The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting
Episodes
146 - Dodging Polar Bears and Offshore Tides on Hudson Bay
15 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A little trip down memory lane today. In my twenties I did an 82 day, 1600 mile solo canoe trip across the Canadian north. This is an account of t...
145 - What Really Happens When Traditional Martial Artists Spar for the First Time?
09 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sparring for the first time is always a shock, but especially for traditional martial artists who may have spent years perfecting their techniques in ...
144 - The Battle to Make Aikido Functional with Rokas Leonavicius
04 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I really enjoyed this conversation with Rokas Leonavicius, the European Aikido instructor who became famous on Youtube trying to make his aikido funct...
143 - Can You Still Train If You're Dealing with Knee Injury?
26 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Can you still train if you have an injured knee? Well, it depends... Here are some solutions, tips and tricks for dealing with a bum knee in a BJJ o...
142, Self Defense and MMA Controversies with John Hacklemann
23 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode John Hacklemann discusses the Conor McGregor bus attack, training Chuck Liddell, differences between MMA and self defense, the single ...
141 - What Getting Smashed in Kiteboarding Taught Me About Learning BJJ
16 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I was recently dragged through the waves, under the water and then lifted up into the air while trying to figure out the sport of kiteboarding, and fi...
140 - BJJ Specific Exercises, Supplements and Conditioning Routines with Ben Zhuang
15 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I talk with personal trainer and BJJ black belt Ben Zhuang going DEEP into the supplements, exercises, and conditioning protocols, and recovery proced...
139 - BJJ is a Martial Art First and a Martial Sport Second!
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There are many reasons to train BJJ - fitness, camaraderie, having fun, taking on a challenge, spiritual development, learning to deal with challenges...
138 - National Football League Yoga Instructor Jessica Huneycutt
10 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Huneycutt is the yoga instructor for the New Orleans Saints National Football League team. In this episode we go deep into how Yoga and ...
137 - Riccardo Ammedolia, BJJ Analyst Extraordinaire
06 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk with Riccardo Ammedolia, BJJ black belt under the Mendes Brothers, ADCC commentator, and worldwide jiu-jitsu ambassador. We ta...
136 - The Differences between 'Sport' and 'Self Defense' BJJ
04 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this (likely controversial) episode I argue that the differences between 'self defense' and 'sport' jiu-jitsu have largely been exaggerated. The r...
135 - How Muay Thai Fighters, Karateka and Boxers Make Themselves More Powerful
03 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I discuss the different forms of exhalation and 'kiai' used in various martial arts, ranging from Thai Boxing to Kajukenbo Karate to t...
134 - Conditioning for Combat Sports with Jason Kapnick
30 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk with elite powerlifter, kettlebell instructor and BJJ practitioner Jason Kapnick about conditioning program design, building a ...
133 - Can You Learn from Seminars?
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today, should you go to seminars, can you learn from seminars, and the funniest thing I ever saw at a seminar...
132 - Twelve BJJ Black Belts Give Their Best Advice for People Starting Jiu-Jitsu
25 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is just a little different! Today 12 BJJ black belts give their single best piece of advice for people just starting out in Brazilian j...
131 - Kirik Jenness of The Underground Forum
19 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I loved this talk with Kirik Jenness who is mayor for life of the underground forum at http://mixedmartialarts.com, the author of The Fighter's Noteb...
130 - Pro-tip: How to Improve Your Chokes in Just 10 Seconds
17 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this short episode I share a tip I learned from Elliott Bayev that'll simultaneously allow you to finish way more people with your chokes but also ...
129 - Training with Dan Severn, Saving Jiu-Jitsu, and Training Around the World with Dan 'The Wolfman' Theodore
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dan was bitten by the MMA bug after watching UFC 4; soon he was training with Dan Severn and learning all he could about wrestling, jiu-jitsu, fightin...
128 - Can Kung Fu, BJJ and MMA Coexist? A conversation with mantis boxer Randy Brown.
11 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Kung Fu stylist (and BJJ brown belt) Randy Brown that included the history of Chinese martial arts and what made them less effecti...
