The Chewjitsu Podcast

On this episode of the podcast we go through some questions we received on Instagram. Some of the questions we answered: Why do I feel guilty when I don't train? Advice to someone who is helping coach for the first time. Has Chewy read the Koran? Do you stretch before or after training? Do professors hold students back to make their gym look better? Thoughts on "Car-Jitsu." Do you lift before roll...

Daniele Bolelli is a BJJ black belt, history professor, writer, and runs a popular history podcast called "History On Fire." Daniele shares his interest in studying history, how he learned to study more efficiently, the importance of ritual, not focusing too much on the results, the pros and cons of being a specialist, getting the most out of training BJJ 2-3 days per week, learning martial arts f...

On this episode Chewy shares a "dirty little black belt secret." Chewy discusses how motivation wasn't something he needed for training, how to get to the gym even when you don't feel like it, how Chewy develops motivation for doing things he doesn't enjoy, discipline vs. priority, how the end result can build motivation, why you should visualize a goal you're chasing and an idea/experience you're...

On this episode Chewy and Eugene discuss learning styles such as Intuitive and Mechanistic learning, the differences between these learning styles, and the benefits and drawbacks of each style of learning. We also discuss the process of breaking down and explaining Jiu-Jitsu techniques and positions when teaching, learning to improvise in Jiu-Jitsu, and why failure is the currency for improvement....

On this episode of the podcast we chat with James Smith.   James is a Personal Trainer, author, and BJJ purple belt from the UK.   On this episode, we chat about "Liver King," steroids, why James' job is to make people's lives "better but not the best," the pros and cons of using Testosterone, coming to the realization to quit Rugby, how Jiu-Jitsu helps bring back the team comradery, Jiu-Jitsu bei...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the importance of attempting to control your emotions, and how this can impact your Jiu-Jitsu as well as your life. We also chat about the value of stopping and seeking more knowledge to get the full picture, what to do when you get angry during training, how to learn from instances when you lose your temper, and if being angry has any benefits in training...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss some key concepts on how to train as you get older.  They discuss the importance of adjusting your training, the value of listening your body, focusing on recovery especially after an injury, how to adjust your training, and how to increase longevity and improve your performance on the mats. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to develop an unstoppable Jiu-Jitsu technique. We dive into the various stages of motor learning, the initial inconsistencies in technique, the developmental process of a Jiu-Jitsu technique, the importance of properly performing the technique, varying setups, grip focus, the problems you run into and what to do to solve them, how to add deception to y...

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt Henry Akins. Henry is a BJJ Black Belt under Rickson Gracie and the founder of "Hidden Jiu-Jitsu." On this episode, we discuss teaching and learning Jiu-Jitsu, and how the way Jiu-Jitsu has been taught has not evolved with the sport. We also discuss the most beneficial type of training with least risk of injury, how to make...

The idea of the episode is to not focus on what happens, but more importantly how you respond to the things that happen. We discuss dealing with difficult situations in Jiu-Jitsu, Chewy shares a story of an unsuccessful marketing idea for his gym, and how he responded and adjusted tactics. We also share a story about one of Chewy's black belts, who was a an aggressive grappler and sustained an inj...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss New Year's resolutions and goal setting. We discuss being careful not to get obsessed with a goal and what to do once you reach your goal, the importance of the person you are developing into instead of the importance of the goal, when do you change a goal if its unattainable, the value of journaling to figure out what you want, and Chewy's goals for 2022....

Kody Steele is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and MMA fighter. On this episode, we discuss Kody's start in wrestling, what he feels are the most important aspects of wrestling, Kody's favorite competition ruleset, if you should you modify your game based on your opponent, learning from your losses, the adjustment period at every belt and his toughest belt to adjust to, developing your style of Jiu-Jitsu,...

Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and how you can access more of it in your life. We also chat about how discipline for Jiu-Jitsu can be the conscious effort of working on techniques or positions that you're not as good at,   lining up your habits achieve your goals. how being disciplined is demonstrated as being more thoughtful with your actions, the awareness that is required for d...

