Bjjbrick Podcast- Bjj, Jiu-jitsu, Mma, Martial Arts, No-gi And Good Times!

Your Habits on and off the mat can have a huge and lasting effect on your performance in BJJ. This episode we discuss some habits you might consider to help yourself become a better grappler. We talk about: The importance of being consistent with your training The habit of eating healthy Taking notes Keeping notes on injuries Having fun on the mats Rolling one more time after class Be an active listener Have something you are working on while rolling Tap to prevent injury Helping your teammates Share the art of jiu-jitsu Mentally warm up before a roll Quote of the week: “Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” Lou Holtz Article of the week: Why You’ll Quit Jiu-Jitsu: How to handle these pitfalls! Garys audio book is called "How to Butter Your Roll, Smooth Jiu-Jitsu" [caption id="attachment_3444" align="alignright" width="219"] Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast.[/caption]                     Catch us next week for another episode of The B

This week we have an interview with Travis Conley. Travis is very active competitor from Kansas City and has a BJJ black belt under Rentao Tavares. We talk about: Wrestling in high school Doing pro wrestling His start with Jiu-Jitsu His style of grappling Advice for applying more pressure in side control His match with Kyle Sandford in Chokes by the Ocean Doing Sambo internationally Defending submissions in Sambo Dealing with stress during a tournament His thoughts on the current competitive BJJ environment Social media and BJJ Why it is important to stay humble Links: Chokes by the Ocean Underground Gym KCBJJ Quote of the week: “To spend time is to pass it in a specified manner. To waste time is to expend it thoughtlessly or carelessly. We all have time to either spend or waste and it is our decision what to do with it. But once passed, it is gone forever.” Bruce Lee Article of the week: How to Care for your Grappler Mat Tales Episode 21 Bad Boy Shorts and Dad Bod [caption id="attachment_3444" align="a

Nathan Orchard is a Tenth Planet black belt under Eddie Bravo. You will find Nathan training in his gym in Portland Oregon. Nathan Orchard talks about: Wrestling as a kid Doing MMA when he was 16 years old His start to Jiu-Jitsu Seeking knowledge over comfort Learning by studying instead of a traditional coach The development of his double under system Closed loop and open loop systems for grappling Watching competitors to develop a game plan Working with a Samuri sword and learning about footwork Advice of not comparing yourself to others How following his desire to draw has benefited his life Why it is important to tollow your passions The Book of Five Rings Jiu-Jitsu broken down into transitions, positions, and submissions Submissions broken down into bars, twists, and compressions His thoughts on when to learn heelhooks How he is able to train defense with lower belts His attitude toward his teammates Taking the role of a servant to his students Links: Nathan Orchard on Instagram Phalanx Rash Guards D

Leah Taylor is a BJJ black belt under Matt Thornton and Travis Davison training at Straight Blast Gym of Montana. Leah is a competitor and coach, she recently took bronze at her weight class at worlds. We talk about: Her start to martial arts Rolling for the first time with a woman during a competition The mental side of competing Using meditation for get better results on the mat Doing MMA at fusion fight league Dealing with a panic attack while training MMA Teaching women's self defense classes Non martial arts ideas to help keep women safe Warning signs of a abusive relationship What having a begginer program has done for SBG in Kilispell Montana A beginner class is 50 percent female Dealing with rough training partners When someone should consider competing Her future plans for competing Other competitive sports she has done Why she is always trying to finish the match Links: Leah's website Leah on Facebook Leah on Instagram Quote of the week: "There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reac

This week we bring you an interview with one of the top fitness coaches in the world and Durty Dozen BJJ Black Belt Steve Maxwell. We talk about: His start to fitness How Olympic lifts slowed his athletic process Finding success with wrestling Doing BJJ at 64 years old Using less than 60% of your strength while training How to tell if you are using too much strength while rolling The difference between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ Body weight exercises vs weights The concept of time under load while working out Avoiding injuries on the mat Traveling and doing BJJ Early training with Royce Gracie Helping your training partners become better teammates Not depending too much on grips The health effects of competitive Jiu-Jitsu Eating a healthy diet Some tips he uses to get the most out of his food Exercising while fasting Not eating breakfast The fitness test of a 24 hour fast Links: Steve Maxwell interview from about two years ago part 1 Steve Maxwell interview from about two years ago part 2 Steve Maxwell's we

