The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and RSS link for Andriod

This week we are very excited to bring you an interview with Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes. Draculino is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has been training since around 1984.  Find out more about Draculino at BjjHeroes.com.

We talk about:

• His school in Houston Texas
• Being a lawyer and how it has helped him with BJJ
• His history with the spider guard
• Why he has a well balanced game
• Doing moves both on the right and left side of your body
• Why the lighter weight classes like to play the guard
• Why it is important to learn BJJ, No-gi, and Self-defense
• Doing MMA and still training with the Gi
• The future of BJJ
• How the internet is changing the way we learn BJJ
• Advice for a student doing their first tournament

Links:

• Gracie Barra Tx
• draculinobjjtraining.com
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Quote of the week: "The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself." Douglas MacArthur

Article of the week: "Appreciating the BJJ Journey on Your Own Terms" learningbjj.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

This is part 2 of our interview with Steve Maxwell, part 1 can be found here. Steve Maxwell is one of the first Americans to receive a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He was the first person to start teaching kettlebells in the United States.  At the age of 62 he travels the world teaching BJJ and life style fitness.  Find more info about Steve Maxwell here.

We talk about:

• When people hit their physical peak
• Not getting injured with your off the mat training
• Training BJJ into your 70's, 80's and 90's
• Over training and the point of diminishing returns
• Explosive training and BJJ
• Strength training for any sport
• The myth of Cardio training
• Sport specific training
• His traveling minimalist lifestyle (every thing he owns fits in this 45L backpack)
• Some great life advice for everybody

Links:

• Steve Maxwell's website
• Steve Maxwell's Facebook page
• Steve Maxwell's Twitter

Quote of the week: "Don't measure the work, measure the change, and use that to evaluate your work" The BjjBrick Podcast, Episode 73

Article of the week: "4 Jiu JItsu Lessons From Bruce Lee" by jiujitsubrotherhood.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Steve Maxwell is one of the first Americans to receive a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He was the first person to start teaching kettlebells in the United States.  At the age of 62 he travels the world teaching BJJ and life style fitness.  Find more info about Steve Maxwell here.

We talk about:

• His start to martial arts as a kid
• Getting his blue belt fast and getting stuck at purple belt
• How he learned how to teach Jiu-Jitsu
• History of early BJJ in the United States
• The combat aspect of Jiu-Jitsu
• Why the age 45 seems to be a road block for people that do BJJ
• Setting intrinsic goals and not extrinsic goals
• How age effects you ability to do BJJ
• How his game has changed over the years
• Proper breathing techniques
• A method of training to force you use better breathing

Links:

• Steve Maxwell's website
• Steve Maxwell's Facebook page

Quote of the week: "no victory without sacrifice" Robson Moura

Article of the week: "7 REASONS WHY YOUR CHILD SHOULD PRACTICE MARTIAL ARTS" breakingmuscle.com

Catch us next week for part 2 of this interview on The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

This week we are happy to bring you an interview with Robson Moura.  In the Black belt Super Featherweight division Robson won gold in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and then again in 2007.  He credits much of his competition success in going for a fast submission.

Some Highlights from the interview:

We also talk about:

• How BJJ helps him off of the mat
• Starting BJJ as a kid in the adult class
• Why he likes to have a fun environment in his school
• How the mind of the Jiu-Jitsu competitor has changed over time
• What he is looking for in a super fight
• The possibility of doing Metamoris
• Advice for first time competitors
• Why most people are joining  BJJ schools today
• Why survival is a good goal for a 1st year student

links for Robson Moura

• His Facebook page
• His website

Quote of the week: "every champion was once a contender that refused to give up" Presented by Isaac Doederlein

Article of the week: "Jiu Jitsu And The Mature Athlete" jjgf.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Isaac Doederlein is a 22 year old brown belt under Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles.  He recently went to IBJJF European and won featherweight gold and then he stepped up for the absolute and got silver.

We talk about:

• Starting martial arts as a kid
• Moving as an 18 year old to California to train
• The different guards he likes to play
• His goal of getting absolute titles
• His goal for remaining undefeated in his weight class
• How to train for competing in the absolute division
• How to watch your tournament footage to get better
• What he does for off-the-mat training
• Dealing with his injuries (neck and wrist)
• The benefits of competing
• Gaining confidence on the mat
• Advice for students in their first tournament
• His first tournament as a kid
• What he was like as a blue belt
• Tips for doing an omoplata
• Advice for developing your game plan
• Why it is important for new students to focus on understanding Jiu-Jitsu

Links:

• The book he recommends "Psychology of Champions"
• Moya Brand
• Stock MMA
• Arm Bar Soap
• Bass Chiropractic
• Ubatuba Acai

Connect with Isaac Doederlein: Instagram and Facebook

Breast Cancer Charity BJJ Seminar: Their Facebook Page, Donate online here.

