JIU JITSU LOU

Rachel joins me from the middle of the deep blue sea and shares her 19 year white belt journey, she is very much the one doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, not her belt. Rachel truly shares some fantastic insights from her growth during the nineteen years of training Jiu Jitsu, and this episode really shares the growth one can have with time and commitment, over and above the need for speed to achieve. &n...

Vicky explains why she loves Jiu Jitsu, after a friend invited her to join a class back in 2019. Now, as a new Mum she is back on the mats, but definitely pacing herself. Vicky has a background in martial arts since childhood, and even her parents were inspired to start training and competing, themselves!   No Gi is Vicky's preferred style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which has led to her creating...

Kerry is fresh from competing, in her third competition with a bunch of medals! However she shares her journey to overcoming anxiety in getting to where she is today, even sharing her childhood sports trauma.   Kerry talks about how incredible it is to feel the pride and joy at winning, you can really see and hear her genuine passion and positive regard for the journey of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu....

Professor Fran was inspired to start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2013 after giving birth to her twin boys. She is also married to a previous guest, Professor Salvo Pace, Founder of Gracie Barra Bath Academies. Fran felt the intent to start training because of other women on the mats and the whole team. She shares her journey, teaching, training to become a Yoga teacher, and travelling the worl...

Aimee shares her story of signing up and competing in IBJJF Masters in Barcelona, having previously lived in Spain for some time. Aimee's primary sport is as a Former Powerlifter, and having come to the end of her competitive Junior career, she shares the commitment of being a competitive athlete to moving through martial arts, and on to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.   Training in an all-female traini...

Molly shares how challenging but yet empowering it is to be an older woman competing and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She shares her defiance in putting herself forward for competitions, and some absolute gems of mindset from a sports psychologist friend.   Making friends and connections through jiu jitsu is really important, the back story and baggage of life aside, we get to meet on the ma...

Lou opens the episode with a celebration of 30 episodes of the Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast, and the return from her very first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition at IBJJF Masters in Barcelona.   Thanks go to everyone for supporting her journey, and she is so grateful for everyone's encouragement in getting to her first competition. She will definitely consider taking part in future competitions! &nbsp...

Adam joins me from Finland, talking about his martial arts journey. He has a passion to share stories through beautiful photography and video, and is an advocate the mental health benefits of training jiu jitsu.   We talk about the challenges and emotions of training and being promoted in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, even when life throws you difficult times. Adam reflects on childhood, and how it ha...

Angela and her coach Christine join me to talk about Angela's dream, and success through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Learning some great techniques, including meditation from Angela is a huge support for anyone competing of thinking about competing.   We hear from Christine, Angela's Coach with some great insight and energy for competing. Angela is inspired to do more because of her success, and the...

Lo is a great fan of Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast, and is the proud owner of a Jiu Jitsu Lou giant tea mug! She also works as a member of production staff, supporting high profile jiu jitsu events such as Enyo and Polaris.   She claims the title of 'Lo No-belt' because Lo mostly plays at No-Gi, and has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for around a year. This episode with Lo is inspirational in itse...

Liam talks very openly and honestly about his pursuit of pleasure in life, touching on addiction and indulgence. He shares how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and his practice of Buddhism has encouraged his progress. Liam's dedication over time has allowed him to really enjoy the art and approach everything with a really beautiful mindset.   We talk about the popularisation of Jiu Jitsu, and our reasons...

Mat is a Brown Belt from Derby, UK and is Founder of Digittape, a finger tape for jiu jitsu practitioners and is passionate about supporting others with their journey. He started out as a doorman at clubs on the weekends, and then began his Jiu Jitsu career before quitting. Having a good sense of confidence throughout his life has really benefited his game.   We talk about Mat's calmness and...

Jen is co-host of Beauty and The Gi Podcast, and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and based in Indianapolis. She started training Jiu Jitsu at the age of 47 after meeting coach, AJ Clingerman at a speakers event. Jen is a seasoned podcaster, who heard a gap in the market for something more from a female perspective in wrestling/martial arts.   We discover what we can now do with our bodies...

