Beauty and the Gi: Gripping Conversations about Jiu-Jitsu and Life

How much time have you spent working on the mental side of your Jiu-Jitsu game? Do you have practices in place to strengthen your mind and keep your focus? "The Mental Edge: Maximize Your Sports Potential with the Mind-Body Connection" by Kenneth Baum and Richard Trubo is the book that has inspired this episode.  Coach Rachel Casias recommended this book, so of course, we’re reading it! In this ep...

What do you do when your coach asks you to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the first time? Are you ready to run the class? The Highlight Reel (02:26) What makes a good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor (08:15) Teaching to different skill levels, ages, and body types (10:52) Advice for teaching your first class (14:58) What if a higher rank is in class (16:57) What if you don’t feel confident in your ow...

We share our big takeaways and lessons from this year’s Roll Model Grappling Camp. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the camp was curated to foster both Jiu-Jitsu skill development and a strong sense of community among women practitioners. This year’s theme was "A rising tide raises all ships," a phrase AJ often employs to emphasize the power of collective improvement. This theme resonated throu...

How can you elevate your Jiu-Jitsu faster? Take notes! This episode is packed with actionable practices to enhance your retention, refine your skills, and improve your overall Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We are big believers in the power of taking notes and keeping a Jiu-Jitsu journal to improve your Jiu-Jitsu. This episode was inspired by a recent blog post from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Ray Casias.  He...

How much planning, preparation, and practice have you committed to the first 30 seconds of your match? Taking control and setting the tone of your match by focusing on the first 30 seconds was just one of of the big lessons from our recent adventure to attend Rachel Casias’ competition training camp.  Training camps are transformative experiences. They provide targeted, intensive training and the...

How confident are you in your stand-up game? It’s a question that often goes unasked, but it’s one that can make a significant difference in your Jiu-Jitsu practice.  Do you have a go-to takedown? Are you a guard puller? Understanding and developing your stand-up game is crucial for a well-rounded Jiu-Jitsu practice.  If you don’t have a go-to takedown (like Jen) or guard pull, this episode is for...

Jen is back from Greece and her two week break from Jiu-Jitsu. This episode was recorded after her first day back on the mats. It was a doozy. This episode is packed full of thoughts on intention and managing expectations. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (02:11) The challenge of returning to Jiu-Jitsu after a long break (05:52) When you feel like your training partners are leveling up without you (1...

We are announcing the 4th instructor for this year's Roll Model Grappling Camp in Indianapolis. If you've been listening for a while, then you've heard Risser on the podcast as a co-host. You're in for a treat with this episode because now Risser is the one answering the questions! Connect with Risser on Instagram @jrizzinthehizz If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave...

Are you taking time to celebrate your growth, milestones, and victories, whether big or small? It’s so easy to move on to the next thing without taking time to revel in the joy of your accomplishment. Slow down. Reflect. Celebrate. We are doing just that in this episode. The podcast turned 5 years old and has reached the 100,000 downloads milestone.  What has changed in the five years since we sta...

Do you feel pressure to bring “value” when rolling with a higher rank? From brand-new white belts to experienced black belts, we all bring unique value to the mat. Seeing the value we bring can be especially tricky when you’re new to grappling. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re learning a move for the first time, then you go to drill it, and your mind goes blank. We’ve been there and lived...

Rachel Casias makes a return visit to the show because she is coming back to teach at this year’s Roll Model Base Camp in July! When Rachel joins us, we always have a multifaceted conversation about Jiu-Jitsu and life. We talk about her decision-making process regarding whether or not to compete in a recent Jiu-Jitsu tournament, the importance of continuous learning as a black belt, and how she’s...

You're gearing up for a Jiu-Jitsu competition, and when you least expect it, your opponent slides into your DMs. Wait, what?! We’ve pulled AJ’s soapbox out for this episode, inspired by a recent post in a women’s Jiu-Jitsu Facebook group.   Episode Highlights (00:00) The “Should you contact your opponent?” debate (09:52) The Power of Connections from Jiu-Jitsu Camps, Competitions, and Seminars (17...

We’ve talked about the downward spiral in previous episodes. You know, that moment when you make a mistake, can’t get out of your own head, and then the wheels fall off. We’ve all been there. What if you flipped that concept and started building on the little things you are doing right? This episode was inspired by a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett. He and hi...