Take a proactive step and evaluate your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. This can pay off huge in performance and enjoyment. Many people stress working hard and smart. Evaluating your game is a smart move toward future success. After all working really hard on all the wrong things is not an effective use of your blood, sweat, and tears. We talk about: The difference in being evaluated by your coach and yourself Why evaluate your game Finding your strengths Finding your weaknesses Are your favorite moves actually good for your game? Setting the right goals The dangers of comparing yourself to your teammates A good way to compare yourself to your teammates Evaluate why are you getting injured Is your game deep and narrow or wide and shallow The value of elevating your game Quote of the week: "Just for today" series of quotes Article of the week: HOW TO MAKE A SEMINAR RAPIDLY IMPROVE YOUR BJJ [caption id="attachment_3444" align="alignright" width="219"] Please check out this video if you are interested in supportin

This week we bring back a listener favorite Roli Delgado. Roli has been a BJJ black belt for ten years. He runs a very successful school in Little Rock, and he is well known for his ability to perform and teach leg locks. Roli trains with GFteam and his coach is Denilson Pimenta. We talk about: His off the mat life and changes toward jiu-jitsu Changes in his coaching jiu-jitsu The difference between coaching and teaching Coaching a student that is having a difficult time finishing a match The mental side of competing His martial arts background How he learned to work off the fence at TUF Training with Billy Robinson How Billy Robinson would answer questions differently than you would expect Catch wrestling as a sport and it's uses for MMA How dangerous heel hooks actually are The rule sets he likes He explains the funnel concept for BJJ Developing athleticism and doing BJJ Dealing with a hand injury He gives us a cheat sheet for running a BJJ gym Interesting thoughts on handling complements Links: Leagel

This week we have an interview with Roger Gracie black belt Nic Gregoriades. Nic shares some of his amazing BJJ journey with us this week. We talk about: Getting his black belt from Roger Gracie in 4 years His plans to move to the United States How teaching has affected his own growth His training before he became a black belt How your BJJ changes as you age Starting a Jiu-Jitsu Sisterhood Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood What Brotherhood means to Nic Why it is important to eat good quality foods The Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood logo BJJ for Yoga Links: Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood Vibrant Health Maximum Vibrance Quote of the week: "Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant" Robert Louis Stevenson Article of the week:We are joined this week for by the Author Miles Brown from Forge Fitness Studio in Wichita. Do ice baths work for recovery? Mat Tales 19: Legend Down Under Yoga for grapplers review https://youtu.be/84Kj-r1m8pg The Bring Your Dad to BJJ seminar is June 17 at fox fitness. [captio

Elizabeth Clay is in the record books as the youngest person to qualify for ADCC. She trains in Anchorage Alaska at Legacy Jiu-Jitsu. She has been training since the age of twelve. We are excited to watch her compete in the 2017 ADCC. We talk about: Starting BJJ at twelve The game she like to use for competitions How her game changes based on the rules Training for worlds and ADCC Training 7 days a week and 2-4 times a day Swimming and hills for cardio Graduating school early Her team is basically all male Listening to music before competing Competing in the adults division to get good matches Links: Legacy Jiu Jitsu in Anchorage Alaska Alaska fight shop Zebra Athletics featuring Elisabeth Clay Elisabeth Clay on Facebook Quote of the week: "Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip Toe if you must, but take a step." Naeem Callaway Article of the week: Why I Do Jiu-Jitsu by Joe Thomas The Referee Corner Part 5 Hand Signals Check out the Grappling

It is important to look at yourself and reflect about what attributes you have that can help you get better at BJJ. We look at Physical, Mental, and Situational advantages (Gifts) you have and how to get the most out of them. Gary as a big good looking gift. This image is a prank that Gary was unaware of. Some of the physical gifts we talk about: Speed Strength Flexibility Coordination Balance Your height Some of the mental gifts we talk about: Patience as a student and instructor Having a memory for technique Being a people person having a competitive spirit Some of the situational gifts we talk about: Having a great BJJ gym near you Having a stable family life Having a supportive spouse or partner Being healthy Being part of a great team Having a great coach Being financially stable   Pranks pulled on Gary this week: The golden girls song around 57min when he is talking about how great a training partner Byron is. Gary was unaware of the gift image with Gary's face. Quote of the week: "Wouldn't

