The Chewjitsu Podcast

Joe Armento is a BJJ brown belt and one of the coaches at Derby City MMA. We discuss a variety of topics such as the importance of a  morning routine, what it takes to be an effective coach, jiu-jitsu being a healthy way to stress your body, jiu-jitsu providing a healthier self-image, the most important aspects of being an effective instructor/teacher, and much more!

Robin Black returns to the podcast and discusses traveling, the similarities of martial arts around the world, trends in martial arts, the evolution of his commentary, the importance of self-growth, meditation,  and much more! Follow Robin on Instagram @robinblackmartialarts and at robinblackmma.com Thanks to our podcast sponsor Charlotte's Web CBD: https://www.charlottesweb.com/ Use promo code Ch...

Professor Jorge Gurgel is a BJJ black belt who is one of the pioneers of BJJ in the midwest. Jorge is also a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter ("TUF") Season 2 and The Ultimate Fighting Championship ("UFC"). Jorge joins the podcast to share his start in martial arts, he discusses playing sports in his youth and then discovering jiu-jitsu, moving to the U.S. and starting a Jiu-Jitsu school, fighting...

Professor Jorge Gurgel is a BJJ black belt who is one of the pioneers of BJJ in the midwest. Jorge is also a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter ("TUF") Season 2 and The Ultimate Fighting Championship ("UFC"). Jorge joins the podcast to share his start in martial arts, he discusses playing sports in his youth and then discovering jiu-jitsu, moving to the U.S. and starting a Jiu-Jitsu school, fighting...

Dr. Galpin is a tenured Professor at "The Center For Sport Performance" at CSU Fullerton, has earned a PhD in Human Bioenergetics in 2011, and runs the "Biochemistry and Molecular Exercise Physiology Laboratory" at CSU Fullerton.  Dr. Galpin joins the podcast to discuss his work with athletes, his philosophies on improving performance, strength training, diet, supplements, and much more. Follow Dr...

On this episode, we start off the podcast by answering a question sent to Chewy by a BJJ white belt who is starting to lose confidence due to a couple of losses from competition. We discuss the importance of experiencing failure and the importance of looking at failure from a different perspective, sitting with your failures, and how to learn from these experiences. We also break down some details...

On this episode we discuss what to look for in a legit Jiu-Jitsu gym, Chewy talks about the pressures of teaching and eventually becoming the head coach of a gym,   the responsibility you have for the safety of your students, and the qualities Chewy looks for in a coach.

John Salter joins the podcast to discuss his career in wrestling and transition to MMA. John shares the ups and downs of his MMA career, overcoming a major neck injury, the story of how he got his black belt from Shawn Hammonds, how he comes up with his hilarious gym promo videos, and his upcoming Bellator MMA 233 Main Event fight against Costello Van Steenis. Follow John on Instagram @johnsalter_...

Joe is the Strength and Conditioning at Derby City Strength & Conditioning and trains many of the athletes at Derby City MMA. Joe is back on the podcast to discuss the updates that were made to "The Grappling Power Program," tips on maintaining compliance with a training program, the importance of getting a safe One Rep Max, how Joe has  continued to get stronger as he has gotten older, finally ac...

A.J. is a gym owner, she runs the Extreme Grappling Open Tournament, runs the Roll Model Women's Grappling Camp, and is a Jiu-Jitsu purple belt. A.J. shares the difficulties she had with starting and running a Jiu-Jitsu gym and how they turned the gym into a successful business, the unique challenges that women face on the mats, injuries she has dealt with, and her plans for the future. Indiana Br...

On this episode we discuss Chewy getting fish hooked by his high school wrestling coach, the dangers of high school sports such as football, the toughness that high school wrestling builds, if Jiu-Jitsu would ever become a high school sport, having your "White Rabbit" to improve your jiu-jitsu, the importance of self-reliance, and other random thoughts.

On this episode of the podcast, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Jon "Thor" Blank returns to discuss what he's been up to since being on the podcast a year ago.  Jon shares how things have changed since he won The EBI Combat Jiu-Jitsu Middleweight Tournament in 2018, what its like competing in big tournaments such as the ADCC and Kasai Grappling, and the opening of his new gym "10th Planet Allento...

