The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

Zoltan Bathory is a BJJ and Judo black belt and the guitarist for the popular heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. In this episode, we discuss staying consistent while balancing a hectic schedule. Zoltan also shares his very inspiring life story!

BJJ legend Robson Moura joins the show to talk about harnessing the science of Jiu-Jitsu! He explains the importance of a well-balanced game and the keys to defeating larger opponents as a smaller practitioner. He also reflects on his favorite match!

Zach Maslany joins the show to talk about guiding other through their Jiu-Jitsu journey! He discusses how the evolution of the sport has changed curriculums and he also talks about the importance of learning to escape leg locks early in your training!

Mike Bidwell joins the show to talk about managing ego and how failing to do so can disrupt your development in Jiu-Jitsu. He also talks about "Black Belt Ego" and how being mindful as an instructor is important to him to keep himself in check.

David Petrone joins the show to talk about blending Folkstyle and Catch Wrestling with Jiu-Jitsu. He explains the various ways you can level up your BJJ by adding things like cradles and pins. He also explains why Silver Surfer is an annoying superhero.

Chris Paines joins the show to talk about the importance of building a strong defense before anything in Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about positional escapes and preventive measures to avoid being caught in bad positions. He also shares his unique intro to BJJ!

Sebastian Brosche joins the show to talk about the incredible benefits that Yoga can provide for BJJ practitioners! He talks about the importance of remaining loose and limber to avoid injuries and how to design the best warmup for Jiu-Jitsu!

Eli Knight joins the show to talk about navigating Jiu-Jitsu politics, managing gym drama and why he doesn't use stripes on belts anymore. He also talks about the criteria used to promote people in BJJ and the "Ham Sandwich" technique he uses often.

Kurt details his recovery from double hip surgery and gives an honest assessment of his future in BJJ. He gives advice on coming back from time away and he also describes his idea to make looting a televised mainstream sport with a structured point system.

Charlie Vinch joins the show to discuss how striking can be easily added to your BJJ training to become proficient in self defense. He also talks about using verbal Jiu-Jitsu and how bullying doesn't only impact young people.

2022 ADCC Champion Giancarlo Bodoni joins the show to talk about how to become the best version of yourself on and off the mats! Topics include self confidence, discipline, mindset and technical development. He also gives insight on leg lock escapes!

Kaynan Duarte joins the show to talk about starting in a small town and working his way to the big leagues. He also discusses forgotten techniques, competition mindset and he gives technical insight on the Single Leg X Guard!

Kyle Boehm talks about being a lifelong athlete and which sports helped him get a jump start in Jiu-Jitsu. He also discusses managing ADD and social anxiety and his goal to return to MMA. He also talks about the several bad jobs he had before grappling

Jiu-Jitsu champion and Pro Surfing legend Joel Tudor joins the show to share his unique perspective on the sport. He talks about the cultural crossovers between BJJ and Surfing, balancing two sports and how to train for longevity by protecting your body.

"El Monstro" shares his personal story of hitting rock bottom before exploding into success. He also discusses the importance of feeding your brain positivity every day and why he likes Wrestling in the gi. He also breaks down his methods of passing guard

David Garmo joins the show to talk about using local tournaments as tune-up events, embracing the grind of being a full time Jiu-Jitsu athlete and his time spent training in Japan. He also proclaims the restaurant chain he feels has the best Ranch Dressing

Paul Schreiner joins the show to discuss the utility of private lessons, reverse engineering positions and the "zones" of Jiu-Jitsu. He also breaks down the hierarchy of techniques based on experience levels.

Dante Leon joins the show to discuss weight training for Jiu-Jitsu, learning to wrestle and taking your development into your own hands. He also reflects on ADCC and the huge growth of the sport!

Victor Estima joins the show to discuss overcoming setbacks in competition, building confidence in your game and the importance of not comparing yourself to others. He also provides great technical insight on the closed guard!

Azamat Hamzathanov joins the show to talks about how he built a massive Instagram following by showing daily Jiu-Jitsu techniques! He also discusses the importance of consistency, the correlation between chess and BJJ and nearly drowning in a river!

Nathan Mendelsohn joins the show to talk about managing negative thought patterns and the two different realms of the guard and why sleep is so important for athletes. He also talks about junk food, his new rap album and Tinder pickup lines!

Tomer Alroy is back to discuss developing strategy in competition, how to use drills effectively and the steps to improving a technique. He also talks about learning to be comfortable training take downs and training them safely.

Freddy Trillo is a former SWAT team member and a police defensive tactics instructor. He discusses how Jiu-Jitsu helped him during his time in Law Enforcement and why he feels BJJ is a good solution for many issues that exist in departments across the US

Sean Patrick Flanery joins the show to talk about how he found Jiu-Jitsu in the 90's, adapting BJJ into films and the vision behind his hit film Born a Champion. He also talks about the two types of martial artists there are.

Master Fabio Gurgel joins the show to talk about the two paths of growth in Jiu-Jitsu that need equal focus from the community. He also shares his opinion that the way BJJ is marketed should be reflective of the times and what new students are seeking

Paul Sharp is one of the US's most respected self defense experts. In this episode he talks about how his training saved him as an undercover narcotics agent and how he teaches Jiu-Jitsu to nurses and doctors to protect themselves from workplace violence!

Chris Haueter joins the show for a deep conversation about Jiu-Jitsu! He talks about his role as a "carrier of the art", human's primitive grappling instincts and how his approach to teaching changes depending on how his students learn!

UFC veteran Eliot Marshall joins the show to share insight on building a healthy culture within a gym, why first impressions are everything when a new student visits and what school owners can do to maximize their results with student retention and sales!

Its a HUGE HONOR to have Bernardo back to discuss the value of confidence as a competitor, BJJ for "old guys" and Bernardo opens up about how Jiu-Jitsu taught him more life skills than college did. He also talks about pursuing a mission of helping others.

Magid Hage joins the show to tell his story and share his unique perspective on Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about how having other hobbies outside Jiu-Jitsu like Surfing and Yoga have helped him on the mats. He also talks about building an unorthodox game!

Lachlan Giles is back! We discuss fatherhood, how Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals have changed with the sport's growth, how he guages a student's progress and the importance of having a plan in BJJ.

Kurt is back! This time we cover recent MMA fights, Brazilian TV shows and tattoo ideas. He also talks about 80's metal, strategies for battling cannibals and Jiu-Jitsu moves that work well in moshpits.

Roberto Jiminez joins the show to discuss his ADCC trials performance, the life of a young athlete, taking the road less-traveled in life, nutrition and the pride he takes in being a natural athlete!

Adam Wardzinski joins the show to talk about traveling to compete, applying Jiu-Jitsu to learn other things, being ambidextrous with your game and the sweeping mechanics you need to understand in BJJ!

Jeff Glover is back! We discuss overcoming larger opponents, declining rolls with people, learning to be aggressive and the Deep Half Guard! Other topics include Vlad The Impaler, zombie apocalypse plans and the strength of the Glover family facial hair.

Josh Cisneros joins the show to talk about his start in Jiu-Jitsu and how his Wrestling background helped him. He also talks about the importance of patience on the mats and his thoughts on ADCC, as well as a story of chasing down a hit-and-run offender!

Bruno Bastos joins the show to talk about guiding kids through Jiu-Jitsu, tough lessons learned on the mats and gives solid advice for future BJJ instructors. He also breaks down his "Bubble Theory" and explains how you can apply it to your game!

Stephen Whittier joins the show to discuss optimizing your Jiu-Jitsu after 40, the core principles of BJJ, the role of optimal alignment and understanding strength in context. He also explains the benefits of chasing knowledge rather than rank or titles

The Warmaster returns! This time we discuss the importance of setting boundaries as a coach, Josh explains why he prefers a smaller pool of students and he also talks about the value of a good ego. He also gives great technical insight on ankle locks!

