takedown and submission, and the most influential person in her martial arts career. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, we are joined by multiple time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and 2022 ADCC bronze medalist, Dante Leon. Dante joins the podcast to discuss his start in grappling, one of the most important aspects of being an elite grappler, how team sports helped with grappling and being a good training partner, what allowed Dante to excel in grappling, when Dante made the jump to becoming a full-time grappler, moving to Ohio from Canada, the importance of a good gym environment and how to get better with a small group of training partners, typical training camp, favorite rules sets and which rules Dante would change, live training vs. positional training vs drilling, the importance of weight-lifting and the method of lifting Dante prefers, thoughts on lifting specifically for grappling, his proudest achievements and goals for the future, and if there was anything that Dante would have done differently throughout his career. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and head no-gi coach at Legion AJJ, Sloan "Caveman" Clymer. Sloan discusses the importance of honesty as a coach, how to develop high level submissions, learning Jiu-Jitsu from his dad while training in his barn, moving across the country to pursue grappling, what it was like training under Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez, moving to Legion AJJ and training under Keenan Cornelius, tips on becoming a high level competitor, the importance of taking tough matches, not making a big deal of the wins or losses, some of his most valuable learning experiences from competition, why being nervous is useful before competition, dealing with competition anxiety, and how Sloan got his nickname "Caveman. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Mike Perez is an ATOS Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials +99 KG winner. On this episode, Mike discusses his start in grappling, choosing to train at ATOS Jiu-Jitsu with Andre Galvao, the strategies Mike used against the bigger grappler at the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials, the main technique Mike avoids against bigger grapplers, why Mike chose to go up in weight to compete at the +99 kg division at ADCC West Coast trials, how to avoid getting crushed by the larger grappler, why Mike made the decision to stop drinking alcohol, the importance of making better lifestyle choices when you get into your 30's, dealing with nerves and pressure of competition, and Mike's pre-competition routine. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer some listener questions. - What is one thing that all great competitors do? - How to deal with a coach who acts like a "needy ex"? - Should you compete in the Adult or Masters division as a 35 year old hobbyist? - What is the proper etiquette for rolling with a disabled grappler? - How to improve in BJJ with an unpredictable and sometimes limited training schedule? Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% 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://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss some key takeaways from the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials. We discuss how several former trials losers became trials winners in 2024, how to best prepare for ADCC trials, why there is no "meta," the importance of sticking to your style and game plan, the main differences between the ADCC trials from 2018 to 2024, most competitors are competing with injuries, if belt rank matters at high level competitions, the importance of being in shape, why you should focus on the "verb" instead of the "noun," how to make the "no points" part of the ADCC match more exciting, and sticking with your winning strategy. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. More information on CBN supplementation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796540/ Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% 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://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of why struggling with Jiu-Jitsu early on can be a benefit. We also discuss why every defect has a positive effect, finding the love for training, why time is your ally in BJJ, when BJJ athletes who were slower starters begin to improve, one of the biggest hinderances in improving your BJJ, the value of studying longer form content, how to better learn a technique, the evolution of skill through the belt ranks, why every curse becomes a benefit, how to tell if BJJ is not for you, and expectations vs. standards. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast