40 & FIGHTING

The holidays are rolling in, and the mats are still busy! ‍♂️ In Episode 113 of 40 & Fighting, we lean into the festive chaos and break down a week full of judo, jiu-jitsu, and gym hilarity. We talk about: Training judo inside a jiu-jitsu gym and what carries over (and what absolutely doesn't) Hosting Sensei James and John surviving his first-ever judo class Some standout moments and match...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting — the podcast for grapplers training hard while balancing life after 40. In Episode 113, we dive into a packed week of training, competition talk, and stepping way outside the comfort zone. This episode covers: Training Judo inside a Jiu-Jitsu gym Sensei James visiting the gym and bringing real Judo knowledge John's VERY first Judo class experience IBJJF No-...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting, the podcast for grapplers balancing real life, training, and the grind! In Episode 112, we break down an exciting week for the team as they compete at JJWL, and Anthony gives his firsthand reactions after attending a live Judo event. We dive into: JJWL competition highlights What surprised us most from the Judo event Anthony watched ⚖️ Key rule differences betwee...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting, the podcast for everyday martial artists balancing life, family, work, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over 40. In Episode 110, we're coming off Thanksgiving week — which means training was light… unless you were a white belt. Some of y'all definitely got the business this week. We break down: Adult vs Master Divisions — what really changes, what doesn...

Welcome back to 40 & Fighting! In Episode 110, we kick things off with a fun viewer quiz—can YOU spot what went wrong in this failed Judo throw? From there, we dive deep into an important topic: Why are there so few Judo schools in the United States? We discuss the decline of Judo in America, the challenges modern dojos face, and how Judo's presence compares to the explosive growth of Br...

We're finally back! After a short hiatus, 40 & Fighting returns with Episode 109 — and we're catching up on everything that's happened over the last few weeks. From jiu-jitsu training updates, to life chaos, to what's coming next for the podcast, we break down all the stories we've been waiting to share. In this episode, we dive into: ✔️ What's been happening during our break ✔️ Recent B...

In Episode 108 of 40 & Fighting, John is joined once again by Misa for a deep dive into the hidden details and concepts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that separate good practitioners from great ones. From subtle grips and pressure adjustments to the philosophy behind “Hidden Jiu-Jitsu,” we unpack the small details that make a massive difference on the mats. Whether you're a white be...

This week on 40 & Fighting, it's a special episode — both Anthony and John officially received their brown belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! We're joined once again by Misa, and things get both hilarious and heartfelt as we reflect on the journey, the grind, and what it really means to level up in BJJ. We talk about the emotions behind the promotion, how training has changed over the years,...

In this episode of 40 & Fighting, we dive into a packed weekend of action! Anthony and the Humaita team hit the mats at Jiu-Jitsu World League (JJWL), and we break down their performances, highlight some standout moments, and talk about the energy of competing as a team. We also shift gears to discuss the growing presence of BJJ in the UFC, and give our reactions to last night's huge UFC fight...

In this episode of 40 & Fighting, we break down Anthony's last two Judo competitions — the wins, the challenges, and everything in between. From stepping onto the tatami to testing his skills against tough opponents, Anthony shares what it's like to balance competing in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We also get into his upcoming BJJ competition, discussing strategy, preparation, and...

In this week's episode of 40 & Fighting, we break down the highlights from our week on and off the mats. Anthony shares his experience competing in his recent judo competition — the wins, the challenges, and the lessons learned. We also dive into some classic BJJ talk, rolling stories, and (of course) some good old-fashioned food conversations. This episode has a little bit of everything...

We're back! After a little time away on our cruise vacation, the mats (and the mics) are calling again. In this episode, we catch up and dive straight into the excitement of Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) Day 1. From our thoughts on the early matches to our predictions for what's to come, this episode is packed with BJJ talk, laughs, and plenty of mat-side banter. If you're into Brazilian Jiu-Jits...

Welcome back to another episode of 40 & Fighting! In Episode 102, we talk about why we missed a week, dive into some Judo insights, and share details about our upcoming squad vacation. From mat talk to travel plans, this episode has a mix of laughs, training updates, and stories from the grind. If you're into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, or just love hearing about the journey of martial ar...