Neil Melanson joins the show to share advice on figuring out your game, adapting techniques to your body type, getting the most out of training with anyone, and how nothing in grappling is new. He also shares stories of blowing up toilets in the NAVY!

Matt Brown joins the show to share his inspirational story. From overcoming drug use and surviving a heroin overdose, to becoming one of the UFC's most successful welterweights in history. He also talks about his unique start in MMA.

4x World Champion Tarsis Humphreys joins the show to talk about actively training your mindset, leg locks in the gi and finding your perfect training frequency. He also gives advice for BJJ athletes who want to cross over to MMA!

Ryan Gruhn joins the show to talk about his diverse MA background which includes full contact competitive stick fighting! Other topics include using BJJ for self defense when weapons are present and why he feels new BJJ students should compete right away!

Haisam Rida joins the show to share his story! Topics include immigrating from Ghana to Japan, training in Japanese academies, surviving the Fukushima disaster and navigating America's fast food choices. He also gives technical insight on the Kimura Trap!

Renato Canuto provides tremendous insight for all competitors! He talks about managing adrenaline dumps and fatigue, avoiding overthinking and how to develop a pre-competition routine. He also talks about overcoming losses and winning 2021 Worlds!

Jordan Preisinger joins the show to discuss the benefits of online learning, starting a gym when he was a blue belt and dealing with people who criticize your goals. He also talks about his self-guided journey in BJJ and what it was like learning alone!

Vernon Kirk joins the show to talk about his experience in various grappling styles and how he blends them together for maximum efficiency. He also talks about leg locks in Sambo vs BJJ, learning take downs and the North South position!

Cole Abate joins the show to talk about being a full-time athlete as a kid, building discipline in your training and competition mindset. He also shares his thoughts on potentially becoming the youngest ADCC Champion in history!

Jeff Glover joins the show to talk about accidental triangles, how his instructor Franjinha changed the direction of his life, improving weak spots in his game and learning to stop worrying what other people think. He also talks about defense and escapes!

William Tackett joins the show to talk about the value of competition, overcoming tournament anxiety, why the Coyote Half Guard was revolutionary for his game and his thoughts on crosstraining. He also goes deep on escaping bad positions!

Amanda Leve joins the show to talk about her transition into MMA, why the purple belt was the hardest rank for her and having to close her school due to Covid lockdowns. She also talks about her big win over Gabi Garcia and the build up before the match!

Sean Applegate joins the show to talk about starting BJJ in a small town, the meaning of belts and the importance of understanding weight distribution. He also gives deep insight on outside heel hooks and explains why teleportation is superior to flying!

Pedro Sauer joins the show to talk about longevity in Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of learning to set traps and how your physical limitations can become strengths. He also gives deep insight on escaping side control and also explains why he hates pickles!

In this special episode, Bernardo Faria sits down with Gui Mendes during the 2021 Worlds in California for an interview! They discuss developing champions, competition, academy ownership and much more!

Coach Matt Lindland joins the show to discuss why he chose Greco over Freestyle Wrestling, developing take downs, the importance of taking risk and the greatest lessons he learned from his Olympic experience!

Jeff Curran joins the show to discuss how he found BJJ in the early 90's, the importance of holding rank to a high standard and dealing with feeling technically inadequate. He also gives great insight on attacking the back!

Combat Jiu-Jitsu Champion Ryan Aitken joins the show to share his story. He talks about the benefits he's gotten from exploring all branches of the BJJ tree, the importance of finding the right team, Yoga for BJJ and building comfort in competition!

Legendary MMA coach Greg Jackson joins the show to talk about his origins growing up in a tough neighborhood, developing yourself as a martial artist, BJJ's impact on the martial arts world, coaching elite fighters, sports psychology and ground and pound!

James Clingerman joins the show to share his story! Topics include the early days of BJJ in the midwest, learning to teach others and recognizing "culty gyms." He also gives technical insight on his favorite variation of the guard!

Jake Shields joins the show for a conversation about the life of a professional combat athlete, his new focus on Pro Grappling, why he chose to be his own manager and his passion for coaching the next generation!

Jonathan Satava joins the show to talk about learning from Marcelo, designing your own game, teaching full time and the benefits of meditation. He also gives a detailed breakdown of the Butterfly Guard from a sweeping, submission and transitional standpoint.

The Warmaster joins the show to talk about his diverse grappling background, the early days of MMA and the crazy ways he had to find training partners back in the day! He also talks about pain compliance and the detailed mechanics of the Kimura!

Malachy Friedman joins the show to talk about his start in BJJ in a more MMA driven era. He also talks about what pushed him to become a coach, why he feels the gi helps your BJJ overall and the power of the Flower Sweep for off-balancing and attacking!

Alec Baulding joins the show to talk about starting Jiu-Jitsu in a more MMA focused school, adapting BJJ to your body type and the brown belt level. He also dives deep on guard retention concepts and gives advice for those struggling to use the guard well

Rafael Lovato Jr joins the show for a candid and honest discussion about his transition from MMA back to BJJ competition. He talks about struggles he's overcome and what he sees for the future. He also talks about academy ownership and the Kimura!

Alex Ecklin joins the show to talk about the importance of being persistent when developing skills, his unique academy structure and tips for coping with awkwardness when you're new to Jiu-Jitsu. He also gives great technical insight to the G-Roll!

Edwin "Junny" Ocasio joins the show to share his powerful story of overcoming abuse to becoming one of Jiu-Jitsu's top athletes. He also explains why hobbyist practitioners and professional athletes need each other for success, and we talk leg locks!

Kristian Woodmansee discusses mindset, the danger of negative self-talk, overcoming plateaus and the importance of mobility on the ground. He also dives deep on Omoplatas and how to use them effectively!

Dean Lister joins the show to talk about developing a strong leg lock game, his MMA career and thoughts on teaching. He also candidly shares his experience treating CTE with psychedelics, which was featured on HBO Sports recently.

Lucas Lepri joins the show to talk about applying pressure and misdirection in guard passing, why competition is such a valuable tool, processing losses and his approach to student development!

Pete The Greek joins the show for an entertaining conversation! Topics include his recent battles against various forms of wildlife, training and teaching while globetrotting and old school Jiu-Jitsu. He also gives technical advice on passing the guard!

Drew Weatherhead joins the show to talk about his new journey after closing his school due to Covid. He also talks about BJJ in modern MMA, the impact removing belts from the art could have and he gives deep technical insight to the crucifix position!

Davi Ramos joins the show to talk about BJJ for MMA, take downs for BJJ and MMA, his love for leg locks and striking styles he feels compliment Jiu-Jitsu well. He also talks about his most difficult rank in Jiu-Jitsu.

Bernardo Faria joins the show to talk about managing training expectations, growing an academy, the fact that everyone thinks their BJJ sucks and balancing life with training. He also gives technical insight to the Over Under Pass and pressure passing!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Braulio Estima joins the show to talk about understanding baits, how to build responses to your opponent's actions and the "Jiu-Jitsu Ecosystem". He also talks about triangles and his "Head of the Snake" concept for controlling anyone!

Eli Knight joins the show to talk about self defense application of Jiu-Jitsu, dealing with armed attackers and utilizing strikes on the ground. He also discusses safe disengagement tips as well as the importance of stress inoculation in your training

In this episode we are joined by Lachlan Giles! He talks about skill development, guard retention and how to avoid imbalances in your Jiu-Jitsu. He also talks about being a new dad and offers advice to students coming back from a long break.

Tomer Alroy joins the show to talk about competition and training mindset, overcoming the fear of fatigue and building a match strategy. He also gives great technical insight on guard passing and gives advice to students returning from time off the mats!

Demian Maia joins the show as the first guest of the NEW BJJ Fanatics Podcast! He talks about his new academy, the history of Jiu-Jitsu and gives some great technical advise on developing back control.