127 - Why Techniques Never Work on the Day They're Shown (and How to Fix That)
10 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
OK, so you've just learned a cool new technique that you're pretty sure is the Kryptonite you need to defeat your hardest sparring partner. But then...
126 - Killer Waves and Night Time Rescues with Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Donald Lipscomb
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Really enjoyed this chat with Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Donald Lipscomb. We went into detail about rescuing people from capsized ships, the selecti...
125 - Reilly Bodycomb on Sambo, Leglocks and Competition
05 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Loved this interview with Reilly Bodycomb. Reilly is a Russian sambo and leglock expert who has competed in a TON of different rulesets including BJJ,...
124 - My Interview on the Cody Jitsu Podcast
03 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a fun episode: instead of me doing the interviewing the tables get turned and I get grilled by Cody from the Codyjitsu podcast. We covered t...
123 - What To Do When You're On the Bottom, Getting Crushed, and Unable to Breathe...
02 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of the very worst things is to be trapped on the bottom with all your opponent's weight on top of you and be unable to breathe. This is usually ...
122 - How to Blast Through Physical Setbacks When Your Training Gets Stalled
28 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How to deal with the super-frustrating but ultimately inevitable physical setbacks, limitations and injuries when you're doing a contact sport. Hint...
121 - Police Combatives with Lt Kevin Dillon (ret) - Survival
27 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I really enjoyed talking to Lieutenant Kevin Dillon (ret) who served for 25 years as a police officer, SWAT team member, and detective commander befor...
120 - Nick 'Chewy' Albin from Chewjitsu on BJJ, Wrestling, MMA and More
23 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chewy (aka Nick Albin) is well known for the BJJ advice he gives on his prolific Youtube Chewjitsu channel, so I was thrilled to have him on the podca...
119 - A Trick for Beating Exhaustion When You Roll or Compete
22 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Getting tired when you're rolling sucks. And it's even worse when you're competing; you can't breathe, you go into survival mode, your plans goes ou...
118 - Tips for Minimising Injuries and Maximising Recovery
17 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
To get better fast in any sport you have to be able to train hard, which means minimising injuries and maximising your recovery. In this episode I g...
117 - The Huge Difference Between Knowing a Technique and Being Able to Execute It Against Resistance
16 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this rant I go off about so-called 'technique collectors', which are martial artists who memorise 35 different variations of a technique but are un...
116 - Should You Pull Guard in BJJ Competition or Not?
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Should you pull guard in BJJ competition or fight doggedly for the takedown. You'll get some answers to this perennial question in my conversation...
115 - Stephan Talks With 8th Degree Black Belt Carlos Machado
09 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Loved talking to jiu-jitsu pioneer Carlos Machado about all things BJJ. His love for the art and experience in the sport comes through at every se...
114 - Should You Stretch Before or After a Workout, a Controversial Topic!
08 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You wouldn't think that something like stretching before a workout could be controversial, but it is. Some evidence and experts suggest that you shoul...
113 - A Close Call on the Mat, and 3 Takeaways for Avoiding Injuries!
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The other day I almost tore a partner's ACL off the bone, which would have required him to have surgery and many months of rehabilitation. What happen...
112 - A Live Q&A Session with Stephan Kesting
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode comes from a Q&A session I did on Instagram live (@stephan_kesting) and gave the answers to a ton of BJJ and training topics including...
111 - Kettlebell Conditioning with Jason C Brown
20 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a great episode with a ton of relevant and useful tips for combat athletes! Jason C. Brown shares a ton of information about kettlebell cond...
110 - Training with World Champions, with Rob Biernacki
17 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It started so well! First Rob Biernacki and I discuss The Last Jedi and training with ADCC champion Yuri Simoes and World Champion Caio Terra. The...
109 - Keep It Simple Stupid! The KISS Principle in Self Defense...
14 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What would the boxer Vasyl Lomachenko do if he caught you macking on his girlfriend? Well, I don't think it would involve any elaborate footwork or st...
108 - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs Traditional Japanese Jujutsu with Alex Kask
10 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I think you'll really like this episode! In it I talk with Alex Kask who is a traditional Japanese Takeuchi-ryu Ju-Jutsu teacher but also no stran...
