The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

Episode 373 - Kurt Osiander edited

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a long hiatus, Kurt is back on the show! He updates us with his situation in this candid episode. Ryan also makes a big announcement about his l...

episode 372 - Alec Baulding

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Alec Baulding joins the show to talk about overcoming plateaus, his recent ADCC performance and using competition as a tool for improvement. He also t...

Episode 371: Roli Delgado

16 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Roli Delgado joins the show to talk about overcoming fear of failure, the pursuit of vindication, the importance of conditioning and why you need to g...

Episode 370 - Jake Mackenzie

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Mackenzie joins the show to talk about the early days of BJJ in Canada, living and training in Brazil, the benefits of competition and creating a...

Episode 369 - Travis Stevens returns!

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Travis Stevens returns to the show to talk about his Olympic experience in Rio, nearly losing his leg to staph and pursuing goals through adversity. H...

Episode 368 - Rose Gracie returns

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rose Gracie returns to the show to talk about brain damage and CTE within combat sports. She's been researching and learning about concussions and CTE...

Episode 367 - Danielle Kelly

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Kelly joins the show to talk about her journey in grappling, the development of her style, her favorite competition ruleset and adding Wrestl...

Episode 366 - Bob Wall

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Known for his role as O'Hara, a villan in Bruce Lee's iconic film Enter The Dragon, Bob Wall joins the show to tell the incredible and inspirational s...

Episode 365 - Lucas Barbosa

04 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One of BJJ's most exciting stars, Lucas Barbosa joins the show to talk about following in his idol's footsteps in Brazil, overcoming poverty and the l...

Episode 364 - Marcos Torregrosa

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa joins the show to talk about finding BJJ in Puerto Rico, the early days of MMA, training and living in Brazil and teaching ...

Episode 363 - Justin Rader

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Justin Rader joins the show and talks about blending Wrestling with BJJ, developing take downs, leaving your comfort zone, and the importance of knowi...

Episode 362: Throwback / Kenny Florian

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this throwback episode, UFC veteran and Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Kenny Florian talks about BJJ in the 90's, positive mentality, managing nerves and emo...

Episode 361 - Craig Jones

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Jones returns to talk about his recent camp in NYC, his match with Tim Spriggs, conditioning, leg locks, gi and no-gi scrambles and breaking bad...

Episode 360 - Amanda Leve

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Amanda Leve joins the show to talk about competition mindset, competing against male athletes, submission only rules, drilling and managing competitio...

Episode 359 - Ricardo Liborio 3

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In his 3rd appearance on the show, Master Ricardo Liborio talks about his plans to bring BJJ to universities and schools across the US and his Resenha...

Episode 358 - Quentin Rosenzweig

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Quentin Rosenzweig joins the show to talk about building a career outside the IBJJF through super fights and submission only events. He also discusses...

Episode 357 - Bernardo Faria returns

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bernardo Faria returns to the show after 3 years! He talks about the development of his game, effective positions for older practitioners and the form...

GCP Throwback - Demian Maia

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is a throwback episode from the GCP archive originally recorded in December 2016 (excuse the audio quality). Demian Maia talks about his life and...

Episode 355 - Kurt Osiander

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

GCP's most interviewed man returns for an update on his school, his recent Australian and Korean tours and shares some AirBnB adventure stories. He al...

Episode 354 - Nick Rodriguez

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Rodriguez joins the show to talk about his wrestling background, his life story and winning an ADCC trials bronze medal as a blue belt. He also t...

Episode 353: Gordon Ryan

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gordon "The King" Ryan joins the show to talk about the value of strong mentors, pre-competition anxiety and conceptual learning. He also offers advic...

Episode 352 - Mike Swain

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most decorated American Judokas of all time, Mike Swain joins the show to talk about winning the Judo world championship, developing his ga...

Episode 351 - Roberto "Roleta" Magalhaes

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor "Roleta" is one of the greatest champions of the sport and the man credited with developing the inverted guard position. He talks about havi...

Episode 350: Francisco "Toco" Albuquerque

12 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor "Toco" is a highly respected instructor. Some of his students include Alexandre Pulga and Cyborg Abreu. He talks about Carlson Gracie, the V...

Episode 349: George Bossi

05 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

George Bossi has been coaching high school wrestling in Lowell, MA for over 50 years. He is the focus of the film "Bossi". He reflects on his career a...

Episode 348 - Rory Singer

29 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rory Singer is a BJJ Black Belt and retired MMA fighter and UFC veteran. He talks about the application of combat sports in real world self defense si...

