The Sonny Brown Breakdown
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Systematic Coaching & Team Building with Luke Martin
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Luke Martin from Sydney West Martial Arts, Luke has been on the podcast several times before, and this marks ten years since he began his jo...
The Ecological Approach vs Embodied Grappling With Greg Souders & School Of Grappling
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Andy from School of Grappling and Greg Souders from Standard Jiu-Jitsu about their perspectives on the ecological approach to teaching grapp...
Embodied Grappling Philosophy & Practice With Andy From School of Grappling
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Andy from School of Grappling about the rising trend of the ecological approach in BJJ coaching and its implications. We explore the interpl...
Ecological Approach to MMA Striking with Scott Sievewright
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Sonny Brown Breakdown, guest Scott Sievewright discusses his ecological approach to coaching martial arts. Sievewright emphasis...
Ecological Approach vs Progressive Resistance with Greg Souders & Priit Mihkelson
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Greg Souders and Priit Mihkelson, two of the most forward-thinking jiu-jitsu coaches today, about their philosophies on training methodology...
Jiu-Jitsu Games For Teaching Kids & Adults With Kabir Bath
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Kabir Bath, A Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Rafael Lovato Jnr, who runs Kaboom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He runs an excellent kid's program using on...
Teaching Jiu-Jitsu Without Teaching Techniques With Greg Souders
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Greg Souders, A Jiu-Jitsu black belt who runs his Jiu-Jitsu academy without teaching any techniques. Instead, he uses the ecological approac...
BJJ Training Progress, Evolution & Control Points With Chris Paines
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Chris Paines, who recently released an instructional titled "How to Defend Against Everyone". We discuss his thoughts on teaching and learni...
ADCC Training At New Wave Jiu-Jitsu With Luke Martin
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Luke Martin, a Jiu-Jitsu coach currently preparing his athletes for the ADCC world championships out of the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu camp in Texas...
TLC For Training & MMA Padwork With Mittmaster Matt Chapman
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Mittmaster Matt Chapman, a martial artist for 35 years who has a wealth of experience teaching & training Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, Muay Tha...
Quality Jiu-Jitsu Instruction, ADCC & BJJ Competition Teams With Jeremy Skinner
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Jeremy Skinner, a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, coach & competitor who recently won the ADCC Oceana trials, which will see him compete at the 2022 A...
Rapid Learning From Instructionals & Technique Tinkering With Jozef Chen
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Jozef Chen, a grappling phenom who recently took Bronze at the ADCC trials while only being seventeen years old and relatively new to his ji...
New Wave Coaching Of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Grapplers With Luke Martin
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Luke Martin, a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who runs Sydney West Martial Arts. He recently switched his academy from a mix of gi and no-gi training ...
The Reverse Classroom, Skill Acquisition & Submeta With Lachlan Giles
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Lachlan Giles about his instructional style. He experimented with using the reverse classroom model to teach jiu-jitsu which involves studen...
Positive Benefits of the Gi & IBJJF Points System With Robert Degle
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Robert Degle. A blackbelt in BJJ, who was recently banned from competing by the IBJJF due to not having enough time registered as a brown be...
BJJ Mental Models, Concepts, Principles & Online Learning With Steve Kwan
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Steve Kwan of the BJJ Mental Models Podcast in a Crossover Episode! We talk about how his podcast has influenced his own game, the most impo...
Contrarian Grappling While Combining Catch Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu With Sam Kressin
09 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Sam Kressin, a Black Belt in BJJ who also trained extensively with catch wrestling legend Billy Robinson. Sam is also a talented visual arti...
Mind Over Muscle, Judo & Jigoro Kano With Andy From School Of Grappling
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Andy From School Of Grappling about the book "Mind Over Muscle: Writings From The Founder Of Judo" By Jigoro Kano. We explore the philosophy...
The Rancid Ingredients For A Martial Arts McDojo With Rob From McDojoLife
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Rob From McDojoLife. Rob has been a lifelong martial artist with a black belt in Karate and a Purple Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. McDojo life has a ma...
Designing BJJ Lessons, Learning & Lifestyle With John B Will
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to John B Will, one of the all-time legends of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts. As an early adopter of BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts, he has sp...
The Taoist Teachings Of Bruce Lee With Daniele Bolleli
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Daniele Bolelli, author, martial artist & university professor. He is the host of multiple podcasts, including the Drunken Daoist podcast an...
Belts, Ranking, Titles & Hierarchy In Jiu-Jitsu With Priit Mihkelson
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Priit Mihkelson, A Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt From Estonia and founder of Defensive BJJ. Priit always has a lot of interesting takes on the teachi...
Submitting the Stigma of Mental Health in Martial Arts With Erin Herle
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Erin Herle, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt & Founder of #submitthestigma. Submit the Stigma is a mental health advocacy group, so we discuss the work ...
UFC Performance Institute, MMA Periodisation & Integrating Mental Training With Richy Walsh
14 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Richy Walsh, A veteran of The UFC & The Ultimate Fighter who now works as an MMA Coach at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China. ...
Dedication of Daisy Fresh & Fighting For the Future With Heath Pedigo
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Heath Pedigo, Founder of Pedigo Submission fighting, aka Daisy Fresh. We discuss the culture and mindset used to build Daisy Fresh from Mt. ...
Alliance With Adversity & The Value of Vulnerability With Eric Uresk
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Eric Uresk, a Judo & Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who coaches at Alliance MMA. We discuss his martial arts career and how he advocates for embracing...
An Inquiry-Based Instructional Strategy of Teaching Without Telling With Tum "Energia" Voorn
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Tum "Energia" Voorn who is a Jiu Jitsu Practitioner with a Capoeria background and who also trained as a teacher. We discuss an inquiry-base...
Initiating No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu for the Next Generation of Grapplers With Chris Brennan
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Chris Brennan, the O.G of No-Gi. Chris is an MMA Hall of Famer and 3-time No-Gi world champion, but perhaps might not be as well known for s...
Importance of Offense vs. Dependable Defense With Priit Mihkelson & School Of Grappling
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Priit Mihkelson and Andy from School of Grappling. The episode takes on a unique debate format on the topic of Offense Vs. ...
Leg Locking in the MMA Meta & Elegant Leg Entanglements for Vale Tudo With Robert Degle
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Robert Degle who is a Danaher Death Squad member and trains under John Danaher. We discuss the use of leg locks in MMA, how leg attacks can ...
Free Thinking Fusion of Fist Fights, Submissions, Shooto, Scarfhold & Synergetic Spirit With Erik Paulson
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to one of the forefathers of American MMA & submission grappling, founder of Combat Submission Wrestling, Erik Paulson. We discuss the benefits...
Being a BJJ Globetrotter, Busting up Tribalism, Belt Bureaucracy & Building a Clubhouse With Christian Graugart
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Christian Graugart who is the founder of BJJ Globetrotters, a community that runs seminars & camps around the world that discourages jiu-jit...
Life Lessons from the Worlds Longest Lockdown with Denis Kelly
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Denis Kelly who runs the Australian Combat Sports Academy in Melbourne and has a Black Belt in BJJ, Zen Do Kai Karate and has fought MMA pro...
Down Under to Danaher, Peurto Rico, Pro Grappling & Providing Entertainment With Craig Jones
31 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Craig Jones about his start in Australia, to moving to America to train with the Danaher team and now preparing in Puerto Rico. We discuss h...
Weighty Issues of Weight Loss and Weight Cutting for Combat Sports with Dr Reide Reale
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reid Reale is a BJJ Black Belt who also hols a master’s degree in dietetics and a PhD in sports nutrition. His PhD thesis was entitled “Optimising...
BJJ Mental Models of Blading, Tempo & Establishing Offensive Cycles With Matt Kwan
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Matt Kwan who is a BJJ Black Belt under Rob Biernacki and also Co-Hosts the podcast BJJ Mental Models with his brother Steve Kwan. We discus...
Unconventional Growth in Grappling & A Universal Theory of Guard With Chris Paines
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Chris Paines who describes himself as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who has never done Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He started training submissio...
Reformation of Rituals Based on Research, Sparring & Self Determination Theory With Priit Mihkelson
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Priit Mihkelson who is a BJJ Black Belt with a unique take on how BJJ can be taught and learned. We discuss how Priit structures his class a...
Fusing Sambo Into the Grappling Universe & Unity Over Division With Vlad Koulikov
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Vlad Koulikov who is a Master of Sport in Sambo aswell as a BJJ & Judo Black Belt who grew up in Russia and before moving to America where h...
The Purpose of Pragmatism, Persuasion, Jiu Jitsu & John Danaher with Robert Degle
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Robert Degle who is a BJJ Black Belt who trains under John Danaher and is also a philosophy major. We discuss how he started BJJ in the blue...
The Husky History of Folk Wrestling Styles & the Hero With a Thousand Holds With Ruadhán MacFadden
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Ruadhán MacFadden. He runs a project titled The Hero with a Thousand Holds which looks at the culture and practice of folk wrestling styles...
The Good, Bad & Beautiful Truth in the Origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu With Robert Drysdale
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Robert Drysdale. He is a storied competitor, ADCC Champion, Mundials Champion and has also coached many other legends of the sport. Also a H...
Efficiency in Learning Techniques, Making Decisions and Mental Models for BJJ With Steve Kwan
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Steve Kwan. Steve is one half of the excellent podcast BJJ Mental Models, he is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and works professional...
The Art of Aliveness, Fundamentals & Functional Delivery Systems With Matt Thornton
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Matt Thornton. Matt is the founder of Straight Blast Gym International or SBG and is a 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt under Chris Hauter. We disc...
Playful Pedagogy, Cognition, Concepts & Gamification of Micro Battles for Bjj With Rob Biernacki
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I interview Rob Biernacki of Island Top Team. He also runs BJJconcepts.net, and we discuss his thoughts on BJJ pedagogy, different teaching and cognit...
