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

This week we bring you an interview with BJJ black belt & referee David Karchmer. Over the last eight years David has officiated more than 3,000 gi and no-gi matches. It is great to share with you this conversation with such an experienced Referee. We talk about: What got him started as a referee in 2008 How some of the rules have changed over the years Video instant replay in BJJ Using digital score boards in BJJ The idea of using a body cam on a referee Evaluating footage from a spectator Trends in BJJ techniques Being a referee with different rules Improving as a referee Having unified rules for BJJ or submission wrestling What referee is in charge of the match Is competitive BJJ being true to the roots of the martial art The idea of a hidden score card What motivated him to become a referee What happens when a referee raises the wrong hand Deciding who wins a tied match How the knowledge and experience of the referee can effect the match How someone can learn to become a referee Why the best referee

This week we are joined by the Jiu-Jitsu Medic Peter Daniel. Peter is third year medical student at University of Singapore. When he is not studying for school he is a blue belt training at Impact MMA. We talk about: Causes of cauliflower ear Going to the doctor for cauliflower ear Signs of cauliflower ear The treatment process for cauliflower ear Who is likely to get cauliflower ear Draining your ear at home What happens to your brain when you are choked out Cerebral Hypoxia Getting dizzy during a choke Skin infections Identifying bacterial, fungal, and viral infections Common infections in BJJ Ring worm Staph infections A story about an knee injury Training and having a busy schedule Links: Jiu-Jitsu Medic website Impact MMA in Singapore Quote of the week: "I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you." Joyce Meyer Article of the week: Journal Your Training and Journey Details for our coach of the year contest Please check out this video if you are interes

This week we are excited to bring you an interview with Andy Pi. Andy is a pioneer in bringing jiu-jitsu to China. He also won the first televised MMA fight in China. There is a lot of ground covered in this interview as we talk about jiu-jtisu in China. We talk about: His start in Jiu-Jitsu in 1994 His MMA that was the first fight on broadcast TV in China Early Jiu-Jitsu in USA and China Jiu-jitsu in Beijing A critical look at Jiu-Jitsu in China MMA compared to self-defense ADCC in China People doing Jiu-Jitsu for fun Kids doing Jiu-Jitsu Why instructors are a big factor in determining if students stick with grappling New students avoiding injuries The idea of "go hard or go home" A lesson on checking your ego Links: artofwarfc.com Quote of the week: "Friendship.. is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." Muhammad Ali Article of the week: On the Meaning of a Belt Gary tells us about his book he is working on called "T

This week we bring you a special interview with one of our most popular past guests Matt Thornton. This interview has a central focus on self-defense and real world violence. Not only is Matt a BJJ black belt and a world class coach, he also has extensive knowledge about what BJJ can do for you in a life and death struggle. We talk about: A brief bio of Matt Thornton The goals of his book that he is working on Why violence is natural Why it is so important to have resisting opponents Law enforcement and self-defense training What all SBG coaches have in common (a search for the truth) Statistics on violence Why some young men are attracted to violence Bullying in school Teach kids how to talk to strangers and how to be assertive Things criminals look for in a victim Keeping self-defense a topic in training BJJ Police doing BJJ Adding a striking martial art (without getting damage to your brain) His thoughts on Krav Maga MMA and self-defense Dealing with multiple attackers Links: Are American police too vio

This week we are talking about scrambling. We want to give some tips and help bring order to this potentially chaotic situation. We talk about: Defining a scramble Finding order in a scramble Who benefits in a scramble Common positions to create a scramble Ways to end the scramble Tips to win a scramble Links: Midwest Charity Fundraiser for A. Shebaro's Father Crowdrise page for charity event Quote of the week: "Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos." Stephen Soundheim Article of the week: Something You Need to Know About the BJJ Gauntlet Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here The BjjBrick Wall of Support is being constructed and you can help Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast Gary's audio book this week is "The Scramble, What Fighters Eat For Breakfast" The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for 

