Off the Mats Podcast

Today marks 5 years since I launched Off the Mats Podcast. What started during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic as a way to stay connected with friends has turned into something bigger than I ever expected. To every guest who’s come on to share their story, and to every listener who’s tuned in, shared an episode, or reached out—thank you. You’ve helped build a space that’s about more than jiu...

Greetings, all. This week on the podcast, I sit down with BJJ purple belt, John Ramos, to hear how his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with a Google search about Married with Children star Ed O’Neill and led him from Florida International University to Carlos Gracie Miami and eventually to Crazy 88 MMA. John reflects on his early days as a white belt competitor, the importance of training s...

Welcome back, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt Navarro Chamberlain, training out of Crazy 88 MMA. Known for his tireless work ethic, technical precision, and dedication to the craft, Navarro shares the story of how he first discovered Jiu-Jitsu and the early struggles that shaped his journey. He reflects on what it’s like to train in one of the most...

Welcome back, friends. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Ben Kovacs, co-founder of Guardian Gym, a nonprofit martial arts academy with locations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Ethiopia, and more, with a mission to empower youth through free access to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mentorship. Ben shares the personal experiences that ignited his passion for community work and the story behind the gym’...

What's up, nerds? This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and passionate collector Sam Bracamonte. Sam shares the story of how he began his BJJ journey, the hard-earned lessons he's learned while climbing the ranks, and how he prepares mentally and physically for major competitions. We also dive into the challenges that come with training—nerves, injuries, and plat...

Well, hello, again. This week on the podcast, I sit down with grappler Phille Eriksson, whose journey on and off the mats is nothing short of inspiring. After facing severe health challenges that led to an ileostomy, Phille refused to let his circumstances define him—or stop him from returning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From his first day on the mats to the emotional rollercoaster of surgery and reco...

What's up, friends? This week on the podcast, I welcome back David Riedman—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, writer, and creator of the Rules of BJJ Substack. In this episode, David breaks down key topics from his articles, including what every grappler should know before stepping onto the mats for the first time. We explore the dangers of mindless drilling and the difference between volume and in...

What's up, people? This week on the podcast, I sit down with the profoundly inspiring Adisa Banjoko—a true renaissance man whose life bridges martial arts, music, philosophy, and youth empowerment. As the founder of Hip Hop Chess Federation and 64 Blocks, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, philosopher, author, educator, and podcaster, Adisa brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the conver...

What's up, listeners? This week on the podcast, I welcome back Blu Mays, the voice behind the @neurodivergent_grappler Instagram page. Blu shares how life and training have evolved since their last appearance, including recent competitions and personal milestones. We dive into the growth of their social media platform, the motivation behind creating “Trailblazer Tuesdays,” and the delicate but pow...

What's up and welcome back, folks. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Eli Adams, martial artist and host of the Combat and Coaching Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends pop culture and personal insight. We kick things off with a deep dive into our mutual love for comic books, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Walking Dead, before shifting gears into something many grapple...

What's up, friends and family? This week on the podcast, Moe Brown returns to catch us up on everything he’s been up to both on and off the mats. Moe discusses launching his own clothing brand and his mission to give back by sponsoring emerging athletes. He shares the creative inspiration behind his designs and why this venture means more than just merch. We also dive into his volunteer work teach...

What's up, nerds? This week on the podcast, Maryland Phil joins me for a deep dive into Marvel’s Thunderbolts—or the New Avengers? We unpack our thoughts and feelings on the recent film, including our personal ratings out of 10 and what the name change might signal for the MCU’s future. We take a closer look at each character’s arc and background, drawing comparisons to Suicide Squad along the way...

What's going on, happy people? This week on the podcast, I sit down with Madeleine Avila, a fierce BJJ blue belt competitor from Crazy 88 MMA. Madeleine shares the story of how she got started in jiu-jitsu and what continues to drive her competitive fire. We explore the importance of team culture and support, and how she sharpens her mindset and technique. Madeleine gives insight into her strategi...

