Better Than Average

This week, Chris and Jay take the Better Than Average Podcast to the Houses of Parliament to catch up with friend of the show, Will Stone MP. We get a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like as an MP, from representing constituents to navigating Westminster, as Will shares the work he’s doing to bring drone manufacturing and high-skilled jobs to Swindon. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Bett...

After a six-week disappearance, Better Than Average is finally back. Chris finally gets to review The Hunger Games, sparking a surprisingly heated debate as Jay somehow manages to completely miss the point. Is it a modern classic, or are they watching two entirely different films? We also hear all about Jay’s trip to Los Angeles, from the highlights to the inevitable stories that only seem to happ...

This week on Better Than Average, Jay bags gold at Grappling Industries—but there’s a twist… very little focus on the podium pic for this one. We get into the importance (or lack of it) of the classic medal shot and what it says about the moment and the local competition scene. Chris, meanwhile, finds himself under fire after getting caught pulling a questionable “dick move” on Northern Jonny duri...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay recap the recent BJJ Seminar with Junior Silva Atleta & Luciano Araujo sharing key takeaways, standout moments, and why getting on the mats with high-level grapplers never gets old. We also dive into a review of American Pie — a film that, for better or worse, hits a little too close to home. What starts as a nostalgic look back quickly turns into a...

This week on Better Than Average, we dive straight into a review of Rules of Attraction… a film that leaves Chris completely conflicted. Is it underrated? Over the top? A mess? A hidden gem? We genuinely can’t decide—but that doesn’t stop us from trying to bring some sense to the chaos. From there, Jay breaks down his first competition as a black belt at AJP Barcelona. From the pressure of competi...

After disappearing for six weeks, Chris and Jay are back — and the rust is barely noticeable. This week, we attempt to catch up on everything we’ve missed, including Jay’s bold attempt to get the Mayor of Milton Keynes into a gi, and a visit from comedian, podcaster, and BJJ blue belt Chris Ramsey. We also look ahead to Netflix’s big MMA event and dive into a review of Remember the Titans — revisi...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay take on the hard-hitting American History X, reflecting on its themes, performances, and why it remains such a powerful — and uncomfortable — watch. We also get a full update on the Plymouth BJJ interclub competition, covering standout moments, team performances, and the ever-present lessons learned on the mats. And in a truly unforgettable training...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay tackle one of the all-time great sequels: Terminator 2: Judgment Day. We revisit the action, the effects, the surprisingly emotional moments — and the creeping realization that some of those apocalyptic future scenes might not be as far off as we’d like to think. We debate whether Skynet is currently on schedule, why T2 manages to outshine the origin...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive headfirst into Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 sci-fi classic Total Recall. We break down the film’s unforgettable action, practical effects, mutant side characters, and the eternal question: was it all real… or wasn’t it? Along the way, we also squeeze in the usual MMA and BJJ chat, covering training updates, fight talk, and whatever else is rattling aro...

This week on Better Than Average, the conversation starts with Jay’s evolving views on TRT, how his perspective has changed, and what that means for training, aging, and performance. We also check in on recent happenings at Circle of Vigour BJJ, covering training updates, team momentum, and life on (and off) the mats. To round out the episode, we review Starship Troopers — a film that, against all...

This week on Better Than Average, Jay fills us in on his recent trip to the Philippines, including a memorable hike into a volcano. Back on the mats, we recap COV BJJ’s competition trip to Pisa, covering the performances, the lessons learned, and the post-comp reflections. To round things out, we dive into a review of the cult classic The Lost Boys, revisiting vampires, sax solos, and why this fil...

With Uncle Jay off in the Philippines climbing a volcano, Nigel steps into the co-host seat for episode 132 and he does not disappoint. We catch up on Nigel’s life as BJJ purple belt, the joys, pains, and mild existential crises that come with it. We dive into the spectacle that is Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, break down what we think might happen. And to round things out, we review the 90s class...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are joined by the only man whose voice could calm a storm or charm a crowd: Nigel, the man with the voice of an angel. We dive into a breakdown of Fatal Attraction, explore Nigel’s growing adventures (and occasional misadventures) in BJJ, and weigh in on the UFC’s biggest upcoming matchups — including the huge Harrison vs. Nunes showdown. And just wh...

