Jiu Jitsu Files

What happens when you take a Jiu Jitsu tournament, flip a coin to decide whether a match is points or submission-only, and build the entire event around the competitors and community? In File #16, Joey and Eric break down the Lake Arrowhead Open — from the idea behind the tournament to what actually happened when the brackets started running. We get into the unusual rule format, professi...

What happens when you don't know the ruleset until you step onto the mat? In File No. 15, Joey and Eric sit down the night before the Lake Arrowhead Jiu Jitsu Open to talk about the idea behind the tournament—and why every match begins with a coin flip. Points or submission only. You don't know until the coin lands. They get into building a ruleset that rewards complete grapplers, the advantages o...

What does it look like to build your life around Jiu Jitsu? In File No. 14, Joey and Eric sit down with Andrew Murillo—Owner of 10th Planet Murrieta, PGF Referee, and founder of King of Subs—to talk about turning a passion for Jiu Jitsu into a career, an academy, tournaments, and a life. They go back to the early days of training together, living together, teaching privates, throwing events, and f...

In File No. 13, Joey and Eric talk about why efficiency matters more than brute force, how different grappling styles have shaped modern Jiu Jitsu, and why the way you train has to evolve as you get older and more experienced. They also get into real-world situations where Jiu Jitsu made a difference—and why having the ability to control someone doesn't mean you always need to use it.

Running a Jiu Jitsu academy involves much more than teaching Jiu Jitsu. In File No. 12, Joey and Eric talk about the things nobody prepares you for when you open a gym—from floods, power outages, and construction problems to injuries, parents, etiquette, scheduling, finances, and all the random problems that somehow become your responsibility. They also cover teaching, managing different personali...

File 11 is a fast, funny, deeply personal look at the people, philosophies, and bizarre stories that built the LA Jiu Jitsu Club into what it is today.

In File No. 10, Joey and Eric go back to their wrestling days at Moorpark College and talk about how those experiences helped shape the competitors—and people—they eventually became. They share stories about Coach Paul Keesaw, the grind of college wrestling, wins, losses, setbacks, and the mental side of competition. They also talk about how lessons learned in the wrestling room carried over into...

In this File, Joey and Eric break down a lesson that shaped their careers: say yes to the smaller jobs before you're ready for the bigger ones. By helping other people build, run, and support the things they wanted to do, they learned every part of the process firsthand. That experience gave them the confidence and knowledge to later launch their own projects with fewer surprises and a stronger fo...

Gym etiquette can make or break your Jiu Jitsu experience.  The smallest habits - showing up on time, wearing the right gear, knowing when to speak up or shut up, and reading the room - can be the difference between getting welcomed in or quietly marked as “that guy.” In File No. 8 , Joey & Eric break down the written and unwritten rules of Jiu Jitsu — t hey also get into the differences...

Most people want to wait until they have everything figured out before they start. Joey and Eric argue the opposite. In File No. 7, they talk about why momentum comes from taking action, why saying yes creates opportunities, and why people are far more likely to help you once they see you're already doing the work. From Jiu Jitsu in the Park and tournaments to podcasting and building businesses, t...

File No. 6 is all about competition.   Joey and Eric talk about what separates good competitors from great ones, handling wins and losses, competition nerves, visualization, injuries, and why consistency beats motivation every time. Whether you're preparing for your next tournament or just trying to improve at something that matters to you, there's something in this conversation for you.

In this File, we look back at the chaotic, stressful, and beautiful journey of building our Jiu Jitsu life from the ground up. From graveyard shifts and bartending to running open mats and hustling odd jobs, this one is about betting on yourself before you have proof it will work. We also talk about the people and moments that shaped the path, from unexpected encouragement to lessons learned from...

In this Memorial Day file, Joey & Eric reflect on the deep connection between military life and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They share stories from the Marines, wrestling, and training mats to explore why veterans are often drawn to the structure, humility, challenge, and camaraderie that Jiu Jitsu provides. From hard lessons in discipline and resilience to the ways Jiu Jitsu can support veterans aft...

Competition has a way of exposing both your strengths and your weaknesses—and that's exactly why it's such a powerful teacher. In this File, Joey Hauss and Eric Medina share lessons learned from years of competing, covering everything from nerves and visualization to injuries, weight cuts, game planning, and the mindset needed to perform under pressure. Whether you're preparing for your first tour...

This file explores the nuances of onboarding new students into Jiu Jitsu, from first-day expectations to effective teaching strategies, and the importance of authenticity and control in training. In this file, Joey & Eric share insights into martial arts culture, the journey of training, teaching, and competing in Jiu Jitsu, and the importance of consistency and community in personal growth.

The Jiu Jitsu Files kick things off with Joey Hauss and Eric Medina sharing the stories behind their journey through Jiu Jitsu — from early competition days and grassroots community projects to building academies, creating opportunities, and shaping lives through the art. The conversation dives into tournament culture, mentorship, old-school Jiu Jitsu influences, the evolution of the sport, and wh...