The List of people that have tapped out Marcelo Garcia is short but it includes Dustin Denes AKA Clean. Enjoy this weeks interview because it is going to be like nothing you have heard before. Dustin Denes "Clean" teaching a seminar at fox fitness. We talk about: Becoming a Brazilian National Champion in 2000 Tapping out Marcelo Garcia with a RNC Being certain that you will be successful Tapping into your full potential Motivation vs discipline How he developed discipline as a boy How he got the name "Clean" Chasing efforts The definition of "Chop Certified" and "Jiu-Jitsu Chop" Teaching productivity while doing a BJJ seminar Why he learns everyone's name while teaching a seminar Why he teaches a smaller number of techniques that you will be able to remember Why you have a good side and a great side not a bad side Tips on goal setting How pain motivated him to win tournaments Why it is important to make some sacrifices when preparing for a tournament Links: chopcertified.com Quote of the week: "I onl

This week we have an interview with Greg Thompson. Greg is the creator of SOCP (Special Operations Combatives Program) www.socp.info. On March 23, 2010, SOCP became the first officially designated combatives program for all U.S. Army Special Operations Forces. ERB Codes: (SOCP I: BRT), (SOCP II: FBR) SOCP is now the standard program for fighting in kit. Greg is also training Federal and State Law Enforcement, FBI, ATF, Border Patrol and Special Contract Units.  Continue reading about Greg Thompson here. We talk about: His start in martial arts and wrestling What is was like training in the early days Getting started in training people in special operations Some of the tactical decisions a law enforcement officer must make Why it is important to know the limits of what you are training His conversations with a closed minded martial artist Training safely for violent encounters Controlling the distance Knowing how to use the proper force multiplyer Knife training and common mistakes with training with knifes

This week we have an interview with Atos rising star Conner DeAngelis. We talk about: Moving to Atos to train BJJ His style of game Getting double gold at worlds in blue belt nogi and winning Pan Ams How bad coaching can effect sports performance A lesson learned from a loss Dealing with nerves before competing Cooking advice for young athletes His training schedule Links: Hyperfly Conner on Instagram Conner on Facebook Quote of the week: "Number one is just to gain a passion for running. To love the morning, to love the trail, to love the pace on the track. And if some kid gets really good at it, that’s cool too.” Pat Tyson Article of the week: 7 Reasons Your Jiu-Jitsu Isn't Getting Better Gary talks about his book he is going to release called "Cooking the cauliflower ear with Mike Tyson" Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. The BjjBrick Wall of Support is being constructed and you can help Catch us next week for another episode of The Bjj

This week we have an interview with BJJ brown belt Sarah Draht. She has been training since 2005. She shares her wealth of experience in Muay Thai, BJJ and MMA. We talk about: Her start in martial arts Some of the things that make her passionate about BJJ Running a women's Muay Thai program How a bad car accident almost killed her and kept her off the mat for four years Recovering from her car accident Mind Gym : An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence How to avoid getting injured before a tournament Advice for women transitioning from BJJ to MMA Links: BC Kimonos Joel Kryczka Physiotherapy Sarah on Instagram Sarah on Facebook Quote of the week: "'Find a job you like, and you add five days to every week." H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Article of the week: Live Sparring/Free Rolling: Get more out of it than just a good fight Safe word of the week: Peanut butter Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. The BjjBrick Wall of Support is being constructed and you

This week we talk about an important and sometimes overlooked attribute to BJJ. The speed of the game may be something you use to your advantage or something that you are find yourself working to mitigate. Gary has no idea that I put him in the movie poster from the movie speed. -Byron We talk about: Tips for the slower grappler Some techniques that are better done slowly Why your speed may leave you some day When you should slow down or speed up How to speed things up How to slow things down The speed of particular positions Quote of the week: "Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." not by Anita Goodman but the quote was said by Og Mandino Article of the week: Positional Sparring: Getting the most out of it Korbett’s Kids Epi 3-  Korbett Miller answers a question about kids and drilling. Check out Korbett’s website here for more info on developing a strong kids program at your academy. Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast.

