The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

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!