This week we bring you an interview with Joe D'arce. Joe shares his name with the famous BJJ and MMA choke the "Darce Choke". This interview covers a wide range of topics including how the choke got it's name, and advice for newer grapplers.

We talk about:

• His start in martial arts
• How the Darce choke got it's name
• Tips on how to teach the Darce choke
• Tips on finishing the Darce choke
• The history of the Darce choke
• Running his school
• First tournament advice
• How to deal with frustrations on the mat
• How important it is to have a good mindset

Links:

• http://darcebjj.com/
• Darce FB page

Quote of the week: "I get up before the sun comes up and get shit done" Adam Wheeler

Article of the week: "Foot Beats Face: Mat Awareness and Safety in BJJ" Valerie Worthington on Breakingmuscle.com

Fuji Sekai Gi- Byron has this gi and he is loving it, check it out.

This week Claudio teaches us how to say "Yes, No, Good, and Bad" in Portuguese Click this link to find the entire set of words from Claudio

If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here

Fuji Sekai Gi- Byron has this gi and he is loving it, check it out.

• Byron's Review of the Fuji Sekai gi

Byron is working on a new audio book called "Why Do I Wear My Gi When I Mow My Lawn?"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Adam Wheeler is a BJJ black belt that also has a bronze medal from wrestling in the 2008 Olympics. We are thrilled to cover a huge range of topics with such a motivating person.

We talk about:

• Wrestling as a kid
• Having the lable of a chubby kid
• Wrestling both Greco-Roman and Freestyle
• How important his wrestling coach was to him as a kid
• Transitioning from wrestling to BJJ
• Winning gold in no-gi black belt open division masters 1 in 2014
• Learning from competing
• Competing as an underdog
• Getting coaching advice from Rulon Gardner
• He shares some stories from the Olympics
• What he does off of the mat
• What he wants his kids to get out of sports
• What he tells his kids after a competition
• Getting his black belt quickly
• Adamwheelerfitness.com

Links:

• PrimeBjj in Colorado Springs
• Adam Wheeler Fitness Website
• Isopure
• twitter.com/bigwheels96kg
• instagram.com/bigwheels96kg

Quote of the week: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confusiuos

Article of the week:  50 Killer Tips For BJJ White Belts

Fuji Sekai Gi- Byron has this gi and he is loving it, check it out. 

Here is a link to Byron's full review of this gi, and here is a link to our gi guide.

This week Claudio teaches us how to say "You're Welcome" in Portuguese Click this link to find the entire set of words from Claudio

If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here

Gary's audio book this week is called "The Tortoise and the Hare the Untold BJJ story"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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This week we have an interview with Marshal Carper. Marshal is a busy guy writing the books "The Cauliflower Chronicles", "Marcelo Garcia Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques", and the game "Dojo Storm".  These things are just a short sample of the work that he has done and will continue to do.

We talk about:

• Training with injuries
• His books
• The app Dojo Storm
• Preventing injuries
• Training with BJ Penn
• Training with big name people in BJJ
• Making adjustments to your game
• Dealing with fake black belts
• 3D Jiu-Jitsu
• Teaching classes
• Getting tapped by lower belts
• The 10,000 hour rule
• Advice for new students that want to compete

Links:

• "The Cauliflower Chronicles"
• "Marcelo Garcia Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques"
• "Dojo Storm" Android "Dojo Storm" Apple
• Steel City Martial Arts

• Artechoke Media

• Artechoke Media on Facebook

Fuji Sekai Gi- Byron has this gi and he is loving it, check it out.

• Byron's Review of the Fuji Sekai gi

Quote of the week: Presented by Dan Covel "Success isn't owned it's leased. And rent is due every day." J.J. Watt

Article of the week: berwickleader.com.au Medals piling up for US bound 'Killer B' Cuskelly.

This week Claudio teaches us how to say "Please" and "Thank You" in Portuguese Click this link to find the entire set of words from Claudio

If you are interested in supporting The BjjBrick Podcast find out how here

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Bruce Hoyer has a unique way of running a BJJ class using Evernote.  He shares his innovative method and much more during this interview. Bruce is a black belt under Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros.

We talk about:

• The benefits of coaching
• Some of his competition history
• Individualized lesson plans
• What he does when a guest comes in to train
• Advantages to the student and teacher with this class format
• He gives an example of the first few classes
• How he does belt test and stripes
• How he has made changes to this program
• Getting people to show up for their first day of BJJ
• Why he does not coach during rolling
• Being a self reliant learner

Links:

• Next Edge Academy
• Reddit link about his class structure
• Fuji mats
• Adadas combat

Quote of the week:"Today is tomorrow's yesterday so make it count" Presented by  Shawn Williams

Article of the week: “We Don’t Have Time For Jiu Jitsu” Big Jiu-Jitsu

We start a new segment this week Learning Basic Portuguese with Claudio Pt 1. We learn a couple of simple greetings. Here is a link for find the 9 parts on youtube.

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

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

John Will is a listener favorite, and we are thrilled to have him back on the show. John is one of the famous “Dirty Dozen” meaning that he is one of the first 12 non-Brazilians to reach the rank of black belt in BJJ. John was at the an early adopter to BJJ and he brought it home to Australia.

We talk about:

• His start with BJJ
• Promoting around 90 black belts
• What he looks for in a black belt
• What it takes to be a good coach
• Using imagery while teaching
• Modeling after world champions
• Writing on his blog
• How positions and techniques change over time
• Providing students what they want vs. what they need
• Comparing BJJ to a tree
• Developing a culture of helping everyone on the mat
• A game called sharks and tuna that his kids play
• Other games that are played in the kids class
• Off the mat goals he has for his students
• John's thoughts on setting and reaching goals
• Escaping side control ideas
• How learning escapes can build confidence
• Different types of drilling
• He explains the Red Cat Head logo
• Being open to reinventing who you are
• Stories from his backpacking adventures
• Being dehydrated while backpacking

Links:

• John's first interview with The BjjBrick Podcast
• John's Blog
• Red Cat Academy

Quote of the week: "When you lose, say little. When you win, say less." Matt Hughes

Article of the week:Jimmy Starts Jiu-Jitsu, A Before And After Story

Gary is working on his BJJ pop up book called "Go Gary Go, See Gary Roll, See Gary Tap"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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Shawn Willimas is the 5th American to reach the rank of black belt in BJJ. He has been training jiu-jitsu for 20 years. We cover a huge range of interesting topics in this episode.

We talk about:

• His start with BJJ
• Being a commentator for live BJJ events
• The importance of enjoying BJJ
• Wrestling in BJJ
• Tips for learning wrestling
• Why some high level competitors do not tap
• Rousimar Palhares injuring people
• His thoughts of Garry Tonon (a friend of Shawn's) vs Rousimar Palhares
• Injuries that he has experienced
• How to coach a match, and why to give technical instruction
• Coaching during Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm fight
• Staying consistent with your BJJ

Links:

• shawnwilliamsbjj.com

Quote of the week: "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington

Article of the week: What Motivates Me For 6am BJJ Class by Erik Beyer

Gary also talks about the book he is working on called "Cafeteria Food Fights- Picking The Right Kind of Fruit For The Fruit Salad" If you don't know who Gallagher is you are missing out my friend, check him in action here.

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you Roy Dean. Roy is a great example of a martial artist he is a 3rd degree black belt in BJJ, and he also has several other black belts. Roy has recently completed his book Becoming the Black Belt: One Man's Path in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

We talk about:

• His start in BJJ
• First experiences with no-gi
• How he has used his skills in audio and video to promote BJJ
• He shares the story of getting his blue belt that is in his book
• Why he did not use stripes at his school other than white belt
• How he developed a smooth style of BJJ
• How the training environment has changed in BJJ
• Learning BJJ online vs on the mat
• His travel plans and becoming a student again
• Advice for running a school
• First tournament advice
• The good and bad of competing
• Advice for the new black belt
• More info about his book Becoming The Black Belt

Links:

• Becoming the Black Belt: One Man's Path in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• roydeanacademy.com
• Roydean.tv
• Origin Gis

Quote of the week: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started" Mark Twain

Article of the week: "Getting Stuck In The Middle With BJJ"

Gary's book he is working on "Email Scams and Slams, how to do a digital armbar"

Catch us next week for otherer episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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This week we have an interview with Jen Hall. Jen is a BJJ black belt under her husband Ryan Hall.  She also teaches and runs the school 50/50 BJJ.  Jen has competed a lot and also done a lot of coaching.  We are thrilled to have her share her knowledge with us.

We talk about:

• What got her started in BJJ
• Running the 50/50 school
• The good and bad of running a gym
• Different teaching styles
• Teaching ideas she got from being a swim coach
• Not hitting a plateau
• The differences between their fundamentals 1 and fundamentals 2 classes
• Why she likes to have a class for beginners
• The current point system in BJJ
• Reaping the knee
• The differences between a teacher and a coach
• How she gets ready for a competition
• Dealing with her 8 surgeries
• The paper "Read this today win tomorrow"
• Women's classes
• What is up with Ryan Hall since the UFC
• They have one person come in to their gym because of TUF

Links:

• 50/50 BJJ
• Inverted Gear
• Jen on Twitter
• Jen on Instagram

Quote of the week: "If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril." Sun Tzu

Article of the week: Am I Doing Enough? justagirlbjj.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

Gary is working on his audio book called "I am so confused, I guess I will go choke somebody"

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

Valerie Worthington is a BJJ black belt and writer for Breaking Muscle, and we are excited to share what Valerie has to say in this interview.

We talk about:

• Her start in BJJ
• The book she is working on
• Traveling vs staying home
• What to expect when you start BJJ
• What to expect when you compete for the first time
• Her first experiences competing
• Training advice for competition
• Her style of BJJ
• Making changes to your game
• Dealing with frustrations on the mat
• How she trains with people that she does not know
• Her process for writing an article
• Advice for instructors

Links:

• Groundswell grappling concepts
• Inverted gear
• Q5 supplements
• Valerie Worthington's Facebook page
• Valerie Worthington's profile on Breaking Muscle

Quote of the week: "Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan." John F. Kennedy

Article of the week: Don’t Build Your BJJ Game on White Belt- grapplearts.com

We also give an award for review of the year for 2015, and Gary talks about his future audio book called "Double Monkey Punch- Fighting Twins"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we are excited to bring you an interview with Rolles Gracie. Rolles has competed in all the major grappling events and he has fought in the UFC. Rolles has a win over Bob Sapp.

We talk about:

• His mma fight with Bob Sapp
• His off the mat hobbies (snowboarding and sky diving)
• He trains at Renzo's
• Doing Jiu-Jitsu as a kid
• Developing a style
• How learning BJJ is like going in a circle
• Doing self defense and jiu-jitsu
• Some of the changes in jiu-jitsu over the years
• Moving from Brazil to New York
• Advice for a competition
• Dealing with injuries
• How people with busy schedules can still get better at BJJ
• Why you should spend at least an hour a day doing something you enjoy

Links:

• Rolles Gracie Twitter
• rollsgracie.com
• Rolles Gracie on Facebook
• BJJ vs Cancer event

Quote of the week: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." --Albert Einstein

Article of the week: Tattoos and BJJ- How long before I can roll from Attacktheback.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you an interview with BJJ brown belt Alexander Darwin, author of the Sci-Fi novel The Combat Codes.

We talk about:

• Alexander's BJJ history
• Some of his favorite BJJ techniques
• The world that The Combat Codes takes place
• Comparing the school of combat to Ender's Game and Harry Potter
• The old school vs new school theme in the book
• Why it is important to schedule your training
• How BJJ has helped him as a writer

Links:

• The Combat Codes Facebook page
• combatcodes.com
• The Combat Codes on Twitter

Quote of the week: This weeks quote was presented by Justin Rader "You told me never to change sword hands. Yes. When you know how to use it, you won't be taking my orders." The Movie Troy

Article of the week: Ask DeBlass: The Ten Lessons for Academy Owners and Students

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you one of the top no-gi grapplers in the world. Justin Rader is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr.  You can find Justin training and coaching at Lovato’s School of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here is a more detailed profile on Justin.

We talk about:

• His competition style
• What he did as a child and how that has effected him today
• The calf slicer
• His role as a coach
• The current set of rules in Jiu-Jitsu and how he would change it
• What would happen if you got a -1 for pulling guard
• Why he dislikes advantages
• How a change of rules would change the art
• His ideas of what submissions should be illegal
• His history of not tapping to submissions
• Wrestling as a kid
• Some differences in training BJJ and wrestling
• The benefits of doing a competition
• How he runs the kids class
• The lack of take downs in adult BJJ
• The importance of a good stance
• Why you need good endurance to have an effective stance
• Advice for people who can only train 1 or 2 times a week
• His take on the new star wars movie :)

Links:

• OKBJJ
• On the Mat
• lucky gi
• Green strength training
• Mike Calimbas Photography
• Justin's Facebook page
• Justin's Instagram

Quote of the week: “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” Robert Frost, 1963

Article of the week: 7 powerful ways to fail better

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Here we go again my friends! Part two with Tim Sledd about the taboo topics of BJJ. I can't think of anyone else that I would like to hear from about these controversial topics than Tim. Tim spent countless hours as a hard work successful lawyer, he left this career path to pursue BJJ. Tim's opinions of these taboo topics are well thought out and he defends them well.

We talk about

• Parents and kids
• Parents helping coach the kids during class
• Dealing with kids that act up in class
• Kids doing MMA
• What a kid should do if they want to do MMA
• Parents that want to push their kids into MMA
• Fake BJJ black belts
• Red flags of a fake black belt
• How to deal with a fake black belt
• When to start doing leg locks
• Heelhooks for gi and no-gi
• A break down for the different types of leg locks
• Dealing with mat bullies
• Asking someone to leave your BJJ school
• Why he communicates with kids teachers at school
• People who commit crimes against society
• Drugs and BJJ
• Foul language on the mat

Links:

• Taboo Topics part 1
• Small Axe BJJ Oceanside

Quote of the week: "You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of." Jim Rohn

Article of the week: More People Die From The Spoon Than The Knife

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Here we go my friends! An episode with Tim Sledd about the taboo topics of BJJ. I can't think of anyone else that I would like to hear from about these controversial topics than Tim. Tim spent countless hours as a hard working successful lawyer, he left this career path to pursue BJJ. Tim's opinions of these taboo topics are well thought out and he defends them well.

We talk about:

• Washing your belt
• The history of belts in martial arts
• How dirty your belt might be
• Belt whipping and gauntlets
• Hazing students and the law
• Throwing students for a belt promotion
• How to avoid hazing
• What is a creonte
• Why you might leave your BJJ school
• Cross training with different schools
• Signing a contract to train BJJ
• Dating within the gym
• Using the phrase "go to war" for BJJ or MMA

Links:

• Epi 89 Tim Sledd Part 1
• Epi 90 Tim Sledd Part 2
• 44 states have anti hazing laws here is the list
• Small Axe BJJ Oceanside

Quote of the week: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi

Article of the week: Stop Doing Drills; Start Using Challenges Daniel Coyle

Catch us next week for part 2!