This week we bring you an interview with rising no-gi star Nicky Ryan. You will find 15 year old Ryan training with John Danaher, Eddie Cummings, Garry Tonon, and his brother Gordon Ryan. We talk about: What got him started Home schooling this year  Having John Danaher as a home school teacher The home school laws for New Jersey His daily routine The game he plays the most and how it is changing Working on his top game Competing with adults  Quickly developing skill Training leg locks safely Passing the guard and attacking the legs Training wrestling for take downs Losing weight The benefits of submission grappling for kids Having a complete game Competing for money Links: Nicky on Instagram Brunswick BJJ Canadian Kumite with Nicky's super fight Quote of the week: "Fall down 7 times get up 8" Japanese Proverb Presented by Dainis Nguyen Article of the week: The Ultimate Micro Game Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporti

This week we bring you an interview with double Black Belt Dainis Nguyen. Dainis started judo as a kid and eventually moved to BJJ. He is an active competitor in BJJ both gi and no-gi, with many exciting matches under his belt. Photo by Afrobraz We talk about: Starting martial arts with judo Blending judo and BJJ His new gym Team DNA BJJ The social atmosphere in his gym The process of opening a BJJ gym His competition goals Nutrition advice Developing healthy eating habits Why it is important to be persistent in BJJ The 3 different type of training partners you need (+=-) First tournament advice Links: Team DNA BJJ Hyperfly Defense soap Toronto BJJ Team DNA on Facebook Afrobraz on Facebook Quote of the week: "There is little success where there is little laughter" Andrew Carnegie Article of the week: 10 Ways to Improve Your BJJ While Off the Mats Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find ou

This week we bring you an interview with BJJ Black Belt Steven Patterson. Steven is training under Comprido, and he is a 14X Chicago Open Champion and he took 2nd at no-gi Worlds. We have a great conversation about training, competing, and teaching. We talk about: What got him started in BJJ His first tournament His odd experience training BJJ with his first instructor Being asked to try Ayahuasca Evaluating an opponents stance What to do if you have a tournament you are not happy with His match in fight to win on Sept 24 vs Chris Hartwig His experience as being a IBJJF referee University of Ground Fighting Starting his gym as a brown belt His gym in New Lenox, Illinois Developing a kids program How teaching kids changed the way he teaches adults Why people start BJJ How BJJ is like skateboarding Links: University of Ground Fighting University of Ground Fighting on Facebook Fight to Win Quote of the week: "If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." Lao Tzu Article of the week

This week we have a important topic about bringing a friend to BJJ class. When you bring a friend you want them to have a good exposure to the martial art. This episode we have lots of tips about bringing a friend to their first BJJ class. We talk about: The benefits of bringing your friend to class The goal of safety and fun for your friend Taking away the initial stress of going to their first class Why you should be at the class for their first day Tricks for remembering names How to get them to have fun on the mat Telling them about the format of the class What to do after the class is over Why people may want to try a class The follow up phone call the next day Quote of the week: "Death is certain life is not" presented by Brent Lillard Article of the week: How Do You Measure Progress? Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here The BjjBrick Wall of Support is being constructed a

Brent Lillard is a brown belt that confounded a business called Govsmart in 2010, selling IT products to the government. Govsmart is a 69 million dollar business and was listed as number 20 on the Forbes list of America's Most Promising Companies. Brent credits much of culture of his business and the team to the fact that many of them train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brent Lillard (photo by Alex Brown) We talk about: How Govsmart was started Some of his perfected methods and techniques of taring Keeping it playful vs keeping it real Why the basic techniques are so important How BJJ became a part of Govsmart culture The incentive program for employees to do BJJ How he brings a new employee to try the mats A comparison between the culture of BJJ and the corporate world The story of an employee that lost 160lbs Other team building activities for work Dealing with an employee with a bad attitude How BJJ has effected turnover of employees Selling the idea of doing BJJ to employees Training with a busy work schedul