This week’s description is part stanza, part episode bonanza. As Jay’s time in Vietnam comes to a close, we review the movie he chose. A humble a critique, of charisma at its pique. Our film’s an eighties tale, that will never fail. One for the dreamers, filmed before the era of streamers. It’s part cocktail review, part story of two. If you’re a fan of Coughlin law, or rolling on the floor. If yo...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into the chaotic brilliance of Tropic Thunder, breaking down the movie’s wild moments and timeless one-liners. Jay also shares the unforgettable story of Dave and the lady with no teeth — and yes, it’s exactly as bizarre as it sounds. Somehow, between the laughter and confusion, we manage to get philosophical about what it really means to be an...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay tackle the apocalyptic chaos of This Is The End — a film that somehow makes the end of the world look like the ultimate lads’ night in. Meanwhile, Hercules makes his long-awaited studio debut… and immediately reminds everyone why that might have been a bad idea. Between climbing all over the hosts and demanding attention mid-conversation, it’s fair t...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay hit record with absolutely no plan — and whether that shows or not, we’ll let you decide. The chaos kicks off with a review of War Dogs, where we revisit our favorite moments from the film and ask some surprisingly thoughtful questions about life on an army base and the mysterious Triangle of Death. We also react to President Trump’s big announcement...

In this episode of Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into Jordan Peele’s Nope — breaking down the movie’s mystery, symbolism, and whatever that whole alien-chimp-cloud situation was. Jay also recaps his dominant performance at AJP Hamburg, where he took home double gold, proving once again that he’s the athletic one of the duo. Somewhere between movie talk and medal talk, Jay also gets a bri...

Chris and Jay catch up after Jay’s big trip to Fight City for another classic episode of Better Than Average. This week, we dive into the hazards of a leg lock shootout, get the latest update on the kids program at COV BJJ Global Headquarters, and review the modern sci-fi hit Micky 17. Plenty of jiu jitsu talk, a dash of movie nerdery, and the usual laughs along the way. Welcome to episode 125, it...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into CJI 2 and the heated tap or no tap debate shaking the BJJ world. Along the way, Manchester’s abundance of Thai massage parlours somehow makes it onto the agenda, and Jay manages to sneak in a not-so-subtle infomercial for his COV BJJ beginners course. To wrap things up, the lads take on Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, a mind-bending ride that le...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige—a film packed with illusions, obsession, and one of the greatest cinematic twists of all time. We break down what makes this movie such a mind-bending classic, from the performances to the storytelling structure, and why it still holds up years later. But the conversation doesn’t stop at the movie—we also ex...

This week, Chris and Jay suit up and dive into Matthew Vaughn’s stylish spy flick The Kingsman: The Secret Service. From outrageous action sequences and over-the-top villains to sharp suits and sharper one-liners, we break down what makes this modern twist on the classic spy genre so much fun. Not your kind of movie? Not a problem we have all the normal BJJ and MMA chat starting with a breakdown o...

This week’s episode is a globe-trotter’s dream (sort of). Jay is gearing up for a trip to Vietnam while Chris takes a swing at Wimbledon. We also talk about Ffion Davies’ brand-new BJJ gym, Arma, and then dive into some very serious debates: Sydney Sweeney’s jeans and the eternal question—who’s better looking, Nadal or Federer? On top of that, we review Barbarian (thanks to Chris’ Netflix pick) an...

This week, we’re coming to you from the brand new Circle of Vigour BJJ Global Headquarters! Big moves, big mats, and big opinions. Chris kicks things off by making some bold predictions about Jay’s recent BJJ tournament performance—was he right, or hilariously wrong? We also dive into a rewatch and review of Deadpool 2, breaking down where it stacks up in the superhero movie universe. And of cours...

This week, Chris and Jay are recording from the brand new Circle of Vigour BJJ—a fresh chapter for the show and the mats alike. In this episode, they dive into the UFC’s unexpected visit to the White House and what it could mean for the sport’s future. Jay recaps his recent trip to the iconic Lyceum Theatre, where he linked up for some rolls with friends of the pod George Asprey and Shaun Escoffer...