107 - Extreme Kiteboarder Jack Rieder
03 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I really enjoyed this chat with kiteboarder and extreme athlete Jack Rieder (in part because I'm dying to try kiteboarding myself). Here's just a bi...
106 - Top Five Martial Arts Nutrition Tips for the New Year
27 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Christmas binge is over and it's time to take control of your diet again! In this short episode I give you my top five pieces of advice for clea...
105 - Matt Thornton on Conor McGregor, Skepticism and Aliveness in the Martial Arts
23 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Thornton is the founder of Straight Blast Gym, the organisation that produced Conor McGregor. He's also a skeptic with many harsh words for tra...
104 - Why You Have To Grapple (And How To Get Good At It As Fast As Possible)
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why training in the martial arts without including some form of grappling is stupid, and what are the key positions, techniques and transitions you ne...
103 - Forget New Year's Eve Resolutions; If It's The Right Thing to Do Then Do It Now!
14 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I really mean it: DON'T wait until New Year's Eve to start making the changes you know should happen! Waiting will only make things more difficult. ...
102 - Becoming a Firefighter with Battalion Chief Ken Johnson, 34 Year Fire Veteran
11 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
"When you retire, all you want those guys you worked with to say about you is: God, he was a good firefighter!" Loved sitting down with Battalion Chie...
101 - My Twitter Q&A: Talking Cryotherapy, Self Defense, Heel Hooks and More!
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Loved doing this massive Q&A! What I did was take the time to more fully answer questions that I had first addressed in 140 characters on my first T...
100 - Optimal BJJ Training and Recovery with Sean McHugh
30 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I've known and trained with black belt Sean McHugh for 16 years, so I was super-stoked to have him on the podcast. We covered a lot of important mat...
099 - How to Motivate Yourself to Train
22 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I share one of my best tips to get your butt on the mat or in the gym, indicators for when it's NOT time to push, as well as a caution...
098 - Why Do So Few BJJ Gyms Teach Takedowns?
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Are takedowns important even though so few BJJ gyms teach them, and can you get away with never training them if your focus is competition? And what...
097 - A Q&A About Training BJJ for Older Grapplers
12 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I answer questions and share some tips and tricks for training in BJJ as an older grappler. How often should you train? How can yo...
096 - Lessons Learned from 19 Different World Champions, with Mike Zenga
09 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode BJJ and Judo black belt shares some of the lessons, commonalities, and differences he's seen from working one-on-one with 19 BJJ, Judo...
095 - Increasing Mobility for Jiu-Jitsu
06 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Some quick thoughts about improving the different forms of 'mobility' for jiu-jitsu, both in terms of movement on the ground, and joint mobility, from...
094 - Carnage and Survival in South Africa with Coach Rodney King
01 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and is definitely not suitable for children. In this episode I talk with boxing and BJ...
093 - Testing Techniques and Avoiding Cults; The Critical Concept of Testability
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this rant I go off about the importance of critical thinking, and include examples from the martial arts, business and life. Somehow I try to wra...
092 - How Violent Was Our History, Really? A Conversation with Daniele Bolelli
24 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I love this episode where I talked with historian Daniele Bolelli. In it we talked about a huge number of topics including... His process of resear...
091 - The Strange Connection Between Business, Entrepreneurship & Jiu-Jitsu with Jack Wilkinson
18 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's amazing how many high level entrepreneurs also enjoy the challenge of jiu-jitsu! In this episode Jack Wilkinson and I explore this connection, ...
090 - Finding the Most Effective Techniques with the 80/20 Principle
16 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I argue that you should start by teaching and learning the most effective, most proven, highest percentage techniques first. And I s...
089 - Clinton Davies, the Blind Wrestler and Grappler Who Takes on the World
12 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk with the amazing Clinton Davies, the blind wrestler who is a 10 time New Zealand national champion who competes against sighted...
088 - Three time Judo Olympian and BJJ Black Belt Travis Stevens
06 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Travis Stevens, 3 x Judo Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, and BJJ black belt goes deep into his training regimen. You'll learn why...