This week we bring you an interview with Jonathan Uzcategui. Jonathan is a great coach and competitor. We are excited to bring you an interview with him covering a wide range of topics. We talk about: His personal history in BJJ Training with Rubens "Charles" Cobrinha as his first instructor His wife Hope Uzcategui 2X IBJJF world champion His style of training Why he likes to partner up training partners for the best training Training new students Organizing a weekly schedule Using video to evaluate his students and give them advice Working escapes when you are tired Treating visitors correctly Crawl, walk, run Links: Jonathan's history Uzcategui on facebook Quote of the week: "Trust in god" and believe in your self, have faith in your self, and work really really hard" Tom Deblass Article of the week: Five things every new/visiting student should receive on their first visit to your gym Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in su

This week we bring you an interview with coach and competitor Tom DeBlass. Tom has been a black belt for 9 years, and competed of many stages. In fifteen years of competition he has given up less than 12 points, and he has never had his guard passed to side control. Tom is not just know for his competitive background and personality, he is also know for being a world class coach. We talk about: His thoughts on training with a Gi Why people train Jiu-Jitsu The changes in the BJJ culture over time Advice for someone that had a hard training day Why most people quit BJJ Why it is important to keep grappling fun Teaching leg locks to white belts Advice for people who can only train once a week Competing with perfect jiu-jitsu What he was like as a blue belt Taking supplements Links: Tom DeBlass on Facebook Meal Plans To Go Q5 The DeBlass Stack Ocean County BJJ Quote of the week: "Sometimes life's going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith." Steve Jobs Article of the week: Baby, Don’t Hurt Me

This week we talk to Shawn Kitzman. Shawn will help to keep you on the mat longer and moving better. He works with a large variety of athletes and he enjoys traning BJJ. We are happy to have him share some of his knowledge and help everyone deal with the problems that our bodies can give us. We talk about: The healing arts and martial arts His start with BJJ The importance of being physically active Ken Blackburn Motor control or muscle memory Common jiu-jitsu injuries Dealing with lower back pain What pain is telling you How past injuries can effect you now How to tell if you are just sore or actually injured Keeping a pain journal Using a foam roller DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) How to find a good PT in your area Changes to make when you compete Links: Synergy Movement Therapy on Facebook Quote of the week: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison Article of the week: 5 MISTAKES YOU ARE DOING IN TRAINING Please check out th

This week we bring you an exciting interview with Daniel Strauss also know as "The Raspberry Ape". Daniel is one of the top European grapplers, focusing mostly on no-gi. Daniel is a black belt training under Roger Gracie and Nick Brooks. We talk about: What got him started in Jiu-Jitsu What he does off the mat to get stronger Bending horse shoes Developing grip strength Why he likes the butterfly guard for no-gi The culture of BJJ and strong man The Raspberry Ape Podcast His views on getting a new belt in BJJ How he gets mentally focused to compete Advice for doing a tournament for the first time Dealing with nerves and pressure Dealing with bad days Why being a blue belt is fun Showing vs teaching a technique Training with your mind off of the mat Links: The Raspberry Ape Podcast Daniel on Facebook Quote of the week: "Small changes can make a big difference" Article of the week: Samurai Business Man Destroys Competition By Training Employees In BJJ Please check out this video if you are interested

This week we bring you an amazing story from Shannon Kitchen. Shannon is a blue belt training in Kentucky under Relson Gracie. Shannon has a spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the bellybutton down, and he is legally blind. This interview will leave you motivated to keep training and enjoying the process.  We talk about: How he injured his spinal cord Doing self defense from a wheelchair Starting BJJ His favorite techniques How BJJ has helped his balance What it was like to get his blue belt Rolling for the first time Grapplers heart Rolling with glass still in his face under his skin Links: Video of Shannon on the mats Shannon on FB Grapplers heart BJJ New Gear Smashing Barriers Grappling Project Shannon on instagram Shannon on twitter Quote of the week:  "A lot of my intensity in wrestling was due to my mental preparation before the matches. I got myself into a different world." Dan Gable Article of the week: Roll Longer As A BJJ White Belt With These Simple Tips Please check out this vide

