The Shintaro Higashi Show

​​USA Judo's board elections are fast approaching, and they could significantly shape the future of American Judo. In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Chris Round to discuss why this election is the most crucial in recent memory, particularly with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon. Chris explains the importance of voting, how the board impacts everything from athlete selection...

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter explore the concept of "Still Got It" training—a strategy for grapplers who can't train as consistently as before but want to maintain their skills and confidence. They discuss how this training style involves strategic choices in sparring partners, prioritizing less challenging opponents to get a good workout without the intense competition. Shint...

The much anticipated Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) concluded last month, and it really challenged the status quo of submission grappling as a sport. In this episode, Shintaro recaps what really stood out to him while watching CJI– its accessibility through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, the high-stakes million-dollar cash prize, and the strategic sponsorship choices that appealed to the ev...

In this solo episode, Shintaro dives deep into the economics of hosting martial arts seminars, drawing from his extensive experience as both a clinician and a gym owner. Shintaro breaks down the various pricing strategies, including flat fees and percentage splits, and discusses how to evaluate the value of a seminar, not just as a moneymaker but as a long-term investment in gym growth and marketi...

Here’s Part 2 of Shintaro and Peter’s Paris Olympics Judo recap! Shintaro and Peter talk about Abe Hifumi’s dominant performance, Hashimoto’s bronze medal, brutal final between Heydarov and Gaba, Nagase’s masterclass performance, and an exciting match between Murao and Bekauri. Shintaro and Peter then look into the statistics of Judo at the Paris Olympics, exploring whether the increase in shidos...

In this solo episode, Shintaro dives deep into the core principles of judo instruction. Challenging traditional methods, Shintaro advocates for a fundamental shift in teaching judo, emphasizing the importance of context, positional understanding, and movement over static drills. Drawing comparisons with wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shintaro shares insights on how to build a more effective an...

The Paris 2024 Summer Games have just wrapped up, leaving Judo fans with unforgettable moments. From Teddy Riner’s legendary gold medal win to Uta Abe’s heartbreaking loss, this first installment of our Paris 2024 series dives into the highs, lows, and everything in between. Join Shintaro and Peter as they break down their favorite moments, the biggest controversies, and the drama that made these...

You asked and we answered! Shintaro and Peter answer some of the pressing questions asked by subscribers from what camera they use to how to do foot sweeps. If you liked this episode, please let us know and ask your questions, so we can do another Q&A episode in the future. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:38) What camera are you using? (00:03:08) Should I start Judo at 55? (00:04:20) How can I...

Recently, Shintaro hosted some special guests from Japan who are high-level Judokas. It was such a unique experience where they shared so many out-of-the-box Judo ideas to Shintaro and his students. In this episode, Shintaro tells Peter about this experience and what he learned from it. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:19) Visitors at the Dojo (00:03:05) Shunsuke's Background (00:04:23) Gunji&#3...

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro dives into the rising trend of "traincations"—vacations centered around intensive martial arts training. He discusses various traincation opportunities, from BJJ cruises to specialized camps like Camp Vertex, offering insights into the benefits and experiences of combining travel with dedicated martial arts practice. Shintaro also sh...

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro and Peter delve into the challenges and strategies for getting back into judo after a long break. They discuss the psychological barriers that prevent practitioners from returning, the importance of identifying why you stopped in the first place, and practical steps to ease back into training. The conversation covers everything from managing i...

In this solo episode, Shintaro shares a quick update on his Judo life. From experimenting with new Judo and BJJ techniques to navigating the challenges of launching his Higashi Brand, Shintaro details the intricacies of his daily routines, training themes, and the creative process behind his innovative gi pants and other products. Whether you're a martial artist looking for training insights o...

Filming instructional videos for martial arts can be a complex and intriguing process. In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Peter to share his personal experiences and insights into the world of grappling instructionals. Shintaro recounts his recent filming trip to Boston with BJJ Fanatics, exploring the evolving trends in nogi judo, the logistical challenges of creating high-quality instructi...

Endurance in grappling and martial arts is a crucial aspect often overlooked. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter dive deep into the intricacies of building and managing endurance specific to grappling sports like judo and BJJ. How do you improve your gas tank? What role does efficient movement play in conserving energy? Shintaro shares personal anecdotes, including his experience with a shoulder...

The BJJ world has the latest and hottest rivalry, and it’s not between two athletes but two tournaments: ADCC vs. CJI! In this episode, Shintaro and Peter conduct a comparative study of Judo’s professional circuit and BJJ’s professional circuit in light of the ADCC vs. CJI controversy. From athlete compensation to rule changes and the future of grappling sports, they cover a variety of issues invo...

No-Gi Judo has become exponentially more popular over the past year, and its evolution into its own discipline has been accelerating. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss Shintaro's recent seminars focusing on No-Gi Judo and how they've been received by grapplers. What’s the difference between The conversation highlights the differences between No-Gi Judo and wrestling? What are the...

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Chris Round for the second time to discuss his coaching strategies and pedagogy. They discuss Chris's nonprofit initiatives, and the growth of his judo club, High Noon Judo, based in Alexandria, Virginia. The conversation also dives into the pedagogical approaches in judo training, particularly the ecological approach, and how Chris analyzes data to imp...

As many of you know, Shintaro grew up with a Judo parent (his father), and he himself is a Judo parent. In this episode, Shintaro goes into the details of his relationship with his father and Judo, and how it has affected him in raising her daughter. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi...

Shintaro sits down with Dr. Doug Krohn, MD from CLn Skin Care to talk about skin care for grapplers. Dr. Krohn debunks common skin care myths among grapplers, offers recommendations on treating skin diseases and basic hygiene protocols. You can find CLn Skin Care products on https://www.clnwash.com/ or Amazon! Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us...

Shintaro and Peter sit down to do an extensive debrief of Shintaro’s recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Antalya, Turkey, where he had the opportunity to experience and commentate on the exhilarating world of high-level judo competition. Shintaro shares behind-the-scenes insights into event organization, athlete professionalism, and the evolving landscape of international judo through the lens of...

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro sits down with Robert Eriksson, the head coach for the new US Judo National Resident Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Robert shares insights into his transition from being the Swedish national team's head coach to taking on a pivotal role in USA Judo. They discuss Robert’'s coaching philosophy, the challenges and rewards o...

As some of you may know, Peter has been a PhD student since he quit his job as a software engineer back in 2020. During this time, he’s gained a lot of insight in scientific research and innovation, and how they are related to Judo. In this episode, Peter and Shintaro discuss how Peter has utilized his learnings from AI research into Judo, and vice versa. Join our Discord server and start chatting...

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with legendary Dr. Rhadi Ferguson to talk about his journey through the world of Judo, BJJ, wrestling, Olympics and MMA. Dr. Ferguson shares his approach to coaching, and how his experiences as an athlete and coach have informed his perspective on success, both on and off the mat. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporti...

In modern society, with so many competing interests, martial arts also needs strong branding to survive. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter delve into effective ways to brand yourself in the martial arts world and beyond. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Any amount h...

Shintaro recently traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia as one of the IJF commentators for 2024 Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi. In the midst of his busy schedule, he was able to find some time to sit down in his hotel room and reflect on his experience so far. What does it take to run a huge event like a IJF Grand Slam? What do the IJF staff members think about the current state of Judo? What has Shintaro realize...