Utility of Self-Directed Learning, Studying Tape and Optimising Lesson Structure With Lachlan Giles
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I interview Lachlan Giles. We discuss how his persistence over years of competition culminated in things coming together for him on the day to take ou...
Risk-Taking in Mixed Martial Arts and the Distinction Between Fighting and Violence With Dr Alex Channon
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Dr Alex Channon, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport Studies at the University of Brighton and on the board of The Martial Art...
The Ultimate Fighter of Life, Addiction, Martial Arts & Yoga With Jonathan Brookins
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Jonathan Brookins. Jonathan is a veteran of the WEC where he faced Jose Aldo and the UFC where he was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Sea...
Legendary Longevity on a Journey Beyond a Hundred Battles With Jeremy Horn
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Jeremy Horn, a storied MMA pioneer and legend with over 170 fights to his name, even fighting on the weekend where he was victorious in his ...
Crafting Comfort When Uncomfortable & Adapting for Victory With Alexander Volkanovski
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Alexander Volkanovski. Alex is the current UFC featherweight champion. We discuss what it was like as an amateur athlete ri...
Blending Hip Hop, Chess & BJJ With Adisa Banjoko of the Hip Hop Chess Federation
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Adisa Banjoko aka Adisa the Bishop. He is the creator of the Hip Hop Chess Federation, Author of a book titled Bobby, Bruce and the Bronx an...
How It's All Your Fault, Failing Upwards & Fighter Pay With Jon Fitch
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Jon Fitch. Jon was the World Series of Fighting Welterweight Champion, Has fought for the UFC title against George St Pierr...
Creating Championship Culture and Conquering Cancer With Greg Nelson
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Greg Nelson, who was the coach for UFC champions Brock Lesnar, Sean Sherk and Rose Namajunas. He is a 4th Degree BJJ Blackbelt, Division 1 F...
Forging a Competition Mindset & Abstract Thinking While Wrestling With Brian Ebersole
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Brian Ebersole, a veteran of over 70 MMA fights, including a memorable run in the UFC. We discuss his early beginnings in the American schol...
Flipping the Dojo on Its Head & the Flipped Classroom Teaching Model With Bruce Hoyer
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Bruce Hoyer. He coaches out of a small town in Dakota that has produced 7 UFC fighters and uses innovative teaching strategies including the...
How Combat Sports Athletes Can Sleep in and Win With Dr Ian Dunican
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Dr Ian Dunican, a sleep researcher who has worked with elite combat sports athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport on strategies to he...
Wrestling between Risk-Taking & Risk-Aversion With Coach Matt Lindland
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Matt Lindland, the head coach of the USA Greco Roman wrestling team, Olympic silver medalist & MMA Pioneer. We discuss his experience coachi...
Navigating Restrictions & Wilderness on the 10th Planet with Brandon Mccaghren
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Brandon McCaghren or B-MAC from 10th Planet Decatur, Alabama. We discuss his start travelling from his home town to train with Eddie Bravo i...
Effectiveness, Efficacy and the Science Behind Your Jiu-Jitsu With Rory van Vliet
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Rory from RVV BJJ, who takes a methodical approach to explain the science behind your jiu-jitsu. He explains the critical principle of align...
Struggling with Systems Theory, Chaos & Complexity With School of Grappling
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Andy from School of Grappling. We discuss how systems theory, complexity and chaos can be underlying forces in your grappling training but h...
The Mirroring Principle and Controlled Chaos for Learning With Wim Deputter
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Wim Deputter who is Belgium based Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We discuss how Jiu-Jitsu is a principle that means a Boxer could be doi...
The Underground History of Catch Wrestling, MMA & Sakuraba With Jake Shannon
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Jake Shannon who is the founder of Scientific Wrestling and The King of Catch Wrestling Tournaments. We discuss how the history of submissio...
The Mythology & Meaning of Teaching Martial Arts With Daniele Bolelli
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Daniele Bolelli who is a writer, martial artist and a university professor. He is the host of multiple podcasts including the Drunken Daoist...
Distance Learning the John Danaher Grappling System With Luke Martin
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Luke Martin from Sydney West Martial Arts. Luke is an instructor I have personally trained with, and for the last few years, he has been pur...
Developing Intuition & Instincts With the School of Grappling
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Andy from the School of Grappling. The School of grappling Instagram and website has many great articles that look at stati...
Why BJJ Must Be Taught as a Sport and Not an Art With Priit Mihkelson
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I talk to Priit Mihkelson of 3D Treening in Estonia. He is a BJJ Black Belt under SBG founder Matt Thornton and has done many seminars for the BJJ Glo...
Teaching High School Students & Jiu-Jitsu Students With Jahred Dell
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk to Jahred Dell of ArticulateBJJ.com where he writes excellent articles about the art, sport and lifestyle of Brazilian jiu-jits...