The Porrada Podcast

Ben is a Brazilian Jiu-JItsu Black Belt through Dave Margraf and Jorge Bezerra The Cellar Gym in Minnesota as well as the owner and head coach at Forged Fitness where he trains fighters and regular folks. We talk sports training theory, the origina of his gym's name, as well as his path to and impressions of becoming a black belt. @theporradapodcast @porradaphotography www.forgedfitnessmn.com...

I sit down, by myself, and consider what the belt categories really mean. Like, if I was explaining jiujitsu to someone and they said, "so what do you do at brown belt?" Would my answer be "do more jiu-jitsu?" I mean, yes, it would start with that... but what is the more descriptive, helpful definition of the belt levels in BJJ. I muse on it here thanks to information I've stol...

I sit down for yet another BSing with a Black Belt with my friend and training partner, Marc Nicolo. He's been training Jiu-Jitsu for 15 years and has a unique and exceptional game. We get into his thoughts on training but, of course, start completely off topic on his DJing and our candid takes on hip hop. Please follow the show on instagram @theporradapodcast and check out the adjacent photog...

Sensei DM Hutchinson is a second degree black belt in judo and a three stripe brown belt (he got his third stripe a few days after recording) under Ishmael Bentley at M Theory Martial Arts in St. Louis Park, MN. We talk Philosophy, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu in an oddly on-topic episode. Video edition of the podcast available on the Porrada Podcast YouTube Channel. www.youtube.com/theporradapodcast also...

I sit down with Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt, Teddy Kim, to hear how his developing platform, gldmdl.com will serve as a means to help me help my friends compete and help BJJ athletes I'm a fan of compete. As always please check out @theporradapodcast @porradaphotography and NOW find The Porrada Podcast on Youtube! www.gldmdl.com is the platform, please keep an eye out for continued growth and improve...

I sit down with Roland Larson and we talk about Jiu-Jitsu, gym ownership, evolving his game... and life along the way. Please check out @theporradapodcast and @porradaphotography on your socials.

Between reality and romance, facts and lore, can we come to some good understanding of from where and whom jiu-jitsu came? Probably not, but this episode should fill in some gaps... and create some new ones. Ishmael Bentley is a four stripe black belt, Jon Grilz is also a black belt, and Tall Tom brought a three-ring binder, so I trust him. Enjoy. Please check out @theporradapodcast and @porradaph...

I sit down with World Champion, Akeela, to talk jiu jitsu and competition and gardening and stuff. @theporradapodcast @porradaphotography

Kurt Hartmann is a brazillian jiujitsu black belt under Greg Nelson in the Pedro Sauer association. He is also a world class, movement centered fitness training and owner of Pro Fitness Training in Eden Prairie, MN. As usual we talk about his path to black belt, including previous sporting endeavors. And we get into his other passions. Check out his gym: www.profitnessmn.com @pro_fitness_training...

BJJ black belt and instructor Marcus Beddor shares his thoughts on stripes and belt promotions. @porradaphotography @theporradapodcast

I sit down, once again, with my friend Chris Klavetter this time to chat with BJJ black belt, Judo black belt, four time olympian and gym owner, Brian Olson. www.alliancebjjstcroix.com @porradaphotography @theporradapodcast

What do you get when a black belt has to cancel last minute? World Level Master's competitors. Myself, Paulie, Efim (Y'feem"), and Darrin sit and shoot the sh*t on BJJ, coaching, competing, television, the potential of teaching and owning academies... and bike racing.

Would you start training Brazilian Jiu-JItsu at 42 years old? Is that what you picture when you think of a BJJ Black Belt? That was Kelly Johnson's path. Beyond being the guy holding up the line after rolling because he insists on shaking everyone's hand, Kelly is a good dude and great conversation and I hope you'll enjoy his stories. Please do follow @theporradapodcast and @porradapho...

Next in our long series of "Booze with a black belt," now better known as "B.S. With a Black Belt," is a two-for-one with the guys from Akagi Jiu-Jitsu in Bloomington, MN; Topper Braddock and Andrew Bendzick. With about 30+ years of combined experience in training Jiu-Jitsu, they've seen some shit. As usual, we get into their personal path to black belt which includes a lot of...

I sit down with Topper Braddock and Andrew Bendzick of Akagi Jiu-JItsu to talk about the 4th Twin Cities Invitational which is going down on March 4th. We get into the the history of the event, the evolution of the rule set and presentation and get a few laughs. Links for more information about their event and their gym: https://www.tcibjj.com https://www.akagibjj.com/ Connect with the We Defy Fou...

Finally back with another episode and another great Booze With a Black Belt conversation with new-ish Minnesotan, Greg Schwalje. We cover a litany of topics, from Jiu-Jitsu to Disney to the nerves of joining new gyms and back again. #jiujitsu

I'm giving away 4 tickets to the upcoming Grappling Grand Prix on Dec 3rd at Canterbury Event Center. They are valued at $100 a piece. Hit the podcast with a review and have a chance at winning them.

Today I sit down with Thomas Herrera to discuss what prompted his inspiring 2021, how it all went down, and what was the overall positive impact he's had. Check out the hashtag #fightfor22 to see plenty of the details and tune in to hear about his fundraising efforts with Tap Cancer Out. www.tapcancerout.org, www.wedefyfoundation.org, www.startbjjmn.com. @porradapodcast @porradaphotography

It's been a minute since I disappointed you with my voice and thoughts as the feature for a Thursday, Matside Musing, episode of the podcast... so here goes. Some self-humiliation, hopefully some comedy... and hopefully some relatable pieces of the journaling mind of yet another hopeless BJJ bluebelt. Please do support the podcast's awesome sponsor @creepypod @porradaphotography www.youtub...

I, with my friend Chris Klavetter, sit down with Mike Ellefson of Midwest Center for Movement, in Hudson, WI. He takes us through his journey in Shodokan Karate, Aikido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This of course leads to several great stories (including his relationship with Steven Segal) and he breaks down the importance of taking a real serious look into his mental health. https://www.midwestaikido...

Today's episode is a brief but important and detailed breakdown of the WCGGP with the event manager, Michelle Donovan. We do our best to cover as many of the commonly asked questions we competitors usually have about a new event so hopefully this can be a one-stop-shop for the who-what-where-when-and how to get involved with this landmark event. The main landing page for the event: https://zeb...

I sit down for a IBJJF No Gi Worlds Wrap up Conversation with World Champion, Akeela AK Al Hameed, Marcus Beddor and Ishmael Bentley of M Theory Martial Arts. We start a little off the rails, as I like it, but manage to pull it together stay on track, too. @porradaphotography

I sit down with life long martial artist and BJJ Black Belt on scene at M-Theory Martial Arts to talk about the International Jiu Jitsu Education Fund and the impact it's having as well as his journey to black belt in Jiu Jitsu and his philosophy on training and life. Check out his foundation, his gym and his social media: www.i-jef.org www.levelupjiujitsu.com @erikklinger Also, please check o...

I sit down with BJJ Black Belt and podcast creator Jon Grilz. We make our way through his path to black belt with him dispensing experience based knowledge along the way. https://www.creepypod.com/ @creepypod @porradaphotography

I sit down with elite wrestling coach and head honch at the Victory School of Wrestling in River Falls, WI, to talk about his coaching philosophy, his life, and his charity The Heart and Hustle Charity. www.victoryschoolofwrestling.com www.victoryschoolofwrestling.com/heartandhustle @porradaphotography