The BJJ Fanatics Podcast
Episodes
BJJ Fanatics 673: Alberto Crane
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alberto Crane returns to talk about his life in Jiu-Jitsu since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He talks about how exploring Neurology has he...
BJJ Fanatics 672: Colton Crawford
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Colton Crawford is a BJJ Brown Belt and the banjo player for the very successful Bluegrass band The Dead South. He talks about learning how to learn a...
BJJ Fanatics 671: Dallas Niles
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dallas Niles returns to talk about teaching and the fact that you do NOT have to be a champion to be an elite instructor. He also talks about heavy me...
BJJ Fanatics 670: Michael Heinz
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
BJJ Black Belt Michael Heinz joins show show to talk about how meditation has impacted his journey in the art. He explains how to use meditation conce...
BJJ Fanatics 669: Glyn Powditch
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Glyn Powditch is a leading voice in Jiu-Jitsu on breathing and breathwork. He explains how something as simple as learning how to manage your breathin...
BJJ Fanatics 668: Shawn Williams
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Shawn Williams joins the show for the first episode of 2026! The topic for this episode is how to coach athletes. Shawn talks about providing relevant...
BJJ Fanatics 667: Xmas with Kurt
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt joins us for the final episode of 2025! We talk about the potential alien craft near Earth, conspiracy theories, and how AI consistently fools Ku...
BJJ Fanatics 666: Jeff Curran
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Curran returns to share what its like to start and run a grappling tournament from scratch and life after professional fighting. He also opens up...
BJJ Fanatics 665: Roberto Godoi
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roberto Godoi returns to talk about competition for Masters athletes. He covers mindset, conditioning, tactics and conserving energy. He also explains...
BJJ Fanatics 664: Shawn Melanson
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shawn Melanson joins the show to talk about running a gym specifically for competitors, how anxiety has impacted him on and off the mats, and developi...
BJJ Fanatics 663: Robert Drysdale
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Drysdale joins the show to share his latest research on the history of BJJ. He also discusses the ways that commercialization has helped and hu...
BJJ Fanatics 662: Chris Wojcik
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Wojcik joins the show to talk about goal setting, finding purpose, the value of regret and removing self-doubt from your mind. He also talks abo...
BJJ Fanatics 661: Malachy Friedman
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Malachy Friedman returns to talk about his recent shift back into coaching high level athletes. He talks about competition mindset, how to gameplan fo...
BJJ Fanatics 660: Roy Dean
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roy Dean returns to talk about ego-less training, the balance of ego for competitors and how to process losses in a healthy way. He also details his n...
BJJ Fanatics 659: Kurt Osiander
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back! In this episode, Kurt responds to lots of questions from the listeners, we talk music and the passing of the legend Ozzy Osbourne, Kurt ...
BJJ Fanatics 658: Justin Flores
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
JFlo is back! In this episode he talks about building good habits on your feet. He shares valuable insights for older or injured grapplers that breaks...
BJJ Fanatics 657: Rick Ellis
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Ellis joins the show to discuss Jiu-Jitsu for older guys! He talks about what your goals should be and reframing your mentality as you age on the...
BJJ Fanatics 656: Renato Canuto
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Renato Canuto joins the show fresh off his professional MMA debut! He talks about his experience stepping into the cage, balancing grappling competiti...
BJJ Fanatics 655: Eric Silver
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Silver is one of the early Americans to study Jiu-Jitsu and one of the first to open a gym on the east coast. He talks about learning directly fr...
BJJ Fanatics 654: Murilo Mustamante
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Living legend Murilo Bustamante joins the show to talk about his dedication to guiding the next generation of competitors and students. We discuss "ol...
BJJ Fanatics 653: Brian Glick
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Glick returns to talk about the importance of strong communication skills as a teacher, the skill of simplifying complex concepts to make them m...
BJJ Fanatics 652: Jason Rau
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Rau returns to talk about growing his schools, the ethics and etiquette of filming training sessions, and how to track your own progress on the ...
BJJ Fanatics 651: Kyle Sleeman
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle "The Bull" Sleeman joins the show to talk about the BJJ scene in Canada, making competition second nature, developing a well rounded game and wei...
BJJ Fanatics 650: Kurt Osiander
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back! He talks about his health, lifting weights, "old guy" Jiu-Jitsu and conspiracy theories. He also takes questions from listeners, which i...
BJJ Fanatics 649: Matt Castaneda
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Castaneda is a white belt who recently used Jiu-Jitsu he learned from BJJ Fanatics instructionals to defend himself and protect others from a vio...
BJJ Fanatics 648: Anthony Budion
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Budion shares his story of training with prominent UFC fighters and his years with the NYPD, NYFD and USAF. He also shares insight on growing ...
BJJ Fanatics 647: Tom DeBlass
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tom DeBlass joins the show to talk about bullying, being consistent in training while battling depression, and some final thoughts on his recent debat...
BJJ Fanatics 646: Charles Harriott
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charles Harriott returns to talk etiquette when visiting another school, the pros and cons of running a tournament, advice for future promoters, knee ...
BJJ Fanatics 645: Neil Melanson
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Melanson returns to talk about attacking structures in grappling, funky gyms he's visited and the origin of the K Guard. He also shares the story...
BJJ Fanatics 644: David Petrone
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Petrone joins the show to talk about the increasing physical intensity seen in competitive grappling. Clubbing collar ties, neck cranks, smother...
BJJ Fanatics 643: Roger Machado
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Roger Machado joins the show to talk about the zen side of Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include ego-less training, mindful teaching and he explains how Yoga has ...
BJJ Fanatics 642: Tomer Alroy
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tomer Alroy returns to discuss competition strategy and tactics. He also shares how a well-prepared competition training room should feel very much li...
BJJ Fanatics 641: John Machado
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Machado joins the show to share his insights on what the "BJJ Lifestyle" means in modern times. He also shares stories from the old days in Rio D...
BJJ Fanatics 640: Robson Moura
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robson Moura returns to talk about the keys to remaining consistent on the mats, finding motivation to train later in life and he hints at a possible ...
BJJ Fanatics 639: Kurt Osiander
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back! He gives an entertaining recap of the Olympics, ADCC and CJI. He also takes questions from listeners and talks metal bands, craziness in...
BJJ Fanatics 638: Adele Fornarino
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ADCC Champ Adele Fornarino joins the show to share her story! Topics include advice for smaller grapplers, managing distance, competitive personality ...
BJJ Fanatics 637: Flavio Canto
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flavio Canto joins the show to talk about overcoming losses, competing on the Olympic stage, how he benefited from learning Jiu-Jitsu during his Judo...
BJJ Fanatics 636: Joel Tudor
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joel Tudor returns to talk about recently getting his Judo black belt and how the art has changed his perspective on grappling. He also talks about ba...
BJJ Fanatics 635: Silverfox Pravec
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Silverfox is back! In this episode we discuss injury prevention, selecting your rolls, being mindful of training partners and using the armbar to its ...
BJJ Fanatics 634: Henry Akins
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Henry Akins joins the show to talk about the importance of defense in your game. He covers several defensive categories and explains how ultimately, a...
BJJ Fanatics 633: Travis Stevens
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Travis Stevens returns to talk about the current state of American Judo, his thoughts on BJJ athletes crossing over to Judo competition and the pros a...
BJJ Fanatics 632: Shintaro Higashi
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shintaro Higashi joins the show to talk about applying Judo techniques in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. He also explains how to train safely and "trade wins" for o...
BJJ Fanatgics 631: Fabio Gurgel
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever considered opening your own gym, this episode is a must-listen! Master Fabio Gurgel shares knowledge he's collected from decades of run...
BJJ Fanatics podcast 630: Rigan Machado
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rigan Machado joins the show to talk about Old School Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of keeping up with modern trends in the art and Jiu-Jitsu in film chor...
BJJ Fanatics Podcast 629: Shawn Williams
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shawn Williams returns to talk about ADCC vs CJI, the standards of a black belt, overcoming self-doubt and developing sliding skills. He also covers e...
BJJ Fanatics 628: Adam Wardzinski
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Wardzinski joins the show fresh off his history-making World Championship. He talks about the lifestyle and work ethic it took to achieve this ac...
BJJ Fanatics 627: Kurt Osiander
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back and in better shape than ever! He talks about lifting weights, setting up take downs, using swords in a street fight and CJI vs ADCC. H...
BJJ Fanatics 626: Paul Schreiner
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Schreiner joins the show to discuss the various methods that are being used to teach Jiu-Jitsu. He shares his thoughts on what has worked best fo...
BJJ Fanatics 625: Rolles Gracie
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rolles Gracie joins the show to talk about creating an environment that helps students learn faster, upper belts mentoring lower belts and his thought...
BJJ Fanatics 624: Renato Canuto
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Renato Canuto joins the show to talk about pay for Jiu-Jitsu athletes, his upcoming MMA debut and his open-minded approach to rolling and competing. H...
BJJ Fanatics 623: Roy Dean
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Roy Dean returns to discuss the different levels of mastery that exist in Jiu-Jitsu that become more obvious as you pursue the art over time. Things l...
