The Chewjitsu Podcast

Amanda Leve is a Jiu-Jitsu black Belt, multiple-time ADCC Trials winner, and former professional MMA fighter. Amanda joins the podcast to discuss how a medical condition abruptly stopped her MMA career and how this encouraged her to dive back into grappling competition, how Amanda got started BJJ, how Amanda developed a passion for MMA, developing a different perspective on practice, how working w...

On this episode, we are joined by multiple time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and 2022 ADCC bronze medalist, Dante Leon. Dante joins the podcast to discuss his start in grappling, one of the most important aspects of being an elite grappler, how team sports helped with grappling and being a good training partner, what allowed Dante to excel in grappling, when Dante made the jump to becoming a full-time...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and head no-gi coach at Legion AJJ, Sloan "Caveman" Clymer. Sloan discusses the importance of honesty as a coach, how to develop high level submissions, learning Jiu-Jitsu from his dad while training in his barn, moving across the country to pursue grappling, what it was like training under Richie "Boogeym...

Mike Perez is an ATOS Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials +99 KG winner. On this episode, Mike discusses his start in grappling, choosing to train at ATOS Jiu-Jitsu with Andre Galvao, the strategies Mike used against the bigger grappler at the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials, the main technique Mike avoids against bigger grapplers, why Mike chose to go up i...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer some listener questions. What is one thing that all great competitors do? How to deal with a coach who acts like a "needy ex"? Should you compete in the Adult or Masters division as a 35 year old hobbyist? What is the proper etiquette for rolling with a disabled grappler? How to improve in BJJ with an unpredictable and sometimes limited train...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss some key takeaways from the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials. We discuss how several former trials losers became trials winners in 2024, how to best prepare for ADCC trials, why there is no "meta," the importance of sticking to your style and game plan, the main differences between the ADCC trials from 2018 to 2024, most competitors are competing with injuries,...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of why struggling with Jiu-Jitsu early on can be a benefit. We also discuss why every defect has a positive effect, finding the love for training, why time is your ally in BJJ, when BJJ athletes who were slower starters begin to improve, one of the biggest hinderances in improving your BJJ, the value of studying longer form content, how to better...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to overcome the fear of takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu. We discuss one of the main things Jiu-Jitsu does wrong when training takedowns, the importance of training takedowns with someone that is similar to your weight to decrease injuries and to improve success, how to build confidence in your takedowns, when it is ok to "cherry pick" your training partners, wh...

On this episode, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Owner of Guardian MMA, Chad "The Beast" Hardy.    Chad discusses recovering from a severe injury, the crazy story of Chad competing against a 300 lb. wrestler when he was 14 years old, how to modify training to get through a major injury, how Chad improved his BJJ while injured, "The Hardy Hit Squad," becoming a leader in the gym, changing...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the toughest belt to get in Jiu-Jitsu and also the toughest transition between belts in Jiu-Jitsu. We also discuss the secret to learning a new skill, why the white belt is not the toughest belt to get, how Jiu-Jitsu can impact your life in a positive way, enjoying the process of training, why you should think about Jiu-Jitsu like a "relationship," the mos...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Judo Black Belt, BJJ Black Belt, and the guitarist from the band "Five Finger Death Punch," Zoltan Bathory. We are also joined by BJJ Black Belt and owner of "Epic Roll," Matt Wahlstrom. On this episode, Zo discusses his dream of moving to the United States to become a musician, starting Judo at 9 years old, the discipline instilled through martial a...

Andy Varela is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and high level competitor. Andy joins the podcast to discuss his start in training MMA and then eventually focusing on Jiu-Jitsu at 21 years old, what it was like having a father who was an MMA coach, moving to Las Vegas to pursue a career MMA, competing in a grappling match against former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland, how he developed...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by BJJ black belt and former MMA fighter Jeff Alexander. Jeff also helps run "The Chewjitsu Open" and shares some details about the upcoming tournaments. Jeff joins the podcast to discuss his start in MMA and taking his first fight without any formal training, the challenges of balancing family life and training, the start of 6 am BJJ classes and their...

On this episode, we are joined by 10th Planet Black Belt, former MMA fighter, and "Rogue Combat Club" owner Johnny Buck. Johnny discusses what sets his gym and business apart from other gyms in Asheville area, the importance of gym culture on and off the mats 15, how to build a balance at the gym for hobbyists and high level competitors, the importance of having stressors in your life, the importa...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of whether BJJ is watered down. We chat about how Jiu-Jitsu has evolved over the years from a traditional self-defense martial art and more toward a sport, how BJJ becoming more of a business changed the martial art, the evolution of training, how social media has impacted BJJ techniques and learning, the evolution and proliferation of techniques,...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene talk to Judo U.S. National Champion, U.S. Open Champion, World Cup Medalist, and Medical Doctor Austin Cook.  Austin also specializes in teaching No-Gi Judo on his Instagram page @badboymedicine https://www.instagram.com/badboymedicine/ Austin joins the podcast to discuss his start in Judo, his process for learning Jiu-Jitsu, whether Judo or Jiu-Jitsu is more sust...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 basic principles that are useful in BJJ and in Life. Everything requires repetition and practice. Be open to learning new techniques and doing things that make you uncomfortable. It's better to be effective with less than be ineffective with more. Your perception shapes everything. Find activities that require less discipline. Thanks to th...

Chewy discusses what makes an effective BJJ Coach, whether you have to be an extrovert to be a good coach, and how to increase confidence. Know the content you are teaching (be prepared) Prepare more content then you think you will need Get your "reps." Learn your student's names. The mission is to make your students better. Book recommendations to assist with coaching: "How to Win Friends and Inf...

On this live recording of the Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 life lessons that they have learned from martial arts followed by a live Q&A. We discuss the following ideas: Learning to grind. Being in control of your emotions. Understanding what failure is. Discovering the "After Feeling Focus." Learning to find intrinsic motivation. Q&A Includes the following: How to avoid getting in...

On this episode, Chewy answers a question from Rolo, who says that he is an out of shape 50 year old BJJ hobbyist that doesn't feel deserving of his belt promotion. Chewy provides some advice and perspective on how to deal with not feeling worthy of the belt promotion and some ideas to work on. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30   and use...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to get the most out of an instructional and successfully implement these techniques into training and competition. We discuss how to decide which instructional to purchase, why Chewy gives less instruction when initially teaching a new position or technique in class, how to break down an instructional, why you should limit watching short...

Chewy answers a question from a listener who travels to different gyms, but never approaches black belts to roll. If they are offered a roll with an upper belt such as a black belt or a coach, they can occasionally submit them. The listener asks whether they should train honestly and beat the upper belt when visiting another gym, or not submit the coach in front of their gym. Chewy discusses wheth...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to execute on your goals in 2024. We discuss the importance of having the ability to say "no," managing your inputs, being strategic and tactical with your goals, making your goals visible, how to utilize the "2 minute drill," why the spark of motivation is your action, how to make your goals into a daily rhythm, dealing with overwhelm of achieving a g...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 fundamental ideas to implement into your training as an older grappler: Be ok with getting older. Use nasal breathing to moderate your pace. Positional choice (cooking your opponent). Tactical retreat (conserving energy). Diet/Lifestyle off the mats. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30   and use t...

On this episode, we are once again joined by 3 x NAIA National Wrestling Champion, Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt, and high level competitor, Brandon Reed. We discuss using social media to grow your brand, how to deal with negative comments and internet trolls, why Brandon went back to college but left after 6 months to pursue grappling full time, how releasing an instructional impacted his life, building...