Conversations From The Mat

This episode I had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Ruben Arredondo, a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and owner of Renzo Gracie Corpus Christi. During the episode, Professor talks about the significance of Renzo Gracie and Gracie Barra in his martial arts journey and how he travels every weekend to Gracie Barra Pearland to learn from Professor Marcelo.

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Jason and Justin Rhodes, a veteran and former first responder, who is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. During this episode, we discussed their upcoming "Last Man Standing Ruck" they will be doing on 09/26/2026. Aside from it being an endurance race that will test the mental grit of each contestant, it will also serve to raise aware...

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Moises Rodriguez, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. During the episode, we discuss how jiujitsu has allowed Moises to be less shy and quiet around others.

This week I had the opportunity of sitting with Professor Jason Stephens who through Harbor Jiujitsu is bringing fellowship through Brazilian Jiujitsu. During the episode, Professor Jason discusses the importance of his Christian faith and how through Jiujitsu, he is hoping to provide a space where others can come together to train and support each other.

This week I had the opportunity to sit with Minh Cao who is a fireman and purple belt under Professor Marcelo Uirapuru Azevedo. During this episode we discussed what his martial arts journey has taught him about himself, the support from other members from within the Gracie Barra Pearland community, and the importance of his kids training jiujitsu.

This week I had the opportunity to sit with Josh and Christian Bernal who are brothers and Black Belts in Brazilian Jiujitsu under Marcelo "Uiripuru" Azevedo. During the episode, we discuss their martial arts journey growing up as well as the benefits it provides for them in and outside the mats. This is the first time I've done a three-person episode, so I hope y'all enjoy!

This week I sat down with Anthony who is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Anthony and I discussed his martial arts journey and what's his beef with white belts.

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Karl and talk about his experiences advocating as a board member of NAACP and his medical background. We also discussed how Brazilian Jiujitsu helped him during a difficult time in his life.

This week I had the chance to sit down with Parsa who is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. We discussed what led to him starting jiujitsu and how it became a major factor in changing behaviors that were detrimental to his well being.

This week I had the chance to sit down with Alex Amaro who is currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. During the show, we discussed the nervousness she experiences she feels during training and competition. We also discuss the benefits jiujitsu provides as well as the importance of women creating a space for themselves in jiujitsu,

This week I had the opportunity to sit with Professor Mariana Scott who is a multiple IBJJF World Champion and the head Women's Self Defense Class Instructor at Gracie Barra Pearland. During the episode Professor Mariana discussed her Brazilian Jiujitsu journey as well as the importance of having healthy women spaces in Brazilian Jiujitsu.

This week I had the chance to sit with Richard “Super” Mercado where we talked about his Brazilian Jiujitsu journey and our experience with mental health therapy.

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with John Gonzales, a law enforcement officer and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu, During our conversation we discussed the idea of making Brazilian Jiujitsu mandatory for law enforcement and also his martial arts journey this far.

Had a chance to sit down with Gabriel Vargas this morning in which we discussed his martial arts journey. Gabriel is a 5th degree black belt in Karate under founder Mike Tucker. Gabriel, along with his brother, serve as instructors at USA Karate. Gabriel also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu under Professor Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo.

This week I sit down with @RollingwDave who is a law enforcement officer who currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and has been training for 3 years at Renzo Gracie Pearland. During this episode, we discuss the importance of training as a police officer as well as the benefits he experiences from his training.

I had the honor of sitting down with my Professor and hearing some of his long martial journey that first began with capoeira, transitioning to jiujitsu, and mixed martial arts. Professor Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo is a 6th degree black belt under Master Draculino and owns, along with his wife Professor Mariana, Gracie Barra Pearland. Professor Marcelo is also a multiple Brazilian Jiujitsu World C...

During this episode I sat down with Peter Tran, AKA The Bully, before Memorial Day Open Mat at Gracie Barra Pearland. In the episode we get into why he joined Jiujitsu, his competition experience, and the one training partner who brings out his bully side.

John Lowe is 55 years old and recently obtained his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu from Professor Marcelo Acevedo who is Black Belt under Master Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes. Professor John started training at the age of 28 at the original Gracie Barra Texas when it was known as "The El Dorado" location. Professor John talks about his martial journey and what it feels like to have the coveted...