Quote of the week: "What we do in this life echoes in eternity" Presented by Henry Akins

Article of the week: "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & the Internet, Part 1" by learningbjj.com

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast, we will have an interview with Robson Moura

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

In 1995 Henry Akins started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Rickson Gracie Academy. He received his black belt from Rickson in 2004.  He now has his own school called Dynamix MMA located in west LA.

Some of the Highlights:

"Making sure that the Jiu-Jitsu you learn is effective whether you have a gi on or not, and if you need to use it on the streets to protect yourself or someone that you care about."

"My focus has always been how to use Jiu-Jitsu as a martial art, as a way to instill confidence in a person... and if there is ever a confrontation they feel prepared to deal with it."

"It's not about speed, a lot of people think you need to be fast.... it is about timing"

"The focus for a competitor is the complete opposite from the focus of a teacher.  If you are competing the focus is on yourself.... as a teacher your focus is on others."

We also talk about:

• Training with Rickson Gracie
• Having a style that doesn't rely on grips
• BJJ and confidence
• The main reasons why students join Dynamix MMA
• The importance of getting good at the basics
• How BJJ has changed and remained the same since he started
• Teaching versus competing
• What he does to help his teachers learn how to teach
• How BJJ can affect the larger community
• Training BJJ specifically for self defense
• What happens to students that use strength or speed
• Different types of pressure you can put on your opponent
• How the BJJ community is one big group regardless of where you train

Links:

• Dynamix MMA in West LA Train with Henry Akins, Antoni Hardonk, and Vladimir Matyushenko.
• On The Mat- OTM is a very positive force in the BJJ community
• Henry Akins Facebook page

Quote of the week: "Learn how to learn" Billy Robinson. This quote was presented by Roli Delgado.  Roli suggests- Learn how your body works and apply that to what you are trying to do.

Article of the week: "Stepping off the Mats: Top Ten" by jiujitsutimes.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

This week we have an interview with Rolando Delgado often called Roli.  Roli is a 2nd degree black belt that trains in Little Rock Arkansas at West Side MMA. Roli has fought in the UFC and Bellator, but he is most widely known in the BJJ community for his ability to teach and preform leg locks.

Some highlights from this interview:

"The most dangerous moves in Jiu-Jitsu are take-downs and kimuras"

"Reaping the knee is a risk that is way overstated and blown out of proportion"

"With the Gi on I am okay with no heal hooks.... we need a sport that we can all do and grow old with."

We also talk about:

• His start to the martial arts
• What he does off of the mat (hunting deer and owning a pawn shop)
• His recent trip to Brazil
• How he started focusing on leg locks
• His app "Legal Leg Locks for BJJ"
• Why some people don't like leg locks
• Using legs locks to be used for a Bjj Brick
• The rules for BJJ and leg locks
• Why mid level blue belt is a good time to start working on leg locks
• Finding confidence in your game from hard work
• Advice for students that are competing for the first time
• Why you should be trying to funnel your match into your strong areas
• The concept of defend than attack
• His match with Jason Bircher in Respect 1 on Feb 28

Connect with Roli:

• Facebook
• His website

Quote of the week: "Therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him." Sun Tzu

Article of the week: "Drill To Kill: Science Backs Up Effectiveness of Drilling for Jiu-Jitsu" 

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Christian Graugart is know as the BJJ Globetrotter because of his amazing trip around the world training in 24 countries and 56 gyms.  Christian has learned may lessons from training and traveling, we are lucky to learn from him.  Christian has also started an amazing community called BJJ Globetrotters.

Good times on the mat with Christian Graugart

A quote from the interview:

“A key component to life is to be open to all social connections, and treat everyone you meet as a potential next best friend.”

We talk about:

• Why he started traveling to learn BJJ
• How he likes to teach classes
• Some of the similarities all over the world in Jiu-Jitsu
• The BJJ Globetrotters community
• The BJJ camps he is doing in 2015
• The values of BJJ Globetrotters
• How his gym treats travelers
• His ideas about how to treat people on and off the mat

Links

• Check out BjjGlobetrotter.com
• Join the BJJ Globetrotters community
• BJJ Globetrotter book by Christian Graugart
• The BJJ Globetrotters on Facebook

Quote of the week: “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” Napoleon Hill- Presented by: Rafael Lovato Jr.

Article of the week: “Staying Motivated for BJJ” By White Belt Survival Strategy.Everyone needs a little help staying motivated with training, this article should help.

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Rafael Lovato Jr. is the most decorated BJJ competitor from the United States.  He is known for an aggressive style and being fun to watch.  In 2007 he was the first Non-Brazilian to win the Brazilian National Championship (Brasileiro) in the Black Belt division. Again in 2007 Lovato became the 2nd American to win the World Championship (Worlds) as a black belt.  Lovato has a lot going on and we cover a big range of topics in this interview including his injury, BJJ goals for the year, his Save Jiu-Jitsu Podcast, MMA career, and much more.