BJJ Fanatics 622: Kurt Osiander
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back to talk about how much AI is freaking him out, his thoughts on a possible global robot takeover and surgical bio-hacking upgrades that he...
BJJ Fanatics 621: Yuri Simoes
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Yuri Simoes makes his long-awaited return to the show! He talks about what drives him to compete and how he processes losses as a highly competitive p...
BJJ Fanatics 620: Malachy Friedman
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Malachy Friedman returns to discuss some of the common misinterpretations regarding what effective training is. He also explains how some of his injur...
BJJ Fanatics 619: Giancarlo Bodoni
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Giancarlo returns to talk about the importance of having clear aspirations as a Jiu-Jitsu student in order to reach your goals. He also explains that ...
BJJ Fanatics 618: Eli Knight
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Eli Knight returns to talk about overcoming frustrations in training. We all get stuck sometimes, Eli sheds some light on how to push through! He also...
BJJ Fanatics Podcast 617 - Michael Chu
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Chu is a black belt under Clark Gracie with a very interesting life story. In this episode, he details how he went from being a police officer...
BJJ Fanatics 616: Lucas Pinheiro
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lucas Pinheiro joins the show to tell his story of coming up from hardship to becoming a world champion! He explains how building a positive mindset i...
BJJ Fanatics 615: Brian Glick
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Glick talks about how personality types will influence the way we learn Jiu-Jitsu. He also explains why sometimes the people who seem the best s...
BJJ Fanatics 614: Marcelo Garcia
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marcelo Garcia joins the show to reflect on surviving cancer, tips to train consistently, building a game that works in both Gi and No-Gi, pacing your...
BJJ Fanatics 613: Kurt Osiander
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back to talk about rolling with new tattoos, practical self defense skills, tasers and attack dogs, looting and creative robberies in San Fran...
BJJ Fanatics 612: Robert Drysdale
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Drysdale talks about the history and future of Jiu-Jitsu. From the history of the rules, to the conundrum of needing a sport to grow the art. H...
BJJ Fanatics 611: Alec Baulding
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alec Baulding returns to talk about his recent decision to return to a student role instead of teaching, how to balance digital learning, how to proce...
BJJ Fanatics 610: Diego Pato
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diego "Pato" Oliveira joins the show to share his very moving life story from leaving home at 15 to pursue Jiu-Jitsu, to training without food for day...
BJJ Fanatics 609: Alex Enriquez
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Enriquez joins the show to talk about pursuing Wrestling to improve her Jiu-Jitsu, becoming the team captain of an all-male team and how her driv...
BJJ Fanatics 608: Kurt Osiander
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back to talk about rolling after surgery, amputations and bandit life in the Wild West, strategically crying from Half Guard, serial killers a...
BJJ Fanatics 607: Kent Peters
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kent Peters is back! He discusses terrible pre-training food, organic mat sanitizers that probably don't work, steroids and testosterone, managing a t...
BJJ Fanatics 606: Jozef Chen
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jozef Chen joins the show to explain the importance of training with intent, how to process an instructional and the value of keeping a training journ...
BJJ Fanatics 605: Owen Jones
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Owen Jones joins the show to talk about processing losses as a highly competitive person, facing weaknesses honestly, being patient with your developm...
BJJ Fanatics 604: Piter Frank
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Piter Frank joins the show to talk about succeeding with limited resources, building an offensive game and flying submissions. He also shares a candid...
BJJ Fanatics 603: Rani Yahya
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ADCC legend and UFC fighter Rani Yahya joins the show to talk about how BJJ helped him overcome ADD, training with Rickson Gracie, the early days of A...
BJJ Fanatics 602: Javier Vazquez
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Javi Vazquez joins the show to talk about surviving his recent battle with cancer, the power of understanding configurations, transitional wormholes, ...
BJJ Fanatics 601: Miko Hytonen
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Miko Hytonen joins the show for a very candid conversation about how Jiu-Jitsu saved him from his troubled past to become one of the top BJJ influence...
BJJ Fanatics 600: Garry Tonon
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Garry Tonon discusses why he's not a fan of the transactional mindset many students have towards their training, the danger of limiting techniques, br...
BJJ Fanatics 599: Tarik Hopstock
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tarik Hopstock joins the show to explain how training as a juvenile in adult classes helped shape his game. He also talks about how he leads his stude...
BJJ Fanatics 598: Owen Livesey
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Owen Livesey joins the show to talk about how to fight on your feet more effectively. He explains that people often over-think things like hand fighti...