This week we have an interview with Gina Franssen. Gina is Minnesota’s first female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. You can find her at her female focused gym X2 Fitness. We cover a wide range of topics in this interview. Gina Franssen (far right) We talk about: What BJJ was like for women fourteen years ago How she was involved in a women's only BJJ school Adding men to what was once a women's only BJJ school What she looks for in quality male training partners How she got started in martial arts A tip to find a gym while traveling Advice for women starting BJJ Why it is important to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable Links: X2 Fitness Mission22 We Defy Foundation Gina on Facebook Gina on Instagram Quote of the week: People seldom refuse help, if one offers it in the right way. A. C. Benson Article of the week: Drilling: How To Get the Most Out Of It The Referee Corner Epi 4: Why does the referee alter the gi? Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick

Dominique Bell is a brown belt training and teaching at Atos Jiujitsu HQ - San Diego. Dominique has been on fire on the mats and is definitely a person you should be watching. In his spare time he is the person behind BjjComics. We talk about: Training BJJ full time Training in the army combative program Moving across the country to train at Atos BjjComics.com Similarities of BJJ and rock climbing The differences in his gi and nogi game His bottom game strategy for nogi His first experiences doing jiu-jitsu How he prepares mentally and physically 30 min before a mach Why it is so important to have a game plan Links: Kingz Kimonos Damage Control Mouthguards Supplement sponsor Athorganics Monkey Tape Soap Full Guard Gear Dominique Bell on Facebook Dominique Bell on Instagram Article of the week: Competing in mid-adulthood: How to train to win after age 35 Quote of the week:  "It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it." Voltaire Please check out t

This week we bring you an interview with Kim Pruyssers. Kim is a purple belt in BJJ, she recently placed silver at Pan Am. You can find Kim training at Pacific Top Team in Corona California. We talk about: Juggling a busy life and training BJJ Her competition history Training full time and raising four boys Transitioning from only training with the gi and now doing no-gi Some of her favorite attacks Her first experiences with Jiu-Jitsu Her women's only program and why it is successful Lessons she has learned by coaching Why some women's classes fail Her strategy for competing in open weight Advice for women starting BJJ in a class with all men Training on a busy schedule Advice for dealing with frustrations on the mat Links: Pacific Top Team in Corona California Kim on Facebook Pacific Top Team Website Strych9 Quote of the week: "If your arm breaks do not stop, if your windpipe is crushed keep going, your knee gets destroyed, why stop. Always, always keep going forward. Your body will heal itself so no

Are you a little (or a lot) older than most of your training partners? Today Gary and Byron speak from their experience and offer advice to the aging grapplers out their doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We talk about: Age on the mat is relative How to roll the odometer back on your mat age Changing the way you view yourself Dealing with your own ego as you age Making changes to your game to fit to your body Getting better with age Finding joy in watching your team get better Benefits of being a little older Tips for starting BJJ as an older student Setting a schedule that is healthy for training Links: Interview with Glenn Jarrell Quote of the week: "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain Article of the week: Training Partners Trump All Byron pulls two pranks on Gary one that spans 5 episodes about Gary taking your back literally. The other is Byron saying song titles with the word time in them during the show. Please check out this video if you are intereste

We are very excited to bring you an interview with a grappling legend. Pedro Sauer earned his Black Belt from Helio and Rickson Gracie in 1985. He now shares his over 40 years of experience on the mat. Joining the interview with Pedro Sauer is a past guest on The BjjBrick Podcast Brent Lillard.                 We talk about: His start in Jiu-Jitsu in the early 1970s The BJJ belt system after black belt Continuous learning on the mat How to avoid missing training time due to injuries Learning Jiu-Jitsu vs Jiu-Jitsu or Jiu-Jitsu vs bad guy The importance of learning self defense first in your training Creating a learning culture How you can train with Pedro Sauer in Brazil Training camp in Petropolis, Brazil Staying safe while in Brazil Saving money when you book your flight to Brazil What Pedro Sauer was like as a blue belt His experience fighting Mr. Utah Advice for the grappler that can not train everyday Advice for the older grappler Being able to teach Jiu-Jitsu Links: Our past interview with Brent