The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez joins the show to talk about how creativity can have a big influence on Jiu-Jitsu and why keeping an open mind is very important. He also gives great insight on the Rubber Guard and explains how anyone can use it effectively!

Justin Flores is an Olympic Judo Coach for Team USA, a decorated Judo champion, a BJJ black belt and a former D1 Wrestler. In this episode, he explains how to begin introducing Judo to your Jiu-Jitsu game, for both Gi and No-Gi.

Vlad Koulikov is a Black Belt in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a Master of Sport in Sambo and a Combat Wrestling champion. He explains how these styles intersect and how to blend them together for the ultimate take down blueprint!

Brian Glick joins the show to talk about survival in Jiu-Jitsu! He provides excellent insight to managing your ego, training smart, developing techniques and using the science of Jiu-Jitsu to prevail over monsters! He also explains the value of the Clamp!

Kurt is back! In this episode he talks about how Omoplatas are an underestimated technique in Jiu-Jitsu that can change your guard game. He also shares crazy stories about training with Ralph Gracie and he aggressively defends the existence of bigfoot.

Steffen Banta joins the show to share his story of working his way into the toughest training room he could find and developing into a decorated champion. He explains how holding himself to a higher standard was the key to his success.

Charles Harriott joins the show to talk about leaving corporate America behind to be a globetrotting Jiu-Jitsu instructor. He also talks about how almost anyone can safely use inversions in their game, and he explains the hierarchy of the Ninja Turtles

Gustavo Dantas joins the show to shed light on how Jiu-Jitsu can be used to impact the world in a positive way through social outreach programs. He describes the work he's done in the favelas of Brazil as well as struggling communities in the US!

Shawn Williams joins the show to discuss how to map out your Jiu-Jitsu game. He explains his "closed loop" concept that will allow you to systemize the techniques you're best at. Ryan and Shawn also go deep on zombie apocalypse survival strategies!

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.