This week we bring you an interview with Alan Shebaro. Alan is a 3rd degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado. Not only does he have a Black Belt in BJJ he also has a long list of experience in the military. Alan Shebaro second from the left. We talk about: What BJJ was like when he first started Transitioning from a guard player to a top player A few of the operations he was involved in over seas The importance of teaching the "why" behind techniques The idea of not being able to train outside your school Why most people have a hard time coaching him The status of BJJ in Dallas We Defy Foundation Mission 22 Working with Joey Bozik The importance of working take downs His views on guard pulling Chris Haueter Brian Marvin How to be a certified We Defy Foundation affiliate Links: Tier 1 Training Facility We Defy Foundation Mission 22 Go fund me for Super B Info for the kids tournament for Super B Quote of the week: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful

This week we bring part 2 of our interview with BJJ black belt Kristina Barlaan. Kristina is a top level black belt competitor under Caio Terra. She recently took silver at worlds her first year in the black belt division. We talk about: Her competition history at worlds Competing in the adult division vs the masters division Getting sliver her first time in the black belt division The mental side of competing against people you have watched for years Her strategy for doing the open weight division as a light feather weight Her plans for the rest of 2016 Advice for people doing their first tournament Accepting being nervous Dealing with the difficult things that come with tough training Links: Kristina's Fb page Kristina's Instagram Ctrl Industries Digitsu Savage Three Cryotherapy Quote of the week: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin Article of the week: "How to train and adult at the same time" Please check out this video if you are interested

This week we bring you an interview from BJJ black belt Kristina Barlaan. Kristina is a top level black belt competitor under Caio Terra. She recently took silver at worlds her first year in the black belt division. We talk about: Her first experience doing BJJ How BJJ effected her personal life Her first impressions of Caio Terra Starting BJJ at 21 years old Why the gi made it easier for her to learn The mental side of competing as a blue belt Putting expectations on herself Links: Kristina's Fb page Quote of the week: "Jiu-Jitsu is easy, it is the people that make it hard" presented by Ricardo Tubbs Article of the week: Park and Roll Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here The BjjBrick Wall of Support is being constructed and you can help This episode also contains Mat Tales Epi 1 "Locked Up" Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast The BjjBrick Podcast

The week we bring you an interview with BJJ black belt Ricardo Tubbs. Ricardo is a black belt under Master Ricardo Cavalcanti, he is also the owner of Da Firma Kimono Company. We talk about: What makes Da Firma Kimono Company different Why they have 49 different sizes of kimonos Some challenges with starting a gi company Tips for caring for your gi Keeping the color in your gi BJJ and the navy BJJ in schools Advice for a student doing a first tournament The importance of basics Advice for doing no-gi from a mostly bjj background Links: Da Firma BJJ Vector Jiu-Jitsu Spartyka Fight League Quote of the week: "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life" Muhammad Ali Article of the week: Purple Belt a.k.a. "The Rolling Belt"  Please check out this video if you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast. If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here This episode also has a movie breakdown of Napoleon Dynamite on a bike ramp and Gary

This week we bring you an interview with Jimmy Fortunato. Jimmy started a tournament company called "The Good Fight" in 2008. Jimmy started training jiu-jitsu in 1997, and his experiences competing ultimately lead him to make some improvements to BJJ tournaments. A couple of years ago The Good Fight switched from a point based tournament to a submission only tournament. We talk about: Why he started The Good Fight A little bit of history behind The Good Fight Making the change to sub only The basic rules The goals of the tournament Jiu-Jitsu Theatre Advice for kids doing a tournament Advice for parents Some of the most popular submission in competition Links: The Good Fight Jiu-Jitsu Theatre Quote of the week: This quote was presented by Ken Blackburn "Don't pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." Bruce Lee Article of the week: 5 Reasons You Should Say “Hello” to the New Student in Your BJJ Class From Jerry Tsui  Please check out this video if you are interested in