Chewy answers a question about how to improve your ability to get a submission and how to become more submission-oriented. We discuss the mental and physical aspects of this type of training focus, how to study/research new techniques, the importance of ritual, and implementation of this type of mindset and style of grappling.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt, Dr. Chris Moriarty. We discuss Chris' start in jiu-jitsu, what drew him to jiu-jitsu and what led him to becoming a Medical Doctor, dealing with injuries, injury-prevention tips, his research study on the prevalence of injuries in jiu-jitsu, and much more. Research Article: Injury rate and pattern among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practition...

On this episode of the podcast, we preview the upcoming 2019 ADCC grappling tournament. We discuss the rule set, why this tournament has so much hype, our thoughts on FloGrappling covering the event, our thoughts on whether the competitors get nervous, why some people perform better under pressure, and we make predictions on the winners for each division.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined once again by 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Brandon Mccaghren. We discuss diet, Brandon's biggest fear, Combat Jiu-Jitsu, how Brandon started commentating events, how he studies jiu-jitsu, his training schedule, coaching MMA fighters, how he developed his flexibility and what he does to keep his body healthy, and his Youtube show. Follow Brandon on...

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by BJJ black belt Adam Wilson.  Adam discusses starting jiu-jitsu, what it was like changing gyms, getting recognized when traveling to other gyms, filming videos with Chewy, earning his black belt, and much more. The Q&A starts at 56:00 This podcast was recorded live on The Chewjitsu Youtube Channel. Check out the video version of the podcast here: htt...

Chewy discusses his tips for efficiency and improved productivity. We discuss the importance of taking adequate breaks to improve efficiency. Chewy also talks about why he only works for 33 minutes at a time, how to start delegating tasks to improve efficiency, and the importance of simplifying your life by getting rid of non-essential things.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ black belt, The Ultimate Fighter ("TUF") Season 1 Middleweight finalist, and UFC veteran Kenny "Kenflo" Florian. Kenny shares his interest in martial arts and start in jiu-jitsu, how that transitioned to fighting in MMA, his career in the UFC, the evolution of his training, his injuries, retirement from MMA and moving on to work as an analyst, a...

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to BJJ brown belt Dru Phoenix. Dru shares his passion for working with under-privileged kids and how jiu-jitsu has been a positive in empowering those kids. Dru also discusses his military experience, overcoming depression, helping others with PTSD through performing and writing poetry, dealing with a severe knee injury, and how jiu-jitsu has impacted his li...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy breaks down his recent wins at The IBJJF Chicago Open, the mindset that he has when going into competition, if Chewy gets nervous at competitions, and much more. Additional Show Notes: We discuss whether you should watch the matches at a tournament before you compete. If Chewy feels more pressure now that he gets recognized more at competitions. How being in t...

Ben Eaton is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Xande and Saulo Ribeiro. Ben discusses how he found jiu-jitsu and the impact it had on him physically and mentally. Ben shares what the landscape of jiu-jitsu was like 22 years ago when he started, his thoughts on staying consistent with BJJ, training and teaching, and competing. We are always wanting to improve the podcast and would appreciate if you can...

Chewy discusses how he deals with and overcomes fear and negative self talk, why having some anxiety before a tournament is a good thing, how to adjust training intensity the week before a competition,  using exercise and stretching for mental health, how movement with meditation can help you focus, ways to stop worrying so that you can perform and function at your best, and much more!!!  

On this episode we talk about how going on an "Information Diet" can lead to an improved ability to focus, we discuss how routines help with self-care and productivity, some of the struggles of gym ownership as well as being a small business owner, how money can be the wrong motivator, and much more.

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ black belt Ness aka "Zealjitsu." Ness discusses her start in jiu-jitsu, how jiu-jitsu has impacted her life, earning her black belt in 5 years, competing in and winning major tournaments, and how she balances work and life. Follow Ness on Instagram @zealjiujitsu