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

What does being coachable mean to you, and how does that impact your Jiu-Jitsu success? We are talking about being coachable from everyday training to how to focus on what your coach is telling you when you’re out there competing. Remember in The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda was trying to drop some wisdom on Luke Skywalker, but he just wasn't having it? Well, let's just say we have some thoughts...

We are exploring how adopting the mindset of a beginner can unlock your potential and help you improve at every level, from white belt through black belt. You will even hear how we are using this mindset with the podcast recording process. This practice goes way beyond the mat. Throughout the episode, we share insights from both the coach and student experience, along with practical ways to build...

What do you do when team drama rears its ugly head at the gym or outside of it? Whether it’s the mean girls ganging up on you, or relationship drama between exes, we have some thoughts to share from both the coach and the student experience. You might not want to hear this, but it starts with communication. It is the key to resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive training environment for ev...

Why do AJ and Jen believe that this was the best Roll Model Grappling Camp yet? This is not your typical Jiu-Jitsu camp. Listen to learn why. And if you were lucky enough to be there, relive some of your favorite camp experiences with us. Roll Model camp is as much about what happens off the mats as on. Life-long friendships were made. Our Jiu-Jitsu circles and communities were expanded while we l...

What does a Jiu Jitsu coach owe their student? Rolls? Coaching at tournaments? Promotions? Unlimited Access? What is the obligation and where does it end? We are navigating the intricacies of what coaches owe their students in the world of Jiu Jitsu, or at least sharing our thoughts. You will get the student and the coach perspective during this episode. How does a coach balance being present for...

Brace yourself! We are exploring the complex dynamics of the Jiu-Jitsu Coach - Student relationship. What do you owe your coach? Do you owe them anything more than just showing up when you’re paying to be there? Have you ever felt like your coach was too controlling? We are big fans of loyalty - but do you owe your Jiu Jitsu coach your undying loyalty? Where does it cross a line for you? Have you...

How do you navigate the Jiu-Jitsu world, or any other large social gatherings, as an introvert? We are sharing our experiences and tips from our listeners for making connections and building relationships within the Jiu-Jitsu community. 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/3IHT3BNicukNtCVa3...

This episode is packed full of wisdom for life on and off the mat because Emily Kwok is on the show! Emily talks about her experiences teaching Jiu Jitsu and the importance of creating a comfortable and trusting environment for her students. We also discusses the value of having multiple ecosystems in our lives and the dangers of defining ourselves solely by our Jiu Jitsu.  Emily's perspectives on...

Has a training partner ever broken your trust? How do you handle that?  What do you do when you feel like you’re training with a target on your back? Does it seem like more women are doing Jiu-Jitsu? These are a few of the questions that we’ve received from YOU, our listeners, that we are answering this week.  If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave us a 5 Star Rating i...

What should you know about podium expectations and behavior at IBJJF Tournaments? That’s where we are starting this week’s episode. We also discuss the importance of exhibiting good sportsmanship, even after a tough loss.  AJ shares what she expects from her students when she is coaching them and Jen takes us way back to the 1980s for a BIG lesson she learned the hard way about sportsmanship and y...

What did you do the last time you were scared to try something new or found yourself in an uncomfortable situation on or off the mat? Have you ever not worn and outfit, posted a picture, or tried something new out of fear of judgement?  We’ve got plenty of stories about facing fears and working through uncomfortable situations in this episode.  Highlights What is Jen afraid of at camp  What could...

What do you need to know before competing in your first  International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)  tournament? If you're new to the IBJJF, don't worry, we've got you covered. Our listener Cheyenne inspired this episode by asking questions about what to expect at a Federation tournament. AJ takes us through the process of getting your IBJJF card and walks us through some of the rules, r...

Are you confident in your Jiu Jitsu? What does it truly mean to be confident? This episode was inspired by a recent episode of the Mel Robbins podcast where Mel shares her five tools for confidence. We are exploring a multitude of opportunities to put these tools to use in our Jiu Jitsu. If you're interested in building authentic confidence in Jiu Jitsu, this episode is the episode for you. What Y...