Episode 347 - Brian Jones

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Jones is a BJJ and Judo Black Belt and one of the leading experts on sandbag training. He talks about self defense, BJJ in the 90's and fighting...

Episode 346 - Cat Clarke

15 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Cat Clarke is a BJJ Brown Belt and the promoter behind Sub Series Pro, a rapidly growing organization out of Canada. He talks about running events, we...

Episode 345 - Dr. Peter Goldman

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Peter Goldman is a BJJ Black Belt and the chiropractor of stars like Rickson and Kron Gracie, BJ Penn, Clark Gracie and several others. He talks a...

Neiman Gracie

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Neiman Gracie joins the show to talk about the value of positional training, BJJ for MMA, fight strategy for Jiu-Jitsu athletes and learning...

Episode 343 - Marti Malloy

25 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Judo star Marti Malloy joins the show to talk about her Olympic experience, training smart, lessons learned from the mats and managing pressure in com...

Episode 342 - Josh Leduc

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Josh "Starlord" Leduc joins the show to talk about mixing BJJ and Catch Wrestling, pre-competition anxiety, leg locks and preserving energy. He also t...

Episode 341 - Marcelo Cohen

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Marcelo Cohen joins the show to talk about old school vs new school teaching methods, adapting BJJ to your body type and visualization and mentality. ...

Episode 340 - Clark Gracie

04 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Clark Gracie returns to talk about growing an academy, managing an affiliation, team loyalty, his thoughts on cross training and the value of competit...

Episode 339 - Marcos Tinoco

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Marcos Tinoco joins the show to share his inspiring life story. He talks about fighting through adversity, the value of work ethic, moving to NY to tr...

Episode 338 - Marcos Flores

20 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Marcos Flores is the director of USA tournaments for Grappling Industries and a highly experienced referee. He talks about starting BJJ in his 30s, lo...

Episode 337 - Harry Smith

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Smith is a Catch Wrestler, BJJ enthusiast and former WWE superstar. He is also the son of WWE legend British Bulldog. He talks about the value o...

Episode 336 - Drew Weatherhead

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Drew Weatherhead is the mind behind the hit Instagram meme profile "Because_Jitsu". He talks about how he found BJJ, the growth of the BJJ scene in Ca...

Episode 335 - Dhiego Lima

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dhiego Lima talks about leaving football to pursue MMA, managing nerves before a fight, training BJJ with strikes, why he trains in the gi and fightin...

Episode 334 - Kurt Osiander Halloween 2018

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Kurt is back for the 2018 Halloween Special! Kurt talks about his upcoming Australian tour, strategies for fighting various wild animals, UFOs, corn m...

Epiosde 333 - Rob from McDojo Life

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rob from McDojo Life joins the show to talk about cults, frauds, chi blasts and angry online ninjas! He also talk about why he enjoys teaching and how...

Episode 332 - Junior Assuncao

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Junior Assuncao is a seasoned MMA fighter and long time practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the early BJJ scene, new school vs old school mental...

Episode 331 - Rondel Benjamin

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rondel Benjamin introduced Jiu-Jitsu to Trinidad & Tobago in 2000 and has helped build the community there for the last 18 years. He talks about strat...

Episode 330 - Rob Austin

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Austin of the Big Jiu-Jitsu Podcast joins the show to talk about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, the life lessons he's learned along the way and making ...

Episode 329 - Brandon Ruiz

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Ruiz is a decorated grappling champion and coach. He discusses work ethic, avoiding burnout, competition strategy and mental preparation. He a...

Episode 328 - Raul Ramirez

09 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Raul Ramirez joins the show to talk about his journey through Catch Wrestling, Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine, training at the Snake Pit and trainin...

Episode 327 - Curran Jacobs

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Curran Jacobs joins the show to talk about overcoming bullying through wrestling, mental toughness, how Catch Wrestling and BJJ can help each other, s...

Episode 326 - Mahamed Aly returns!

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mahamed Aly returns just off his first Black Belt World Championship! He talks about managing injuries, ideal training frequency, recovery advice and ...

Episode 325 - Albert Lim

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Albert Lim is one of Malaysia's most experienced BJJ athletes and coaches. He talks about his journey through the art, the BJJ scene in Malaysia and r...

Episode 324 - Jared Feierabend

25 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Jared Feierabend joins the show to talk about learning from the greats, meeting Grandmaster Helio Gracie, learning to flow and managing trai...

Episode 323 - Alex Humen

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Humen joins the show to talk about his transition from Wrestling to BJJ, overcoming bullying, managing competition anxiety and conditioning for g...