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

This week we are excited to bring you an interview with Guybson Sa. Guybson has recently tapped out Jeff Monson and Hector Lombard both with a RNC. He is a competitor in both MMA and BJJ, while running his school in Columbia, South Carolina. Guybson focuses his game on the basics, and has had great success.

We talk about:

• His MMA carrear
• Focusing on the basics
• His outlook for 2016
• Kids doing BJJ
• Off the mat training
• Training with teammates that are not as skilled
• What he does 10 min before a match
• Advice for white belts and blue belts

Links:

• spartanacademymma.com
• Guybson Sa on Facebook

Quote of the week: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop" Confucius

Article of the week: How to Stay Consistent in Your Jiu Jitsu Journey BjjBrick.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you a interview with Abraham Marte. Abraham is a black belt in the ultra heavyweight division from the Dominican Republic that has managed to medal at worlds at every belt level.  He is now on a mission to help the kids in his community and become the best in the world.

We talk about:

• His competition history
• Competing only a few times a year
• His strength training
• Training with smaller and less skilled partners
• Changing your environment to make your training better
• BJJ4Change
• Fighting for a Dream
• Helping kids with BJJ
• How BJJ has changed over the years
• Jiu-Jitsu tour

Links:

• Abraham Marte's Facebook Page
• BJJ 4 Change
• Fighting for a Dream

Quote of the week: "There is a difference between a fighter and a martial artist. A fighter is training for a purpose: He has a fight. I'm a martial artist. I don't train for a fight. I train for myself. I'm training all the time. My goal is perfection. But I will never reach perfection." Georges St-Pierre

Article of the week: Tips for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Beginners from Startjiujitsu.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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Chris Martin is one of the founding members of BJJ4CHANGE. Chris has a long history of doing martial arts and a big passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This episode we will talk about BJJ 4 Change, an organization that is dictated to helping kids through BJJ.

We talk about:

• What got Chris started in martial arts
• Why he has such a passion for BJJ
• Making a BJJ documentary
• How doing BJJ can help kids on and off the mat
• The goals of BJJ 4 Change
• How the plan for BJJ 4 Change has adapted and grown
• BJJ effecting social changes
• The lifestyles of the kids that need some help
• How Jiu-Jitsu helps with confidence
• Where the money goes when you attend a camp
• Some of the many benefits of BJJ

Links:

• BJJ4CHANGE.ORG
• BJJ4CHANGE Facebook page
• Just another lion to kill rashguard
• Article with my pick pocketing story
• BJJ and Grilled Cheese Sandwich 

Quote of the week: "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams

Article of the week: "What I Wish You Knew Before You Started Teaching: A Student’s View"

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

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

We are excited to bring you Seph Smith this week on The BjjBrick Podcast.  Seph is the first person to be promoted to Black Belt under Ryan Hall.  Seph recently opened his own BJJ school called Up Stream BJJ.

We talk about:

• Opening his own school
• The type of game he plays
• Why some people have a negative view of leg locks
• Why leg locks can have a negative effect of some students progression
• When students should start to do leg locks
• Training safely
• Some difficulties with opening his gym
• Ryan Hall in the UFC
• The attitude it takes to get good at BJJ

Links:

• Up Stream BJJ
• Inverted Gear
• Just Another Lion To Kill LTD Edition Rashguard

Quote of the week: "A wrestling match in just the laws of physics"  Neil deGrasse Tyson

Article of the week: 12 life lessons kids learn fast in Jiu-Jitsu

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you Scott Boehler. Scott is a brown belt from Montana.  He has been traveling the United States and Canada in his van training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

We talk about:

• His goals with traveling
• How he decided to leave Montana to train
• Politics between schools in the same city
• How to approach a gym you don't know
• Paying mat fees
• Living out of a van
• Where to park a van over night and not get into trouble
• What it takes for your gym to be welcoming
• Teaching vs doing martial arts
• Learning from coaches and athletes
• A list of places that he have visited

Links:

• BJJ Rally Website
• BJJ Rally Facebook page

Quote of the week: “The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.” Ayn Rand. Presented by Roli Delgado

Article of the week: Train in the Gi to improve your No Gi

Just Another Lion to Kill Rashguard

Your first year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu audio book

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Mark Fisher is a brown belt training at SGBi in Portland Oregon. He is one of the people that is running a Facebook page called Roll Out Jiu-Jitsu. Roll Out Jiu-Jjitsu is a online support group to help grapples that identify with LGBTQI.

We talk about:

• The facebook page RollOut
• The interview with Kurt Osiander from episode 108
• Trainnig BJJ and not being out
• How to find the correct BJJ gym for you
• Mark's first day of BJJ
• How to make you gym more friendly to the LGBTQI community
• The type of game that Mark plays
• Why he will try to not over use his flexibility
• Tips for new competitors
• The start of a BJJ match compared to the start of a chess match
• Developing a game plan
• Why you might want to shrink your game
• Training on a limited schedule

Links:

• Roll Out Jiu-Jitsu Facebook Page
• SGBi

Other SBGi coaches that have been on The BjjBrick Podcast!

• Epi 29 Stephen Whittier of 40 Plus BJJ
• Epi 51 Simple and Very Effective Training With Matt Thornton
• Epi 58 SBGi Black Belt Amanda Loewen
• Epi 62 Good Times and Training with John Kavanagh

Quote of the week: "Set a goal so big that you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can."

Article of the week: Fools Gold

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you an interview with Michel Porfirio Pereira (Buiu). Michel is a 4th Degree Black Belt in BJJ training and teaching in Miami.  In this interview Michel shares his story and offers advice to help you along with your BJJ journey.  Check out Michel's profile here.

We talk about:

• His start in martial arts
• How he got his nick name Buiu
• Why he has a playful style
• Taking an opponents balance
• Gi and no-gi training
• The history of no-gi
• Learning BJJ on youtube
• Why it is important to explain techniques and not just show techniques
• Training with your weak side
• Doing his first tournament
• Doing in house tournaments
• Dealing with people who are negative about BJJ
• The Ghost Squad logo
• How Michel met Andre Monteiro

Links:

• Michel's website Carlson Gracie Miami
• BJJ Paracord
• The Buiu BJJ Team Blog

Article of the week: "Where On This Chart Do You Spend Most Of Your Sparring Time?"

Quote of the week:  "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." Wayne Gretzky

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you an interview with world champion Emily Kwok.  Emily was happy to share with you some of her knowledge from her many years and experiences doing BJJ.

We talk about:

• Her start in BJJ
• BJJ in Canada
• Doing local tournaments when she started
• Competition differences for women
• Her favorite types of training partners when she was new
• Advice for students that want to compete
• Equal pay for women in BJJ
• How money effects BJJ tournaments
• Her training schedule
• Starting a family and doing BJJ
• Kids in BJJ
• Groundswellgrappling.com
• Leadership of women in Jiu-Jitsu

Links:

• Emily's Apps 
• Equal pay for BJJ
• Groundswell Grappling Facebook page
• Princetonbjj.com
• Emily's Facebook page

Quote of the week: "Practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect"

Article of the week: "Noticing our Improvements" by John Will

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you an interview with Kurt Osiander.  Kurt is a BJJ black belt under Ralph Gracie.  This episode contains explicit language and some controversy, we did interview Kurt Osiander after all.

