Better Than Average

This week on Better Than Average, we build our own makeshift studio and hit record—no excuses, just real talk all caught on film. We dive into Topuria’s big win at UFC 317 and what’s next for the Lightweight Division. Jay walks us through his recent NAGA success, sharing match insights, takeaways, and a little behind-the-scenes from the mats. Then we flip the script with a full breakdown of Americ...

Episode 117 – The Pod Collective This week, Chris and Jay are joined by a good friend and fellow training partner, Jack — a creative force both on the mats and behind the camera. Jack shares his journey balancing Jiu Jitsu with entrepreneurship, diving into his startup The Pod Collective, a platform for building and elevating podcasts, and his media company OSS Media Ltd, which focuses on storytel...

This week, Chris and Jay dive in with almost no foreplay, and the result is pure chaos. Topics range from Jay’s questionable fiber intake to the big question: is the new Superman actually more jacked than Henry Cavill? With a little help from AI, the guys tackle one of pop culture’s weirder hypotheticals—Is Jon Jones the UFC’s Anakin Skywalker? ChatGPT might be onto something: legendary, dangerous...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are back from their summer breaks with stories to tell—Jay recaps his trip to San Francisco, while Chris went fully off the grid in the south of France. We catch up on all the latest from UFC 316, including Kayla Harrison’s dominant submission win, slick finishes from Kevin Holland and Merab Dvalishvili, and what they say about the evolving grappling...

In this week’s episode of Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are back with the usual dose of BJJ, MMA, and unapologetic man chat. Big news on the local scene—Circle of Vigour BJJ is opening a new location in Winslow, and we’ve got the inside scoop. Whether you’re a mat savage or just BJJ-curious, you’ll want to hear what’s coming. We’re also diving into our movie recommendation of the week: The Ma...

This week on Better Than Average, we’re diving into the gritty brilliance of The Departed—Scorsese’s crime epic packed with tension, double-crosses, and some unforgettable performances. From there, we head down a rabbit hole into the world of dueling culture—how honor, pride, and pistols preserved honourable discourse amongst the politicians of 1800s America. Finally, we unpack a curious pattern i...

This week, Chris and Jay explore the fine line between control and chaos. They kick things off with a raw and real conversation about parenting styles—how different approaches shape kids, the pressure of doing it “right,” and the madness that sometimes comes with the territory. Then, they revisit the psychological horror classic The Shining, unpacking Jack Torrance’s spiral, Stanley Kubrick’s unse...

In this week’s episode, Chris and Jay cover all the usual suspects — BJJ talk, fight world updates, and life off the mats. Then, it’s time to go retro with a full review of The Running Man, the dystopian Arnold Schwarzenegger classic based on a Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) novel. They break down what holds up, what doesn’t, and why it still punches harder than expected. Plus, they drop a fre...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are back on the mics talking all things BJJ, gold medals, new beginnings, and chest-bursting sci-fi classics. Jay breaks down his recent trip to the AJP and bringing home gold, while the guys dive into some exciting news about the launch of a brand new Jiu-Jitsu school and the beginners programme at Circle of Vigour BJJ. And in true Better Than Avera...

Chris and Jay are back with another classic episode of the Better Than Average Podcast! This week, the guys dive into a Robert De Niro staple — Taxi Driver — a film that sparks more debate than expected (and not always for the smartest reasons). But the hottest arguments don’t stop there. Chris shares his take on skin-to-skin training, Jay takes a moral stand against repping another BJJ school’s b...

The boys are riding high after hosting a huge podcast guest, and the energy is undeniable. This week, we dive into a fresh review of Ryan Gosling’s Drive, plus an old-school gem straight from Uncle Jay’s classic movie archive. But that’s just the beginning. Expect a whirlwind of topics, from the state of European politics to Tesla’s recent struggles, and even a questionable attempt at unpacking th...

In Episode 107 of the Better Than Average Podcast, Chris and Jay sit down with comedian, podcaster, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt Chris Ramsey! As a seasoned pro behind the mic, Chris sets the bar high—and the guys do their best to keep up. They dive into his journey in stand-up, the wild ride of hosting a hit podcast with his wife, and, of course, his experiences on the mats. Chris shares wha...

This week, Chris and Jay reflect on the biggest interview of their podcasting careers and dive into a wild biopic about Britain’s most violent inmate. They also explore ways to naturally boost testosterone, because who doesn’t want to get the natural juices flowing? Sounds like a testosterone-fueled ride, right? Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of MMA, BJJ, movie talk, and the usual silly banter...