A special announcement

Andrew Wiltse joins the show to talk about his "explosive" childhood, why he's very selective of techniques he uses, his thoughts on ego and why you don't need to be on a big team to succeed. He also candidly shares his thought process on improving skills

B-mac is back! Topics include getting through Covid restrictions, Combat Jiu-Jitsu, keeping the journey in perspective, working with injuries and coming back after a break. He also talks about his exciting new PGF event and the art side of martial arts. Click "read more" for listening options and show notes!

Kent Peters returns to talk about zombie apocalypse scenarios, horseback riding disasters, leg locking bigger people, his hatred for quarantine cooking videos and how Covid ruined Disneyland. He also talks about the IBJJF allowing heel hooks and more!

The frontman and guitarist of the metal band Trivium, BJJ brown belt Matt Heafy sits down to discuss how he's overcome being a "slow learner", making progress while balancing work and the value of failures. He also shares his love for leg locks!

Kurt is back and in typical fashion, the normal order of the show goes right off the rails… Topics discussed include gross things that dogs do, Mars rovers, intergalactic viruses, aliens, post-apocalyptic lifestyles and classic PC and arcade games.

Lead vocalist and guitarist of Biohazard, Billy talks about the impact BJJ has had on him, finding the art pre-UFC and his thoughts on effective teaching. He also shares some entertaining self defense stories and being attacked by Harley Flanagan's dog!

Ariel "Tarzan" Sexton joins the show to talk about the BJJ scene in Costa Rica, his MMA career, sports psychology, meditation and the reverse triangle. He also talks about street fights in Canada, laxative pranks, Australian accents and bad vegetables.

Brad Souders joins the show to talk about starting BJJ in a town of less than 2k people in the 90's, pursuing Judo and BJJ simultaneously, overcoming competition nerves, and how to be a good training partner. He also talks a bout his passion for teaching!

Michael Zenga joins the show to talk about switching from boxing to Judo and BJJ, starting BJJ Fanatics and the growth of the company. He also gives advice for heavyweights and he provides deep, technical insight on how to make the perfect pizza!

Josh McKinney joins the show to talk about competition mentality, the white belt struggle, running an efficient school and overcoming plateaus. He also trades funny podcasting stories with Ryan about his own show "The I Suck as Jiu-Jitsu Podcast".

Vinny Magalhaes joins the show to talk about technical imbalances, developing a dangerous guard, coaching styles, how MMA impacted his Jiu-Jitsu and how he became a highly respected MMA coach. He also talks about Taco Bell, reptiles and a fear of heights.

Xande returns to discuss his new affiliation, when new students should begin rolling, academy ownership and restricting techniques by rank. He also gives deep technical insight to his Diamond Concept and how it applies to various positions on the mat!

Rayron Gracie joins the show to talk about the unique experience of growing up in the Gracie family, his acquired taste for Jiu-Jitsu and the importance of persistence. He also speaks candidly about his father Ryan Gracie and the upcoming film about him.

Chris Brennan joins the show to tell his powerful story of overcoming addiction and street life to become an American pioneer in MMA. He talks about the very early days of MMA in the US and fighting in Brazil and Japan. He also gives insight on the Kimura

Kody Steele joins the show to talk about transitioning from Wrestling to BJJ, developing a take down game and diet and conditioning. He also talks about overcoming shyness, his future ambitions in MMA and he also reveals his abilities as a cat whisperer!

Andre Terencio returns to talk about school ownership, building a strong curriculum, his BJJ for law enforcement program, heel hooks in the IBJJF and social projects in Brazil. He also gives advice for anyone struggling with weight management.

Shawn joins the show for the 3rd time to talk about moving from LA, opening a new academy on the east coast, maintaining skills, patience while rolling and running an apparel brand. He also gives technical insight to the Williams guard and leg pummeling!

Coach Kody is the dedicated wrestling coach of Demian Maia and Shogun Rua. A lifelong wrestler and former NCAA D1 team captain, Kody shares his thoughts on Wrestling for BJJ, mindset and the value of failures. He also talks about his time spent in Brazil!

The first American to train BJJ, Richard Bresler joins the show to talk about finding the art in the 70's and how it helped him overcome addiction. He also talks about the Gracie Garage, challenge matches, self defense and the birth of the UFC.

Professor Omar Lira was one of Ryan's first instructors in Jiu-Jitsu. He joins the show to talk about starting BJJ in the 90's, how Jiu-Jitsu pulled him away from an unhealthy lifestyle and the decision to become an instructor.

Jon Blank joins the show to talk about starting Jiu-Jitsu with a Wrestling background, quitting his job for Jiu-Jitsu, opening an academy and and why he doesn't use contracts for students. He also gives advice for competitors and why he loves Sub-Only

Silverfox is back! We catch up with him and what he's been up to since the pandemic and discuss gym culture, academy expansion, selecting enforcers, managing egos and overcoming plateaus. He also gives technical insight to armbars and guillotines!

Roberto Godoi joins the show to talk about training since the 80's and being part of one of Sao Paulo's most heated rivalries with his former partner. He also talks about the guard, self defense, grip fighting and the formation and growth of his team G13.

Thomas Lisboa joins the show to talk about beginning BJJ back when it had a bad reputation in Brazil, why white belts shouldn't be focused on building a game yet and how offense can become defense. He also gives great insight on the crucifix position!

Sean Daugherty joins the show to talk about the early UFC days, training at the Lion's Den, the value of learning other styles and mental coaching. He also discusses the importance of pursuing passion, positive self-talk and advice for struggling students!

Kurt is back for our 5th Halloween Special! Topics include cosplay, lame costumes, Ryan's embarrassing robbery story, best and worst treats, bad horror movies, sketchy food and radioactive areas. We also use an AI to make a movie plot based on Kurt's data!

Sensei Josh Ruiz joins the show to talk about molding BJJ with Judo, making grips that matter and chaining techniques together. He also talks about the relation between throws and sweeps, customizing a curriculum and Judo for self defense!

Joe Baize joins the show to talk about unorthodox techniques, leg lock concepts and training dummies. He also opens up about battling depression through Jiu-Jitsu, building comfort with competition and learning to accept losses on the mats.

Coach Joel Bane joins the show and speaks candidly about his difficult youth and his military experience. He also shares technical mat advice from his diverse grappling background. Ryan and Joel also brainstorm ways to dominate the potato salad industry.

Kurt is back! Still sheltered in place, Kurt vents about wildfires, paintball vs airsoft, mummies, eating paste as a kid, fugitive war criminals and his obsession with tupperware. He also talks video games and takes questions from the listeners!

Anthony Ashnault joins the show to talk about how culture can influence success, overcoming injury and the development of important grappling skills like grip strength, hand fighting and take downs. He also gives insight on conditioning and mindset!

Cole Miller returns to talk about life as an academy owner, building a culture of respect, training responsibly and online instruction. He also talks about self defense concepts, BJJ for law enforcement and developing a dangerous guard!

Gilbert Burns joins the show to tell his inspiring life story and gives insight on building a take down game, chaining passes together and toe holds. He also talks about the importance of persistence and why being nervous for a match is a good thing.

Renato Canuto joins the show to talk about his start in the sport, the importance of being unpredictable and balancing guard work with passing. He also dives deep on his passing game, competition mentality and the benefits of rolling with lower ranks.

The Associate Head Wrestling Coach for Oklahoma State University, an NCAA D1 Champ and 3x All-American, Zack reflects on his career and offers advice for grapplers to incorporate Wrestling into their game. He also offers valuable insight for coaching!

Greco legend Steve Fraser joins the show to talk about his path to becoming the first American to win Greco Olympic gold. He also discusses how to make hard work fun, coaching and he reflects on coaching an iconic American sports moment.