Some Highlights from the interview:

"My goal, is to jump right back into the Worlds. If I can be healthy and strong enough to train hard in March, that will give me two months to get ready, as long as I don't miss the Worlds I am happy."

"If you are so afraid of losing that you play not to lose instead of to really win.... then you are not going to learn very much walking off the mat.... you will not be able to go back home and find what you need to work on."

About his Save Jiu-Jitsu Podcast, "Really my goal with it was to inspire people".

When asked about what rules should be changed  Rafael says "The number one thing that I would do is get rid of advantages.... they really don't make sense".

"The most evolution that you see in jiu-jitsu is from the guard, there is always new guard games, there is always new grips, angles, and ways to sweep....but there is not new submissions.... most of the evolution is from the guard and it is mostly sweeps."

"I remember when I felt like I knew the rules in and out....Nowadays there are many of the refs that struggle with knowing."

About what he would like to do this year. "Some pretty big things, Worlds, ADCC, another MMA fight.... If I could get on a Metamoris show I would love to be there."

We talk about:

• What he has been doing with his extra time, because of his injury is keeping him off the mats
• The Save Jiu-Jitsu Podcast
• How he is healing after his surgery
• Changing the rules of BJJ
• How having advantages makes the game less exciting
• Some ideas of how we can deal with tied matches
• Rule changes in other sports
• Advice for students who are competing
• How he explains advantages to his students before a competition
• Training advice for different competitions
• Training with Saulo and Xande
• Doing Metamoris in the future
• His goals with MMA
• ADCC 2015
• His plans to write a book

Keeping up with Rafael Lovato Jr:

• His Facebook fan-page
• Save Jiu-Jitsu Podcast
• Lovato BJJ vidoes
• Twitter
• Website
• His school's website

Quote of the week: "Through the sports, our mission is promote a better quality of life and add social value, education, morals, and create a better citizen not only on the mats but in life. Propagate values in our community is valuable for the future" Andre Monteiro Check out Andre's new Gym A-Force.

Article of the week: "What Is The Etiquette For Rolling With Black Belts?" JiuJitology.com

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast!

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Submission Series 902 takes places January 23, 2015 New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada.  These are 15 min, submission only fights. In this episode, you will discover what these six athletes are doing to prepare for this submission only event.  Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with all the action.

Cat Clark- We start off this interviews by talking with Cat Clark.  Cat is the guy who is putting Submission Series 902 together. (Starts at 21m32s)

We talk about:

• How to watch the event
• What the name "Submission Series 902" is about
• Why he is doing this event
• The rules the athletes must follow
• His vision for the sport in the long term

Kyle Sandford Vs. Jonathan Satava

Kyle Sandford- Kyle has been training BJJ since 1996. He received a black belt from Renzo Gracie in July 2014. He is representing Titans BJJ and Renzo Gracie. He has a Nogi match with Jonathan Satava. (Starts at 32m45s)

Jonathan Satava- Jonathan is a brown belt under Marcelo Garcia.  He is 25 years old, and he trains and teaches at The Marcelo Garcia Academy. His game is very similar to Marcelo's. (Starts at 52m2s)

Joel Jacquard Vs. Michael Tremblay

Joel Jacquard- Joel has been Training BJJ for about 8 years. He is a purple belt under Kevin Taylor.  He has trained in a variety of martial arts, but he is now focused on BJJ and this submission only fight.  He is very motivated to compete with Michael Tremblay. (Starts at 1h7m8s)

Michael Tremblay- Michael is 22 years old and a brown belt from Carleton Place Ontario. He trains with his family at Alpha Mixed Martial Arts.  His time is spent between being a full-time student of philosophy and a competitor. (Starts at 1h28m28s)

Scott Nauss Vs. Kevin Thibault (Kevin replaces Dana Dickenson)

Scott Nauss- Scott is a brown belt from Truro, Nova Scotia. He trains at Marmac Athletics, and Titans BJJ.  Scott has a lot of competition experience and he is excited to do a longer submission only match. (Starts at 1h45m18s)

Kevin Thibault- (Kevin replaces Dana Dickenson)- Kevin Trains under Shane Rice at Clinch Martial Arts Academy.  Kevin usually plays a heavy top game. (Starts at 1h58m59s)

Check out the Gis the fighters are talking about at BC Kimonos

Quote of the week: "Train with everyone" Dave Camarillo. Loyalty is important for your team and academy,  but you can still train at other gyms and be loyal at the same time.

Article of the week: "5 Tips to Fast Track Your Jiu-Jitsu Evolution Starting Today" by Graciemag

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast