The Chewjitsu Podcast

Joe De Sena is the CEO and founder of Spartan. Joe talks about growing up in a rough neighborhood, starting multiple businesses, his desire to go to Cornell,  where he gets his hustle from, hiring a Karate master to live with his family but then discovering the intensity and effectiveness wrestling, "The Marshmallow Test," how the idea for Spartan Race came about, and the goal for Spartan Combat....

Chewy and Eugene discuss using structure, boundaries, and limitations to spark creativity in BJJ and in life. Chewy discusses how he uses this process of using limitations to improve his BJJ, how BJJ learning/techniques have evolved over the past 10 years, how to know if a BJJ move is legit, going on a "diet of information" to improve creativity, how to know when to move on from a technique you ha...

Bernardo is a multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, owner and head coach of The Bernardo Faria Academy, and one of the co-founders of the popular martial arts website www.bjjfanatics.com Bernardo talks about taking the unusual path of making a career out of Jiu-Jitsu, why winning the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds at purple belt was a pivotal point in his career, Bernardo's training regimen that won...

Dominyka Obelnyte is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and multiple time world champion. On this episode, Dominyka shares her story of immigrating to the United States, her start in martial arts and specifically BJJ because of being bullied, having her father as a coach, her initial dislike of Jiu-Jitsu, accessing a state of flow in training and competition, how to calm down prior to a competition,...

Brandon Mccaghren is a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Eddie Bravo and head coach at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Decatur. Brandon joins the show to discuss the first season of his jiu-jitsu grappling league, The PGF (Professional Grappling Federation). Brandon chats about the thought process behind having a "season format" for a jiu-jitsu tournament, why he dislikes judges decisions for tournamen...

Chewy discusses drilling techniques and using BJJ World Champion Bernardo Faria's methods as an example. On this episode we talk about: the variety of ways to drill, Passive vs. Active Drilling, how to drill as a white belt and as an upper belt, how many repetitions you should perform when developing a move, how you should adjust drilling when prepping for a competition, who to choose as a trainin...

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast we are joined by BJJ legend Dean Lister. Dean shares his story of growing up in Panama and the importance of learning to fight, his start in martial arts, and training Sambo to develop his leg lock game. Dean discusses his mindset for competition, fighting for "Pride FC" and the "UFC," how Dean and Jocko met and started training together, what makes Jocko a...

On this live Youtube Q&A, we answer quite a few questions including: 7:30 How to get your significant other to train BJJ. 13:00 How to train at home alone without being able to go to the gym. 20:00 Tips on time management. 30:40 How to stay motivated with training BJJ. 38:20 Should police be mandated to train BJJ to blue belt level 49:00 Safely returning to BJJ with the Covid pandemic 52:50 Decrea...

Chewy and Eugene discuss how to return to BJJ after the quarantine or just a long layoff. Chewy shares a cautionary story about getting back to BJJ improperly after a long layoff and getting injured, the importance of the right mindset for getting back to training, how injuries can be cumulative, listening to your body, having the right environment/intensity, adjusting your expectations, why you s...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy answers a question from a fan who enjoys training at his gym, but has different beliefs than some of his training partners and is trying to decide if he should go back to his current gym or find a new one. We also discuss Jiu-Jitsu being a "social glue," the importance of BJJ in creating a community, the benefit of listening to others with different beliefs, a...

Ben is a BJJ blackbelt and co-founder of Guardian Gym, which is a non-profit gym created for interested youth to have an opportunity to fall in love with martial arts and have their lives changed both on and off the mats. Ben discusses how he accidentally stumbled into martial arts, what got him hooked on BJJ, the idea behind starting a non-profit gym to help kids and adults start martial arts, th...

Jacob "Stitch" Duran is a professional cutman in boxing and MMA. "Stitch" discusses growing up in a small farming town, his early years as a boxing trainer and also running a kickboxing gym, his transition to becoming a cutman and eventually working with elite level martial artists and boxers, starring in movies, how he got his nickname, getting confused for actor Edward James Olmos, how to build...

