The Stillpoint Podcast

In this episode I break down the ideas in Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and connect them directly to three things I know every man in this audience is living. The suffering that comes with hard training. The responsibility I believe every coach carries to keep practitioners from quitting before they find out what they're capable of. And what it actually means to be a husband and father...

Here I break down one of the most common patterns I sees in jiu jitsu — guys getting promoted and immediately posting about how they don't feel ready. It looks like humility. It isn't. In this episode I make the case that performed humility is just ego in a different outfit, that publicly doubting your promotion is a quiet way of calling your coach incompetent, and that the stoic principle of inte...

Why do you work out? Why do you train? Why do you push yourself when you can just not? If your answer is only about you, it will not hold when things get hard. In this episode, I get into what it actually means to be a protector, why a man who is not actively working on himself, is actively failing the people who depend on him, and what the stoics would say about a man who sees the gap between who...

I have been training at the same gym for ten years. I know the room, I know the people, and I know what I am capable of on the mat. Three weeks ago I walked in for my first Muay Thai class and forgot a four-count combo mid-drill while everyone around me kept moving. And then I did something I have never done in that building before. I apologized. In this episode I get into what was actually undern...

This episode dives into the uncomfortable truth about modern parenting: too many of us are opting out of our children's worlds simply because they don't entertain us. Angelo unpacks two real conversations—one with his wife, and another with a fellow parent—that reveal how easy it is to dismiss our kids' passions when they don't align with our own.   Through the lens of Stoicism, Jiu Jitsu, and cog...

In this episode of The Still Point Podcast, we dive deep into the paradox that's often overlooked in today's hyper-connected world: the idea that in order to form stronger, more meaningful relationships, with others, with our goals, and even with ourselves, we have to detach. Drawing from Stoic philosophy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we explore how clinging to ego, distorted thoughts, o...

In this foundational episode, we introduce the philosophy of Stoicism—not as an abstract idea, but as a daily practice for clarity, composure, and purpose. We trace its origins through ancient thinkers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, and explore its core principle: to focus only on what is within our control.   Through the lens of Jiu Jitsu, parenting, marriage, and social work, we ex...

Parenting is about more than just providing-it's about creating a space where kids feel completely safe, unguarded, and free to beat themselves. In this episode, I reflect on a simple but powerful moment: carrying my son to bed and realizing the deep trust placed in me. We explore our historic philosophy, attachment theory, and even Jiu Jitsu, tired into raising resilient, confident hits plus, a s...

Podcast Episode Description: What kind of training partner do you want to be? Are you helping others grow, or are you just trying to dominate every roll? In this episode of The Stillpoint Podcast, we break down the difference between being a teacher and a bully on the mat. We'll explore how ego can stunt your progress, why great training partners make a gym thrive, and how to create an environment...

Welcome to The Stillpoint Podcast, where philosophy, discipline, and resilience intersect. This podcast is for those committed to personal growth—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Drawing from Stoicism, Jiu Jitsu, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I explore how these principles shape the way we handle adversity, control emotions, and navigate life with clarity and strength....

Seneca reminds us, "If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." In this episode of The Stillpoint Podcast, we explore the virtue of prudence-not as the pursuit of endless knowledge, but as the art of applying wisdom with intention. Whether on the Jiu Jitsu mats, in fatherhood, or in navigating life's challenges, true wisdom isn't about knowing everything-it's about kn...

Today we're exploring how taking a step back when meeting resistance can sometimes be the best path forward.

In this series, I'll ruminate over random thoughts I have in regard to Jiu Jitsu, stoicism, and life. Todays episode is about the ego in Jitsu and how I believe it is the biggest barrier to improving in Jiu Jitsu.

The Way of the Roll delves into the profound connection between the martial art of Jiu Jitsu and timeless philosophies such as Stoicism, Amor Fati, and Kintsugi. Hosted by me, Angelo Coates, each episode explores how the challenges faced on the mat mirror life's broader struggles, offering listeners practical insights into resilience, acceptance, and finding beauty in imperfection. Whether you're...