We talk about:

• The start of "Kurt Osiander's The Move of the Week"
• Etiquette and respect in his gym
• His Yelp reviews
• His don't ask don't tell policy
• Homosexuals at his gym
• Why he does not like classes for beginners
• BJJ is not for everyone
• His work with Mission 22
• What got him started with BJJ
• His students doing wrestling in school
• His MMA career
• The KO Finisher tournament
• Open mat at his school
• Learning new moves
• Learning online and still needing a coach
• Giving someone a blue belt
• Advice for a student doing a first tournament
• Training and hanging out with Anthony Bourdain

Links:

• Kurtosiander.com
• Kurt Osiander Move of the Week

Quote of the week: Presented by last weeks interview John Will "Never interrupt you enemy when he is making a mistake" Napoleon Bonaparte 

Article of the week: "All roads lead to Rome .... a BJJ concept." By John Will

After the interview Byron and Gary have a conversation about gay people training BJJ. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week it is our honor to bring you John Will. John is one of the famous "Dirty Dozen" meaning that he is one of the first 12 non-Brazilians to reach the rank of black belt in BJJ. John was at the an early adopter to BJJ and he brought it home to Australia. This is a great interview for students and coaches to learn from.

We talk about:

• His start in the Martial Arts
• His first experiences doing Jiu-Jitsu in 1986
• The first time he met Rigan Machado
• Teaching at different skill levels
• Teaching with a language barrier
• His ongoing learning process
• BJJ in Australia
• He has created over 100 Black Belts
• BJJ before the internet
• How tournaments change Jiu-Jitsu
• Why he likes "fuzzy goals"
• How he does 100 seminars per year
• Backpacking in Australia
• The goal of teaching a seminar
• The importance of having structure for teaching
• The partnership between the student and teacher
• His passion for being a good student
• Tips for bring a good student
• The goal of doing your first tournament
• Doing BJJ as a older student

Links:

• John Will's Website
• John's Rogue Black Belt Books
• John's Facebook Page

Quote of the week: Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get" WP Kinsella

Article of the week: "10 Types of People Who Quit BJJ"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This is part 2 of our interview with BJJ Black Belt Jonathan Thomas.

We talk about:

• His mindset during a match
• Breaking BJJ down into mini battles
• Controlling your development in BJJ
• How BJJ is doing in Sweden
• The development of BJJ in Europe
• His experiences during travels
• Doing gymnastics for strength training

Links:

• Jonathan's Facebook Page
• Jonathan Thomas on Epi 32 

Quote of the week: “Talented players don’t always succeed. Some don’t even make the team. It’s more what’s inside.” Brett Favre

Article of the week: "10 Ways to Inject Positivity Into Your BJJ Community" 

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

This week we bring Jonathan Thomas back to the show.  He has some training tips and advice that could change the way you train.

We talk about:

• Why he is traveling
• What got him interested in strength and conditioning
• Baseline aerobic conditioning
• Your max heart rate ( 220- your age)
• Playing guard vs playing a passing game
• Developing a complete game

Links:

• Jonathan's Facebook Page

Quote of the week: “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” Neil Gaiman

Article of the week: "8 Steps to Finding the Perfect BJJ Gi"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Alison is a black belt competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  This year she came in second at Black Belt IBJJF Worlds, and competed in ADCC in Brazil. She is from Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada.

We talk about:

• Training with her family
• Our interview with her brother Michael Tremblay
• The diversity of Alpha Mixed Martial Arts
• Her full time job (it is not BJJ)
• Going to school
• What type of game she likes to play
• Advice on getting the most out of rolling
• Her experience at ADCC
• Training for both Gi and No-gi
• What she does to get mentally for the competition
• Teaching the kids classes
• Why BJJ is good for kids
• What she was like as a blue belt
• What she learned playing hockey that helped her in BJJ
• Dealing with losses

Links:

• Alison's Facebook page

Quote of the week: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James

Article of the week: The Unsung Jiu Jiteiro

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

Mission 22 is a organization that raises awareness for Veteran suicide. It is a sad fact that 22 veterans take their lives due to PTSD every day.  Chris Papandria joins us this week to talk about Mission 22 and BJJ.

We talk about:

• What got Chris started in BJJ
• How Mission 22 was named
• BJJ seminars that benefit Mission 22
• How you can help your teammates that have PTSD
• The importance of a team
• The mental escape that BJJ provides
• Having a gym that is supportive to Veterans
• Supporting Mission 22

Links:

• Mission 22
  
• Elder Heart
• The Raider Project

Quote of the week: "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill

Article of the week: "Having A Good Drill Partner Is Crucial" jiujitsutimes.com

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we bring you an interview with one of the Dirty Dozen of BJJ Chris Haueter.  This a fun interview that covers a large range of topics, but mostly Jiu-Jitsu.

We talk about:

• What got him involved in martial arts so early
• Early BJJ in the United States
• His first thoughts of Jiu-Jitsu
• Learning moves on Youtube
• MMA fans
• Trying to see things from a different perspective
• Being a "coach" vs a "master"
• Getting a good balance with your training
• Kids BJJ and Kids MMA
• Violence in MMA
• First tournament advice
• Training on a tight schedule
• His art work

Links: Email chaueter1041@mac.com instagram Chrishaueterart

Quote of the week: My mind's never gone very far away from what I wanted to accomplish. Dan Gable

Article of the week: The Biggest Delusion in BJJ by John Connors

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we have an interview with BJJ black belt Alexander Trans. Alexander is on the top of the competition scene.  He has been recently sidelined by a knee injury while competing at the worlds. Check out Alexanders Bio here.

We talk about:

• Teaching BJJ in the public schools of Abu Dhabi
• Teaching regular classes in Abu Dhabi
• His upcoming knee surgery
• His plans on moving to Brazil
• How he injured his knee during Worlds
• His focus while he is training
• Why he gets so many leg locks
• What he eats before a tournament
• Advice for dealing with nerves and adrenaline
• What he was like as a blue belt
• Advice for new students
• Watching competition videos

Links:

• Tatami Fightwear
• KnockOut Sports
• Alexanders Facebook page

Quote of the week: "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent." Calvin Coolidge

Article of the week: "How to get the most out of a BJJ class"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we have part 2 of Sam Spiegelman answering your questions about strength and conditioning. Sam is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mark Vives, he trains at New Breed Training Center.  He has written a bunch of great articles on Breaking Muscle.  Sam is also available for online consultations.

Sam answers these questions:

• What supplements do you recommend?
• How do you deal with cramps during training?
• What should I ear before a competition?
• How do I improve my flexibility?
• What are your thought on training multiple times per day?
• What muscle groups are used more for offence or defense?
• If someone can roll only twice a week what off the mat training should they do?
• Does the training mask work?
• What tips do you have for recovery after training?
• What apps for your phone do you recommend using for conditioning training?

Links:

• Applied Strength and Conditioning
• New Breed Training Center
• Facebook Twitter
• Breaking Muscle

Quote of the week: "Drillers make killers" presented by Gary Hull

Article of the week: "What Happened When My Son Got Beat by a Girl"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week Sam Spiegelman answers your questions about strength and conditioning. Sam is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mark Vives, he trains at New Breed Training Center.  He has written a bunch of great articles on Breaking Muscle.  Sam is also available for online consultations.

Sam answers these questions:

• How often should you train when you are new to BJJ?
• What level of Jiu-Jitsu class is best to start with?
• Should I do extra cardio to get in shape for BJJ?
• What are the benefits of joint mobility?
• What is a quick and healthy breakfast?
• When cutting weight is it necessary to run?
• Do you need to compete in BJJ to get better?
• How many times per week should I strength train?
• What should your exceptions be if you are just starting a strength program?
• What is the best strength and condition program for BJJ?

Links:

• Applied Strength and Conditioning
• New Breed Training Center
• Facebook Twitter
• Breaking Muscle
• Epi 82 BJJ, Strength, and Conditioning with Sam Spiegelman

Quote of the week: "Frustration is a useless emotion" Amanda Lowen

Article of the week: "What Sharpens Iron?" sandhillsbjj

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we have part 2 of our interview with Tim Sledd. Tim is a 1st degree black belt under  Andre Galvao. Tim not only runs his own gym Small Axe BJJ, he is also the Director of affiliates for Atos. Tim shares lots of information about what is going on behind the scenes at Atos.