087 - The Brazilian jiu-jitsu Question and Answer Episode
02 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I try to answer as many questions as possible from my email newsletter readers, including whether BJJ gameplans really are for everyon...
086 - BJJ World Champion Bernardo Faria on Surviving Adversity & Kidnapping
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I LOVED talking to Bernardo Faria, 5 time BJJ world champion, about his getting 'kidnapped' in the Philippines, reflections on ADCC 2017, the toughest...
085 - Tips and Tricks for Transitioning from Gi to No Gi with Ritchie Yip
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
No gi grappling is very popular these days, and a lot of people find making the transition from training with the gi to training without it tricky and...
084 - Three Steps to Overcoming Training Plateaus
18 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this short episode we talk about why training plateaus are actually more frustrating than training slumps, plus I share 3 concrete steps to bust ou...
083 - The World's Fastest Firefighter Jamie McGarva and His Training Routine
13 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I really like this episode because we got the chance to go DEEP into the training routine of the world's fastest firefighter, Jamie McGarva. Jamie h...
082 - A BJJ School Where Visiting Students Can Train For Free?
09 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk with BJJ black belt Rob Biernacki about gratitude and how that has shaped his visiting student program where people can train w...
081 - Post Deathmarch Breakdown and Analysis with Eva Schubert
06 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Eva Schubert and I discuss our semi-annual 30 horizontal mile and 3 vertical mile 'Deathmarch' through the British Columbia mountains ...
080 - When In Your Training Should You Start Learning Leglocks?
02 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What belt level should you start training leg locks at? It depends a little bit on what your goals are and whether you're doing gi or no gi, but it'...
079 - What's the Best Steel for a Knife with Zoltan Schubert
31 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There is so much information (and misinformation) about knives out there that it's easy to get confused. In this episode I talk with metal professio...
078 - Ueli Steck, the Best Mountaineer in the World, and Launch of The Strenuous Life Podcast
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I give The Grapplearts Radio Podcast a new dimension. In addition to talking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Submission ...
077 - Should You Train When You're Really Tired?
14 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I trained BJJ today despite being fresh off the plane, jet lagged and exhausted, so it seemed like a good day to tackle today's topic, namely whethe...
076 - Mayweather vs McGregor, Don't Waste Your Money!
31 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-episode I talk Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor with Ritchie Yip, and we both come to the same conclusion about betting on this fight....
075 - How to Train When There's No School Close to You
25 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
You want to train martial arts but there isn't a good school anywhere nearby, so what are your options? Here is my best advice on how you can still ...
074 - Rob Biernacki and an 80/20 Analysis of the Leglock Game in Modern Competition
22 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
An 80/20 analysis of the leglocking game based on high level no gi competition, leglock safety, how to learn BJJ efficiently, best practises when tea...
EP 073 - What's Better for Self Defense: Striking or Grappling?
20 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
If you could only do one which would be better for self defense: striking or grappling? The answer is grappling of course, but the reasons why might...
072 "Roadhouse never happens," Bouncer Chad Skands on Managing Chaos at the Door
18 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Longtime bouncer Chad Skands talks about managing multiple attacker scenarios, continuing to think and use your brain in a critical situation, the rig...
071 - Stephan Answers BJJ and Training Questions
13 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What would I do different as a white belt if I could go back in time? What are the best guards that go together with the butterfly guard? Can you...
070 - How to Pick a Good BJJ School
07 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is an important episode because in it I talk about how to find a BJJ instructor and school that'll work for you and how to avoid ending up at a...
069 - Three Techniques for Dealing with Fear in Competition or a Streetlight
28 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about the concrete steps you can take to control your fear and harness the power of the adrenaline dump that comes with the fig...
068 - Staying in Jiu-Jitsu Shape on the Road
23 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded right after my hotel room workout, this episode talks about the 3 things you need to do to stay in jiu-jitsu shape when you're travelling so ...
066 - How Do You Make a Technique Functional Against a Real Opponent
12 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Regardless of whether you train BJJ, MMA or a self-defense oriented martial art you're faced with the same dilemma: how do you take a technique you're...
