The Raspberry Ape Podcast

Colton Crawford is a member of The Dead South and a BJJ brown belt. In this episode, we discuss life on the road, the creative process, Twitch streaming, Banjo playing, and much more.

Pat Divilly is an author, podcaster and wellness coach specializing in mens work and breathwork. He is also a brown belt in BJJ In this episode, we chat about Pat's journey into the fitness and wellness space, his thoughts on masculinity, social media, breathwork, and much more.

Simon Shears is a fitness coach and author of "Working [it] out: What actually makes us exercise" In this episode, we discuss Simon's background in sports and exercise and take a deep dive into how our evolutionary psychology rules out behavior and how this pertains to exercise.

Daren Morris is a BJJ black belt, an OG of the Northern grappling an MMA scene, founder of ASW, and co-founder of Grapplefest. A true hidden gem of the UK martial arts scene. In this episode, we discuss Darens journey through martial arts and many of his unique perspectives on MMA and grappling.

Pete Irving is a former professional MMA fighter and kickboxer. A BJJ black belt and head coach of Newcastle Fight Centre. In this episode we discuss Pete's martial arts journey, training in Brazil when few were making the trip, the early days of MMA in the UK, the transition to coach and his thoughts on modern MMA and much more.

Chris Crossan is a catch wrestler and BJJ black belt under Eric Paulson. In this episode, Chris tells his story, and quite a story it is. Starting life as a bit of a trouble maker Chris was able to turn his life around with martial arts and religion. This episode we discuss the early days of MMA and grappling in the UK and especially the North East, catch wrestling and plenty of street fighting stories.

Owen Livesy is a Judo commonwealth gold medalist and professional grappler. In this episode, we discuss Owen's judo career and his recent transition and success in professional grappling.

Neil Adams is the most decorated British Judo competitor of all time. A 2-time Olympic silver medalist, World and European champion. He is a renowned coach and is known as "The Voice of Judo" for his work as a commentator. In this episode we discuss his start in Judo, his competition career, his mindset, his emphasis of the ground game, his thoughts on BJJ and much more.

Sam Crook works full-time, teaching BJJ at the Francis Ngannou foundation, a martial arts based social project in Batié, Cameroon. Sam rejoins me on the podcast after 3 years, talking about everything that has happened at the foundation since we first spoke. He is also joined by his top student, Franck, who is over here with him competing in his first-ever jiu jitsu competition.

On the anniversary of his tragic passing, I talk with Chris Hearn and Joao Santos as we remember Nick Brooks.

Emily Kwok is Canada's first female BJJ blackbelt and world champion In this episode we talk about Emily's journey into martial arts, the early days of BJJ in the US and Canada, training with some of the greats of the sport, competing and competition mindset, performance coaching, and much more

Ffion Davis is the current IBJJF and ADCC world champion. Recently off the back of her history-making ADCC win, we chat about the whole ADCC experience, her training camp, her competition mindset, travelling, teaching, opening up a gym and much more.

Simon Hayes is a BJJ black belt, BMX champ and oscar-winning sound Engineer. One of the most popular episodes of the entire podcast, Simon Hayes is back again. We chatted modern BJJ, ADCC, lockdowns, long-distance cycling, weight lifting and a whole lot more.

Priit Mihkelson is a BJJ black belt and owner of Defensive BJJ. In this episode we talk about Priits background in martial arts, how he got into grappling, his different approach to teaching and learning, the importance of defense, and much more.

Shanti and Marina are the two ladies behind "Women Who Fight", an organisation formed to empower, promote and educate women within combat sports. In this episode we discuss how and why WWF was created, how we can get more women into BJJ, various issues within womens combat sports and much more.

Leo Negao is an old-school BJJ black belt and former pro MMA figher. In this episode, we discuss how Leo got into BJJ, his early days training with Carlson Gracie and his legendary vale tudo team, his philosophy of training and fighting, being one of the earliest Brazilians to bring BJJ to European and much more.

Adisa The Bishop is a BJJ black belt, author, journalist, educator, and curator specialising in the fields of hip hop, chess, and jiu jitsu. In this episode we talk about Adisa's journey in hip hop, finding himself amongst future legends of the game from an early age, his journey in chess and combining chess with hip hop to form the hip hop chess federation, his martial arts journey, meditation and much much more.

Andy is a BJJ black belt, former Judo British squad member, Pro MMA fighter, boxer, Kickboxer, and chess boxer. In this episode we talk about Andy's martial arts journey starting with his highly accomplished judo career, getting in MMA in its early days in the UK, competing in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and chess boxing. Andy's life outside of martial arts including working as a police officer, finding himself on the wrong side of the law and performing stand up comedy.

