Higher Jiu Jitsu Podcast

As a blue belt I was visiting another school until I was told not to. I hadn't done anything wrong, but it wasn't working for my home school or the school I was visiting. I was upset, and a little offended, and I didn't know what I had done wrong.  Fast forward numerous years, I am now a school owner and I can see both sides of the coin.  Here is a chat about how to visit another school...

John and Matty return in a chat for the infidels of jiu jitsu! You know THOSE people, who think it's very weird and abnormal to be on top of other sweaty men and women trying to choke eachother. The ones that laugh at the thought of you training, because they'd rather be out doing normal things. Lots of us were there before we even started in this martial art. Then we got into it for one reason or...

Join Matty and I as we discuss why you need to come back to jiu jitsu! This is a timely reminder for those who are out of routine due to the pandemic, or previously injured, and/or jaded from a previous jiu jitsu experience. More than anything it's a fun discussion about why we train, and why we recommend it for all walks of life. "Jiu jitsu this and that. You’ve been there, and done that. The aca...

Matty and John talk about 3 big reasons to do jiu jitsu, and they're very relevant today... Self Defence Superpowers When you learn self defence, you practice how to act in the interests of wellbeing. You build situational awareness, and the ability to adapt in order to protect your life, and the lives of those around you. You will understand how to nullify aggression with avoidance, control, & su...

John and Matty discuss the importance of learning the basics and building your knowledge of jiu jitsu from the ground up.  First a big thanks to the students who jump on Zoom and continue the learning. And a spray to those who haven't :) We chat about the history and progression of the Jiu Jitsu Commune into what we now know as Higher Jiu Jitsu. “If a man knows not to which port he sails no w...

During our Covid19 lockdown, Matty and I meet up, whilst practicing social distancing of course, and discuss 10 of the most annoying things you can do on the jiu jitsu mats. We all know you’re a great person, and don’t intend to annoy your friends. But there are some things that are taboo on the jits mats. Avoid these and you'll be fine and ready to enjoy jits and keep friends, on the mats and off...

Matty and John get together to talk about the early stages of jiu jitsu, and how to best organise, and think about your training right from the beginning. Just like every game you need to know the rules first before you can play properly. Without knowing the rules, and especially when up against other beginners, you run the risk of not having fun, and getting injured, and building bad habits.  Con...

Join John and Matty, this time in the dojo as we discuss the essential jiu jitsu journey - from within yourself and throughout those around you.  Study Yourself You decided to don the gi and take part in this journey. You make your way to jiu jitsu class, you tie your belt, and you train for hours. It’s your neck that’s on the line, and it’s your limbs that are sought. It sounds just like a p...

Stop using your strength!  Does this sound familiar?  We're not judging. We're just here to help. --- You huff, and you puff, and you fight jiu jitsu. We tell you to 'go easy', relax, and not use your strength. You hear us, but you don't listen to us. You nod your head, and the moment you touch gloves, the bulldog is once again off the leach. We don’t blame you. Your intentions are...

Join John and Matty as we discuss the Long Game of jiu jitsu and how to play it.  --- When you play the long game, there isn’t a finish line. No end in sight.  That isn’t a punishment, but a just reward for being a student of this martial art. The long game comes with it’s own rules of play. 1. First things first, do not get injured. In the long game, letting your limbs snap, and your neck crank i...

They say home is where the heart lies. And then there’s your jiu jitsu academy. John and Matty discuss what a third place is and why you need one too.  "Members feel more like brothers and sisters. The mats feel just like the warmth and comfort of your own home. You feel a piece of yourself is rooted in the space, and you gain strength just by being there. These are the feelings that come via...

John and Matty discuss the differences between sport BJJ and Gracie Jiu Jitsu as a way of life.  Many people start in jiu jitsu with the goal to stay safe and compete in MMA. Very quickly I was pulled into the competitive realm, and the 'stay safe' part fell by the wayside to the focus of winning competitions.  It isnt that competition jiu jitsu isn't an opportunity to learn, or lots of...

John and Matty discuss the very common Imposter Syndrome amongst jiu jitsu students, and how it can wreak havoc on your ability to learn, as well as the enjoyment you derive from your practice of the gentle art.  It's Self Awareness Being critical is a strength when you seek out what to improve on, and look to refine the parts and benefit the whole.  In this way there is no limit to how...

The Leverage Camp of 2019 has come and gone, and with it has etched some of the most amazing jiu jitsu memories that the participants will never forget.  It was as though the jiu jitsu Gods were looking down on us, for everything about this camp was nothing less than perfect.  Below I will do my best to put this experience into words, which definitely won’t demonstrate that tingly sense...

John and Matty discuss the coaching process happening at Higher and what it takes to be a good coach.  We chat about the importance of staying a learner for life, and being guided through the jiu jitsu journey in a way that offers structure and freedom at the same time.  Points of Note: +The importance of the environment around you to maintain curiosity and stay safe as you explore the l...

Matty and I recorded this two weeks ago and it was scheduled to be released at the end of August.  In light of the recent Sydney Stabbing Attacks that occurred on the 13th August, I feel like it's important to bring up these points of discussion today.  Yesterday Sydney's CBD was faced with a random act of violence by a knife yielding, mentally unstable man. It resulted in the loss of a life, mult...

Curiosity On the Mats Doesn't Kill the Cat. John and Matty as we discuss how to stay curious on the mats, and learn for a lifetime.  If you want to do jiu jitsu well, you need to learn how to do it.  So, what's the best way to learn? First, be curious. You're not curious when you're under pressure to perform, or when you're worried about being flattened or broken. You're curious when you play with...

"Beware the barreness of a busy life." - Socrates. Join Coach John and Matty as they talk about how to 'Stop Busy. Start Jiu Jitsu". The more attention you give to something, the more it will flourish. This is why you need to proactively plan your jiu jitsu time.  A regular practice of jiu jitsu will not happen by accident.  Time will not leap up and bite you in the butt. Nobody will give it to yo...

Join Coach John Smallios, Prof Phillip Grapsas, and purple belt extraordinaire Roger Dio as we discuss how to take your practice of jiu jitsu and turn it into a study of science.  --- The beauty of jiu jitsu means that there are countless choices in any one moment in time. From each position, you can pick and choose many different options to move forward. And with every second of motion, thes...

Injuries suck. I hate them. If you're a human being, you do too.  Your training methods should be focused on improving your capacity to live, perform, and have fun. Not hurt you.  If you're frequently getting injured, it may be time to consider your program. Join Coach John and Matty as we discuss the perils of injury, and what to do in order to minimise the risks of them, on the ma...

Life is busy and you're a little under the weather.  You're tired, a little bored of your current routine, and just want to do something fun and fresh.  This is around the time that jiu jitsu can help.  You do a trial at HJJ, you meet new friends, you learn self defence, and have fun, all at the same time.  You're now hooked, you have the bug. You haven't been this excited in a...

 Gracie Jiu Jitsu means self defence via leverage where smaller, weaker people can defend themselves against bigger, and stronger aggressors.   So then why are the everyday people doing jiu jitsu predominantly men? The gentle art is the perfect martial art for women to learn because it doesn't rely on physical attributes. You don't need big muscles, or lots of fitness to make it work.&nb...

 John and AJ sit to discuss the entire ethos of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. When you first start jiu jitsu, and your understanding is lacking, you see one move after the other. When you've been training for a while, you start to consider the strategy that connects all of these techniques together. The Perils of Poker - On the poker table, if you show your hand to your opponent, you'll get burned. The s...