If you missed part 1 of this interview check it out first here!

In part 2 of this interview we talk about:

• What Atos does differently than other BJJ teams
• Systems building with your techniques
• Drilling, and how to drill properly
• Specific sparing and how it is used
• Speed drills, flow drills, and fine motor skills drills
• The culture of Atos
• The culture of Small Axe BJJ
• Left brain right brain confusion
• Advice for a student doing a first tournament
• How to start off a match strong
• The Leg Drag

Links:

• Email Tim Sledd: smallaxebjj@gmail.com
• Small Axe website
• Essays by Tim Sledd
• Leg Drag Workshop Dvd by Tim Sledd

Quote of the week: ”Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler” Albert Einstein- Presented by Matt Thorton

Article of the week: "BJJ Promotions, and Lack Thereof" By: White Belt Survival Strategy

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This week we have an interview with Tim Sledd. Tim is a 1st degree black belt under  Andre Galvao. Tim not only runs his own gym Small Axe BJJ, he is also the Director of affiliates for Atos. Tim shares lots of information about what is going on behind the scenes at Atos.

In part 1 of this interview we talk about:

• His training history
• Washing your belt and what your belt should mean to you
• Who helps you get better at BJJ (not just coaches and teammates)
• Leaving his job as a prosecutor to do BJJ full time
• Real world lessons matching up with things learned on the mat
• The name of his gym Small Axe BJJ
• The idea of a chain saw vs an axe
• Check out the Bob Marley Small Axe video
• His thoughts about the berimbolo
• Building systems in BJJ
• How purple belts begin to speak the BJJ language
• Comparisons of BJJ to learning a new language
• Organizing your jiu-jitsu

Links:

• Email Tim Sledd: smallaxebjj@gmail.com
• Small Axe website
• Essays by Tim Sledd
• Led Drag Workshop Dvd by Tim Sledd
• Learn more about Myelin check out our interview with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle

Quote of the week: "The most important thing you can do to get better at jiu-jitsu, is jiu-jitsu" Presented by Eduardo Telles

Article of the week: "Focus on the Fundamentals: No Shame in Your Game" by A skirt on the Mat

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

"Small Axe" Bob Marley

Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever?
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth for-I-ver

So if you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down

These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (... fall in it)

If you are the big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe, sharp and ready
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down(To cut you down)(To cut you down)

These are the words
Of my master, tellin' me that
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, uh, bury in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, uh (... bury in it)

If you are the big, big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
If you are the big, big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
Sharpened

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

Brian Freeman is back on the BjjBrick Podcast! His last appearance was episode 16. Brian is a disabled vet with a T4 spinal cord injury with Brown-Sequard syndrome. He is from Rockingham, North Carolina. Brian is now a blue belt under Renzo Gracie.

We talk about:

• What caused his injury
• Getting started in BJJ
• Doing some techniques in his chair, and training to not get separated from his chair in a self defense situation
• What it is like to be part of a BJJ team
• Competing with able bodied competition
• His game and strategies that he uses
• Why some techniques are difficult for him to defend, and how he deals with them
• His experience at IBJJF Pan 2015
• How everyone adapts Jiu-Jitsu to their bodies
• How he moves around differently off the mat because of Jiu-Jitsu
• His story of getting his blue belt
• Competing two weeks after getting his blue belt
• His goals when he competes
• Competing in the expert division
• His plans of teaching motivational and educational seminars

Links:

• Grapplers Heart
• Brian Freeman Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Email-Wheelchairjitsu@gmail.com
• Support Brian's sponsor deusfight.com/ Brian25 for 25% off

Quote of the week: "You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room" Dr. Seuss

Article of the week: "Injury Prevention in BJJ: Put the Odds in Your Favor"

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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

This episode we talk with Vic Torres of "Torres MMA and Fitness at The Jungle" in Wantagh, New York.  He is a purple belt under Matt Serra.  Vic uses Jiu-Jitsu and his diet to help control his symptoms from Multiple sclerosis (MS).  He was diagnosed with MS in 2010.

We talk about:

• How he discovered that he had MS
• What his symptoms are like
• How BJJ helps reduce his symptoms
• Doing MMA before he was diagnosed and after
• Advice for new students
• Training with someone that is not as good as you, about the same as you, and better than you
• Training with lower belts

Quote of the week: "Fighting is the best thing a man can do for his sole" Renzo Gracie

Article of the week: "Review- Banana" http://grapplergourmet.com/

Links:

• Serra BJJ
• http://provepeoplewrong.com/
• http://www.defensesoap.com/
• Contact Vic on: Facebook or Twitter

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

Dave Camarillo has been training in the martial arts since he was five years old.  He started Jiu-Jitsu when he was 19 years old.  He is also known for coaching some of the best in the world of MMA.  He also shares a story of a robbery that happened to him on a bus in Brazil.

Some highlights from the interview:

"I really don't think that martial arts is for sport first, I sincerely believe that it is for self defense and self awareness."

"Competition is not for everyone because it definitely has a psychological positive and negative."

"I would rather a child be a good person than win a tournament."

"I see an over emphasis on winning, that's not good for kids, kids need to be happy."

About students wanting to do MMA, "For 99% of people out there trying to fight, it should not be for a career.... It is for people who want to test themselves in that arena.... If your goal is to be famous (doing MMA) I won't train you."

When asked about goals for new students "Your first goal is attendance."

"Jiu-Jitsu is not just about armbars... it is about being a better person... You will increase the quality of your life in all aspects, because you are in a safe environment around like-minded people."

We also talk about:

• His involvement with a combatives program
• How his situational awareness in Brazil helped him avoid making a big mistake
• Dealing with weapons in a street fight
• Self defense and jiu-jitsu
• Advice on how to flow your jujitsu techniques
• The power of family members training together
• Kids and martial arts
• Forcing kids to take a martial art and other life skill
• Having a positive training environment for kids to train
• The differences between Gorilla Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• How hard he was pushed as a kid doing Judo
• Advice for someone wanting to do MMA
• Advice for someone transitioning from Jiu-Jitsu to MMA
• Some of the rules of Judo and how people adjust to them
• How it is important for a kids program to have a rewards system
• Goals for new students

Want more Dave Camarillo? Here is how you keep up with him:

• DaveCamarillo.com
• GorillaJiuJitsu.com
• Facebook
• Twitter

Quote of the week: "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor" English proverb. Sometimes you need to be pushed and go through some hard times in order to become better.  When you are on the mat, don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

Article of the week: The All Time Best 5 Submissions In MMA /UFC

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

Budo Jake (Jake McKee) is a BJJ Black belt and co-founder of Budovideos.com He host 2 shows Rolled Up and This Week in BJJ.  Both are very informative and a lot of fun to watch.

We talk about:

• The meaning of Budo
• Doing BJJ when you travel
• Why he trains such a variety of techniques
• The Budo videos business
• Watching Youtube vs an instructional Dvd
• Training BJJ at work and team building
• How BJJ has helped him learn about himself
• The start of the show Rolled Up
• What it is like to get beat up on the show
• Doing live events and how you can learn about BJJ by watching them
• Tips on getting a sponsor if you are a BJJ athlete
• Advice for a first time BJJ competitor
• Dealing with the pressure of competing
• His preferred methods of training and why he likes to work on things that he is not good at
• Jake as a Blue Belt
• How he gets ready for a tournament
• Goals for your first year of training
• How he defines fundamental moves

Want more Budo Jake action?