Episode 322 - Jena Bishop

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Jena Bishop joins the show to talk about pursuing Jiu-Jitsu with a significant other, her competition mindset and work ethic. She also share...

Episode 321 - Jamil Hill

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jamil Hill joins the show to talk about his recent World Championship, avoiding complacency and the evolution of his style. He also talks about the im...

Episode 320 - Flavio Behring

11 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Grandmaster Flavio Behring has over 70 years experience in Jiu-Jitsu. He talks about the early days with his instructor Grandmaster Helio Gracie, self...

Episode 319 - Kurt Osiander

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Kurt is back to talk about his recent UK tour, his upcoming Australian tour and to update us on the progress of Empire Jiu-Jitsu! He also talks about ...

Episode 318 - Steve Maxwell returns

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Steve Maxwell returns to talk about globetrotting, self defense, and dealing with armed attacks. He also talks about avoiding muscular imbal...

Episode 317 - Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez returns!

30 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez returns to the show to talk about submitting Sakuraba, running tournaments and growing an academy. He also gives great ins...

Episode 316 - Steve Austin

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Austin has over 20 years of experience training, competing and teaching martial arts. He talks about overcoming a childhood disease, dealing wit...

Episode 315 - Lavell Marshall

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lavell Marshall is a World and National Champion of Shuai Jiao Chinese Wrestling. He is also a NYC Mongolian Wrestling Champion. He gives an education...

Episode 314 - Francisco "Sinistro" Iturralde

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Francisco "Sinistro" joins the show to talk about his beginnings in Ecuador, his recent performance at the KO Finisher and having a winning mindset. H...

Episode 313 - Ishmael Bentley

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Ishmael Bentley joins the show to talk about his incredible outreach program, the International Jiu-Jitsu Education Fund. This program helps...

Episode 312 - Adam "Big Red" Sachnoff

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

"Big Red" of one of 10th Planet's most active competitors. Coming off his recent team win at Quintet 2, Adam talks about competition mindset, flexibil...

Episode 311 - Piet Wilhelm

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Piet Wilhelm joins the show and speaks candidly about growing up in foster care, living on his own at 12 years old and eventually joining the military...

Episode 310 - Bret Perchaluk

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Bret Perchaluk is a BJJ Black Belt, Judo Black Belt and a former D1 Wrestler. He talks about the benefits of exploring various styles and his traditio...

Episode 309 - Mark Turner

02 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Turner is the first non-Brazilian to earn a black belt under Demain Maia. He talks about how he found Jiu-Jitsu, learning from Demian, rule sets ...

Episode 308 - Seph Smith

31 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Seph Smith is the first black belt under Professor Ryan Hall and a respected competitor and instructor. He talks about how he found Jiu-Jitsu, BS in m...

Episode 307 - Diego Herzog

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Diego "Nosferatu" Herzog joins the show to talk about BJJ for MMA, his match against Roger Gracie and his favorite thing about teaching. He also share...

Episode 306 - USA Combat Wrestling

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

While in St Louis to commentate the 2018 USA Combat Wrestling Nationals, Ryan takes time to interview "Sambo" Steve Koepfer, Vlad Koulikov and the USC...

Episode 305 - Claudia Doval

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Claudia Doval joins the show to talk about her recent world title, turning 30, managing injuries, coping with burn-out and the Spider Guard! She also ...

Episode 304 - Arin Adjamian returns!

17 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Arin Adjamian returns to talk more about nutrition and to answer questions from listeners! He covers everything from acid reflux, gut health, Big Phar...

Episode 303 - Alex Atala

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Atala is a world renown chef and culinary celebrity who has been featured on CNN, Netflix and Brazilian television. He is also a BJJ Brown Belt u...

Episode 302 - Nathiely De Jesus

10 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One of the top female competitors of her generation, Nathiely De Jesus talks about the law of attraction, using Jiu-Jitsu to overcome health issues, t...

Episode 301 - Kurt Osiander live in San Francisco

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan visits San Francisco and catches up with Kurt. They recap Kurt's event The KO Finisher, their time spent in SF, strangers offering Ryan drugs and...

Episode 300 - Jimmy Pedro

03 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most decorated American Judokas of all time, Sensei Jimmy Pedro talks about his Olympic experience, his thoughts on modern Judo and his gra...

Episode 299 - Davi Ramos

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Davi Ramos is one of the most decorated BJJ competitors today and a current UFC lightweight. He talks about mentality, setting the pace in a match, ho...

Epsiode 298 - Bruno Frazatto

26 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Bruno Frazzato joins the show to talk about managing competition nerves, Jiu-Jitsu for MMA, his time spent at Team Brasa and the birth and growth of T...