Murilo Bustamante returns to talk about running his school during Covid, training with herniated disks, skill development and the importance of training when exhausted. He also talks about take downs, steroids and applying pressure for smaller people.

American BJJ pioneer Bob Bass joins the show to talk about training with the Gracies and Machados in the early days in California, his Wrestling base and how it helped him in BJJ, winning the first Pan Ams and his decision to become a teacher.

Kurt is back to talk about his home remodeling fiasco, fireworks shenanigans, quarantine weight gain, dangerous toys and tattoos. He also gives an update on his health, talks about the benefits of a strong Half Guard and takes questions from the listeners!

Rob Kahn returns to talk about his new love for Facebook trolling, quarantine weight gain and the state of the world. He also talks about training law enforcement and military, learning from Royce and Renzo back in the day and why he's only no-gi now

Rafael Lovato Jr makes his 3rd appearance on the show to talk about his recent health diagnosis, returning to BJJ competition, how MMA has influenced his Jiu-Jitsu and his thoughts on the leg lock game. He also goes deep on guard passing concepts!

Johnny Tama joins the show to talk about his origins, finding BJJ after being bullied, the development of his style and becoming the first Ecuadorian World Champion. He also talks about mindset, discipline and leaving his partying days behind

Todd Shaffer joins the show to talk about training after 30, self defense, meme-making and how he found BJJ. He also talks about why Half Guard is such a useful position for everyone and the pitfalls to avoid of academy ownership.

Robert Degle joins the show to talk about why he traded a pursuit of Philosophy for Jiu-Jitsu, the value of a systems-based approach to BJJ, learning from John Danaher and analyzing data. He also covers leg lock principles and general sustained pressure.

Fabio Clemente joins the show to talk about athleticism in BJJ, creating panic in your opponent, training after 50 and teaching kids. He also gives great insight about being an academy owner and gives advice for future school owners.

Jamie Kilstein of Rear Naked Radio joins the show to talk about meditation, getting the most out of down time, visualization and money in Jiu-Jitsu. Him and Ryan also talk about goofing off in past retail jobs and social errors white belts can avoid.

Jean Jacques Machado joins the show to talk about customizing Jiu-Jitsu to your traits, commonly overlooked concepts in the art, the value of self control and weaponizing your weak areas. He also talks about being a pioneer of BJJ in the US and teaching

Renzo returns to the show to talk about the business of Jiu-Jitsu, staying motivated, advice for people who think they suck, and the importance of setting boundaries. He also talks about the Wallid Ismail beef and getting shot at 16 years old

Kurt makes his long awaited return! He talks about Covid in San Fransisco, toilet paper alternatives, prepping for doomsday, the Navy's de-classified UFO footage, lizard porn, murder hornets, bug fights and 80's hair metal.

Matheus Diniz joins the show to talk about growing up in a very small town in Brazil, the funny story behind how he started training, moving to NY to train under Marcelo Garcia and lessons he's learned from competition. He also gives tips on guard passing

Felipe Costa returns to talk about running his own academy, winning the Abu Dhabi Pro, putting kids into BJJ and advice about the mount position. He also goes in on PED usage in the sport and drops a major announcement about his career!

Marcelo returns to the podcast to talk about quarantine life, facing fear, building a game, imposing your game and killing ego. He also shares very personal experiences of suffering from bullying as a kid and the huge obstacle of overcoming shyness.

Keith Krikorian joins the show to talk about blending Wrestling with Jiu-Jitsu, the 10th Planet style, how leg locks have changed the game and overtime skills. We also talk about Adam West's Batman, Animorphs, his fear of bubbles and superheroes he hates

Lael Rodrigues is a highly active competitor and a dedicated teacher at the Novos Sonhos Social Project in Sao Paulo's most distressed area, Cracolandia. Lael and his project are the focus of Grappling Central's first short film "The Saint of Crackland".

Scott Shetler returns to talk about home training for the quarantine, training without equipment, targeting your weaknesses, Ryan's new taco addiction and fighting depression with diet and exercise. He also talks about his new path in Jiu-Jitsu!

Roy Dean joins the show to talk about tactics, being a good training partner, mysticism in martial arts and connecting techniques. He also explains why he decided to step away from being an academy owner and focus on online teaching and seminars instead

Robert Drysdale makes his 3rd appearance on the show! He talks about the importance of human contact, the struggles of running a gym, confidence waves during the BJJ journey and chronic blaming. He also updates us on his upcoming documentary Closed Guard!

Adam Wardzinski joins the show to talk about the BJJ scene in Poland, the path to becoming a professional grappler, rolling vs drilling and why it's important to roll with lower belts. He also gives a deep breakdown of the Butterfly Guard!

Kent Peters joins the show to talk about overcoming plateaus, being self-taught in BJJ, forcing yourself into miserable spots and the value of keeping a training journal. He also talks about attacking from non-dominant positions and Jiu-Jitsu for women

Jeffery Donovan joins the show to talk about fusing Judo and BJJ, starting training after 30 and learning to love competition. He also talks about mental strength and battling cancer while maintaining his journey in Jiu-Jitsu.

Emil Fischer joins the show and discusses ego culture in some academies, controlling aggression and intensity, "rude" techniques and why it doesn't matter if you tap in training, even to lower ranks. He also talks about why he always studies his opponents

Pete "The Greek" Letsos is an American trailblazer in Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about being one of the early Americans to move to Brazil to train, the importance of maintaining a student perspective, his time spent with Master Carlson Gracie and wristlocks!

JT Torres joins the show to talk about pursuing martial arts as a kid, BJJ for smaller people, goal setting and mindset. He also talks about tournament preparation, building confidence and he gives lots of advice for future school owners!

Michelle Nicolini joins us for the 400th episode of the podcast! She talks about the development of her game, building persistence, strategy for smaller people and the importance of the basics. She also discusses her decision to become a pro MMA fighter!

Nick Rahn is a BJJ blue belt and US military veteran who is using Jiu-JItsu to help veterans combat PTSD and find a sense of purpose in civilian life. He shares his powerful story and pulls no punches while doing so in this candid interview.

Nick Rodriguez returns to recap his ADCC performance and to talk about visualization, controlled aggression and the importance of removing dead weight from your life. He also talks about blending wrestling with BJJ and working through injuries

Comprido joins the show to talk about growing up in Brazil in a neighborhood filled with legends, competition strategy and ref bias. He also talks about the infamous Alliance team split and he sounds off on steroid and marijuana usage in BJJ.

Demian Maia returns to the show to talk about his recent win over Ben Askren, managing fear and his plans for after fighting. He also goes deep on the details of his game, shares his thoughts on drilling and talks about parenting as a pro fighter.

Nick "Chewy" Albin joins the show to talk about the early days of his BJJ journey, self defense, the struggles he went through as a white belt and getting over the fear of losing. He also talks about staying motivated as an instructor and running a gym.

Nathan Mendelsohn joins the show to talk about training in Brazil, learning Portuguese and structuring a kids class. He also talks about competition preparation and his new Hip Hop album Kimura Trap Vol 1 featuring the hit single "No G in a Gi".

Tomer Alroy joins the show to talk about getting over his dislike of competing, the struggles Israeli competitors can face in the middle east, eliminating negative self-talk and processing a loss.

Talita Alencar joins the show to talk about how domestic violence led her to BJJ, the importance of self defense knowledge for women, butterfly guard and the value of suffering as a beginner. She gives advice about rolling with heavier people.

Buchecha joins the show and delivers great advice about managing competition anxiety, processing losses and fighting while exhausted. He also discusses the evolution of his game and why he feels his knee injury was the best thing that happened to him

Eli Knight joins the show to talk about Jiu-Jitsu for self defense. He covers realistic scenarios, self defense for women, knife defense, groin strikes and the benefits of sport Jiu-Jitsu in a self defense situation.