• Effective Wristlocks for BJJ Vol 1 DVD by Budo Jake
• Effective Wristlocks for BJJ Vol 2 DVD by Budo Jake
• Getting Sponsored in BJJ E-Book

Keep up with Budo Jake:

• Instagram 
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Youtube

Quote of the week: "When you first assemble a group, it's not a team right off the bat. It's only a collection of individuals." Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K)

Article of the week: Why Do So Many People Quit Jiu-Jitsu At Blue Belt?

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio Yuri Simões is one of the top competitors at the heavyweight division in BJJ.  He is competing for the Caio Terra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association.  He has been doing BJJ for 13 years, compeating for most of it.In this interview Yuri Simões talks about:

• His main goal of becoming a black belt world champion
• Starting Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 7
• Overcoming his rough start at competition as a kid
• His training habits
• Competing with an injury
• His last competition at worlds
• His two wins over Rafael Lovato Jr
• A Metamoris Match between Simões and Lovato Jr
• His dreams to compete in ADCC and Abu Dhabi Pro
• The possibilities of doing MMA in the future
• How he will change his focus when transitioning to MMA
• His first year in the black belt division facing many guys he looked up to
• He has learned more about Jiu-jitsu since he has got his black belt than before the black belt
• Why he is always learning and expanding his Jiu-jitsu

Contact Yuri Simões

• Like Yuri Simões Facebook page
• Yuri Simões website
• Yuri Simões instagram

Quote of the week: "ABC always be choking" Brian Marvin

Article of the week:  "7 people you meet training bjj"

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radioBrian Marvin is a 1st Degree Black Belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr.  This interview is packed full of great advice for the new grappler and the experienced competitor alike.  Professor Brian Marvin has recently opened a Gracie Barra School in Sugar Land Tx. This interview we talk about:

• His early days of training (BJJ and MMA)
• His smashing and attacking style
• ABC (Always Be Choking)
• How he developed his style of BJJ
• Teaching the BJJ kids program
• His new academy in Sugar Land Tx, a suburb of Huston
• His goal to be a BJJ World Champion
• Why he learned so much when he started teaching BJJ
• Why you should be keeping a note book
• Why he will mentally review his game plan before a competition
• How to get better when you are only training with lower ranked students
• How he has been doing the same basic techniques since he was a white and blue belt
• A common mistake made by new students
• How to improve your specific game
• Why new students should set small goals for BJJ
• Tips for doing the omoplata

Quote of the week: In boxing, I had a lot of fear. Fear was good. But, for the first time, in the bout with Muhammad Ali, I didn't have any fear. I thought, 'This is easy. This is what I've been waiting for'. No fear at all. No nervousness. And I lost.

Article of the week: Train or contact Brian Marvin

• Gracie Barra Sugar Land Website 
• Sugar Land Facebook page
• Email info@gbsugarland.com

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

BjjBrick (metaphor) it’s important to have a few key techniques that you can perform at a high level. You need to have a well-rounded game, but having some great techniques will help you excel at BJJ.  To your opponents it will feel like they got hit with a brick.  It takes a lot of blood and sweat to make a BjjBrick, but if you are making the correct bricks the effort will be well worth it.

Big strong tree-

•                 Trunk- Fundamentals, Posture, and Game plan
•                 Big branches- Positions, some branches will be stronger than others
•                 Smaller branches- Techniques, from the positions
•                 Leaves- Owning the techniques
•                 Big roots- The pioneers of BJJ, and/or your instructor’s instructor
•                 Medium sized roots- Your instructors and training partners
•                 Small roots- Other methods of training and learning
•                 Pile of leaves and branches on the ground- We all discard some techniques and positions when we are searching for what works best for us, this is normal.  You should avoid having a giant pile of leaves and branches under your tree.  Focusing on key things will help keep you from having this problem.

How important is it to have really good fundamentals? Having poor fundamentals is like a tree trying to grow branches without having a strong trunk.  Strong fundamentals are the foundation of your game, like a strong trunk supports a large tree.

The Building Burns-

This analogy helps someone who has been training BJJ and now they are going to be doing MMA.

Quote of the week: "I fear no the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." Bruce Lee

Article of the week:"10 Reasons Why I Practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" By Peggy Nolan

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

This week we have an interview with BJJ black belt Ken Primola.  With 15 years of BJJ experience find out why Ken Primola crosses the line.  

We talk about:

• How BJJ builds friendships
• What Ken does off the mat
• His daily routine
• How BJJ and wrestling has effected Ken off the mat
• Ken describes his BJJ game and how he rolls
• Ken shares some great concepts about how to learn anything
• The ILoveBJJ facebook page
• Some of the biggest lessons he has realized as a black belt he learned them first as a white belt (rolling smooth, calm, safe, and smart)
• A huge key to getting better at competing
• Some mental tips to competition
• Pushing yourself to train harder
• Some must hear advice to anyone competing for the first time
• The importance of being an athlete.
• What Ken was like as a Blue belt
• Check out some of Ken's Ebooks here
• The process of learning both on and off the mat
• The process of developing a game plan
• What Ken looks for in an ideal student
• The benefits of planning out your practice
• Advice for first year BJJ students

  

  Ken has been working hard

Contact Ken Primola at Facebook.com/Ilovebjj

Quote of the week: “It Ain’t How Hard You Hit…It’s How Hard You Can Get Hit and Keep Moving Forward” Rocky. Presented by Samir Chantre.

Article of the week: "Slow Your Roll, Avoid This Detrimental Training Mistake" From Bjj Hacker

Today we bring you the first episode of our Metamoris 3 preview.  We have an interview with Zak Maxwell, he will be competing in Metamoris 3 against Sean Roberts.  Zak is a black belt he is currently training at Gracie San Diego.  

Some of Zak Maxwell's accomplishments:

Pan American Champion as Purple and Brown belts.

World Champion as a Brown belt.

Pan American Absolute as a Brown belt.

3X ADCC pro trials as a Black belt.

Metamoris 3 will be the first time Zak has been in a submission only match.  We talk to him about his match with Sean Roberts.  Zak also tells us what it was like for him to start training as a kid.  Zak also offers some of his competition tips.

Zak Maxwell's Gi sponsor is HyperFly.  Swing by their website and if you get a Gi tell them thanks for supporting Zak!

Quote of the week- “Look at what you have, not what you want.” Roy Marsh

Links

Article of the week- 10 Tips to help the Non-Competitors Stay Motivated. From Groundworkbjj.com

Zak Maxwell's Facebook page

Gracie San Diego

HyperFly

Our Roy Marsh interview

Next week we have an interview with Zak Maxwell's opponent Sean Roberts.

This week we bring you a very educational interview with Roy Marsh.  Both Gary and Byron got a lot of knowledge out of talking with Roy, we hope you do too.

Roy Marash is a Black Belt under Royce Gracie. He has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2001. Roy's game is always changing but he prefers a top game with a lot of top pressure. His go to guard is the butterfly guard. He trans a lot with the military.
Roy talks about:
Self defense- he gives some ways he adapts training for his BJJ students to deal with real world situations.
Training for a tournament- He give some great advice on developing a strong tournament game.
Breaking everything in BJJ down- Roy breaks BJJ down into four factors the two big factors are distance and angle, the two smaller factors are timing and pace.
Staying positive after a tournament- If you have something bad to say about your tournament, you should also say something good about the tournament.
Roy's House Theory- He wants to fight you in areas that he is good at, this is his house. Have places in each position that you are very good at.
Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone- He is a firm believer in this, find what works for you and find ways to work around your own limitations.
The BJJ community- We have such a great community and friends in this sport.
Roy will be putting out a DVD this year on back control. Look for this DVD and we hope to have him back on the show to talk about back control.
Quote of the week- "I can be paralyzed and miserable or paralyzed and happy, I choose to be happy." Brian Freeman. You can catch a entire interview with Brian in episode 16 of the BjjBrick Podcast.