Valentina is an inspiration, and so very dedicated to the art of Jiu Jitsu. I am joined by Valentina and her Mom Maria and I am overwhelmed with the positive energy from them both. She is turning 15 and celebrating to progress to becoming a woman in her culture, and there is an incredible commitment from Valentina and the whole family.   We talk about preparing for competitions, and the futur...

Giada Pedretti is a purple belts who has been training for 6 years but started in 2015 at the age of 15, however the road has been a little bumpy. Her career started Japanese Jiu Jitsu in Italy, and transitioned to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after a friend suggested she try it. The decision was an easy one at that stage. Making Jiu Jitsu a long term career is completely Giada's passion. Having visited No...

Barbara Pellegrino is a Double Gold Medalist in the English Open at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, whose approach is 'one fight at a time'. Her advice is to just go for it in competing and to keep going! Whilst her journey hasn't always been easy, she has stuck to it and stayed dedicated, and now today she is a Gracie Barra Ambassador.   We talk about starting training during the Covid lockdowns, and d...

Olivia talks about her experience meeting a new opponent in Enyo6, her second invitation to compete at Enyo Grappling events. Olivia is a committed and dedicated young lady in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, has been competing since a young age, and continues to do so.   We talk about Olivia's International competitions with her Mum, Kayley. The incredible opportunity, the amount of competitors, and suc...

  Taylor talks about her match at Enyo 6 in Weston-Super-Mare and how she started training less than 3 years ago. Her Dad, Darrell is really supportive of Taylor's journey from his own passion an interest of UFC and seeing how impressive Jiu Jitsu is, suggested Taylor give it a go.   We talk about Taylor's progress and ambition in the art and her preference for No Gi matches. She is an i...

Sam is a lifetime martial artist, from reenacting scenes from movies as a kid, being thrown to the wall in his first MMA experience to now having 10 years under his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt.   We connected through Instagram like I have with many of you, and Sam is a podiatrist and founder of Warrior Grips. He also recalls his white belt days, and makes a real effort to bring on and support wh...

E017: Sandra Hinz - Blue Belt   Sandra joins me from Sweden, for this podcast episode, she has such a beautiful and genuine story, finding peace and being completely present on the mats whilst training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.   We talk about competing and being supportive of fellow team mates. Giving back, and encouraging others to join on the mats and particularly wanting other women to jo...

Colin celebrates 20 years of coaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu this year and is also Head Coach for the Royal Navy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team. Colin shares his beginnings in martial arts and his passion for the art. Some amazing advice, and congratulations for White Belts out there, as well as appreciation for the addiction that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives us all.   What do you need to ask yourself in...

Salvo started training from age 10 to 15 in Sicily before moving to the UK, however the love of martial arts started some time before this and being inspired by Bruce Lee movies. Professor Salvo now teaches daily at Gracie Barra Bath, and owns and teaches at his other GB schools in the South West.   I was heartened to listen to Salvo share his passion for martial arts, and the mindful origins...

Ian is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1999, and has been trained in traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu, including weaponry, from back in 1987. We talk about Ian's journey, and setting up a Jiu Jitsu School as a Blue Belt in BJJ.   This is a great episode of the mindful learning journey of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where skill and ability comes from dedication t...

Happy New Year! In this episode I talk about making Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a routine and the importance of sleep, calling BS on 'motivation'. Just get to the mats!   Welcome to all my new listeners and I really encourage you to book your free session, and start training jiu jitsu. To those of you who have been listening for a while, drop me a DM and come on the show!   Topics: Happy New Yea...

E012: Lucy Wheeler - Blue Belt   Lucy has been brave enough to travel around Europe and train at a Jiu Jitsu school in Lisbon, not knowing the language and walking fresh in off the street. Whilst we become familiar with the jiu jitsu schools we currently train at, it takes some bravery to take yourself out of your comfort zone and experience somewhere new. However, we have the language of jiu...