Episode 297 - Sylvio Behring

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Master Sylvio Behring joins the show for an excellent conversation about self defense, situational awareness and legality of defending yourself. He al...

Episode 296: Kristian Woodmansee

19 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Kristian Woodmansee is one of Jiu-Jitsu's most exciting Rooster Weight competitors. He talks about the deep waters of modern BJJ, managing ego, team l...

Epiosde 295 - Jake Shannon

05 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Shannon is a highly respected figure in the world of Catch Wrestling. He talks about the history of the style, his time spent with the legends of...

Episode 294: Josh "The Punk" Thomson

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Josh "The Punk" Thomson joins the show to talk about how his MMA career began, his grappling influence, fighting for the UFC and PRIDE and how kettleb...

Episode 293 - Brian McLaughlin

29 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brian McLaughlin tells the story of being a frail chess club member in high school to becoming a professional MMA fighter. He also talks about the ear...

Episode 292 - Brian "Jiu-Jitsu Cop" James

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brian James, aka "Jiu-Jitsu Cop" is an active police officer and BJJ purple belt who works to encourage police across the country to learn Jiu-Jitsu. ...

Episode 291: Colton Brown

22 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Colton Brown is one of Judo's most exciting athletes today. He talks about leaving football for Judo, adapting your game, living in Japan and improvin...

Episode 290 - Chris Martin

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Martin is a BJJ purple belt with a unique story to tell. Chris is an instructor who survived a stroke that was caused from an accident while rol...

Episode 289 - Erik Paulson returns!

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One of our earliest guests, Erik Paulson returns over 280 episodes later! We catch up with him and discuss why he doesn't coach fighters anymore, grow...

Epsiode 288 - Rodrigo Antunes

10 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rodrigo Antunes joins the show to talk about starting training at a young age, coming up with world class mentors, plateaus in training, teaching kids...

Episode 287 - Federico Tisi

08 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Federico Tisi is a world renown instructor and the first Italian to receive a BJJ Black Belt. He talks about building knowledge, the white belt proces...

Episode 286 - Kurt Osiander live

03 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

**USE HEADPHONES TO LISTEN** To see the video of this episode, join the Grappling Central group on Facebook, where it was streamed live! Kurt talks ab...

Episode 285: Mauricio Gomes

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Master Maurico Gomes joins the show to talk about the early competition scene in Brazil, longevity in the art and Jiu-Jitsu's customizable nature. He ...

Episode 284: Harley Flanagan

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Harley Flanagan was the frontman and bassist for NYC's legendary punk band Cro-Mags. He is also a Black Belt under Master Renzo Gracie and a highly re...

Episode 283 - Chad George w/ special guest co-host Rose Gracie

24 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan is joined by special guest co-host, Rose Gracie! Together they interview WEC and Bellator veteran Chad George. Chad talks about his passion for t...

Episode 282 - Tyler Driskell

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tyler Driskell is a teammate, instructor and good friend of Ryan's who has a unique story and interesting perspective of BJJ. He talks about why he co...

Episode 281 - Gary Goltz

17 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sensei Gary Goltz joins the show to talk about starting Judo in 1965, life lessons from competition, advice for parents and his strong desire to see B...

Episode 280: Arin Adjamian

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Arin Adjamian talks about going from being overweight with an eating disorder to becoming a successful Sport Nutritionist and BJJ champion. He also co...

Episode 279: Scott Shetler

10 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan's Strength & Conditioning coach Scott Shetler joins the show to talk about catering your lifting to meet your grappling needs, the impact of time...

Episode 278 - Fernando Yamasaki

05 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Yamasaki joins the show to discuss cross training, why BJJ won't be in the Olympics, Women's Jiu-Jitsu, take downs and building a kids progr...

Episode 277 - Roberto "Gordo" Correa

03 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor "Gordo" is the man credited with developing the Half Guard into an offensive position. He talks about the rules in BJJ competition, finding ...

Episode 276: Helio "Soneca" Moreira

29 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Helio "Soneca" joins the show to talk about the early days of Gracie Barra, career opportunities in BJJ, working with elite MMA fighters and...

GCP Episode 275 - Charlie Liu

27 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Charlie Liu is the co-founder of Digitsu and a long time BJJ practitioner. He talks about self defense, small joint manipulation, asking que...

Episode 274 - Amal Easton

22 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Amal Easton joins the show to talk about being one of the first Americans to travel to Brazil to learn BJJ in the early 90's, meeting Renzo Gracie, BJ...