The Chewjitsu Podcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how the mindset you take into training is going to dictate what you learn and how you improve. We also discuss why you should get used to losing, having a curious mindset, learning from your losses, how to counteract a negative feeling with something positive, what prompted Chewy to change his mindset on training, the importance of a coach and gym to culti...

On this episode, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and the owner of "Standard Jiu-Jitsu," Greg Sounders. Greg joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu, training with Lloyd Irvin, his methodology of training, why Greg doesn't teach Jiu-Jitsu techniques, how and why Greg uses the "Ecological Approach" to teaching Jiu-Jitsu, how Greg structures class, what has the least variability in...

On this episode, we chat with 10th Planet Black Belt and head coach at 10th Planet Atlanta, Sean Applegate. Sean discusses how he discovered Jiu-Jitsu, how he learned Jiu-Jitsu without high level coaches nearby, becoming a head coach with less than 2 years of training, the process of balancing training and coaching, the value and importance of competing, the three Layers of Jiu-Jitsu (the physical...

Want the worst BJJ game at your gym? Well then join us on this episode to get the 10 sure-fire ways to have an awful BJJ game. It's no secret that consistency is important for skill development, so if you want to be terrible at BJJ, then train as inconsistently as possible. Strength training is an important part of decreasing injury risk and improving your performance on the mats, so make sure to...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how avoiding the initial discomfort of dealing with a problem can lead to a bigger problem that will require more effort to resolve later. We discuss the habit of avoidance, how avoiding discomfort in BJJ can stagnate your game, why we avoid growth in Jiu-Jitsu, how failure and difficulty creates better learning, the importance of being patient with your p...

On this episode of the podcast, BJJ black belt and ADCC Champion Robert Drysdale returns to discuss the history of Jiu-Jitsu and his new book, "The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu." Robert discusses his motivation behind writing his new book on the history of Jiu-Jitsu, the reception he has gotten from the book, how early Jiu-Jitsu rulesets were a reflection of the style of Jiu-Jitsu dur...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and the benefits of using restraint in daily life. We discuss why people look at discipline as a punishment initially, but how it actually leads to greater rewards in the long term, why enjoying the pleasures of life on your own terms make them much better, ideas on how to more easily practice restraint, the benefits of avoiding too...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss what makes the difference between white belt and black belt level techniques and how black belts make "basic" techniques so effective. We discuss one of the biggest factors to developing black belt level techniques, the intuition and feel that develops with experience, learning physical cues of BJJ techniques, the process of learning and developing black b...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss an uncomfortable truth about achieving your goals. We chat about the idea of desire vs. discomfort, the reasons why people quit Jiu-Jitsu, why barrier of entry is important to attrition, the three types of BJJ students, two useful ideas for chasing goals, how to increase desire and decrease discomfort in BJJ, why a Jiu-Jitsu gym is a "walled...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 8 ways you can decrease anxiety in your life and on the mats. Here are some of the ideas we discussed on the episode: Meditation and breath work. Exercise and movement. Be a "Stoic" about your anxiety. Flood your mind. What can I do about it (productive worry). Have a hobby. Have a "Worry Journal." Looking to the past (evidence of previous struggle). Bonus...

On this episode, Chewy shares a story about his buddy training at another gym and getting a severe infection that almost forced him to get his leg amputated. Chewy and Eugene also chat about dirty gym stories and share 7 tips on gym hygiene that can help you from getting an infection. The 7 tips include: shower and be clean, trim your nails, stay home if you are ill, clean your gear and equipment,...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt and World Champion, Jessa Khan. Jessa discusses starting BJJ at 8 years old, moving to California to train with the Mendes brothers and Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ), which sport helped her BJJ progression the most, the biggest difference training with the Mendes brothers compared to other gyms, deciding to train BJJ full time, how being hom...

