The Chewjitsu Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the 7 BJJ Commandments to training safe and how these ideas can improve your submissions. Though shalt remember, none of this matters. Though shalt catch fast and finish slow. Though shalt avoid those who eat submissions. Though shalt have a "kill switch." Though shalt communicate with your training partners. Though shalt tap fast and tap of...

On this episode of the podcast Chewy and Eugene discuss how to accomplish your New Year's goals. We discuss why people don't accomplish the goals that they set, how to design your goals around the life you would like to have, the value of "debriefing" previous goals, the habits you should incorporate, the value of a mentor and coach, tangbile vs. the  intangible goals, and what makes people quit t...

On this episode of the podcast, we share some of the best moments from the podcast. In this edition, we dive into a recap of the "Rules For Jiu-Jitsu" series. We discuss the following rules: Episode 174 - Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 4: Roll To Win Episode 178 - Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 5: The Paradox of Improvng For BJJ Episode 185 - Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 5: Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover Thanks to the podcast...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss dealing with injuries and also losing matches. Eugene discusses dealing with a knee injury and what he is working on for recovery as well as how he is dealing with taking time off of training. Chewy also discusses not making the podium of a tournament for the first time in almost 10 years, the mistakes he made in his match, and what he will do differently...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss competition prep ideas and what to do the week of competition, day of competition, and during the competition to have the best performance. We discuss why it's important to decrease training intensity the week of your competition, what to do the day of competition, what to bring (gear and food/hydration), why Chewy uses a heart rate monitor...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy shares 12 things that he is thankful for. 1. Thankful for lack of talent. 2. Thankful for being "1st World Poor." 3. Thankful for my mom. 4. Thankful for my absent father. 5. Thankful for my wife. 6. Thankful for the gym and the people in it. 7. Thankful that when faced with trauma as a youngster I made the decisions I made. 8. Thankful I grew up in the 80's a...

Brandon Reed is a Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt, ADCC Veteran, 3x NAIA National Wrestling Champion, and the 2025 ADCC 99+ KG East Coast Trials Champion. Brandon joins the podcast fresh off of his ADCC East Coast Trials win. He discusses the process of overcoming a loss, how to block out the noise and distractions, dealing with the nerves of competition, what he learned from his loss to Felipe Pena at ADCC...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and BJJ Black Belt Roosevelt Sousa. Roosevelt discusses his start in Jiu-Jitsu, what helped with developing a strong work ethic, how learning the mindset of high level Volleyball players hlped with success in BJJ, how to get the most out of training as a black belt, how working with a sports psychologist helped with performa...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss overtraining, how to be aware of the warning signs of overtraining, and how to avoid overtraining. We also discuss common reasons people avoid taking time off, the idea of "making up for lost time," the importance of focusing on things you can control, finding your own routine and rhythm, and why you should change what you consider training....

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss some Jiu-Jitsu gym red flags. Here are some of the "Jiu-Jitu Red Flags" If the coach is demonstrating unacceptable behavior or if the coach is not engaged. Negative gym culture. Coach showing up intoxicated. Coach not allowing you to cross-train or visit other gyms. No open mats. Not allowing newer students to roll at all. No upper belts at...

Chewy and Eugene share 10 ideas on why you should master defense and escapes in BJJ. Here are the ideas we discussed: 1. To escape effectively, you will have less fear and worries on the mat. 2. When you become skilled defensively, you can become more aggressive with your offense. 3. Increased efficiency on the mats. 4. When you avoid training escapes then you turn into a grappler with a "glass ja...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and the misconceptions about discipline. We discuss why discipline is about flexibility, what all success is built on, how to develop the ability to be flexible and not get off track, the importance of being reflective, habit stacking, having contrast, how to prioritize the most important tasks, how to train your subco...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the "Golden Rule" of competition. We discuss why the way you win is just as important as if you win, doing the honorable thing in competition, why how you go about daily training is important for your success, why competitions are "controlled aggression" and not "animosity," what makes competing so unique, and the experience of coaching a st...