Article of the week- JiuJitsubrotherhood.com Roger Gracie- Understanding the phenomeom.

Links
Team rok
Roy Marsh's website

Next week we start our Metamoris 3 preview!

This week we are very lucky to have a interview with the very inspirational Brian Freeman.
Brian is a disabled vet with a T4 spinal cord injury with Brown-Sequard syndrome. He is from Rockingham, North Carolina. Brian enjoys training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his 8 year old daughter convenced him to get on the mat. He started by taking private lessons first then transitiond into the regular BJJ class.
Brian shares with us how BJJ has changed his life. BJJ has caused Brian to be more active then he was and also helped him with his lack of appatite. Jiu-jitsu has also given him more confidence.
we also talk about Brian's:
-First UFC experence
-Favorite techniques
-Unique challanges
-Goals
-Rwards that BJJ gives
We thought it would be ineresting to talk to Brian's coach BJJ Black Belt Roy Marsh (Team R.O.C.). Roy is co-owner of the Martial Arts Academy of Southern pines and he is the head instrctor of the BJJ program. Roy was kind enough to talk to us about training with Brian. Roy is a firm beliver that BJJ is for everyone. When Brian showed interest in learing BJJ Roy was happy to help.

Article of the week:

Freakoutandshutdown.blogspot.com "Getting Tough"

Links
Daniel Coyle's website
Teamrock.net
Sandhillsjiujitsu.com
Brian on twitter @wheelchairjitsu

We talk about the David and Goliath and other underdogs that found a way win.  What do these underdogs have in common?  If you are an underdog how can you turn it to your advantage?

We talk about a book by Malcom Gladwell: David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants.  This book sheds a new light of the David and Goliath story.

We compare David to Royce Gracie, in the early UFC.

We also talk about Nick Newell, the one armed MMA fighter that continues to win fights.  And Anthony Robles the champion wrestler who is missing a leg.

Quote of the week: both of these are from Rickson Gracie “Where there is discomfort there is fear.” “You have to find comfort in uncomfortable situations.”

Links

Article of the week: Zombiebjjpa.com “3 Tips for Beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”.  If you are new to bjj even if you have some experience this article makes some great points.

Here is the video Gary sent to Craig.  Enjoy! Then send it an unsuspecting friend.

Malcom Gladwell’s books: Outliers, Blink, The Tipping Point, What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures, and David and Goliath.  All these books are interesting, my personal favorite is probably Blink.

Daniel Coyle- The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How.  Here is my review of this book.

Seminar with Dallas Niles

Don’t break the chain calendar, 100% free just open it and print it.

Short Bonus episode:

What happened to Anderson Silva's leg?

Today I am wondering like many of you, what happened to Anderson Silva?  Why did his leg break from his kick?  Can this type of injury happen to me?  How can I prevent this from happening.

I call up my favorite medical professional, Paramedic Craig.  We don't know for sure what caused his leg to break but he says that a stress fracture is a likely cause.  We talk about what a stress fracture and what are the causes of them.  Craig also talks about the signs and symptoms of a stress fracture (tenderness, swelling, pain even after rest).  Stress fractures will go away on their own with proper rest and nutrition.

Recovery for a broken tibia and fibula, is about 3 to 6 months.

We briefly talk about what to do for a injured classmate and how to splint this kind of injury.

We wish Anderson Silva the best of luck with a full and speedy recovery.

Link to Episode 9 an interview with a paramedic, what to do when someone gets hurt in class.

Link to the podcast in iTunes

Link to the podcast in Stitcher radio

This podcast is available in iTunes and on Stitcher radio.

Just about everyone will need to deal with an injury from time to time, this is a contact sport.  Today we talk about healing quicker, training with the injury and when to take some time off.  It is important to listen to your body, if it hurts it may be trying to tell you something.

Craig talks about having problems healing due to cholesterol medicine.  Here is an article talking about the side effects of some cholesterol medicine.

Gary and Byron both share stores of dealing with rib injuries.  Gary recommends keep working out with something, even if it is not BJJ.  He takes salmon oil from supplement u.  Gary will use a foam roller to help get rid of neck, back, and muscle pain.

With some injuries like ribs or back, it will be painful to move so it will be too difficult to roll.

If you can’t train, you can study a select move or two intensely.  When you return to the mat, you will have some new stuff to work on.

We talk briefly about the need to have health insurance to help you financially if you get seriously injured.

Jiu-Jitsu does not really have an offseason, like many other sports do.  Most sports go months when people don’t train much.  In BJJ we just keep rolling, often this means that our bodies will not fully heal.

Injuries to people in their first year can convince the person that the sport is not for them.  If this happens to one of your training partners you should contact them and try to encourage them to get back on the mat once they are better.

It is important to help your injured teammates get back on the mat. 

It is especially important to keep safety in mind when rolling with a new person.

A good way to prevent injuries is to leave your ego at the door and get rid of a negative attitude.

Quote of the week-“If man were to say something deep in woods and no woman was around to hear him, would he still be wrong?”

Article of the week- Tap out 101- Tips if you Starting BJJ Over Forty

The free don’t break the chain calendar just open it and print it!

Today we have a good friend Craig on the show.  Craig has been in the emergency medical field for over 32 years, he is a paramedic.  Craig has been training Jiu-Jitsu for approximately 8 years.  He shares some of his knowledge about dealing with injuries that might happen during class.  We cover a lot of stuff in this episode! You could find yourself needing to know this information on or off the mat.  This episode should help you make the right decisions after an injury happens.

 Craig helps us learn about these topics:

How to determine if it is a serious injury and if you need to call for help

What happens to your body if certain bones are broken?

Tips on splinting an injured extremity, and when you are not going to be able to splint something

When you should not splint an injury

What to expect when an ambulance is called

Internal bleeding

What is an open fracture, and why you need to call an ambulance

Tips on minimizing pain after an injury

Tips on what should you do before the ambulance arrives

What you can do to help someone that could have a serious neck injury

A tip to help healing is the acronym R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevate)

How quickly do you need to get stitches?

Why chest pain is not to be ignored

Why abrasions are more likely to get infected than a cut

Signs of an infected scrape or cut, and the consequences

Why it is so important to have good hygiene and a clean gi?

How to help someone that get choked unconscious

Dealing with a concussion

Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Tips for staying safe when you are training in a high heat environment

Some things that should be in a first aid kid at your gym- 4X4 bandages, band aids, a sling and swath, antiseptic gel, medical gloves, ice packs, aspirin, scissors, safety pins, and tape.

Quote of the week- “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Nelson Mandela

Article of the week- A easy way to stay out of trouble in the guard By Stephan Kesting  Stephan gives some great tips for avoiding getting attacked if your posture temporarily gets broken.

Links 

Craig recommends sportsinjuryclinic.net as a great reference.

A guide to splinting injuries

How to immobilize someone’s injured neck

Ozz grappler soap

Absolutely free- Don’t break the chain calendar, just open it and hit print

We have a good mix of people talking about gi vs nogi training.

Byron likes both, Gary is a nogi guy, and Matt likes the gi more but the nogi rules.

The gi game can be described like a game of 5 vs 5.  More technical and slower pace.

·         More difficult to escape

·         Grips make a huge difference

·         More techniques

The no gi game is like a 2 vs 2 basketball game.  Fast pace and lot more hustle.