Adam Wheeler returns to talk about dealing with setbacks, surviving a difficult youth, managing pressure and nerves, conditioning and the value of competition. He also discusses in detail his memory of his scariest day as a SWAT officer.

Jon Thomas returns to talk about building instincts, creating a perfect black belt, structuring a curriculum, getting beat by lower belts and the importance of an open mind. He also sounds off on PED usage in BJJ and answers questions from the listeners!

Frank is back for the longest GCP episode ever! He talks with Ryan about everything from comedy, pay gaps in MMA, fatherhood, his daughter's MMA career, vegetarian diet, his pro wrestling debut, competitive grappling and his most recent fight.

Kurt is back for the 4th GCP Halloween Special! This episode also marks the 4 year anniversary of the podcast. Kurt talks about his final days in rehab, serial killer fight club and takes questions from the listeners. Needless to say, language warning!

Fresh off his incredible performance at ADCC, Lachland Giles joins the show to talk about the event, the evolution of his style, the leg lock game and pattern recognition. He also talks about improving weak areas and his burning hatred for mosquitoes.

B-Mac is back! In his 3rd appearance on the show, Brandon discusses promoting his wife to black belt, getting kids interested in training, self defense and tournament preparation. Ryan also suggests he should become a blue cheese evangelist.

Wilson Reis joins the show to talk about his beginnings, the benefits of competing often, BJJ for MMA and his proudest MMA moment. He also talks about his recent cut from the UFC and he gives a technical breakdown of the Sao Paulo Pass!

Kristian Woodmansee returns to talk about his new academy, cultivating a positive culture in a school, why he prefers not to teach his own kids and being a Jiu-Jitsu parent. He also gives technical insight to the Reverse De La Riva position.

John Combs joins the show to talk about ADCC, analyzing progress, take downs, guillotines and the evolution of his style. He also talks about setting goals and bouncing back from a loss.

Oliver Taza joins the show to talk about technology's role in the rising level of BJJ, Kinesiology and rehab, overcoming his recent ACL injury and using leg locks to open up other attacks. The also talks about patience and his fast rise in the ranks

Michael Liera Jr joins the show to talk about the definition of Jiu-Jitsu, finding comfort in suffering and some of the big breakthroughs he had in his journey. He also talks about addressing passivity, putting himself in white belt shoes and mindset

Drew Weatherhead returns to talk about his recent promotion to black belt, the business side of the art, mimetic learning and new things coming from BecauseJitsu. He also talks about the ethics of self defense, being a father and omoplatas

Bruno Bastos joins the show to talk about the early days of his training, the Fadda lineage, self-confidence and learning to compete. He also gives advice for bigger guys and gives technical advice on the Half Guard.

Matheus Nicolau joins the show to talk about going from soccer to BJJ to MMA. He also discusses ego, plateaus and why he still trains in the gi as an MMA fighter. He also provides excellent technical advice for smaller practitioners!

Dr. Chris Moriarty returns to discuss the data from his recent study that focuses on injury rates in Jiu-Jitsu. He also takes questions from listeners and we have a serious discussion about chicken tenders and the evils of mayonnaise and ranch dressing.

Dante Leon joins the show to talk about his beginnings, strength and conditioning for BJJ, the Reverse De La Riva position and discipline vs motivation. He also recaps his match at Kasai Pro against Renato Canuto and talks about elite competition.

After a long hiatus, Kurt is back on the show! He updates us with his situation in this candid episode. Ryan also makes a big announcement about his life. They also talk about Brazil, public nudity, the GOT finale, and Kurt takes questions from listeners

Alec Baulding joins the show to talk about overcoming plateaus, his recent ADCC performance and using competition as a tool for improvement. He also talks about "short guy Jiu-Jitsu" and being more aggressive with the guard

Roli Delgado joins the show to talk about overcoming fear of failure, the pursuit of vindication, the importance of conditioning and why you need to get tired in training. He also reflects on his MMA career and explains why his primary focus is now BJJ

Jake Mackenzie joins the show to talk about the early days of BJJ in Canada, living and training in Brazil, the benefits of competition and creating a gameplan. He also gives a great technical breakdown of the Half Guard.

Travis Stevens returns to the show to talk about his Olympic experience in Rio, nearly losing his leg to staph and pursuing goals through adversity. He also covers team loyalty, grip fighting and the required work ethic and discipline to be elite.

Rose Gracie returns to the show to talk about brain damage and CTE within combat sports. She's been researching and learning about concussions and CTE with leading experts and she also talks about possible CTE within her family and her new rehab facility

Danielle Kelly joins the show to talk about her journey in grappling, the development of her style, her favorite competition ruleset and adding Wrestling to BJJ. She also gives a technical breakdown of maintaining back control effectively

Known for his role as O'Hara, a villan in Bruce Lee's iconic film Enter The Dragon, Bob Wall joins the show to tell the incredible and inspirational story of his life. A passionate grappler, he also discusses his time training BJJ, Wrestling and Judo!

One of BJJ's most exciting stars, Lucas Barbosa joins the show to talk about following in his idol's footsteps in Brazil, overcoming poverty and the law of attraction. He also discusses training, drilling and building a solid game

Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa joins the show to talk about finding BJJ in Puerto Rico, the early days of MMA, training and living in Brazil and teaching effectively. He also discusses the difficult decision some students face of switching teams.

Justin Rader joins the show and talks about blending Wrestling with BJJ, developing take downs, leaving your comfort zone, and the importance of knowing why you train. He also talks about leadership and effective coaching

In this throwback episode, UFC veteran and Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Kenny Florian talks about BJJ in the 90’s, positive mentality, managing nerves and emotions and the value of setbacks. He also talks about commentating for the UFC and trades Royce Gracie stories with Ryan.

Craig Jones returns to talk about his recent camp in NYC, his match with Tim Spriggs, conditioning, leg locks, gi and no-gi scrambles and breaking bad habits. He also talks about his frustrating match at Kasai against Palhares and upcoming matches he has!

Amanda Leve joins the show to talk about competition mindset, competing against male athletes, submission only rules, drilling and managing competition anxiety. She also discusses her recent ADCC Trials win!

In his 3rd appearance on the show, Master Ricardo Liborio talks about his plans to bring BJJ to universities and schools across the US and his Resenha event. He also talks about the therapeutic effects of the art and gives great advice for school owners!

Quentin Rosenzweig joins the show to talk about building a career outside the IBJJF through super fights and submission only events. He also discusses leg locks, trends in BJJ and his thoughts on teaching.

Bernardo Faria returns to the show after 3 years! He talks about the development of his game, effective positions for older practitioners and the formation of BJJ Fanatics. He also gives technical insight on the half guard and over/under guard passing!

This is a throwback episode from the GCP archive originally recorded in December 2016 (excuse the audio quality). Demian Maia talks about his life and career and shares his thoughts on training, teaching and fighting MMA. Enjoy!

GCP's most interviewed man returns for an update on his school, his recent Australian and Korean tours and shares some AirBnB adventure stories. He also takes several questions from the listeners!

Nick Rodriguez joins the show to talk about his wrestling background, his life story and winning an ADCC trials bronze medal as a blue belt. He also talks about work ethic and retaining what you learn.

Gordon "The King" Ryan joins the show to talk about the value of strong mentors, pre-competition anxiety and conceptual learning. He also offers advice on improving leg lock success and discusses self-promotion as a professional grappler.