This episode is an auditory dream board for anyone who loves jiu-jitsu and is thinking about going to a jiu-jitsu camp or retreat in some fabulous destination. We have returned from our adventure to Costa Rica and Hero BJJ and we have some stories to tell, along with travel tips, and things you should consider when picking your next BJJ retreat or camp. Hero Academy started in Tamarindo, Costa Ric...

Demi Lovato’s recent promotion to purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu has been a big topic of discussion online. Everybody’s got an opinion and some folks have big feelings about it. In this episode, we discuss the importance of celebrating personal journeys in jiu-jitsu, without judging others for their choices or progress. We also explore the role of inspiration and community in encouraging others to start...

Nattie Boss, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Black Belt, shares her journey to becoming a black belt and the lessons she learned along the way. Nattie discusses the importance of understanding the sequence of techniques in BJJ, as well as instilling confidence in female athletes when it comes to take downs. She also touches on the importance of self-care and nutrition in achieving success in BJJ. Natt...

What makes you show up when you don't feel like it? Is it external motivation or discipline? How do you differentiate being lazy from practicing self-care? We are exploring these topics as they relate to Jiu-Jitsu and life. Learn More about Roll Model Grappling Camp https://rollmodelswanted.com/ Roll Model Radio Podcast https://pod.link/1561020212   New to the Podcast? Start with these episodes h...

What if you couldn’t do Jiu-Jitsu anymore? Then what? Is your identity wrapped up in Jiu-Jitsu or any other ONE thing? AJ talks about losing her voice recently and how that has impacted her as a coach and instructor. Our teammate Mich Cai joins us to talk about how Jiu-Jitsu, working through an injury, and studying abroad this past semester have all influenced how she thinks about her personal ide...

We are celebrating Jen's first year as a blue belt. It's been packed full of ups, downs, jiu-jitsu epiphanies, and lessons learned.   Learn More about Roll Model Grappling Camp https://rollmodelswanted.com/ Roll Model Radio Podcast https://pod.link/1561020212 New to the Podcast? Start with these episodes h tt ps://open.spotify.com/playlist/19P8KcTyNTIA0hZPQYAbuN?si=f841456b4906439f https://beautya...

There are folks that love to spew advice about Jiu-Jitsu. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad advice out there. Or maybe it's not bad advice, but it isn't the right advice for you. How do you discern who should be weighing in on your Jiu-Jitsu? Have you ever wanted to offer your thoughts or advice but weren't sure how to go about it without sounding like a know-it-all? We've got you covered in th...

We are spilling the tea! CW: We discuss some heavy topics in this episode - Divorce, Coming Out, Suicide, Bullying, and Mental Health.  Learn More about Roll Model Grappling Camp https://rollmodelswanted.com/ Roll Model Radio Podcast https://pod.link/1561020212   New to the Podcast? Start with these episodes h tt ps://open.spotify.com/playlist/19P8KcTyNTIA0hZPQYAbuN?si=f841456b4906439f https://bea...

Leg locks - do you love them or despise them?  We're sharing our thoughts on leg locks. In keeping with our leg theme for the episode, we wrap up with some stocking stuffer ideas for the jiu-jitsu lovers in your life. AJ's upcoming seminar https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aj-clingerman-gi-seminar-tickets-427590684247 Learn More about Roll Model Grappling Camp https://rollmodelswanted.com/ Roll Model R...

Are you showing up to Jiu-Jitsu class with intention? Setting intentions for what you want to get out of rounds and drilling will help you progress with your Jiu-Jitsu goals. We're sharing some examples to get you started! We would love to hear what intentions you set for class. Message us on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast to let us know. If you're considering attending Roll Model Indy Base Camp...

The things we don't do often impact our lives just as much as things we do that are part of our habits, practices, and routines. If you're looking to make significant changes, sometimes it is easier to start with subtraction and eliminating the things that are no longer working for us.  Sometimes it's a shift in boundaries or our mindset. What are you no longer tolerating?  Learn More about Roll M...

What happened when Jen had to (scratch that) was unexpectedly given the opportunity to teach a class one morning? Teaching Jiu Jitsu or anything else to someone is a test of your own knowledge and understanding of the subject. Do you have a plan for what you would teach? We talk about what went well and what will go better next time. Coach AJ shares some wisdom from her years of teaching that will...