Gracie Jiu Jitsu Rocks! Podcast

Aaron Sundstrom, roving reporter for the show, discusses the recent Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle Summit (with mini interviews with Ryron Gracie, Jackson Fortunato , Elroy Spoonface Powell, and Patrick Christopher& Mikayla June, as well as his background, etc. Aaron is a very interesting person so don’t miss this chance to learn more about him, as well as hear all about the JJLS including the speakers, the defend and control mindset, community and connection in BJJ, flexing to whom you’re rolling with, and of course the Ice Bath Experience!

Physical Culture & BJJ: A discussion with Henry Akins, Roy Dean, John Frankl, and Robb Wolf. In this episode we dive into topics like can doing jiu jitsu  create imbalances in our bodies, what we can do to correct these imbalances, and what are the elements of effective cross training, etc.

Roger Gracie is a 10 time Jiu-Jitsu world champion. He is the grandson of GM Carlos Gracie and Son of Mauricio Gomes  and Reila Gracie. He is considered by many to be the best Jiu Jitsu competitor in history. In this interview he discussed  Moving from Brazil to London, his father influence on him, awarding his first black belt, Competition mindset and what makes him different, most memorable matches, why he’s so successful with the cross collar choke, his MMA career, cross training for BJJ competition and for MMA, his biggest set back he’s had in his career and how he overcame it, what he’s most proud of, and plans now that he’s retired from competition, etc

Matt Arroyo, Rob Kahn black belt, owner of Gracie Tampa South, veteran of UFC, TUF, ADCC, and EBI,  discusses training fighters, How he got onto the TUF show and what that experience was like, Robb Kahn’s influence on his Jiu Jitsu and life, his thoughts on Kron Gracie’s UFC debut, Matt Serra’s impact on his Jiu Jitsu, his company: the Jiu Jitsu Lifestyle and his blueprint series of instructionals, advice for transitioning from GI to no GI focus and vice versa, the biggest impacts on his life outside of Jiu Jitsu, his faith, why college might not be the best option for everyone, and how he defines success, etc

Jason Culbreth, Royce Gracie black belt and owner and head instructor at Cary has over 25 years of Martial Arts experience, including Wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As an undefeated Mixed Martial Arts fighter and active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Jason has medaled in many local and international events, including winning the 2016 Masters Worlds. As one of the pioneers in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jason has contributed to the growth of the sport since it’s infancy. He was an integral part of getting MMA legalized in the state of North Carolina and has coached many successful MMA and BJJ competitors. In this interview we discuss a variety of topics including his views on competition, the most important aspects of self defense (and how to deescalate a situation before it turns into a fight), nutrition, injuries, what it takes to stay in JJ long term, his new prestigious academy and more     

Sophia Mcdermott -  1st Australian female to receive a BJJ black belt, 4 x State, National, Pan Pacific and Pan American Champion, as well as a 2 x No Gi World Champion and a World Champion. She has  also won the Ms Figure competition multiple times and is known for her awesome work in the fitness industry,, particularly in the realm of empowering women. In this episode we discuss competition, perspectives on the jiu jitsu community, advice for people new to BJJ, accepting the good days and bad days, moving into figure/physique competitions and making it to the national level, nutritional principles and info for everyone, fitness and nutrition for athletes, food as health, creating momentum and achieving your goals, the compound effect, why meditation is so important, special issues for women in Jiu Jitsu, her dream to have health and wellness centers worldwide...and much more!

Professor Roy Marsh & Professor Mark Cukro discuss building a positive academy culture.  During the discussion we talk about a host of things such as what it means to have a great academy culture and why it’s so important;  the elements of a great culture, examples of not so good cultures (epic fails ); how the culture affects attraction, retention, and quality of the experience for the students; the importance of structure (structure in the class environment and is this the same thing as a disciplined environment, and structure in the curriculum and how much is good and how much is too much;  using music during class; use of profanity in the academy, and much more…...

2018 Recap: This episode features clips from Bas Rutten, Flavio Almeiad, Saulo Rebeiro, Make Biddwell, and Alvaro Romano.

“The Turtle Master” Eduardo Telles discusses how he started Jiu Jitsu, competing at the highest levels, what it takes to be a world class competitor, changing your training as you get older, working with kids, IBJJf and other organizations/competitions such as EBI,how boogie boarding helped his jiu Jitsu, his love for surfing, major influencers on his life and Jiu Jitsu, his family, and more!

Professor Mike Diaz, Pedro Sauer Black Belt and owner of Park City Jiu Jitsu, discusses his martial arts journey, lessons he learned on the way to black belt, his relationship with Master Sauer, training in a high altitude environment, Ginastica Natural, his music, the biggest influences on his life, etc

Saulo Ribeiro, 5th degree black belt, 6  time world champion in 5 different weight classes, IBJJF Hall of Fame member, founder of the University of Jiu Jitsu and author of Jiu Jitsu University. In the interview he discussed training Rafael Lavato Jr and his relationship with him, his early days of training, growing up with Xande as his brother and the special bond they have, what it takes to be successful at the highest levels (both in the competition arena and in running a successful academy and association, his service mentality/philosophy, how his training has changed and what it takes to last through the years in Jiu Jitsu, carrying your emotions in your body during Jiu Jitsu, money and fame vs being true to oneself, his book- Jiu Jitsu University , why mobility is king, the major influences on his life, the difference between a winner and a champion, and more.......