One of the most decorated American Judokas of all time, Mike Swain joins the show to talk about winning the Judo world championship, developing his game, training in Japan and the decision to retire. He also discusses some changes he'd like to see in Judo

Professor "Roleta" is one of the greatest champions of the sport and the man credited with developing the inverted guard position. He talks about having an unorthodox style, athleticism and the sport rivalry between Gracie Barra and Carlson Gracie Team

Professor "Toco" is a highly respected instructor. Some of his students include Alexandre Pulga and Cyborg Abreu. He talks about Carlson Gracie, the Vale Tudo days of Rio and surfing. He also talks about his social projects that bring BJJ to favelas

George Bossi has been coaching high school wrestling in Lowell, MA for over 50 years. He is the focus of the film "Bossi". He reflects on his career and talks about molding the young men of Lowell through wrestling. Many of whom were on dark paths prior.

Rory Singer is a BJJ Black Belt and retired MMA fighter and UFC veteran. He talks about the application of combat sports in real world self defense situations, his MMA career and his journey as a gym owner.

Brian Jones is a BJJ and Judo Black Belt and one of the leading experts on sandbag training. He talks about self defense, BJJ in the 90's and fighting how you train. He also talks about the unique "surprise attack" policy he has at his school!

Cat Clarke is a BJJ Brown Belt and the promoter behind Sub Series Pro, a rapidly growing organization out of Canada. He talks about running events, weight loss, dealing with athletes, growing BJJ's mainstream popularity and surviving lightning strikes!

Dr. Peter Goldman is a BJJ Black Belt and the chiropractor of stars like Rickson and Kron Gracie, BJ Penn, Clark Gracie and several others. He talks about his journey, longevity, preserving your neck and he takes questions from the GCP facebook group!

Professor Neiman Gracie joins the show to talk about the value of positional training, BJJ for MMA, fight strategy for Jiu-Jitsu athletes and learning from John Danaher. He also explains why training with a big team doesn't guarantee success.

Judo star Marti Malloy joins the show to talk about her Olympic experience, training smart, lessons learned from the mats and managing pressure in competition. She also reflects on the most significant moments of her career!

Josh "Starlord" Leduc joins the show to talk about mixing BJJ and Catch Wrestling, pre-competition anxiety, leg locks and preserving energy. He also talks about his upcoming title match against current Catch Wrestling World Champion Brandon Ruiz!

Marcelo Cohen joins the show to talk about old school vs new school teaching methods, adapting BJJ to your body type and visualization and mentality. He also goes deep on the Kimura and the mistakes that cause people to fail finishing it.

Clark Gracie returns to talk about growing an academy, managing an affiliation, team loyalty, his thoughts on cross training and the value of competition as a measuring tool. He also talks about competition mindset and staying calm under pressure!

Marcos Tinoco joins the show to share his inspiring life story. He talks about fighting through adversity, the value of work ethic, moving to NY to train under Marcelo Garcia, competing with no pressure and lessons he's learned along the way.

Marcos Flores is the director of USA tournaments for Grappling Industries and a highly experienced referee. He talks about starting BJJ in his 30s, longevity on the mats, reffing over 10,000 matches and the intricacies or reffing.

Harry Smith is a Catch Wrestler, BJJ enthusiast and former WWE superstar. He is also the son of WWE legend British Bulldog. He talks about the value of fundamentals, training in Japan, how Catch and BJJ compliment each other and bouncing back from losses.

Drew Weatherhead is the mind behind the hit Instagram meme profile "Because_Jitsu". He talks about how he found BJJ, the growth of the BJJ scene in Canada, how he started making memes and Jiu-Jitsu "in the streets"

Dhiego Lima talks about leaving football to pursue MMA, managing nerves before a fight, training BJJ with strikes, why he trains in the gi and fighting through adversity. He also expresses interest in pursuing competitive grappling after his MMA career!

Kurt is back for the 2018 Halloween Special! Kurt talks about his upcoming Australian tour, strategies for fighting various wild animals, UFOs, corn mazes, Unsolved Mysteries, serial killers and his thoughts on UFC 229.

Rob from McDojo Life joins the show to talk about cults, frauds, chi blasts and angry online ninjas! He also talk about why he enjoys teaching and how martial arts prevents bullying.

Junior Assuncao is a seasoned MMA fighter and long time practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the early BJJ scene, new school vs old school mentality, bullying and the current state of BJJ in Brazil. He also reflects on a match against Marcelo Garcia.

Rondel Benjamin introduced Jiu-Jitsu to Trinidad & Tobago in 2000 and has helped build the community there for the last 18 years. He talks about strategy and concepts in BJJ, invisible Jiu-Jitsu, breathing and the importance of drilling grip fighting

Rob Austin of the Big Jiu-Jitsu Podcast joins the show to talk about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, the life lessons he's learned along the way and making time for training despite a hectic schedule.

Brandon Ruiz is a decorated grappling champion and coach. He discusses work ethic, avoiding burnout, competition strategy and mental preparation. He also talks about finding yourself through grappling and practicing empathy

Raul Ramirez joins the show to talk about his journey through Catch Wrestling, Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine, training at the Snake Pit and training intensity. He also talks about Catch Wrestling Alliance and the future of Catch!

Curran Jacobs joins the show to talk about overcoming bullying through wrestling, mental toughness, how Catch Wrestling and BJJ can help each other, staying focused during tough times and his desire to compete against Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon.

Mahamed Aly returns just off his first Black Belt World Championship! He talks about managing injuries, ideal training frequency, recovery advice and the importance of quality sleep. He also talks about his new Youtube channel and his goals moving forward

Albert Lim is one of Malaysia's most experienced BJJ athletes and coaches. He talks about his journey through the art, the BJJ scene in Malaysia and rolling without rounds. He also talks about taking your training into your own hands and online learning

Professor Jared Feierabend joins the show to talk about learning from the greats, meeting Grandmaster Helio Gracie, learning to flow and managing training with age. He also discusses living in the wilderness and changes he's seen in the art over time.

Alex Humen joins the show to talk about his transition from Wrestling to BJJ, overcoming bullying, managing competition anxiety and conditioning for grappling. He also gives technical insight to the D'Arce Choke!

Professor Jena Bishop joins the show to talk about pursuing Jiu-Jitsu with a significant other, her competition mindset and work ethic. She also shares great insight on the closed guard and timing your attacks.

Jamil Hill joins the show to talk about his recent World Championship, avoiding complacency and the evolution of his style. He also talks about the importance of setting a good example and how BJJ kept him away from negative influences growing up

Grandmaster Flavio Behring has over 70 years experience in Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the early days with his instructor Grandmaster Helio Gracie, self defense Jiu-Jitsu, dealing with multiple attackers and watching GM Helio fight for 3 hours straight.

Kurt is back to talk about his recent UK tour, his upcoming Australian tour and to update us on the progress of Empire Jiu-Jitsu! He also talks about shark cages, wildfires, eating raccoons, and praises Ryan and Karen for surviving a week at his house!

Professor Steve Maxwell returns to talk about globetrotting, self defense, and dealing with armed attacks. He also talks about avoiding muscular imbalances, over-training, out of control egos and the law of attraction.

Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez returns to the show to talk about submitting Sakuraba, running tournaments and growing an academy. He also gives great insight on competition mindset and learning from losses.

Steve Austin has over 20 years of experience training, competing and teaching martial arts. He talks about overcoming a childhood disease, dealing with bullying as a kid and why it's important to reach kids who are bullies as well as their victims.

Lavell Marshall is a World and National Champion of Shuai Jiao Chinese Wrestling. He is also a NYC Mongolian Wrestling Champion. He gives an education on Shuai Jiao and talks about ego, tournament mindset and solo drills to improve your grappling!

Francisco "Sinistro" joins the show to talk about his beginnings in Ecuador, his recent performance at the KO Finisher and having a winning mindset. He also talks about training with Cobrinha and the importance of keeping training fun!

Professor Ishmael Bentley joins the show to talk about his incredible outreach program, the International Jiu-Jitsu Education Fund. This program helps kids in struggling communities around the world get access to Jiu-Jitsu at no cost.

