The Raspberry Ape Podcast

Lachlan Giles is an elite competitive black belt, coach and physio. In this episode, we talk Australian jiu jitsu, coaching, competition, leg locks, rule sets, running an academy, injuries and more.

Darragh O'Conaill is an Irish BJJ black belt competitor and coach who runs East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy. In this episode, we talk about Darragh's competition career, how he got into BJJ, his time at the brown belt kumite, how he balances running an academy and competing at an elite level, his and his student's upcoming matches on Polaris 8 and why the Irish are so tough.

Eric is a former professional MMA fighter and the head coach at Phuket top team. In this episode we talk about Eric's pretty wild childhood and youth, how he escaped it, how he got into fighting, his retirement and the move to coaching, nutrition, training and more.

Hooman Tavakolian is a former wrestler, wrestling coach, sports diplomat and philanthropist. In this episode, we discuss how wrestling is deeply built into Iranian culture, an athletes responsibility to give back, Hooman's journey in wrestling after moving to the USA, how sport can help young people and the work that both Hooman and Saeed are doing, through wrestling, to help their communities.

Tom is a BJJ black belt and multiple time nogi world champion. In this episode Tom and I discuss how he got into BJJ, his gymnastics background, training with some of the best in the world at some of the highest level gyms in the world, what's made him successful and how he almost got involved in a gang duel.

Guro Bob Breen is a martial arts pioneer. Renowned in multiple disciplines including Karate, Kali/Escrima, Philipino martial arts and Jeet Kun Do. Bob has been teaching martial arts for over 50 years, he has trained under many of the biggest names in martial arts worldwide and is credited with bringing Filipino martial arts and JKD to the UK. In the episode, we discuss his journey in the martial arts, his secret of longevity, a bizare amount about kicking people in the groin and much much more. For more info on Bob visit: bobbreen.com For his online training visit: 4dcombat.com Facebook: facebook.com/JKDKALIEVOLUTION/ Twitter: @bob_breen Instagram: @gurobob

I'm joined by Luke Dalmedo again to discuss Polaris 8, and many irrelevant things.

Ant Lambert is a former Marine and adventurer. One half of the two-man team; the Mad Explorers. The Mad Explorers have undertaken a challenge they have named "Expedition 5", in which they will attempt to be the first people to cross the worlds 5 biggest Islands by manpower alone. I sit down with Ant after just returning from Greenland, their 4th island of the 5. He tells the stories from all the Island they have visited so far, the highs, the lows and the craziness in between. Find out more about the Mad Explorers at www.expeditionfive.co.uk

This episode is a rundown of Quintet grappling 3 event in Las vegas. I sit down with Luke Dalmedo and David Ooi to chat about Quinet 3 and sin city.

Ben Hodgkinson is a BJJ black belt and the director of Grappling Industries Aus and UK. In this episode, we talk about Ben's journey in BJJ, training around the world, his work with Grappling Industries and there first UK event in January next year.

Tom Watson is a former BAMMA Champion and UFC veteran. In this episode we talk about Tom's journey into martial arts, his time training at some of the best MMA camps in the world, including; Jackson, Tristar and Blackzillians. His huge match with Alex Reid, rules sets in MMA and grappling, he return to competition and much more.

Josh Palmer is a top MMA and BJJ commentator. Josh commentates on some of the worlds biggest grappling shows such and Polaris and Kasai and MMA show such as Cage warriors. In this episode, we chat about how Josh got into the business, some stories from his journey, Polaris, Cage Warriors and much more.

Kurt Osiander is one of the most well-known characters in all of BJJ, known for his crazy personality and zero-fucks-given attitude Kurt talks about his split from longtime coach Ralph Gracie, how he got into BJJ, the zombie apocalypse, trying to kill a dove, his MMA career, drawing naked women, being a role model, training over 50, drinking, partying and ancient weapons.

Danny Batten is a UK MMA pioneer and Roger Gracie black belt. In this episode we talk through Danny's MMA career, the reason he retired from fighting, being a brown belt for 10 years, fighting pro with a job and family, Chess, running a gym, giving back to the community and more.

Rob Long is a blind veteran injured in Afghanistan and a BJJ competitor. In this episode, Ron talks about his experience in the army, his training, what it's like living in one of the most dangerous places on earth, the accident that took his vision, the immediate aftermath and recovery from his injury and how BJJ changed his life. To find out more about Rob follow him on: Twitter: www.twitter.com/_red_long instagram: www.instagram.com/red.long_

Lee Doski is a Bjj black belt and UK MMA pioneer. In this episode, the "Guitar hero" talks about his start in MMA, gives a history lesson on UK MMA, shares some stories, serenades us with his musical talents and much more.

Nick Osipczak is a former UFC fighter and all round martial artist. In this episode we talk about gambling, kung fu, MMA, Nick's UFC career, why he retired, tai chi, fighting animals, Ayahuasca, art, CBD oil and much more. For more on Nick and all he does check out www.raisedspirit.com

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

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

In this episode Im joined by Luke Dalmedo as we chat about last weeks Quintet Grappling event in Japan.