Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn sits down with Gwena — a jiu jitsu blue belt and the creator of the “From My Mat to Yours” podcast.   After her breast cancer diagnosis, Gwena built her podcast as a way to stay connected to the Jiu Jitsu community she loves so deeply. In this episode, she opens up about the realities of navigating life, training, identity, and healing through an entirely...

This week we’re joined by Zoe Parris, a competitor whose grit and growth mindset are turning heads on and off the mats. Jenn and Mal dive into Zoe’s journey—from her early days training to the challenges, breakthroughs, and self-discovery that come with chasing jiu-jitsu at a high level.   Expect real talk, plenty of laughs, and a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to keep evolving as an at...

Bodied Jiu Jitsu Camps: Empowering Heavyweight Women with Jody Shields    In this episode, Jenn and Mal sit down with Jody Shields—better known online as @nogi_yogi—the powerhouse behind @bodiedjiujitsu, the groundbreaking camp built specifically for heavyweight women in grappling.   Jody opens up about what inspired her to create a space where bigger bodies aren’t just included—they’re centered....

In this episode, Mal and Jenn sit down with Mal’s sister, Lindsay — a special education teacher, early intervention specialist, and mom — to explore her world supporting tiny humans with big needs and being a steady force for the families who love them. She tells us all about her business, Jump the Line, and the services that she offers to support families. We talk about motherhood, marijuana as a...

Rob Ingram — aka McDojo Life — joins Jenn and Mal for a deeply honest conversation about what really goes on in some martial arts schools. In this episode, we talk about fraud, abuse, and the people who use “dojo” as a disguise for predatory behavior. Rob shares how he’s uncovered fake instructors, cult-like gym cultures, predatory behavior, and financial scams. We also confront the darkest parts...

In this week's episode of Chokeholds & Chill we sat down with Patrick “Durkin” Cummins for a conversation that somehow hits every chapter of his life in one go. We start off joking around (fast forward a touch if you don't like dirty jokes), but quickly dig into the real story — from walking on to wrestle at Penn State, being a member of the National team, navigating legal trouble, getting thr...

From rolling on mismatched mats in rural Pennsylvania to training under John Danaher, Garry Tonon, and Gordon Ryan — Katie Hooven’s story is one of obsession, evolution, and community. Jenn and Mallory sit down with Katie to talk about her journey through small-town beginnings, the legendary blue basement, moving to Puerto Rico mid-pandemic, and now helping lead the next generation at Kingsway Jiu...

From a small farm town basement to the black belt ranks, John Kress’s Jiu Jitsu journey is anything but ordinary. Starting at 16, he trained with wrestlers, rolled on makeshift mats, and fought his way through local tournaments before earning his black belt after 16 years of dedication. Now our newest professor at Union Jiu Jitsu, John shares his story of competition, discipline, and passion for t...

From running the world’s largest women’s Jiu Jitsu camp to coaching business owners and hosting podcasts, AJ Clingerman somehow does it all — and still finds time to roll. Jenn and Mallory talk with AJ about how she built her Roll Models empire, the lessons she’s learned about leadership and burnout, and why creating safe spaces for women in Jiu Jitsu matters more than ever.   Check out www.rollmo...

From the mats to the mic, Season 3 has been a ride.   We started with BJJ Wiki, shared cycles (and laughs) with Eli Coffey, got introspective with Lex Stevenson’s hit episode on behavioral science and BJJ, and heard stories that stuck with us — from Randy Rae’s resilience to Abe and TJ of Lee’s Heart.   There was Scotty Miller, the one that got away (Vegas edition), Seph Smith and his now-infamous...

From small-town roots to the mats of Kansas City, Zac Moburg’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and growth. A blue belt with a big heart (and an even bigger guard game), Zac opens up about the people and moments that shaped him — from growing up in the Midwest to learning discipline through powerlifting, caddying, and eventually Jiu-Jitsu.   Jenn and Mal sit down with Zac to talk about life lesson...

In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Becky Williams, the founder of Mil Usos Skin Care, a brand made specifically for grapplers. We dive into her journey of training, creating products to protect and heal skin on the mats, and why we’re excited to partner with her and share them with our community. But we go way beyond skin care — we get into women’s issues in jiu-jitsu, the...