Brian Littlefield is a BJJ Black Belt and Co-founder of Jocko Fuel.   On this episode, Brian shares the story of how he started working for Origin, how getting out of shape led him to discovering fitness and eventually being convinced by a friend to start Jiu-Jitsu. He also shares the story of his first Jiu-Jitsu class, the importance of leverage, how he sold Origin gis out of his car, the most us...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss what a "BJJ Belt Hunter" is and what to do if there is one at your gym. Chewy discusses the importance of your intention when rolling and why you should focus on implementing your techniques instead of trying to beat a higher ranked training partner, how being a "belt hunter" and worrying about winning will slow your BJJ progression, Chewy a...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Elijah "Jabroni Grappler" Carlton. Elijah discusses how he got his nickname "Jabroni Grappler," starting Jiu-Jitsu as a teenager, how opening a gym changed his trajectory in Jiu-Jitsu and forced him to keep learning, how Elijah implements new techniques into his Jiu-Jitsu game, when and why he decided...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt "Big" Dan Manasoiu. Dan joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu at age 14, his 6-hour commute from Pennsylvania to train at Renzo Gracie New York, what set Renzo Gracie New York apart from other gyms, getting humbled by smaller grapplers, his daily training schedule, the advantage of teaching Jiu-Jitsu...

John Combs is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and high level competitor. On this episode, John discusses his start in grappling as a wrestler and his transition to training BJJ full time, how a wrestling camp significantly improved his wrestling, his biggest struggles when transitioning from wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu, how John overcame a devastating knee infection, how to decrease Jiu-Jitsu injuries, how to i...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy discusses why he doesn't set expectations for outcomes and how he learned this lesson through competing and rolling. Chewy discusses how he was able to become distant from expectation and was able to put this idea into practice, using meditation to promote a mindset of no expectations while recognizing negative emotions, the importance of exposure, and focusin...

Jason Khalipa is a 2008 CrossFit World Champion, Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, and the owner of NCFIT. On this episode, Jason discusses how his daughter's illness led him to start training Jiu-Jitsu, what he looks for in a Jiu-Jitsu gym, his main motivation for training, the impact of learning a new skill, how he mixes Crossfit with Jiu-Jitsu training, what type of training is most beneficial for Jiu-Jit...

Chewy and Eugene discuss how clinging to the idea of only using "Old Man Jiu-Jitsu" as an older grappler can actually hinder your BJJ game. We chat about how our desire for simple answers to complex problems can impact progress, why you should avoid being restrictive with your Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of learning to adjust your guard passing based on your opponent's guard, Chewy's preferred way t...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss a common mistake in Jiu-Jitsu. This mistake is getting good at a position in Jiu-Jitsu, but only focusing on one or two techniques from that position, and when your opponent starts to counter those techniques, moving on to another position. We chat about why the better option is to find more techniques from the position you are working on to...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss how one idea or concept can radically improve your Jiu-Jitsu game. We discuss how this concept or idea can be learned from an instructional, a coach, or a training partner. How this idea can help you add new layers and techniques into your game, the best way to discover this concept, one of the most undervalued skills for Jiu-Jitsu, the impo...

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer a question from a BJJ coach who feels that he is not improving his BJJ as a coach, and what he can do to get better. We discuss 5 key ideas: Do not take on the mindset of the student. How to structure your rolling to ensure you get something out of it.  Put yourself in bad positions.  Travel, invite people to your gym, and compete. ...

On this episode of the Chewjitsu Podcast, we are joined by Amanda "Tubby" Alequin.  Amanda is a Jiu-Jitsu back belt, high level competitor, and owner of "The People's Jiu-Jitsu" gym. Amanda discusses how she got the nickname "Tubby," what motivated her to lose weight, how to find your ideal weight, the importance of strength training, the specific weight training that Amanda utilizes, her favorite...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and owner of New Breed Training Center, Mark Vives. Mark discusses how he got his three children to train Jiu-Jitsu, the minimum amount your kids should train, why Mark pulled his son out of Jiu-Jitsu and switched him to wrestling, why you should limit the number of times you coach someone during a class, advice fo...