On this episode, we discuss gym culture and its impact on Jiu-Jitsu, training, and life in general. We discuss how the gym culture at Chewy's gym has evolved and changed over the years, traditional gym environment vs. a relaxed gym environment, the values that we set for our gym, unwritten rules, h ow your actions reflect what you say, shaping students through gym culture, b eing a product of your...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of not judging a book by its cover. We discuss over-estimation and under-estimation of others and yourself, importer syndrome, letting go of expectations, drills in Jiu-Jitsu to help with opening up your game, why you shouldn't perceive things as positive or negative in regards to Jiu-Jitsu, how to build confidence, why you should a...

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss why you shouldn't call Jiu-Jitsu a "grind." Chewy discusses how incorporating joy and fun into Jiu-Jitsu will help with progression, what changed that helped Chewy's Jiu-Jitsu improve, one of the best things to do if you dislike drilling, how Jiu-Jitsu changes your life perspective, getting into a flow state, using fear as a motiva...

Deon Thompson is a 3rd degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head coach and owner of "Ohio Brasa." On this episode, Deon discusses his start in Jiu-Jitsu and what Jiu-Jitsu was like in the early 2000's. Deon also talks about his desire to compete at a later stage of his career, why cross-training is more accepted now in Jiu-Jitsu, how basketball was helpful for improving Jiu-Jitsu, useful techniques...

PJ "The Butter Panther" Barch is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and high level competitor. PJ joins the podcast to discuss his start in wrestling and martial arts, the Jiu-Jitsu environment compared to the Wrestling environment, the pros and cons of tough training, the evolution of his jiu-jitsu game, the job of the coach, ADCC trials trends, why you should pull guard, how PJ started with 10th...

David is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, multiple time IBJJF champion, "Who's Number One" and "Fight 2 Win" competitor, and the owner of "Assembly Jiu-Jitsu" in Bloomfield Hills, MI. On this episode David discusses preparing for the ADCC East Coast Trials, how to structure a warm-up, his start in martial arts, where his competitive drive came from, how to move past a loss, the Jiu-Jitsu scene in Michigan,...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jacob "The Hillbilly Hammer" Couch. Jacob is a Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, No-Gi Brown Belt World Champion, and trains out of Pedigo Submission Fighting. Jacob discusses how he got his name Hillbilly Hammer and the saying "Biscuits and Gravy," what its like being a late replacement for tournaments, Jacob's competition mindset, his favorite rulesets to com...

On this episode we chat with Pake McNally. Pake is a BJJ black belt, Blacksmith, former Wildland Firefighter, and the owner and fabricator of "Become Stronger Industries." Pake talks about how he became a Wildland Firefighter, learning Blacksmithing, his introduction to BJJ and the parallels of metal work and BJJ, starting his metalworking business ("Become Stronger Industries). We also discuss th...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the need to remove your dependency on the outcome and trust the process. We also discuss the need to recognize good performances and bad performances, and be able to break down the bad performances to get the lessons to be learned from the experience. We also chat about the difference between a good performance and a bad performance, the difference between...

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast, we recap the 2021 No-Gi Worlds, discuss some competition takeaways, Chewy's experience competing on a gas tank that was a quarter full, and do a live Q&A. Q&A Includes: What to do when getting fatigued holding closed guard, how to get competition intensity into regular rolls, how to stop thinking about BJJ before bed, how to get in shape as a white belt, h...

Brandon Reed is a 3x NAIA College Wrestling Champion, 2021 NAIA Wrestler of the Year, and recently became the 2021 No-Gi Blue Belt Ultra Heavyweight World Champion. On this episode Brandon discusses his childhood and feeling like he didn't fit in, being out of shape as a kid, discovering wrestling, getting adopted by his wrestling coach, developing his winning mentality, developing his work ethic,...

Heather Jo Clark is a retired professional mixed martial artist, former UFC Strawweight, and the head MMA coach and co-owner of "10th Planet Denver." On this episode, Heather discusses her upbringing, playing professional Ice Hockey, finding MMA, being on "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 20, and starting her gym, "10th Planet Denver." Heather also shares how she discovered Jiu-Jitsu, finding MMA and...