Tim is a freerunning world champion, ninja warrior and biomechanical explorer. In this episode we discuss Tims journey, his freerunning and parkour days, ninja warrior, his deep exploration into human biomechanics, Weck method, rolling the rope, the important function of fascia and much more.

Pedro Bessa is a BJJ black belt under Telles, Terere and 'Careca' and worlds and european medalist. In this episode we talk about Pedro's start in BJJ, his training in Capoeria, his time at TT training amoungst some of the legends of the sport, coming over to the UK and starting academies in Bristol and Wales, his competition career and more.

James Crossley is a former bodybuilder, strongman, and Gladiator from ITV's "Gladiators" In this episode we talk about Jame start in bodybuilding as a youth, being scouted by ITV to join the hugely popular TV show: Gladiators, his career on the show, his subsequent career as a theatre actor, his competitive strongman career, historic stone lifting journey, yoga and much more.

Dan Hardy is a former UFC fighter, commentator, and fight analyst. In this episode we discuss Dan's start in martial arts, his entry into professional MMA, his career in the UFC, his retirement due to a heart condition, his transition to the commentary table, his desire to continue to compete, his journey into psychedelics and much much much more.

"Judo" Jimmy Wallhead is a judo black belt and professional mixed martial artist. In this episode we talk through Jimmy's martial arts career, from his start in Judo to his career fighting in many of the world's top MMA organizations including UFC and Bellator, the issue he's had with the UFC and his role of head coach of an up and coming MMA team.

Jeff Lawson is a BJJ black belt, a judo black belt, and a former MMA fighter. In the episode we talk about how Jeff got into judo, how he transitioned into mixed martial arts in the early days of the sport, his time on the ultimate fighter, some of his coaching philosophies, and his journey with psychedelic plant medicine.

Matt Benyon is a BJJ black belt and the brains behind multiple BJJ brands including Scramble and Polaris. In this episode, we talk about Matt's journey into martial arts, his inspiration for starting Scramble and Polaris, some of the obstacles he has come across on the way, many stories from behind the scenes and much more.

I'm joined again by strength and conditioning coach Andrew Marshall to discuss training, lifting and the passage of time.

Rick Young is a lifelong martial artist whos full list of accomplishments is too long to note but include: Scotlands first BJJ black belt, judo black belt, Karate black belt, full instructor in JKD under Guru Dan Inosanto, full instructor in CSW under Erik Paulson and much more. In this episode, we talk about Ricks early days into martial arts. His meeting with the Gracies and his experience learning under the legendary Dan Inosanto.

Martin Jancsics is one of the world's leading authorities on Stone lifting. In this episode, we talk all about historic stone lifting; its history, the culture, the stories, the myths and the stones themselves. We also discuss how Martin got into stone lifting and how he got so good at it.

Steve Campbell is Manchesters first BJJ black belt and owner of Stealth BJJ. In this episode, we talk about Steves BJJ journey which included living in Brazil for 8 years and all the stories that come along with that.

David Horne is a master of all things strength. Legendary in the grip strength world David has competed in over 300 contest including tug of war, strongman, powerlifting, arm wrestling and grip sports. We discuss Davids journey through strength and all the disciplines he's competed and trained in. He drops continuous knowledge bombs on grip, lifting, injury, strength for BJJ and much more.

Sam Crook is a BJJ black belt and head coach at the Francis Ngannou Foundation, a martial arts based social project in Cameroon. In this episode, we talk about how Sam came to head up the project, what it's like working with the kids, its challenges and how different life in Cameroon is. For more info on the Francis Ngannou Foundation visit: www.francisngannoufoundation.org

Pete "The Greek" Letsos is a Carlson Gracie Jr black belt and founder Rio Jiu Jitsu club. Pete has been training BJJ for over 20 years, starting with Carlson Gracie Jr and spending years living in Brazil training with some of the biggest names in the sport. In this episode, Pete tells tales of old school BJJ in Brazil through the eyes of a gringo and explains why he wants to wristlock the world.

Rosi Sexton is a former professional MMA fighter, Musician, Mathematician, Osteopath and politician. In this episode, I chat to Rosi about her incredibly interesting life. Her unique combination of skills, how she transitioned from maths prodigy to pro-MMA fighter, we take a number of questions from listeners and get some great information on injury treatment and prevention.

Klaus is a strength and conditioning coach and founder of the Black Vikings movement. In this episode, we talk about the founding of the Black Vikings, the sagas, the movements, the mantras, injuries, struggle, axes and more.