On this episode of the podcast, we share some of the best moments from the podcast. In this edition, we dive into a recap of the "Rules For Jiu-Jitsu" series. We discuss the following rules: BJJ is a marathon (Episode 160: Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 1) Be an anti-martial artist (Episode 164: Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 2) Grips First (Episode 166: Rules for Jiu-Jitsu 3) Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the "Pareto Principle," also known as this "80-20 Rule." We discuss the idea of 20% of your BJJ techniques accounting for 80% of your success in grappling. We discuss if the "80-20 Rule" could be a trap and make your game too limited, how to identify what needs to change and how to get out of a rut, when the best time is to reflect on your training session...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by ADCC veteran and BJJ black belt John Hansen. John discusses bouncing around gyms initially and then finding a consistent training environment, when his life started to change into a more positive directions, 5 things all grappling is based around, how his training has changed as he has gotten older, getting things that you want in training and havin...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt and Founder of the non-profit organization "Tap Cancer Out." Jon discusses starting Jiu-Jitsu in 2008, why earning a blue belt had significant meaning, dealing with "imposter syndrome" in BJJ, how "Tap Cancer Out" started and the process of running a tournament, the challenges of running a Jiu-Jitsu non-profit business, finding the be...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss a book Chewy has been reading titled "The Pyjama Game" and discuss an idea from the book on the unique take Japanese Judokas take to martial arts. We discuss how the Japanese Judokas had a great ability to relax while being thrown which allowed them to commit to throws and takedowns with less fear because of their ability to take a throw and...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene give their thoughts and reactions to the recent Craig Jones Invitational. We discuss our experience at the event, our thoughts on the ruleset, why there was more passivity in the matches, why a "Wrestling Duals" format may be a better ruleset, the controversy of whether Giancarlo Bodoni tapped out, the different roles of the athletes in the Quintet...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene preview the upcoming Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 2). We discuss the new Quintet team format, how the wrestling and takedowns will change when competing in a pit, what made the CJI a unique tournament, what Chewy would focus on if prepping for an event like CJI, and potential strategies for the teams. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athl...

On this episode we answer a question from an anonymous podcast listener. "Bob" wrestled in high school and is currently a member at a self-defense gym, but has been cross-training at a Sport/Competition gym and really liking it. "Bob" is wondering if he should switch gyms if he wants to become a successful competitor. We discuss why wrestlers prefer Sport Jiu-Jitsu, why martial arts and fighting i...

Chewy and Eugene discuss "Alpha Male Bros" and some stories of these guys coming into the gym. We discuss some of these "Alpha Bro" characters that show up on-line and the ridiculousness of their perspectives, stories of the "I See Red" guys showing up to the gym, why we tend to want nice cars and big houses as young men, cultural norms of success, the fulfillment of skill acquisition, ego death/"...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene get asked about BJJ Black Belt Henry Akins' recent comments that "Half Guard" is not a very good position in BJJ. Chewy and Eugene discuss why you shouldn't always accept other people's "dogma," the idea that "half guard is half passed," the original thoughts on leg locks in BJJ, why half guard is a great passing and sweeping position, why Jiu-Jitsu lives in the g...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss multiple mindset tips that can help with BJJ and in life. We discuss the idea of "detachment," separating yourself from your accomplishments, dealing with negative self-talk, how to develop awareness and change things that you don't like about yourself, how a loss helped Chewy get refocused and re-energized, being the "watcher," how to stop...

Chis Wojcik is a BJJ black belt who trains out of "B Team," he is an ADCC veteran, and creator of "The Woj Lock." On this episode we discuss "celebrity belts" in Jiu-Jitsu, the difference between black belts today as compared to 20 years ago, what developments have occurred at "B Team," the transition of moving to a more competitive gym, ego in BJJ, avoiding the negative loop and managing emotions...