"Big Red" of one of 10th Planet's most active competitors. Coming off his recent team win at Quintet 2, Adam talks about competition mindset, flexibility for big guys and embracing your attributes. He also covers weight loss and self esteem through BJJ

Piet Wilhelm joins the show and speaks candidly about growing up in foster care, living on his own at 12 years old and eventually joining the military. He also talks about helping veterans through BJJ and his hilarious viral video fighting a bodybuilder!

Bret Perchaluk is a BJJ Black Belt, Judo Black Belt and a former D1 Wrestler. He talks about the benefits of exploring various styles and his traditional martial arts background. He also gives great technical insight on sprawling and defensive Wrestling

Mark Turner is the first non-Brazilian to earn a black belt under Demain Maia. He talks about how he found Jiu-Jitsu, learning from Demian, rule sets in Jiu-Jitsu and building a curriculum. He also gives great technical insight on the Half Guard!

Seph Smith is the first black belt under Professor Ryan Hall and a respected competitor and instructor. He talks about how he found Jiu-Jitsu, BS in martial arts and being stuck at a rank for a long time. He also gives great insight on Reverse De La Riva!

Diego "Nosferatu" Herzog joins the show to talk about BJJ for MMA, his match against Roger Gracie and his favorite thing about teaching. He also shares his thoughts on the Submission Only ruleset and gives a recap of the KO Finisher event in San Francisco

While in St Louis to commentate the 2018 USA Combat Wrestling Nationals, Ryan takes time to interview "Sambo" Steve Koepfer, Vlad Koulikov and the USCW Team USA winners!

Claudia Doval joins the show to talk about her recent world title, turning 30, managing injuries, coping with burn-out and the Spider Guard! She also sounds off on bias in Jiu-Jitsu against women and gives advice for men and women alike!

Arin Adjamian returns to talk more about nutrition and to answer questions from listeners! He covers everything from acid reflux, gut health, Big Pharma and CBD oil. He also gives his thoughts on popular diets like Pescetarian, Keto and the Gracie Diet.

Alex Atala is a world renown chef and culinary celebrity who has been featured on CNN, Netflix and Brazilian television. He is also a BJJ Brown Belt under Demian Maia. He talks about his journey and how BJJ has helped him in various aspects of his life.

One of the top female competitors of her generation, Nathiely De Jesus talks about the law of attraction, using Jiu-Jitsu to overcome health issues, training at the infamous Cicero Costha Academy and facing your idols in competition.

Ryan visits San Francisco and catches up with Kurt. They recap Kurt's event The KO Finisher, their time spent in SF, strangers offering Ryan drugs and Kurt's upcoming tours. Kurt also drops a bombshell about his current teaching situation and his future

One of the most decorated American Judokas of all time, Sensei Jimmy Pedro talks about his Olympic experience, his thoughts on modern Judo and his grappling conditioning. He also talks about accepting losses and cross-training in various grappling styles

Davi Ramos is one of the most decorated BJJ competitors today and a current UFC lightweight. He talks about mentality, setting the pace in a match, how Jiu-Jitsu changes for MMA and whether or not grappling competition will remain in his future.

Bruno Frazzato joins the show to talk about managing competition nerves, Jiu-Jitsu for MMA, his time spent at Team Brasa and the birth and growth of Team Atos. He also gives guard passing tips and discusses why he feels the gi helps your no-gi game!

Master Sylvio Behring joins the show for an excellent conversation about self defense, situational awareness and legality of defending yourself. He also talks about the old days in Rio, challenge matches, women's Jiu-Jitsu and his brother Marcelo Behring

Kristian Woodmansee is one of Jiu-Jitsu's most exciting Rooster Weight competitors. He talks about the deep waters of modern BJJ, managing ego, team loyalty and being a smaller competitor. He also weighs in on ref bias and the Keenan Cornelius incident.

Jake Shannon is a highly respected figure in the world of Catch Wrestling. He talks about the history of the style, his time spent with the legends of the sport and Professional Wrestling. He also talks about the future of Catch Wrestling!

Josh "The Punk" Thomson joins the show to talk about how his MMA career began, his grappling influence, fighting for the UFC and PRIDE and how kettlebells have helped his conditioning. He also talks about being a fighter at 40 years old!

Brian McLaughlin tells the story of being a frail chess club member in high school to becoming a professional MMA fighter. He also talks about the early days of BJJ in NY, being a TUF season 8 cast member and his competition rivalry with Ryan Hall.

Brian James, aka "Jiu-Jitsu Cop" is an active police officer and BJJ purple belt who works to encourage police across the country to learn Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about how Jiu-Jitsu has saved him (literally) on the job, and how it can do the same for others!

Colton Brown is one of Judo's most exciting athletes today. He talks about leaving football for Judo, adapting your game, living in Japan and improving your social circle. He also talks about his 2016 Olympic experience in Brazil!

Chris Martin is a BJJ purple belt with a unique story to tell. Chris is an instructor who survived a stroke that was caused from an accident while rolling and takes the time to spread awareness to others. He is also the founder of BJJ For Change.

One of our earliest guests, Erik Paulson returns over 280 episodes later! We catch up with him and discuss why he doesn't coach fighters anymore, growing take down skills, attack sequences, escaping leg locks and supernatural experiences!

Rodrigo Antunes joins the show to talk about starting training at a young age, coming up with world class mentors, plateaus in training, teaching kids and managing parents, heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu and his experience training MMA!

Federico Tisi is a world renown instructor and the first Italian to receive a BJJ Black Belt. He talks about building knowledge, the white belt process, teaching teachers, mindfulness, longevity and the value of focusing on defense as much as offense.

**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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Master Luiz Palhares joins the show and talks about BJJ in Brazil in the 1970's and 80's, Training under Rolls and Rickson Gracie, Vale Tudo in the 90's and why he is a firm believer of training in the gi. He also talks about teaching Navy SEALS

Mike Palladino joins the show and discusses how Pro Wrestling led him to BJJ, learning from Vlad Koulikov and Formiga, online learning, why you shouldn't worry about rank, and competition mindset. He also talks about self defense and sport grappling.

Anthony Ferraro is a NJ State Greco Champion, An accomplished high school wrestler and a Judo brown belt. He has accomplished all this despite being blind. He is the focus of the film "A Shot in the Dark" and shares his inspirational story

After a brief hiatus, Kurt is back! We catch up with him and talk about his upcoming Asian tour, his new drum room, rock stars fighting with fans, options for going bald, Kurt's mustache and his naked arrest story. Kurt also gets triggered by toothpaste.

Robert Drysdale has been traveling all over Brazil and Japan gathering historical data for the documentary film "Closed Guard". Some of what he's found may make you question what you thought you knew about BJJ's history!

Fresh off winning the EBI Featherweight championship, Jonathan Calestine joins the show to recap the event and talk about his rise in the sport. He also talks about the struggles of being a full time grappler and managing injuries.

Matt Kaplan joins the show for a hilarious and entertaining episode! Topics include pro wrestling death matches, pro wrestling moves in MMA, leg locks, punk rock and rolling drunk. He also talks about training with Garry Tonon and Eddie Cummings.

David Aguzzi is back to talk about the growth of Grappling Industries, the BJJ ban in Montreal and training referees. He also gives a deep breakdown of what it costs to run a tournament and why entries cost what they do for competitors.

Justin "Master Chim" Garcia makes his second appearance on the show for a deep discussion of self defense, dealing with armed attackers from a grappling standpoint and building muscle memory. He also talks about the direction of competitive grappling.

Ben Kovacs is the founder of The Guardian Gym, a martial arts school that allows disadvantaged kids and adults train for free or for a rate that they can afford. He talks about how the project started and the impact it has had on the community.

Daniel Perez is the first American to get a Black Belt under Demian Maia. He talks about training with Demian, running his own school, finding the right training environment for you and the blue belt blues. He also talks about self defense in the street.