065 - Is Martial Arts Training for Everyone with Sensei Ando Mierzwa
07 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I think you'll like this one: in this episode I speak with Ando Mierzwa (Sensei Ando) who is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu San Soo with ext...
064 - Rant: Your Instructor Does NOT Know Everything!
03 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this rant I take on the myth perpetuated in many martial arts and by many martial arts instructors, namely that they are the source of all the kno...
063 - UFC Fighter on Alan Belcher on Cutting Weight, Facing the Scariest Fighters, and More
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
You'll really like this sit down I had with UFC star Alan Belcher, a man who has had some of the most exciting, edge-of-your-seat fights in UFC histo...
062 - It's NOT About the Bloody Belt!
26 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I'm on fire for this one because it really gets under my skin when people focus on the wrong thing in their martial arts training. Boys and girls, i...
061 - The Steps for Getting Back to Training After an Injury
19 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately injuries are just part of the game, and getting back to training after recuperating from an injury is always a tricky business. In thi...
060 - Can You Learn Martial Arts with Only One Class Per Week?
16 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is for everyone - beginner and experienced martial artist - with a very tight schedule who can't train more than once a week. Can you still mak...
059 - What's The Most Efficient Cardio For When You Have No Time?
11 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Endurance is the most important physical attribute in combat sport, but it can be time consuming to develop. In this short episode I talk about some...
058 - Pshemek Drabczynski on BJJ Sports Specific Strength and Conditioning
08 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I'm thrilled to bring you guys Pshemek Drabczynski who was my first BJJ teacher. Pshemek is a BJJ black belt, a WKA North American kickboxing champi...
057 - Rant: Great and Horrible Days on the Mat
04 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A few days ago I had a great training session, and then today I had a bad one. Here's why I didn't get too excited or bothered by either one, and w...
056 - Stephan Kesting vs Budo Jake; Training around the World, Advice to Newbies and More...
02 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is a really good episode in which I talk to my friend, BJJ black belt, and world traveller Budo Jake. We cover a ton of topics including the evo...
055 - Stephan on the 'Spartan Underground' with James 300 Foster
27 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I really enjoyed being on James '300' Foster's podcast where we talked about figuring out grappling from scratch, why fighters fight injured, PEDs in ...
054 - Should You Still Train If You're Getting Sick?
21 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a quick rant about whether you should still train if you're beginning to come down with something. The lessons in this particular podcast hav...
053 - Daniele Bolelli on Eye Gouging, MMA, and a Jujutsu President
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is a fantastic episode. I chat with historian Daniele Bolelli about everything from rough and tumble frontier wrestling, Theodore Roosevelt spa...
052 - Rant: Why the 'Too Deadly to Spar' Myth is Total B.S.
04 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's a HUGE mistake to focus on techniques like biting, finger breaks and eye-gouging and avoiding techniques you can try out under pressure and again...
051 - BJJ After 50 with the Black Belt Wrassling Rabbi Mordecai Finley
30 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
You'll like this episode! In it I talk with 62 yr old BJJ black belt Rabbi Mordecai Finley (the Wrassling Rabbi) about starting BJJ at a later age...
EP 050 - The Real Reason Why You Should Train in Martial Arts
22 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I go into depth about why you (and everyone else) should train in martial arts. Hint: it's not about self defense, fitness or social...
EP 049: BJJ Masters World Champion James '300' Foster
15 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I think you'll like this one! In this episode I talk to 280 lb BJJ Masters World Champion James '300' Foster, fresh back from a pre Pan-Ams Califor...
EP 048: The Filipino Martial Arts, Self Defense and Jarlo Ilano
08 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Stephan talks with Filipino Martial Arts instructor Jarlo Ilano about sparring with sticks and knives, self defense and how the training methods you'...
EP 047: Rant - 15 Years in Prison for a Single Punch KO?
02 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Stephan rants about the ethics and legal consquences of smashing someone's head in with a piece of concrete, otherwise known as the pavement coup de g...
EP 046: Rant About The 3 Essential Components of Every Martial Art
21 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this 13 minute rant Stephan goes into the 3 essential components that make up every martial art on the planet, a concept he learned from the famous...