Master Worlds isn't just about the matches - it's the people, the stories, and the atmosphere that make it unforgettable. In this episode, we take you along with us as we chat with athletes, explore the vendor booths, and share our raw impressions on the highs and lows of competing and spectating, and the energy of Vegas outside of the tournament. We got to connect with: @tapcancerout @mrjasperwon...

Randy Rae’s journey to the mats wasn’t easy—but it’s one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless grit.   In this episode, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Randy to talk through his story—from growing up with no supervision, battling addiction from a young age, and cycling through the juvenile justice system—to building a life rooted in purpose, fatherhood, and Jiu Jitsu.   After getting sober at...

Richmond’s own Seph Smith joins Jenn and Mal for an episode that’s equal parts Jiu Jitsu and comedy. A decorated black belt under Ryan Hall with years of IBJJF competition experience, Seph has built a legacy as both a tough competitor and a beloved coach.   We dig into: • His journey through grappling and competition • The crossover between comedy, creativity, and Jiu Jitsu • How animals play such...

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Scott Miller — a 3rd-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former collegiate wrestler, owner of Evergreen Jiu Jitsu, and world-class coach who’s spent decades refining the art of grappling. With a foundation in wrestling that began at just six years old, Scott has gone on to become a respected mentor to both everyday practitioners and UFC fighters competing at the...

This week, we sit down with TJ and Abe, the founders of Lee’s Heart —a nonprofit built on grit, healing, and the power of adventure. As combat veterans and flight paramedics, these two saw the impact of trauma up close. But they also discovered something unexpected: Jiu Jitsu and it's community as a lifeline.   What started as a coping tool has become a powerful retreat experience for first respon...

What do behavioral science and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode, Jenn and Mal sit down with Alexis Stevenson—BCBA, purple belt, and passionate researcher—whose work explores the intersection between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Jiu Jitsu.   From her recent presentation in Iceland to her experiences training around the world, Lex shares i...

Today, we remember and honor our dear friend Shirley. We’re re-releasing her episode so her voice, her laugh, and her wisdom can be heard again. Shirley, you touched our lives more than words can say. Thank you for every moment. You will be missed, but never forgotten.   🕊️ Rest Easy, Babe.   In this powerful and deeply human episode, Mallory and Jenn sit down with Shirley—a white belt from San Di...

You’ve seen the memes. You’ve heard the invites. But why do jiu-jitsu people always want you to train? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal read a heartfelt post by Tara Thornton (@tara_thornton_)—a love letter to the sport—and break down why we keep coming back to the mats.   This isn’t about recruiting bodies. It’s about sharing something life-changing.   We get into: 🥋 Why y...

When Jenn first signed up for Eli Coffey’s nutrition and training program, she wasn’t prepared for how much it would challenge her—or change her. From learning to fuel her body with intention to navigating insecurities and mindset shifts, it wasn’t just about macros and muscle—it was about trust, growth, and coming back stronger after setbacks (including surgery).   In this episode, Jenn sits down...

In this weeks episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with our friend and teammate, Victoria—a white belt who brings quiet strength, open-hearted energy, and unwavering dedication to the mats and beyond.   Victoria began training jiu-jitsu in January, and in just a short time, she’s become a powerful presence in our gym community. But her story stretches far beyond the mats.   Raised in a h...

What does it mean to be part of the Jiu Jitsu community—even when you’re not on the mat every day? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Dante, the voice behind @bjj.wiki and the host of the heartfelt and hilarious @offthematspodcast.   Dante is a blue belt who’s been training on and off for over a decade. His journey isn’t defined by medals or mats, but by the...

Season Two of Chokeholds & Chill pulled no punches—emotionally or otherwise.   In this recap, Jenn and Mallory reflect on a season that wasn’t afraid to get real. We dove into stories of personal transformation, healing from the inside out, and what it actually means to find your way back to the mats—over and over again.   We covered topics that don’t usually make it to open mat: mental health...

In this special main episode, Mallory sits down with Jenn to unravel the rollercoaster journey from white belt to brown. From fumbling through early rolls to finding her footing as a higher belt, Jenn reflects on the lessons, losses, and laughs along the way. But purple belt? That one hit different. Physically and emotionally, it was the hardest season of her Jiu Jitsu life—and it just so happened...