Sgt. 1st Class Matt Larsen is the man behind the US military's Modern Combatives Program. He explains why BJJ is the base style in the system, effects of adrenaline in a fight, self defense for civilians and how a bar fight opened his mind to new tactics

Vlad Koulikov returns to the show to talk about his recent promotion to BJJ Black Belt, winning the Combat Wrestling Worlds in Japan, training through injuries, conditioning and his views on the modern leg lock game from a Sambo perspective

Joao Assis joins the show to talk about how Jiu-Jitsu helped him on a better path in life, learning from Leo Vieira and Mario Sperry, being a purple belt for 6 years and moving to the US without knowing anyone and with limited English

Luiz Panza joins the show to talk about his recent trip to Brazil, his intro to martial arts, why his mother banned him from training as a young man, Chuck Norris jokes and his rap song he recently write for his friend Buchecha!

Spenser Mango is a decorated Greco Roman Wrestling champion and a 2x Team USA Olympian. He talks about finding his style, strength & conditioning, the benefits of being smaller and his Olympic experience. He also gives advice on diet and cutting weight.

"Pe De Pano" joins the show to talk about how BJJ saved him from his troubled youth, the Colby Covington incident, Brazil in the 90's vs today, the ingredients of a champion and facing weaknesses head on. He also gives technical insight on the armbar

UFC veteran and BJJ champion Eliot Marshall joins the show to talk about finding BJJ in 1997, cult mentalities that exist in BJJ, the UFC, his love for teaching and meditation. He also provides one of the funniest answers The Pummel has ever seen.

Dan Camarillo joins the show to talk about keeping kids interested in Jiu-Jitsu, structuring a curriculum, injury prevention, training take downs safely and taking breaks from training. He also tells stories from the old days of Ralph Gracie's Academy.

Justin Flores joins the show to talk about learning online, universal truths in grappling, broadening your horizons and being the captain of your own ship. He also talks about coaching Ronda Rousey and opens up about his crippling fear of mustard.

Shintaro Higashi joins the show to talk about the pressures of being the son of a Judo legend, how rule sets impact grappling styles, his diverse grappling experience and pursuing the Olympics. He also covers improving take downs for any grappling style!

Mario Sperry talks about the early days of Carlson's academy and shares several epic stories including fighting Wallid Ismail on a bathroom floor, surfing brawls and his old rivalry with Royler Gracie. He also talks about the Pride days and his new school

Abmar Barbosa is a respected BJJ champion and instructor known for his exciting, fast-paced style. He talks about how bullying led him to BJJ, overcoming adrenaline dumps, money in Jiu-Jitsu and defeating Kron Gracie. He also talks about his time in Japan

Gustavo "Siri" Pires is a decorated champion and instructor. He talks about appreciating the basics, having a sibling who trains, closed guard and competing against friends. He also talks about competing against Demian Maia and Comprido back in Brazil

Joey Alvarado is a BJJ champion, retired MMA fighter and founder of KettleJitsu. He talks about the seedy early days of MMA, bullying in modern times and his exposure to influential black belts. He also gives great insight to kettlebell training for BJJ!

Karel "Silverfox" Pravec is a highly respected instructor. He talks about the early days of BJJ in the US, dead ends to avoid in training and staying ahead of younger opponents as a middle aged practitioner. He also gives insight to his water training

U.S. Sambo pioneer Gregg Humphreys joins the show to talk about how bullying led him to martial arts, misconceptions about Sambo, coaching at Militech Fighting Systems and kettlebells. He also talks about training extensively in the U.S.S.R. in the 80's

David Adiv joins the show to talk about transitioning from Judo to Jiu-Jitsu, the differences between BJJ and Judo newaza and self defense applications of sport BJJ. He also gives great insight on self defense and why he chose BJJ over Krav Maga

Fresh off EBI 14, Craig Jones joins the show to talk about his performance, the evolution of his game, flexibility, leg locks and avoiding complacency. He also talks about his upcoming superfight rematch against Murilo Santana at Kasai Pro

Rolles Gracie joins the show to talk about growing up in the Gracie family, how to keep kids interested in Jiu-Jitsu and the early days of Renzo's academy. He also talks about prank calls with Draculino and Romulo Barral, Pro Wrestling and Hulkamania!

Professor Gui Valente joins the show to talk about best practices for running a school, growing up in a Jiu-Jitsu family and self defense! He also shares some great knowledge about the history of Jiu-Jitsu!

Jeffrey Cummings is a BJJ black belt and former Wrestler. Dylan Whyte is a brown belt and experienced youth instructor. Together they run a new academy in FL called Positive Balance Grappling and give insight to what its like to open a new school!

One of Greco's biggest stars and a fan favorite for his fun personality and exciting style, Robby talks about his origins, making the Olympic team and crazy stories from the road which include dodging Russian mobsters and accidentally eating cat meat.

Steve Bongiorno is a Ricardo Almeida Black Belt and a highly respected instructor. He talks about the early days of BJJ on the east coast, the change in martial arts that BJJ created, managing the ego and dealing with larger opponents.

Alberto Crane joins the show to talk about the early days in BJJ in the US, training in Rio, his time spent with Master Draculino, building your game and how personality an determine your style. He also talks about his MS diagnosis.

Paul Schreiner joins the show to talk about evolutions he's seen in BJJ over time, meditation, the underlying physics of Jiu-Jitsu and the Half Guard. He also talks about adjusting to NYC, getting robbed in Brazil and corporate fight clubs.

A US Marine combat veteran turned BJJ Champion, Chris Jones shares his story and discusses finding purpose after the military, competition mindset, building your game, his wrestling background, balancing life with training and how BJJ can help PTSD.

Roger Gracie returns to talk about the Buchecha match, retirement, competition strategy and mindset, athleticism in Jiu-Jitsu and why he doesn't believe in complex drilling. We also debut a new game on the podcast!

Gabe Dean is one of the top Wrestlers in collegiate history. He talks about his intro to Wrestling through his father, why motivation isn't as important as discipline and some of the hurdles Wrestling has helped him overcome.

Kurt's back for the second GCP Halloween Special! Ryan and Kurt determine the BJJ styles of horror movie killers and ramble about getting fired from jobs, aliens, psychics, astrological signs and belly button lint. Kurt also gets triggered twice.

Intro music by Dan Cole:

TUBULAR BELLS COVER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAWOJXJtx7M

Dan Cole Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxsTsvea6TAckWZCJcc_7A?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__dancole/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dan-Cole-549209275229053/

Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro returns to talk about his recent superfights, balancing teaching and competing and the superfight he wants next. He also issues a challenge to ANYONE who has the guts to face him in Ping Pong!

Marco "Gigante" Villela is a respected instructor in Australia. Originally from Brazil, he talks about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, learning from Carlos Gracie Jr and Relson Gracie, refereeing and why he thinks the IBJJF's rules should be the standard.

Leo Vieira returns to talk about his promotion to 5th degree, returning to competition at 41 and Superfights that he is interested in. He also shares his thoughts on Roger Gracie vs Buchecha

A powerful conversation with Ronald Mann, a blue belt amputee who has found new life through Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the details of his accident, hitting rock bottom and rising from the ashes to become a Para Jiu-Jitsu World Champion.

Ryan Murphy joins the show to talk about the old days of Jiu-Jitsu in Northern California, his transition from Wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu, and his favorite things about teaching. He also talks about how personalities influence styles

Frank Mir returns to talk about his release from the UFC, Bellator, USADA, Yoga and his ADCC Superfight against Chael Sonnen (later canceled after recording this interview). He also talks about cult mentality, loyalty and frauds in martial arts.

Abraham Marte is the first BJJ champion out of the Dominican Republic. He talks about closed guard, training through injuries and strength & conditioning. Also, Ryan makes a recording error which results in a Beavis & Butthead convo intended for off air..