The Chewjitsu Podcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of whether BJJ is watered down. We chat about how Jiu-Jitsu has evolved over the years from a traditional self-defense martial art and more toward a sport, how BJJ becoming more of a business changed the martial art, the evolution of training, how social media has impacted BJJ techniques and learning, the evolution and proliferation of techniques,...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene talk to Judo U.S. National Champion, U.S. Open Champion, World Cup Medalist, and Medical Doctor Austin Cook.  Austin also specializes in teaching No-Gi Judo on his Instagram page @badboymedicine https://www.instagram.com/badboymedicine/ Austin joins the podcast to discuss his start in Judo, his process for learning Jiu-Jitsu, whether Judo or Jiu-Jitsu is more sust...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 basic principles that are useful in BJJ and in Life. Everything requires repetition and practice. Be open to learning new techniques and doing things that make you uncomfortable. It's better to be effective with less than be ineffective with more. Your perception shapes everything. Find activities that require less discipline. Thanks to th...

Chewy discusses what makes an effective BJJ Coach, whether you have to be an extrovert to be a good coach, and how to increase confidence. Know the content you are teaching (be prepared) Prepare more content then you think you will need Get your "reps." Learn your student's names. The mission is to make your students better. Book recommendations to assist with coaching: "How to Win Friends and Inf...

On this live recording of the Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 life lessons that they have learned from martial arts followed by a live Q&A. We discuss the following ideas: Learning to grind. Being in control of your emotions. Understanding what failure is. Discovering the "After Feeling Focus." Learning to find intrinsic motivation. Q&A Includes the following: How to avoid getting in...

On this episode, Chewy answers a question from Rolo, who says that he is an out of shape 50 year old BJJ hobbyist that doesn't feel deserving of his belt promotion. Chewy provides some advice and perspective on how to deal with not feeling worthy of the belt promotion and some ideas to work on. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30   and use...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to get the most out of an instructional and successfully implement these techniques into training and competition. We discuss how to decide which instructional to purchase, why Chewy gives less instruction when initially teaching a new position or technique in class, how to break down an instructional, why you should limit watching short...

Chewy answers a question from a listener who travels to different gyms, but never approaches black belts to roll. If they are offered a roll with an upper belt such as a black belt or a coach, they can occasionally submit them. The listener asks whether they should train honestly and beat the upper belt when visiting another gym, or not submit the coach in front of their gym. Chewy discusses wheth...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to execute on your goals in 2024. We discuss the importance of having the ability to say "no," managing your inputs, being strategic and tactical with your goals, making your goals visible, how to utilize the "2 minute drill," why the spark of motivation is your action, how to make your goals into a daily rhythm, dealing with overwhelm of achieving a g...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 fundamental ideas to implement into your training as an older grappler: Be ok with getting older. Use nasal breathing to moderate your pace. Positional choice (cooking your opponent). Tactical retreat (conserving energy). Diet/Lifestyle off the mats. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to  https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30   and use t...

On this episode, we are once again joined by 3 x NAIA National Wrestling Champion, Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt, and high level competitor, Brandon Reed. We discuss using social media to grow your brand, how to deal with negative comments and internet trolls, why Brandon went back to college but left after 6 months to pursue grappling full time, how releasing an instructional impacted his life, building...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how the mindset you take into training is going to dictate what you learn and how you improve. We also discuss why you should get used to losing, having a curious mindset, learning from your losses, how to counteract a negative feeling with something positive, what prompted Chewy to change his mindset on training, the importance of a coach and gym to culti...

On this episode, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and the owner of "Standard Jiu-Jitsu," Greg Sounders. Greg joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu, training with Lloyd Irvin, his methodology of training, why Greg doesn't teach Jiu-Jitsu techniques, how and why Greg uses the "Ecological Approach" to teaching Jiu-Jitsu, how Greg structures class, what has the least variability in...

On this episode, we chat with 10th Planet Black Belt and head coach at 10th Planet Atlanta, Sean Applegate. Sean discusses how he discovered Jiu-Jitsu, how he learned Jiu-Jitsu without high level coaches nearby, becoming a head coach with less than 2 years of training, the process of balancing training and coaching, the value and importance of competing, the three Layers of Jiu-Jitsu (the physical...

Want the worst BJJ game at your gym? Well then join us on this episode to get the 10 sure-fire ways to have an awful BJJ game. It's no secret that consistency is important for skill development, so if you want to be terrible at BJJ, then train as inconsistently as possible. Strength training is an important part of decreasing injury risk and improving your performance on the mats, so make sure to...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how avoiding the initial discomfort of dealing with a problem can lead to a bigger problem that will require more effort to resolve later. We discuss the habit of avoidance, how avoiding discomfort in BJJ can stagnate your game, why we avoid growth in Jiu-Jitsu, how failure and difficulty creates better learning, the importance of being patient with your p...

On this episode of the podcast, BJJ black belt and ADCC Champion Robert Drysdale returns to discuss the history of Jiu-Jitsu and his new book, "The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu." Robert discusses his motivation behind writing his new book on the history of Jiu-Jitsu, the reception he has gotten from the book, how early Jiu-Jitsu rulesets were a reflection of the style of Jiu-Jitsu dur...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and the benefits of using restraint in daily life. We discuss why people look at discipline as a punishment initially, but how it actually leads to greater rewards in the long term, why enjoying the pleasures of life on your own terms make them much better, ideas on how to more easily practice restraint, the benefits of avoiding too...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss what makes the difference between white belt and black belt level techniques and how black belts make "basic" techniques so effective. We discuss one of the biggest factors to developing black belt level techniques, the intuition and feel that develops with experience, learning physical cues of BJJ techniques, the process of learning and developing black b...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss an uncomfortable truth about achieving your goals. We chat about the idea of desire vs. discomfort, the reasons why people quit Jiu-Jitsu, why barrier of entry is important to attrition, the three types of BJJ students, two useful ideas for chasing goals, how to increase desire and decrease discomfort in BJJ, why a Jiu-Jitsu gym is a "walled...

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 8 ways you can decrease anxiety in your life and on the mats. Here are some of the ideas we discussed on the episode: Meditation and breath work. Exercise and movement. Be a "Stoic" about your anxiety. Flood your mind. What can I do about it (productive worry). Have a hobby. Have a "Worry Journal." Looking to the past (evidence of previous struggle). Bonus...

On this episode, Chewy shares a story about his buddy training at another gym and getting a severe infection that almost forced him to get his leg amputated. Chewy and Eugene also chat about dirty gym stories and share 7 tips on gym hygiene that can help you from getting an infection. The 7 tips include: shower and be clean, trim your nails, stay home if you are ill, clean your gear and equipment,...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt and World Champion, Jessa Khan. Jessa discusses starting BJJ at 8 years old, moving to California to train with the Mendes brothers and Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ), which sport helped her BJJ progression the most, the biggest difference training with the Mendes brothers compared to other gyms, deciding to train BJJ full time, how being hom...

Brian Littlefield is a BJJ Black Belt and Co-founder of Jocko Fuel.   On this episode, Brian shares the story of how he started working for Origin, how getting out of shape led him to discovering fitness and eventually being convinced by a friend to start Jiu-Jitsu. He also shares the story of his first Jiu-Jitsu class, the importance of leverage, how he sold Origin gis out of his car, the most us...

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss what a "BJJ Belt Hunter" is and what to do if there is one at your gym. Chewy discusses the importance of your intention when rolling and why you should focus on implementing your techniques instead of trying to beat a higher ranked training partner, how being a "belt hunter" and worrying about winning will slow your BJJ progression, Chewy a...