What's up, party people? This week on the podcast, I'm joined by my good friend and neighbor, Dana Zornes, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends fight talk, kettlebell competition, parenting, and personal growth. We kick things off with UFC chatter, diving into the rumors surrounding the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall matchup, follow-up conversation about UFC 314, and older UFC fights and how th...

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back! This week on the podcast, I sit down with Erin Herle—a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), and holder of a Master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology. Together, we explore how mental coaching can transform an athlete’s performance, how coaches can use psychology to lead more effectively, and why grapplers must trai...

What's up, y'all? This week on the podcast, I sit down with Coach Kevin Brewer, a U.S. Navy veteran turned Spartan athlete, mindset coach, and weight loss mentor with an inspiring story of resilience. Kevin opens up about his battle with injuries and illness, and the long, winding journey to reclaim his health through discipline and mindset work. We dive into the challenges of navigating today’s o...

What's up, party people? This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Kris Pinkerton of Nerd Rage Radio and The Realm of Collectors for a fun conversation all about pro wrestling. We warm up by discussing how pro wrestling and BJJ intersect. We give examples of current wrestlers who train. After that we get into the current main event scene over in AEW.  We then get into a conversation about WrestleMan...

Hiya, folks! This week on the podcast, I sit down with grappler and strength coach James Deirmendjian for a deep dive into his journey, both on and off the mats. James opens up about his roots in wrestling and how being a middle child helped shape his competitive edge. He shares the moment that drew him into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how the sport quickly became more than just a hobby—i...

Greetings, friends! This week on the podcast, I sit down with Mike Ciochon, the recently promoted 10th Planet Portland black belt and owner of Asgard 503. We dive into a wide-ranging conversation that blends the technical and cultural evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the broader influence of modern media. We discuss social media's ever-changing algorithm and how it shapes what we see, especia...

What's up, friends? This week on the podcast, I sit down with South River High School wrestler and Crazy 88 MMA grappler, Jameson Gerrity, a young athlete whose story is nothing short of inspiring. Jameson opens up about his transition from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to wrestling and the mental and physical challenges that came with it. He talks about his recovery from a torn meniscus and how he’s learne...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I catch up with Julia Bee, and wow—so much has changed since we last spoke! Julia and I last spoke in April of 2023 and since then, she has earned her Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a huge milestone in any grappler's journey. But that’s not all—she also got engaged, moved to Virginia, and opened her very own BJJ gym, Siren Jiu Jitsu. Julia shares th...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I sit down with young entrepreneur, teammate and BJJ Blue Belt at Crazy 88 MMA, Shawn Gray. We take a deep dive into his jiu-jitsu journey. Shawn opens up about how he first got into jiu-jitsu and what drew him to train at Crazy 88 MMA. We break down the differences between gi and no-gi, exploring how each style shapes a fighter’s strategy and mindset. S...

What's up, everybody? For the milestone 250th episode of Off the Mats Podcast, we’re bringing together three longtime training partners—Kyle Prescott, Ronnie Masgay, and Mark Rollamas—for a deep dive into their unique journeys to the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt. Having started together at Ivey League MMA before transitioning to Crazy 88 MMA, their paths to this rank couldn’t be more different....

What's up, adventurers? This week on the podcast, I sit down with one of my teammates, Mr. Rich Christie of Crazy 88 MMA, to discuss his martial arts journey from Muay Thai to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his recent promotion to Blue Belt. Rich shares what led him to start training in the first place and then making the transition to grappling, the challenges he faced, and how BJJ has impacted his appr...

What's up, Nerds??? This week on the podcast, we nerd it up as I sit down with returning guest Mike Leng to dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of nerd culture. We kick things off with a discussion on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how its trajectory has shifted over the years before exploring James Gunn’s vision for the DC Cinematic Universe and what it could mean for longtime fans. Our...