Chris and Jay are back with another classic episode of Better Than Average! This week, we break down one of BJJ’s biggest matchups and dive into a fascinating period of American history—thanks to our movie review of Lawless. Intrigued? You should be. But that’s not all. Jay’s vigourosity comes under scrutiny, and Chris gets a crash course in endocrinology. Packed with laughs, sharp MMA and Jiu-Jit...

Chris and Jay are back after a going AWOL last week. Episode 104 is a short one, but it’s packed with all the antics you know and love. Jay shares an update on his recent IBJJF gold medal win (and his BJJ fanboy moment), while the guys dive into a fun debate on military research, neatly tying into this week’s movie recommendation - Edge of Tomorrow. If that wasn’t enough action for you, we get a l...

Episode 103 – Back to Basics with Chris and Jay This week, Chris and Jay are back at Uncle Jay’s, adjusting to reality after the highs of last week’s trip to London’s Lyceum Theatre. While the comedown is real, there’s always a silver lining—this episode is packed with all the classic Chris and Jay antics. Expect a clumsy yet entertaining review of The Adjustment Bureau, the latest MMA updates, an...

Welcome to Episode 102! This week, Chris and Jay step off the mats and into the world-famous Lyceum Theatre in London to meet Scar and Mufasa themselves. You might be wondering what Better Than Average Podcast is doing at the home of Disney’s The Lion King, but here’s the twist—George Asprey and Shaun Escoffery aren’t just stars of one of the West End’s longest-running musicals. They’re also Brazi...

Welcome to Episode 101! This week, Chris and Jay step in for Scott and Alain on The Reef Podcast. Now, we know what you’re thinking—those Reef guys run a tight ship, and you’re not sure if we can bring the same high-level Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and critical insight… and honestly, you’d be right. But hey, we are who we are, and we do what we do. Expect the usual mix of movie references, BJJ banter, an...

Welcome to Episode 100! For this milestone-smashing edition of the Better Than Average Podcast, the boys take a nostalgic deep dive into the 1978 classic Superman. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Man of Steel or just here for the usual chaos, don’t worry—we’ve got all the MMA, BJJ, and man chat you’ve come to expect. Jay shares his thoughts on his recent trip to Marrakesh, with plenty of stor...

Episode 99: The Penultimate Show? Chris and Jay are nearing the incredible milestone of 100 episodes, but could this really be the second-to-last Better Than Average podcast? A scary thought—but don’t worry, this week is packed with classic Chris-and-Jay banter to keep you smiling. The episode kicks off with a quick dive into Coach Carter, featuring Jay’s take on the film and an unexpected old-sch...

Better Than Average Podcast – Episode 98 In this action-packed 30-minute episode, Chris and Jay put their podcasting skills to the ultimate test: delivering a quality show in record time. Do they succeed? That’s for you to decide. What’s certain is that they cover an impressive amount of ground in half an hour. The duo kicks things off with a recap of last week’s compelling interview with BJJ Blac...

This week, Chris and Jay sit down with none other than the Right Honourable MP for Swindon North, Will Stone. Before you ask, “What’s a Member of His Majesty’s Government doing on the Better Than Average podcast?”—trust us, he’s far from your typical politician. Will is an ex-Army PT, a 10th Planet BJJ Black Belt, and an all-around top bloke. In this episode, he takes us on a fascinating journey t...

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into a classic vengeance flick that’s nearly as brutal as their recent BJJ grading ceremony. Jay relives the highs of his Brown Belt promotion, Chris pieces together the wild aftermath of the Christmas party he skipped out on, and we’re treated to Jay’s surprising attempt at a husky, country-western singing voice. Packed with stories, laughs, an...

Welcome to Episode 95! This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dig into the latest UFC event, dissecting the highlights, controversies, and what went wrong for Kron Gracie. Was it a case of poor MMA fight IQ, or is the sport evolving too fast for the grappling prodigy to keep up? Then, it’s a nostalgic ride back to 2008 as the guys review Guy Ritchie’s cult classic Rock n Rolla. From unfor...

Episode 94: Big News, Bloody Fangs, and Octagon Anticipation This week on Better Than Average, Jay drops a major announcement about the next big project for Circle of Vigour BJJ, setting the stage for some exciting developments. Meanwhile, Chris dives into a full review of one of his all-time favorite vampire movies, sharing why it sinks its teeth into his top picks. To round it all out, the guys...