Alex Reid is an actor, MMA fighter and Celebrity Big Brother winner. In this episode, we talk about Alex's acting career, his MMA career, being thrust into the media spotlight through big brother, the downside of fame, spirituality and much more.

John Will is Australia's first BJJ black belt and one of the "dirty dozen" - The first 12 non-Brazilians to receive a BJJ black belt. In this episode, we talk about Johns journey in the martial arts, the creation of his magazine; Blitz, training under the Gracie's and Machado's, participating in challenge matches, travelling the world studying martial arts and much more.

Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues is a multiple European champion and UAEJJF world champion In this episode we talk about Lucio’s journey into BJJ, having to fight strangers on the weekend before he was allowed to go surf, his friendship with Rickson Gracie, his move to Gracie Barra, his rivalry with Jacare, his battle with cancer and his competitions during and after.

Samantha Cook is a BJJ black belt and one of the UK's finest competitors. In this episode, we talk about Sam's heavy competition schedule, travelling, weight cutting, the growth of women's jiu jitsu, mental health, sleep and near death experiences.

Braulio Estima is a multiple time BJJ World champion, ADCC weight and Absolute champion, and multiple time Pan-American and European champion. In this episode, I sit down with one of the greatest ever BJJ athletes to discuss his incredible career. From his first days on the BJJ mats to being crowned ADCC weight and absolute champion. This episode is sponsored by Yoga for BJJ visit yogaforbjj.net/ape

Ben is an old school UK BJJ legend and one of the earliest British black belts Ben started training in the earliest days of UK BJJ and spent large periods of time training in Brazil with the Gracies. In this episode we talk about Bens journey into combat sports, training in his dads shed, judo legend Steve Gawthorpe, training in Brazil, nutrition, breathing, strength and conditioning, teaching, learning and much more.

Lachlan Giles is an elite competitive black belt, coach and physio. In this episode, we talk Australian jiu jitsu, coaching, competition, leg locks, rule sets, running an academy, injuries and more.

Darragh O'Conaill is an Irish BJJ black belt competitor and coach who runs East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy. In this episode, we talk about Darragh's competition career, how he got into BJJ, his time at the brown belt kumite, how he balances running an academy and competing at an elite level, his and his student's upcoming matches on Polaris 8 and why the Irish are so tough.

Eric is a former professional MMA fighter and the head coach at Phuket top team. In this episode we talk about Eric's pretty wild childhood and youth, how he escaped it, how he got into fighting, his retirement and the move to coaching, nutrition, training and more.

Hooman Tavakolian is a former wrestler, wrestling coach, sports diplomat and philanthropist. In this episode, we discuss how wrestling is deeply built into Iranian culture, an athletes responsibility to give back, Hooman's journey in wrestling after moving to the USA, how sport can help young people and the work that both Hooman and Saeed are doing, through wrestling, to help their communities.

Tom is a BJJ black belt and multiple time nogi world champion. In this episode Tom and I discuss how he got into BJJ, his gymnastics background, training with some of the best in the world at some of the highest level gyms in the world, what's made him successful and how he almost got involved in a gang duel.

Guro Bob Breen is a martial arts pioneer. Renowned in multiple disciplines including Karate, Kali/Escrima, Philipino martial arts and Jeet Kun Do. Bob has been teaching martial arts for over 50 years, he has trained under many of the biggest names in martial arts worldwide and is credited with bringing Filipino martial arts and JKD to the UK. In the episode, we discuss his journey in the martial arts, his secret of longevity, a bizare amount about kicking people in the groin and much much more. For more info on Bob visit: bobbreen.com For his online training visit: 4dcombat.com Facebook: facebook.com/JKDKALIEVOLUTION/ Twitter: @bob_breen Instagram: @gurobob

I'm joined by Luke Dalmedo again to discuss Polaris 8, and many irrelevant things.

Ant Lambert is a former Marine and adventurer. One half of the two-man team; the Mad Explorers. The Mad Explorers have undertaken a challenge they have named "Expedition 5", in which they will attempt to be the first people to cross the worlds 5 biggest Islands by manpower alone. I sit down with Ant after just returning from Greenland, their 4th island of the 5. He tells the stories from all the Island they have visited so far, the highs, the lows and the craziness in between. Find out more about the Mad Explorers at www.expeditionfive.co.uk

This episode is a rundown of Quintet grappling 3 event in Las vegas. I sit down with Luke Dalmedo and David Ooi to chat about Quinet 3 and sin city.

Ben Hodgkinson is a BJJ black belt and the director of Grappling Industries Aus and UK. In this episode, we talk about Ben's journey in BJJ, training around the world, his work with Grappling Industries and there first UK event in January next year.