Chewy answers a question from Johnny, who has dreams of owning a gym and being a high-level BJJ competitor while managing a job and family. Chewy discusses the three pre-requisites you need prior to going after a goal, the importance of taking time to think, how to make the leap to go for your passion, how to balance life and going after your goals, using a set-back as a motivator, if and when you...

Jimmy Smith is a BJJ black belt, former MMA fighter, and former Bellator and UFC commentator. Jimmy discusses his start in martial arts and the early days of his BJJ and MMA training, training with MMA legends and elite BJJ athletes, being on the show "Fight Quest," becoming the commentator for Bellator MMA and the UFC, and some great concepts for martial artists. Follow Jimmy on social media on I...

Chewy discusses his inspiration for starting martial arts and the movie that started it all. We also discuss watching the early UFCs, our favorite fighting video games, favorite BJJ documentaries, why Chewy walked away from an undefeated MMA career, why Chewy continued to fight even though he knew he wanted to focus on BJJ, the importance of having a "battle buddy," and much more! Thanks to our po...

We discuss the plans for gym re-opening, difficulties that may arise with gym re-openings, new guidelines for BJJ gyms, how training will adjust and evolve, how to keep your immune system healthy, and the inconsistencies with the re-opening guidelines for businesses. Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  www.charlottesweb.com  and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15...

Kyle Watson is a BJJ black belt, The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 contender, and former UFC Lightweight. Kyle joins the podcast to discuss his start in martial arts, opening and running a BJJ school, competing on "The Ultimate Fighter" and training with Georges St. Pierre, his thoughts on how he thinks BJJ gyms will re-open, whether there is any benefit in running "Zoom BJJ Classes," the future of B...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu from strictly a self-defense martial art to a sport and whether this growth from the original intent and style of Jiu-Jitsu has "mutilated" the art. We also discuss the history of BJJ, if Chewy thinks BJJ should be an Olympic sport, and what would happen if BJJ stopped evolving. Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD...

This episode of the podcast was recorded live on Youtube including a Q&A and a giveaway. We discuss how BJJ gyms will handle social distancing, Chewy's book recommendations, if Bigfoot exists, Chewy's most memorable podcast moment, dealing with the fear of getting injured in training, and much more. Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  www.charlottesweb.com  and use t...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss what defines a cult and if Jiu-Jitsu is actually a cult?   We break down other known cults and talk about specific Jiu-Jitsu rituals and traditions.   Exclusive podcast content available at www.patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast   Check out www.chewjitsu.net/time-off  for a free resource with workouts, how to study, dieting, and stretches.   Th...

JP Dinnell i s a former U.S. Navy SEAL Elite Sniper. and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, where he serves as Director of Tactical Training Programs. JP spent nearly a decade in the SEAL Teams with three combat deployments. JP shares his desire to serve in the military, going through Navy Seal Training, going after your dreams, how to deal with stress, the importance of f...

Chewy answers a questions from Jack, who is timid and nervous about starting BJJ and getting injured. Chewy shares his own experience of being timid and then overcoming his lack of self-confidence through wrestling. We also discuss the importance of setting long-term goals and how to deal with set backs. Chewy also discusses training with "JT" Torres and what makes JT so effective and impressive i...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. Stu McGill, who is a world-renowned specialist in back pain, rehab, and performance. Dr. McGill shares his interest in working with the spine, researching back pain and developing the "McGill Big 3" exercises for core stability, the importance of the core for Jiu-Jitsu performance and injury-prevention, what occurs when you have a disc bulge in...

Chewy discusses his expectations for each belt in BJJ and we answer a bunch of questions on the Youtube Live Q&A including book recommendations, how to train if you don't have the money, favorite grapplers and MMA fighters, video games, dream BJJ matchups including Roger Gracie vs. Gordon Ryan, and much more. Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  www.charlottesweb.com...

Tom DeBlass is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, multiple time ADCC American Trials Champion, and former MMA fighter. On this episode, we discussed the impact of the Corona Virus on the jiu-jitsu community, Tom's start in BJJ and transitioning to MMA, competing in the ADCC, retiring from competition, coaching Gary Tonon, the mystique of John Danaher, his social media presence, and much more. Follow Tom on I...