The No Natural Talent Podcast

He has a passion for storytelling, filmmaking, and challenging himself. This led him to the mats, but his curiosity reaches far beyond. We talk about the movie he's creating, the documentaries he's made, power, growth, algorithms, success, and, somewhere along the way, a little jiu-jitsu too. It's a conversation about chasing meaningful work, staying curious, and what happens when you're willing t...

The Gorilla Squad isn't just a nickname... it's a necessity. Being one of the biggest people in the gym comes with challenges most people never think about. Finding training partners your size, learning to use your strength without relying on it, and balancing intensity with control. That's where the Gorilla Squad comes in. They are a group of heavyweights who can push each other, train at full sp...

Jeremy and Jacen are back! In this Rest Round, we dive into the differences between competitors and hobbyists, whether coaches should train students differently based on their goals or talent, why belt systems exist (and whether they should), how the words we use shape the culture of jiu-jitsu, keeping an open mind to different approaches, checking your ego, and what winning and losing really teac...

Adult language. Adult conversations. Childish behavior. Rest Round with the folks who train jiujitsu at Ascension Tattoo and it's exactly as chaotic as you'd expect. We talk about jiu-jitsu. We talk about a lot of things that aren't jiu-jitsu. There are interruptions, side quests, rabbit trails, tattoo machines, overlapping conversations, and several moments where nobody is steering the ship. If y...

We're back with What's Going On Here?! For those who haven't met her yet, she's our resident physical therapist, body mechanic, movement detective, and physiology deep-diver extraordinaire. Every time she comes on the podcast, I learn something new about why our bodies do the strange things they do—and more importantly, what we can do about it. In today's episode, we're talking all things back pai...

A blue belt in law enforcement who understands the value of training both on and off the mats. Having faced deeply challenging situations on the job, Jiujitsu became more than a hobby — it became a lifeline for healing, community, support, and camaraderie. Thoughtful, steady, and resilient, he kept showing up even through a knee replacement, spending time on the sidelines when he couldn't train. A...

A purple belt, world traveler, and talented videographer who has worked with some of the top names in the MMA world. He originally stepped into Jiujitsu thinking his focus would stay on Muay Thai and striking, but over the years the art slowly won him over. Injuries tempered his ego and reshaped the way he trains...with patience, intention, and longevity in mind. Calm on the mats and deeply though...

Rest Round with Shanti and Wes. The conversation bounces between cults, influencers, cocktails, Shark Tanks, the “first choke” from your professors… and a whole lot of Jiujitsu. This one goes everywhere in the best way. No agenda, just conversation that’s honest, unfiltered, and definitely off the cuff.

A purple belt, tattoo artist, and dangerous leg locker with a deep commitment to growth — both on and off the mats. His journey has taken him through dark and difficult seasons, through loss, rebuilding, and the experience of having things he loved taken away and slowly given back. Dedicated to his sobriety, his evolution, and becoming better one day at a time. Focused, honest, and always moving f...

A purple belt with a decade of wrestling and years of judo behind him, he brings a deep foundation to the mats. The morning class and the connections built there helped carry him through some of his hardest seasons. Thoughtful, intentional, and disciplined in his approach, he's the kind of training partner who makes everyone around him better. This is Steve. 

She's a white belt with a story shaped by intense experiences and a big heart. She has gone down seldom traveled paths for her healing, and Jiu Jitsu has become part of the proof of how far she’s come. Grounded, real, and as authentic as they come... This is Amber.

White belt. Family man. Idaho born and raised. He knew this wouldn’t be easy, and that’s exactly why he stayed. Humble, consistent, and pushing through injuries, he’s the kind of training partner everyone wants in the room. This is Luke.

She's a white belt who brings an upbeat attitude, lots of smiles, and a unique perspective on training to the mat. A wife, a mom who juggles kiddos who also train jiujitsu AND a very niche vocation...she's a physical therapist focused on men’s pelvic floor health. We get into the conversations people usually avoid — erectile dysfunction, prostate health and good questions answered, like… can men d...

A Rest Round with Shanti, Westen, Jeremy, and Wade — real conversation, plenty of laughs, and stories from the past that shaped who they are today. Chaotic and unfiltered in the best way. Mature audiences recommended.

Off the cuff with no agenda, just real conversation. From unsung heroes in Jiujitsu, to world level drama, training mindsets and the mental side of competing, nothing's off limits. Honest, unfiltered and a little bit unpredictable. This is Shanti and Wes.

She’s a white belt with a passion for Jiujitsu. Even while off the mats with an injury, she keeps showing up...watching, learning, and staying connected. With her husband and kiddo training alongside her, it’s become something they share and love together. A constant source of encouragement with a fantastic attitude and undeniable drive, she lifts everyone around her. This is Codie.

OG Purple belt, lawyer, musician, and all-around good human. Always helping teammates and bringing steady, positive energy to the mats. He’s also the host of the "I Fought the Law" podcast, a kick-ass show he runs with his business partner Brian, a dynamic duo, impacting one client at a time. And yes, his daughter bedazzled his belt… and he wears it proudly. This is Steve.

A purple belt and MMA fighter with a deep passion for the fight. Quiet at first, but surprisingly talkative once he opens up, his Star Wars and Lord of the Rings tattoos give away the inner nerd behind the warrior. Fighter on the mats, fan of epic sagas off them. This is Cesar.

A blue belt who stepped away from Jiujitsu for a time, but came back all in. Curious, conscientious, and deeply respectful of the people around him, he approaches training with intention and humility. An excellent partner on the mats and a mind that's always asking questions. This is "Kyle 2".

He returns to the mic, taking on listener questions and sharing more of the story behind the strength. Raw, reflective, and real. This is Wade.

Alliance Winter Camp 2026 in Eagle, Idaho, brought together voices from across the country. Leah from Philadelphia, Alex from New York, Eric from Miami, Megan, newly relocated from Minneapolis, and Brandon and Riley from the Boise area — sharing what they learned and the stories that shaped them. Along the way, there are conversations with some of the greats, including Marcelo Garcia, Michael Lang...

A black belt with a background in MMA and gymnastics, he's driven by passion and a relentless work ethic. Fatherhood and friendship ground him, while coaching lets his energy and leadership shine. Focused, powerful, and all heart. This is Brandon.

Bad drivers. Hot takes. A little smart assery and a lot of jiujitsu talk. He stirs the pot and calls out teammates for a brown belt throwdown. Don't blink. This is Jeremy.

She is a blue belt fresh out of Marine boot camp, carrying massive ambition, confidence, and clear goals. Starting at SIBJJ in her early teens, she trained with the original ladies class and the big guys at morning class alike. Young, fearless, and unshakable — nothing throws her off course. This is Bethany. 

As a head coach at System Jiujitsu in Meridian, Idaho, he brings structure, intention and a unique way to think about training to the mats. Join us as he dives deep into the art of disagreement, how to use AI as a training tool, and his past health habits and how that has shaped his present self.  This is Jacen.