·         Underhooks and overhooks are the “grips “ of no-gi

·         Leg locks become a big factor

·         More scrambles

We talk about starting out your grappling career with the gi or without it.

You should be rolling any chance you can.  With our without the gi.

If you are interested in belt promotions you need to be training with the gi.

Some of the best grapplers in your gym may be training with the gi.  Put a gi on and join them.

Quote of the week: Keep your friends close and your elbows closer.

Article of the week: this week it is a video! Cobrinha break down from adcc 2013. From Ostapbjj

We break down and discuss the 12 commandments.  We don't always agree with the commands but they have a great overall message. 

1. Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

2. Speak to every one of happiness, health, and prosperity.

3. Give all your friends the feeling that they are valuable.

4. Look at things from a positive point of view and turn positivity into a reality of life.

5 Think only about the best, work only or the best, and always expect the best.

6. Be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are of your own.

7. Forget about past mistakes and concentrate your energy on the victories of tomorrow.

8. Always make those around you happy and keep a pleasant attitude to all those who address you.

9. Apply the largest amount of your time on self-improvement and no time in criticizing others.

10. Be too big to feel unrest, too noble to feel anger, too strong to feel fear, and too happy to tumble in adversity.

11. Hold a positive opinion of yourself and tell it to the world.  Not through words of vanity, but through benevolence.

12. Believe strongly that the world is in your side, if you keep true to what is the best within you.

Quote of the week: "don't suck" from Jake Fox

Question from Facebook: We talk about drug testing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Links

Fox Fitness: Jake Fox joins us again in this episode.

Good times at our Facebook page.

Article of the week: Texas Kids Fight Bullying With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, By Teresa Woodard

Today we talk to Jason Bircher.

• He is a black belt under Renato Tavares, he has a BJJ club in Kansas City.
• Jason talks about his history in BJJ.
• He gives us several tips for competing.
• He will give you some great advice with developing your game.
• Throughout the interview you can tell Jason has a deep passion for BJJ.

This interview is available in iTunes and Stitcher radio.

Quote “The man is the size of his dreams” from Andre Tim Monteiro

Article of the week- From Innerbjj.com “The Bjj Contrarian”

Links
KCbjj.com If you are in Kansas City check out Jason’s gym. He is a great instructor and leads a fun class.
Innerbjj.com “The Bjj Contrarian”
Facebook page

We talk to Andre about

• His nick name “Tim”
• How BJJ has helped him reach his dreams
• He has 2 different types of BJJ games (in the gym, competition)
• Overcoming his first big loss as a kid
• His training schedule (he trains every day!)
• Andre gives great advice to students who are going to compete for the first time
  • Get a game plan
  • Train your game plan at the gym
  • Stick to your game plan at the tournament
  • Please listen to your coach on the side of the mat
  • What he the does before an important match
  • The slow progress in your own BJJ, and how to look at it differently
  • The current rules in BJJ
  • Should or could BJJ be in the Olympics

Quote of the week: “Don’t practice until you get it right.  Practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Unknown

Links

Andre’s Facebook page

Andre’s website

Andre’s sponsors: Koral Fight co. Fightertech

Today we talk to John Castillo about BJJ and self defense.

John Castillo:

·         BJJ Black Belt under Renato Tavares , he has been training BJJ since 1996. 

·         Midwest representative of Kapap under Avi Nardia

·         Trained with Moni Aizik in commando Krav Maga

·         Trained with Mordi Glam in Israel, doing Israeli Krav Maga

There are three main aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

1.       Vale Tudo (MMA)

2.       Tournament Jiu-Jitsu

3.       Self defense (mostly viewed as a 1 vs 1 conflict without any weapons)

Going to the ground in a self defense situation can be very dangerous.

·         You could get attacked by other people (human soccer ball)

·         Many people have knifes on them, it could be more difficult to get away from a weapon

Some advantages of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a self defense situation.

·         It is a contact sport and you are more accustom to the stresses and discomfort

·         You could be able to hold someone down and not need to hurt them

·         You are less likely to get beat up by one person in a “fair fight”

Things you can do to make sure you are more prepared to survive a self defense situation.

·         Learn some strikes (jab cross combo, basic kicks, knees and elbows)

·         Understand how weapons can be used against you

·         Try to increase your situational awareness

·         Do some escape drills (learn what it takes to escape a room full of people)

·         Train with a fake gun or knife

·         Don’t go to places where violence is likely

·         Try the Hubud drill ( a Filipino martial art drill)

·         Go to a Kapap or Israeli Krav Maga class

You can win the fight and still lose big.  You could get sewed, kicked out of your BJJ gym, lose the respect of your community or coworkers.

Your main goal in a street fight is to survive; the best way to survive is to avoid the conflict.  The best move you can often do is to go home.

Contact John Castillo at Johnnyjiujitsu@yahoo.com or phone 316-265-0722

Castillo Jiu-Jitsu facebook page

Quote of the week- “The harder work the luckier I get” Thomas Jefferson

Article of the week “Rickson Gracie Advice that was echoed by a fantastic highschool principal.” By Part time grappler.

We also talked about the desire to win vs the goal of performing at your best.

Tips for bringing a friend to your BJJ class

Your main goals should be to keep your friend safe and to have fun.

                Keep them safe by helping them to roll with experienced grapplers that will not injure them.

                They will have fun if they are able to relax, BJJ is naturally fun.

You are an ambassador for BJJ. 

                To anyone that you know that doesn’t train, you are most like the best BJJ practitioner they know.  You may have only been going a month to BJJ class, but in their eyes you are the only person they know that trains.  You are their “Jiu-Jitsu guy” or “Jiu-Jitsu gal”.

 Tell your friend what to expect for their first BJJ class.  They will be less nervous if they know what to expect.

What is the format of the class? Warm up, technique, rolling….

Tell them about mat etiquette.  They don’t want to break these rules, but if they don’t know the rules they might be breaking them.

Tell your friend what to bring.

What should they wear?  Do they need to bring water? 

Drive your friend to class if you can.

This may seem odd but they will really feel like you are doing everything you can to help them.  The conversation you will have on the way home could mean the difference between your friend being frustrated about the class or excited.

What friends should you invite?

                Invite anyone that asks you a few questions about BJJ.  Or anyone that seems like they would give it a try. 

Bonus tip- Call them the next day and ask them what they thought, try to make it with them to their next class.

3 Tips for helping the new student that does not know anyone.

                Be outgoing and welcome them into the group.

                Show them around and answer any questions they might have.

                Treat them how you would like to be treated if it was your first day on the mat.

Quote of the Week- “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Babe Ruth

Article of the Week- “Attending BJJ Class While Injured: You’re Still A Part of the Class and We do Want You Here” By- A Skirt on the Mat

The gyms Gary mentioned in this episode.  Fox Fitness, Wichita Jiu-Jitsu Club.

BjjBrick radio is available on itunes.

 Facebook.com/BjjBrick

·         Practice leg locks- The more you understand and train leg locks the safer you will be.

·         Don’t force the leg lock- Submissions should not take all your strength to work.  Don’t strain too hard, be smooth.

·         Control your partner- Before you start applying the pressure have good control of your training partner. 

·         Work leg locks with more skilled people- Avoid putting leg locks on new practitioners; they will be more likely to get injured.

·         Tap when you get caught- It’s no big deal, if you get caught just tap.

·         Be aware of your own feet- You are often in danger when you are attacking someone’s leg. 

·         Tips for when to tap to- Heel hooks, Achilles lock, and Toe hold.

Quote of the week- “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”  Bruce Lee

Article- “It’s All in the Hips: Hip Care 101 for BJJ Practitioners” By Samuel Spiegelman

Legal Leg Locks for BJJ by Roli Delgado- The App Gary talked about.