 Ralston Gracie, Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, son of Grand Master Carley Gracie, and grandson of the late great Grand Master Carlos Gracie, discusses growing up with GM Carley as his father and lessons he learned from him, having Clark Gracie as his brother, the impact and legacy of GM Carlos, holistic health, why food is so important to health, and much more.... 

Professor Flavio Almeida, Executive director of Gracie Barra North America, 4th degree Black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr, and Co owner and head instructor of multiple Gracie Barra academies in AZ and CA. He recently won the Worlds Masters 2 division at the IFBJJ Masters World championships, making him a 3xs masters world champion. In this interview he talks about his recent victory at the masters worlds, what it takes to be compete and succeed at the highest levels, changing your training as you get older, growing up with his brother-BJJ black belt and UFC fighter Ricardo Almeida, his relationship with Master Carlos Gracie Jr and the impact he’s had on his life, the secret to his success in business as a school owner, his BJJ sweeps DVD, the biggest influences on his life, and more….

Dr. Peter Goldman, better known as “Dr.; Pete,”  Chiropractic physician and founder of Zone school of healing. He’s a BJJ Black Belt under Carlos Sapão and black belt in Oyama full contact Karate. He is  the personal chiropractor to many of the world's top professional athletes, from UFC fighters, to NFL and NHL players, pro cyclists, and Olympians. In this interview he talks about his journey in full contact Karate and BJJ, Mas Oyama’s karate fighters vs Thai Boxers, training to ensure you don’t build a false sense of confidence, what Chiropractic is and how his work differs from mainstream chiropractic, working with the BJJ and MMA elite, including BJJ Penn, Bas Rutten, Rickson and Kron Gracie, how motivation, enthusiasm, and faith are important to health, biggest influences on his life, and much more...  

Sifu Alan Baker, owner of Atlanta Martial Arts Center, is a Pedro Sauer black belt, and one of the most involved and respected Martial Arts Instructors worldwide. He is an internationally recognized martial arts & self-defense expert and is the founder of the Civilian Tactical Training Association.  In this interview he discusses his recent Civilian Tactical instructor training, his martial arts journey (including training with and his relationship with masters such as Pedro Sauer, Erik Paulson, Dan Inosanto, among others) and a word play game related to them, his executive protection work, running Erik Paulson’s CSW association and Francis Fong’s instructor association, advice for school owners, who’s had the biggest impact on his life on and off the mats, and more...  

Regis Libre, 4th degree black belt under Master Royler Gracie, and Head instructor of Gracie Humaita San Diego, talks about his recent surgery, the recent world championships and what stands out about it, his competitive career and what makes someone successful in competition, his time at Maxercise (relationship with Steve and DC Maxwell,  and Zac Maxwell), his transition to San Diego, the importance of self defense, Jiu Jitsu for everyone, learning from Master Royler and GM Helio, how he got his black belt in under 5 years, being a single father, what he’s most proud of, and more...

EP 94 Phil Cardella, 3rd degree Relson Gracie black belt discusses developing Relson Gracie JJ in Texas, relocating to and starting his academy in FL, his time off the mat, creating the right atmosphere for training, puppies instead of diapers, training with his brothers, his JJ competition and MMA career, the need to learn Jiu Jitsu theory, facing adversity, what he’s most proud of, and more….

Mike Bidwell, creator of BJJ After 40 and Flo Life BJJ + academy. Mike is a bJJ black belt under Nick Gregoriades and the Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood. In the interview he talks about sneaking out as a kid to do martial arts, his History through the martial arts, being a Ninja, finding application for JJ through other arts, being accepting of the various reasons people train, his new academy and the holistic approach behind it, the fact that Jiu Jitsu is for everyone, being a brown belt for 13 years, the impact that his wife Sheena has had on his life, living his authentic self, how he comes up with the innovative moves he features in his videos, meditation and movement, the JJ Sisterhood, the upcoming Paradise Vacation camp, and more

Dave Kovar is a very accomplished martial artist and martial arts business coach. He’s the founder of Kovar Systems and Kovar’s Satori Academies,  and is one of the rare individuals who’ve achieved a black belt in 10 martial arts, including BJJ. In this interview he discusses running a martial arts business, his journey through the arts, the early days of jiu Jitsu, Kovar systems, the Satori Alliance, his new podcast, savoring the moments of your life,  the importance of habits, his hobbies off the mat, having a plan and starting your day on purpose, the value of sticking with one art and the value with training multi arts, being a father, sparring 50 rounds on his 50th birthday, etc...

Alvaro Romano, founder and developer of the Ginastica Natural method. Professor Romano discussed the origin of Ginastica Natural, how it has developed and evolved over the years, the impact of the Gracies (especially Rolls Gracie) has had on his life, his friendships with Fabio Santos and Pedro Sauer, staying functional as you age, importance of breathing, etc.