40 & FIGHTING

Happy 4th of July from the 40 & Fighting Podcast! This week, John and Anthony kick back for an episode covering a little bit of everything happening in the world of martial arts and beyond. From Independence Day weekend celebrations to the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, we dive into what's been grabbing our attention both on and off the mats. We also discuss the continued growth of Judo in...

Ever wondered what the proper etiquette is when dropping into a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy while traveling? In Episode 138 of the 40 & Fighting Podcast, we dive into one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of training: how to be a respectful visitor on the mats. Whether you're traveling for work, vacation, or competition, representing yourself and your home acad...

Happy Father's Day from the 40 & Fighting Podcast! With Anthony out this week, Misa joins the show for a special episode dedicated to all the dads who somehow manage to juggle family, work, and still find time to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being a dad and a martial artist isn't easy, but it's one of the most rewarding journeys out there. In this episode, we give props to the fathers who sacrif...

This week on the 40 & Fighting Podcast, we're diving deep into one technique that completely took over our training week: Worm Guard (or is it Lapel Guard?). Whatever you call it, we spent the entire week getting tangled up in lapels, experimenting with new setups, and trying to figure out why this guard system is so effective—and so frustrating. We also break down a recent roll between...

This week on 40 & Fighting, John and Anthony dive into two of the biggest topics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu right now: UFC BJJ and the IBJJF World Championships. We break down the impact of UFC entering the grappling scene, what it could mean for the future of professional jiu-jitsu, and whether it can change the sport the same way UFC changed MMA. We also discuss the incredible performances, stor...

In this episode of the 40 & Fighting Podcast, we sit down with our professor, mentor, and 4x BJJ World Champion Omar Salum to talk about one of the most dominant competition runs we've ever witnessed. Professor Omar has been tearing through the Masters divisions this year — winning nearly every tournament he's entered, including absolute/open class gold medals against some of the toughes...

At what point does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stop being “just a hobby” and start becoming part of who you are? In Episode 133 of 40 & Fighting, we dive deep into the mindset shift that happens after years on the mats. We ask the question every grappler eventually faces: When did you stop “doing BJJ”… and become a martial artist? We discuss: The moment BJJ becomes part...

In this episode of 40 & Fighting, we dive into real conversations around jiu-jitsu, judo training, and dealing with injuries—because let's be honest… if you train long enough, you will get banged up. We talk about: Judo training progress and how it's impacting our overall grappling game Wrist injuries in BJJ & Judo – how they happen and how we're dealing with them The me...

In Episode 131 of 40 & Fighting, Anthony is out, and we welcome back Misa for a deeper, more reflective conversation than usual. This one hits different. We dive into something a lot of us overlook—recognizing when you're actually living through the good days right now. Through jiu jitsu, work, family, and everyday struggles, we break down how perspective changes everything. We talk abou...

In Episode 130 of 40 & Fighting, we break down an awesome milestone for the team — a successful Judo Open House and Open Mat that brought people together for more than just training. This wasn't just another event… it was about community, growth, and building something meaningful through martial arts. We talk about how the open house came together, the turnout, and why events like...

In Episode 129 of 40 & Fighting, we hit the road and bring you a traveling podcast recorded on the way home from the annual Gracie Humaita Association Meeting. This one is all about experience, tradition, and learning jiu-jitsu from the source. We break down our time at the event — from the training to the people, to the deeper understanding of what makes Gracie Humaita and Brazilian Jiu...

In Episode 128 of 40 & Fighting, we celebrate Easter with a packed episode covering the team's latest competition, the launch of the new judo program, and a huge milestone for Anthony — his promotion to brown belt in judo. We break down the team's most recent comp, what stood out, what was learned on the mats, and how the squad continues to grow together through competition and support....

In Episode 127 of 40 & Fighting, we're keeping it real (and hilarious) as we dive into one of the most relatable parts of jiu-jitsu… White belt suffering. From getting smashed every round to questioning your life choices mid-roll, we break down why struggling as a white belt is basically a rite of passage in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — and why it might actually be the most important pha...

In Episode 126 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into something bigger than just training — building the future of judo in the Inland Empire. Anthony shares his vision for growing judo locally, including launching kids judo classes at the gym and creating opportunities for the next generation to learn discipline, confidence, and real grappling skills from a young age. We talk about: Why judo is...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting, the podcast where we talk about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, life on the mats, competition, and the realities of training as adults balancing work, family, and the grind of getting better. In Episode 125, we keep it real and have some fun catching up after missing an episode. We talk about what's been going on in our jiu-jitsu lives, the chaos that sometimes comes with t...

In Episode 123 of 40 & Fighting, we break down the real responsibilities of teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — from coaching brand new white belts to leading kids classes — and how those lessons translate directly into competition performance. We dive deep into: How to properly teach new white belts in BJJ The challenges of teaching kids jiu jitsu (and why it makes you better) Why grea...

Episode 123 of 40 & Fighting is all about competition, growth, and the power of a strong Jiu-Jitsu team. In this episode, we break down John's 2nd place finish at the JJWL tournament, recap the event atmosphere, and talk about what it really feels like to step on the podium after months of preparation. We also dive into my first brown belt competition experience — what surprised me, what...

In Episode 122 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into a topic that can completely change your jiu-jitsu journey: learning how to teach. We break down why becoming an instructor — or even just learning how to properly explain technique — can help you break through plateaus, understand positions deeper, and improve faster on the mats. Teaching forces you to see jiu-jitsu differently, and it...

In Episode 121 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into what it really takes to keep competing as you get older — physically, mentally, and strategically. Competing in your 30s, 40s, and beyond isn't about training less… it's about training smarter. In this episode, we break down how your approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition, recovery, and conditioning needs to evolve if you want to...

In Episode 120 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into the reality of competing in grappling — from the mental side to the physical grind — and how both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo shape the way you approach competition. This week we talk about: The mindset you need when stepping into competition How Judo training changes your stand-up and confidence How Jiu-Jitsu competition strategy diff...

In Episode 119 of 40 & Fighting, we welcome back Professor Omar Salum after an absolutely huge performance at IBJJF European Championship (Euros)—taking DOUBLE GOLD by winning Masters 5, both his weight division and the open weight. We break down what it takes to win at that level, especially in the masters divisions, and what separates good competitors from great ones when the pressure...

In Episode 118 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into Judo belts—what they mean, how the ranking system works, and how it compares to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belts. We also get into some Judo and BJJ history, where the arts intersect, and how the traditions (and rules) shaped what we train today. In this episode, we cover: Judo belt system explained (colors, ranks, and progression) Judo history and...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting — the podcast for grapplers who love training, talking shop, and laughing way too hard between rounds. In Episode 117, we're inviting the team to join our 40 & Fighting Discord (link in description) — then we get absolutely unhinged in the best way: we rank different grappling arts on a totally scientific scale from “all business” to &l...

In Episode 116 of 40 & Fighting, we keep things light, technical, and a little chaotic—as usual This episode is packed with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu concepts, inside jokes, and a big invite to the community we're building outside the podcast. We cover: Key BJJ concepts we've been thinking about on the mats How mindset and fundamentals beat chasing techniques Why we created the 40 & Fighti...

In the final episode of 2025, the 40 & Fighting crew sits down to break down the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu concepts and techniques we're focusing on heading into 2026. This episode is all about long-term progress, smart training, and leveling up your game—especially as a master-aged grappler. We dive into: Core BJJ concepts that actually move the needle Jiu-jitsu moves and positions we want to...