In episode 101 of 40 & Fighting, we break down the squad's performance at the most recent tournament — the wins, the lessons, and the war stories. Anthony shares an honest recap of his matches, reflecting on what went well and what needs work. We also chat about what's coming up over the next few weeks, including some exciting travel plans and upcoming competitions. Whether you're a seas...

In this special 100th episode of 40 & Fighting, we're back with fan-favorite guest Misahel! Expect hilarious moments, unfiltered banter, and some classic off-the-rails storytelling. We also dive into early thoughts on Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2), some wild matchups we'd love to see, and break down our own training this week on the mats. Whether you're a BJJ addict, a grappling nerd, or...

In this powerful episode of 40 & Fighting – Path to Black: Black Belt Edition, we sit down with a very special guest, Sensei Juan, a Kodokan 3rd Dan Black Belt in Judo. We dive into his incredible martial arts journey, the deep-rooted history of Judo, and how it has shaped not only his life but the lives of countless others. From the origins of Judo, its evolution, and its influence on B...

In episode 99 of 40 & Fighting, we dive into an important and exciting idea — should we host our own BJJ retreat focused on men's mental health? We discuss how a retreat could combine jiu-jitsu, connection, and support for men navigating life's challenges on and off the mats. We also share some highlights from the week, talk judo, training stories, and sprinkle in some good laughs as alw...

In this week's episode of 40 & Fighting, we dive into the UFC BJJ Finals and give our thoughts on the highly anticipated UFC 317 card. From slick submissions to explosive knockouts, we highlight the moments that stood out and break down how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to evolve within MMA. We also talk about the rising role of grappling in UFC events, the crossover of high-level BJJ athletes...

This week on 40 & Fighting, we dig into the buzz around ecological jiu-jitsu—but is it really new? We share our take on how this concept has always been a part of solid jiu-jitsu training, even if it didn't have a trendy name. We also talk about the presence of BJJ in the UFC, how it's evolved over time, and which fighters are representing the art at the highest level. Plus, some reflect...

This week on 40 & Fighting, we're keeping it light, fun, and full of laughs. Anthony has officially denounced his Jiu-Jitsu citizenship and we're talking all about it. No deep tournament breakdowns or heavy technique talk—just two hobbyists hanging out, talking about life on and off the mats. If you're looking for real Jiu-Jitsu conversations with a side of sarcasm and storytelling, this...

Big milestones and big events this week on 40 & Fighting! Anthony just leveled up and received his orange belt in Judo —we dive into what that journey has looked like, what's next, and how cross-training with Jiu-Jitsu has helped shape his progress. We also break down some of the latest BJJ Worlds highlights, and get hyped for the upcoming Who's Number One (WNO) event—previewing ma...

This week on 40 & Fighting, we sit down with Joel Ruiz, a freshly promoted brown belt with big goals and even bigger grind. Joel shares his journey through the ranks, what it took to earn that new belt, and his dreams of becoming an ADCC and IBJJF World Champion. From hard rolls and setbacks to motivation and mindset—this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and the usual laughs...

In Episode 93 of 40 & Fighting, we break down a big week of Jiu-Jitsu action! Anthony and the team hit the mats at the JJWL Worlds, and let's just say… things didn't exactly go according to plan for Anthony (don't worry, he only half-jokingly talks about quitting Jiu-Jitsu). But despite the rough go, the team crushed it—taking 2nd place overall in the Super 8 division! Meanwhile,...

We're back! After missing a few episodes, 40 & Fighting returns with Episode 92—just getting back into the swing of things. We catch up, talk about what we've been up to, and ease back into the rhythm of training, podcasting, and laughing at our own chaos. No big agenda this week—just two guys talking Jiu-Jitsu, life, and everything in between. If you've missed the crew, this one's...

In Episode 91 of 40 & Fighting, Anthony shares his wild experience stepping onto the judo competition mat as a white belt—only to face off against a 5-time judo champion. We break down what went down, how it felt, and what lessons were learned (win or lose). We dive into the differences between judo and BJJ competition, the nerves of stepping out of your comfort zone, and how testing you...