The Shintaro Higashi Show

It's not an understatement to say the black belt is one of the most coveted honors in many of the modern martial arts including Judo. It carries so much prestige and respect that people say someone's a "black belt" in an activity that is not related to martial arts at all. However, we often don't really think about what it really means to be a black belt. Does it mean that you're a master of an ar...

Shintaro is back and we're back in business! In this come-back episode, we go on a deeper dive on a recurring theme on this podcast-- contextual grappling. What does it mean to be contextual when you're grappling? Take a listen to this episode to find out! Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

As many of you know, it's been a crazy few weeks for Shintaro, but thanks to your support, Shintaro is doing much better. In this episode, Shintaro gives his thanks to everyone and provides some updates on how his recovery from the stroke is going and what he's been up to lately. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

When you start out in Judo, or any activities for that matter, consistency is key. However, people often have trouble staying consistent. They may start an activity with great enthusiasm, but it may fizzle out a few months later to the detriment to their progress. How can we then stay consistent? In this solo episode, Peter talks about what he does to stay consistent in a more sustainable way in J...

You might have noticed that Shintaro hasn't been posting videos and reels lately. You might have even messaged him to see if he's doing OK. In this episode, Shintaro gives a big life update and answers your questions on why he hasn't been active online lately. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Using your opponent's action and reaction to your advantage is one of the key concepts of Judo. In order to do so, you need to be able to "read" your opponent. Everyone talks about the importance of reading your opponent, but what does it really mean? Is it about your opponent's balance? Is it about your opponent's preferred techniques? Or is it about your opponent's strategy? In this episode, Shi...

This is a fun (maybe controversial even?) one: dating in the dojo! Is it OK, or should you avoid it at all costs? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter share their thoughts on how people should approach dating in the dojo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Rubber bands, jump ropes, dummies, etc... There are a myriad of training equipments for Judo and BJJ, almost too many! Do they really work, or are they just gimmicks? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about their thoughts on these training equipments and their experiences using them. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Many people listen to the Shintaro Higashi Show while heading to the dojo, driving, taking the bus or train, biking and walking. In this solo episode, Shintaro becomes your buddy and heads to the dojo with you while talking about his life in and outside of the dojo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Shintaro teaches many different Judo techniques in and out of class, but what is his favorite, or tokui waza? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss their tokui waza's, and provide a never-seen-before look into their Judo system. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Osoto Gari is an elusive throw, almost paradoxical, in the sense that it is oftentimes one of the first throws you learn as a Judoka, but it is one of the last throws you master due to its difficulty. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go on a deep dive on Osoto Gari: why it looks easy yet so hard to master and how we can effectively master and integrate it into our game. Please support us on Pat...

Many people participate in sports to lose weight and get in better shape, and Judo is no exception. As a result, it's worth taking a close and honest look at the question "Will Judo Help Me Lose Weight?" Intuitively, the answer is a resounding yes given how physically demanding Judo is, but is it really the case? What other factors might be at play here? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter go on a...

When you first learn a new skill like Judo, you're bound to make mistakes. Being cognizant of this and addressing it appropriately can really accelerate your Judo journey. So, what are some common beginner mistakes in Judo? Are they mostly on the physical side like bad posture or stiff arming, or are there some mental elements to it? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss common beginner mist...

Tomoe Nage is a unique throw where you throw yourself on your back in order to generate the momentum to throw your partner. It is a versatile and useful throw that everyone should consider adding to their arsenal. How should we approach learning tomoe nage and what are different ways in which we can integrate tomoe nage into our Judo (and BJJ) game? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter take a deep...

Randori, free-style practice or sparring, is an extremely important part of Judo training, and yet many Judokas have difficulty maximizing their time during randori sessions. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that there is a high injury risk in randori. How can we best utilize our randori time while staying safe? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss how we should approach randori. Ple...

Uchimata is one of the most popular throws in Judo and other grappling arts for its versatility and beauty. Why is uchimata so loved, yet so hard to execute? What are some of the key elements of uchimata that makes it a beautiful yet hard throw? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter do a deep dive into everything related to uchimata. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/s...

What does it mean to be "fit" in Judo? Can you become fit just by doing Judo, or do you need to be fit to do Judo? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter delve into the idea of "Judo fit" and the relationship between fitness and Judo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Peter visited New York City for 10 days a couple of weeks ago! His trip was filled with friends and family time and, of course, Judo. In this episode, Peter and Shintaro talk about Peter's trip to NYC, especially the Judo training sessions at KBI, Peter's old dojo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Take-down-focused grappling arts like Judo and wrestling put a huge emphasis on grip fighting (or hand fighting), but BJJ tends to focus less on it. Why would that be the case, and should BJJ place more emphasis on grip fighting? In this special episode, Shintaro and Peter sit down with Brian Glick, a Danaher black belt, face-to-face in Shintaro's dojo in NYC to talk about it. Please support us on...

Weight training is one of the most popular supplemental exercises to grappling. It is also one of Shintaro's biggest hobbies. In this episode, Shintaro tells Peter what kind of weight training program he follows, and how to take full advantage of weight training for grappling. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Most of us are hobbyists, and often look at world-class champions for inspiration. As a result, champions are often mystified and it's hard to discern what is actually required, especially in terms of mentality, to become a champion if one wishes to be. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss the difference in mentality between champions and hobbyists, and try to paint an accurate and real pic...

Judo and other grappling sports are tough on the body, and injuries are, unfortunately, almost inevitable. As a result, it's not only important to prevent injuries but also recover well from them. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about their experience recovering from injuries such as Shintaro's recent MCL injury, and offer tips on how to recover from them quickly. Please support us on Pat...

In this solo episode, Peter talks about how he started his martial art journey, where he is right now in it, and what he is looking forward to in the future. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Shintaro recently went to Las Vegas, NV and Fargo, ND to host Judo seminars. In this episode, he shares his experience with Peter. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Most people are exposed to Judo as a sport via international tournaments like the Olympics. The techniques used in those settings are often hyper optimized for the purpose of winning a Judo match, and not necessarily ideal in martial settings. However, Judo is first and foremost a martial art. Then, what would be an ideal selection of Judo techniques that are most applicable to MMA, self-defense a...