BJJ Fanatics 597: Dominique Bell
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dominique Bell joins the show to talk about going from the ARMY to fulltime Jiu-Jitsu athlete. He shares his thoughts on training, goal setting and in...
BJJ Fanatics 596: Neil Melanson
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Melanson returns to talk about setting traps in grappling, the value of creating dilemmas and why you should program sequences in your mind, espe...
BJJ Fanatics 595: Nick Gwiazdowski
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2x NCAA Wrestling Champion Nick Gwiazdowski joins the show to talk about elite competition mindset, the utility of positive affirmations and why you M...
BJJ Fanatics 594: Dallas Niles
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dallas Niles joins the show to talk about the fact that Jiu-Jitsu is hard, but he provides some tips for navigating the process easier to become an ad...
BJJ Fanatics 593: Malachy Friedman
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Malachy Friedman returns to talk about everything Blue Belts should know before receiving their purple belt. He also talks about the importance of pro...
BJJ Fanatics 592: Kurt Osiander Halloween Special 2023
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back for another Halloween Special! He talks about scaring hallucinating hippies, haunted San Fransisco hotels, his personal UFO sightings and...
BJJ Fanatics 591: Jason Rau
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Rau joins the show to talk about the early days of the Danaher Death Squad, the growth of the Sub-Only Jiu-Jitsu competition scene, the best tip...
BJJ Fanatics 590: Cameron Shayne
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On top of being a BJJ Black Belt, Cameron Shayne is the father of Mixed Movement Arts and a lifetime Yoga teacher. He talks about mobility for Jiu-Jit...
BJJ Fanatics 589: Brian Littlefield
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Littlefield is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and co-founder of Jocko Fuel. He discusses recovery and nutrition for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, what real h...
BJJ Fanatics 588: Sean Applegate
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Applegate returns to give a deep dive on being an effective coach to BJJ athletes. He identifies the difference between helpful and useless infor...
BJJ Fanatics 587: Jason Henderson
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
NAVY SEAL Masterchief Jason Henderson joins the show to talk about real-world self defense, the importance of emotional control during a fight, and BJ...
BJJ Fanatics 586: Rayron Gracie returns
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rayron Gracie returns to discuss what he feels is the most efficient way to learn Jiu-Jitsu, how modern society can make it harder than ever for young...
BJJ Fanatics 585: Michael Liera Jr
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Liera Jr joins the show for a very honest and candid discussion about some of the pitfalls Jiu-Jitsu athletes can face in their pursuit of a w...
BJJ Fanatics 584: Kyle Dake
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary Wrestler Kyle Dake joins the show for a very insightful conversation about self-discipline, embracing failure and why humility is a virtue t...
BJJ Fanatics 583: Amy Campo
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ADCC Champion Amy Campo joins the show to share her story. She also talks about understanding ranges in Jiu-Jitsu, the benefits of ice baths, her 2022...
BJJ Fanatics 582: Gregor Gracie
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Gracie joins the show to talk about how to beat your opponent mentally, the keys to using BJJ well in MMA, and the importance of recognizing de...
BJJ Fanatics 581: Matt Guffey
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Guffey joins the show to discuss Strength and Conditioning for Jiu-Jitsu, mobility and longevity, injury management and strength misconceptions h...
BJJ Fanatics 580: Pete The Greek returns
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete The Greek is back! We discuss wristlocks, BJJ for MMA, being a real-life superhero and Carlson Gracie's impact on the BJJ community. Pete also ta...
BJJ Fanatics 579: Rayron Gracie & Bernardo Faria
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, Bernardo Faria sits down with Rayron Gracie for a discussion about his Jiu-Jitsu! Topics include not relying on your physical...
BJJ Fanatics 578: Kurt Osiander
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kurt is back! This time we discuss the absurd side of Jiu-Jitsu. Quirky students, delusional martial artists, dirty techniques people use and random c...
BJJ Fanatics 577: Igor Tanabe
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Igor Tanabe joins the show and shares his story of being a successful juvenile athlete to becoming one of the fastest rising stars in Jiu-Jitsu. He ta...
BJJ Fanatics 576: Clark Gracie
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Clark Gracie joins the show to talk about the importance of fundamentals and self defense curriculums and he gives a deep dive on Omoplatas! He also t...
BJJ Fanatics 575: Shintaro Higashi
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shintaro Higashi joins the show to share his deep knowledge about grip-fighting acquired through Judo. He explains how it correlates to Jiu-Jitsu and ...
BJJ Fanatics 574: Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez joins the show to talk about how creativity can have a big influence on Jiu-Jitsu and why keeping an open mind is very imp...