Have you watched the American Jiujiteira documentary? We watched it and have some thoughts to share with you in this episode.  (00:00) Episode Intro (01:29) The American Jiujiteira Documentary Explore the impact of the American Jiujiteira documentary and its significance in showcasing women’s experiences in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From personal training experiments to the representation of women in t...

From battling with self-doubt to finding inspiration in the daily struggles, we explore the multifaceted impact of Jiu-Jitsu and life on and off the mat. Life outside of Jiu-Jitsu can affect our performance on the mat. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, and mental well-being play a crucial role in how we show up and our ability to engage effectively. Our time practicing Jiu-Jitsu shapes how we show...

BJJ Black Belt Sarah Chamberlain is the first instructor to be announced for Roll Model Grappling Camp 2024. Get to know Sarah as she talks with AJ, Jen, and Risser. We can’t wait to learn from her at camp this summer! (00:00) Episode Intro (01:18) Why Sarah Loves Warmups (05:15) Sarah’s Advice to her younger self when starting BJJ (14:03) The benefits of starting from bad positions (14:42) The ev...

As we roll into a new year, there's a sense of renewal and possibility. We are kicking off the new year by talking about intention, embracing a shift in perspective, and announcing the Roll Model Camp 2024 theme!    If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave us a 5 Star Rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3IHT3BNicukNtCVa3AAwBI https://podcast...

Are you ready to roll into 2024 with a game plan to help get what you want out of life on and off the mat? This is not just another episode about goal setting. The time has come to sharpen our focus and develop a strategic game plan for success.  You know Coach AJ loves a game plan! Whether you want to improve your Jiu-Jitsu or make changes in other areas of your life, laying out clear, concise, a...

Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like your Jiu-Jitsu was total garbage? How do you work through it? This episode was recorded right after Jen had one of those days. Coach AJ shares her wisdom on how to work through it. We also discuss finding your Zen while stuck in an uncomfortable spot on or off the mat. This might be our new favorite episode. We hope you love it, too.   If you...

Has wrestling with doubt and uncertainty ever kept you from registering for a Jiu-Jitsu tournament? Normally, when it’s time to register for a tournament, AJ is all about the game plan, building up to the big day with intense training and focus. But this time, things were different. She found herself waffling on whether or not to register for the Nashville Open. How did it turn out? And will Jen e...

Turns out you can be obsessed with Jiu Jitsu and still have days when you've wanted to quit. You can even love Jiu Jitsu, but there will be days when you don’t like it. Have you ever wanted to quit Jiu Jitsu? How do you reignite the spark when this happens? We’ve got a gameplan to help you find your way back to your love of Jiu Jitsu.   The Highlights (01:13) You’re not alone (09:37) Dealing with...

Picture it: you're the only woman in your Jiu-Jitsu class. You’ve shown up consistently, you work hard, you’re training for your next tournament, but now there's a new twist. Your coach expects you always to be the one to train with every new woman who walks through the door. Your frustration builds, and you wonder, “Am I the jerk for feeling this way?”. We have big thoughts on this topic because...

What do you look for in a Jiu-Jitsu Coach and gym culture? Have you been intentional in finding a coach and gym that shares a similar moral compass and core values with you? Does it really matter that much? It matters to us because we want you training, loving Jiu-Jitsu, and getting the most out of your time on the mat.  Whether you are a practitioner or a coach, this episode offers valuable insig...

What do you do when you feel like your family, friends, or spouse are not supportive of you doing Jiu-Jitsu? From concerns about injuries to doubts about our abilities and choices, we've heard it all. Whether it’s a partner who doesn't appreciate your commitment, parents who don't understand why you do Jiu-Jitsu, or friends who think it's a waste of time, we’ve got some ideas to handle these situa...

We have BIG opinions on cross-training and whether or not it’s a good idea to attend Jiu Jitsu open mats.  Picture It: You love going to open mats, but your coach seems to have some reservations. This is the situation that one of our listeners found herself in.  Now, that got the gears turning in our jiu-jitsu-obsessed minds. We dive deep into the topic of cross-training and open mats and explain...