The Grapplers Perspective

Paul Johnson & Danny Allen
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Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 11min

#93 - Mark Macqueen - Grapplers Who Think Strength Doesn’t Matter Aren’t Living in the Real World

We talk through a world champion’s pivot from powerlifting to jiu-jitsu, why coaching culture at Kingsway changed everything, and how smarter stand-up, pinning, and true strength finally showed up on competition day. We share a clear plan for lifting, cardio, and plyos that keeps you improving without burning out.• ADCC Trials win, what improved, and why confidence clicked• Kingsway and ROKA coaching structure, daily feedback, and partner quality• Austin move, visas, lifestyle trade-offs, and training rhythm• Powerlifting career highlights, identity, and the emptiness after winning• Strength’s real role in grappling performance and longevity• Practical S&C: two-day lift split, one cardio, simple patterns• Rep ranges, sets, plyos, and keeping compliance over years• UK training roots, cross-training, and competition plansSupport the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Oct 14, 2025 • 34min

#92 - Paul & Danny - What Vegas Taught Us About BJJ Formats, Brazilian Taps and Resort Fees

We return from Vegas with strong views on CJI formats, a fair take on the Taylor vs Bodoni controversy, and a blueprint for training that actually sticks. Between The Sphere, VR ledges, and resort fees, we also map why rotating events could grow jiu-jitsu faster and fairer.Support the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Sep 30, 2025 • 59min

#91 - Dr Asoka - Black Belt Doctor: Navigating Jiu Jitsu Health Challenges

Dr. Asoka shares his unique perspective as both a medical professional and a BJJ black belt, offering invaluable insights on health concerns for grapplers and combat sports athletes.Guest Stuff:Insta - https://www.instagram.com/dr_asokaGMC reference number:  4545590Combat Sports Hygiene - https://sportshygiene.com/Support the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 28min

#90 - Rob Ingram - The McDojo Life: Exposing Martial Arts Scams and Cults

In this hilarious episode, Rob from McDojo Life discusses his mission to expose frauds and cults in martial arts, offering insight into the manipulative tactics used by instructors and how the lack of regulatory oversight enables predatory behaviour.Support the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 9min

#89 - Christian Graugart - BJJ Globetrotters: Build Friendships, Not Business Relationships

Christian Graugart, founder of BJJ Globetrotters and Beltchecker.com, shares his mission to create a jiu-jitsu community built on friendship rather than business relationships. His approach has grown into the world's largest jiu-jitsu affiliation with 1,300 academies worldwide and over 100 camps conducted across multiple continents.Started BJJ Globetrotters to offer an alternative to traditional affiliations that charge money and control belt promotionsRecently hosted camp #113 in Heidelberg, Germany with 330 participants and 35 instructorsBelieves jiu-jitsu's rigid hierarchy creates problems, preventing knowledge sharing and improvementCriticizes how jiu-jitsu is taught compared to professional sports coaching methodologiesBegan traveling to learn jiu-jitsu in 2011, visiting 56 academies in 5 monthsDeveloped camps organically when visitors to his Copenhagen academy became too numerousCreated BeltChecker.com to provide community-based verification of jiu-jitsu ranksImplemented time-based black belt degree promotions on BeltChecker, challenging traditional promotion modelsValues the human connections formed at camps, including friendships and even relationships that led to "camp babies"Insta - https://www.instagram.com/graugartGlobetrotters - https://www.bjjglobetrotters.comBeltchecker Website - https://www.beltchecker.com/Support the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Sep 9, 2025 • 58min

#88 - Gile Huni - Exposing Fake Black Belts and BJJ Scandal for Over a Decade

Guillaume (Gile) Huni, the founder of BJJ Eastern Europe and a 3rd-degree black belt, shares his journey from corporate real estate to becoming a full-time jiu-jitsu instructor and media entrepreneur in Serbia.• Half French, half Filipino with an international background before settling in Serbia• Started training BJJ in Paris in 2000 after discovering the sport through VHS tapes of Royce Gracie• Founded BJJ Eastern Europe website in 2012, covering stories mainstream sites ignored• Created his academy in Belgrade in 2014, now home to 13 black belts• Developed "Sloth Jiu-Jitsu" – a sustainable approach focused on technique over athleticism• Emphasizes having a healthy ego about aging in jiu-jitsu and embracing the next generation• Uses micro-workouts throughout the day rather than intense gym sessions• Prioritizes recovery through sleep, cold showers and strategic nutrition• Believes jiu-jitsu should be an escape from everyday life – a place to laugh and feel goodCheck out Gile's instructional "Sloth Jiu-Jitsu" to learn more about his approach to sustainable training and the mental aspects of jiu-jitsu.Guest Stuff:Insta - https://www.instagram.com/gilebjjee/BJJ Eastern Europe Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bjjee/Support the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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56 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 40min

#87 - Adam Singer - Coaching is About Creating Environments, Not Teaching Techniques

Adam Singer, a seasoned coach with 25 years in BJJ and MMA, discusses revolutionary approaches to coaching. He emphasizes creating dynamic training environments over traditional drilling, advocating for a constraints-led method that promotes problem-solving and adaptability. Adam critiques conventional grading systems and highlights the interconnected nature of culture and environment in athlete development. He also addresses the challenges of transitioning to ecological training methods, urging a focus on enjoyment and effectiveness in skills mastery.
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Aug 26, 2025 • 36min

#86 - Eddie Bravo - I'm Nearly Done Rolling, My Body's A Mess, I Keep Getting Hurt!

Eddie Bravo shares the evolution of his revolutionary no-gi jiu-jitsu system and the development of Combat Jiu-Jitsu as a bridge between sport grappling and MMA. He discusses his journey from questioning traditional gi training to creating innovative formats that keep jiu-jitsu connected to its fighting roots.• Excitement about 10th Planet's team (Gio, Alan Sanchez, PJ Barch, Ryan Aiken, Kyle Boehm) competing at upcoming CJI 2 event• Origins of Eddie's preference for no-gi jiu-jitsu stemming from his wrestling background and focus on MMA applications• Story of Sheikh Tahnoon, the secret billionaire who created ADCC and transformed the no-gi competition scene• Combat Jiu-Jitsu's introduction of strikes to keep the art practical while making competitions more entertaining• Development of EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) format allowing for 16-person tournaments that MMA cannot support• Challenges of training at 55 with injuries while still teaching and innovating• Upcoming EBI event in San Antonio featuring UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell and other elite grapplersCheck out his next EBI event on September 12th in San Antonio, the day before UFC. It'll feature Keith Krikorian, Max Hansen, Gianni Grippo, and even UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell!Guest Stuff:Insta - https://www.instagram.com/eddiebravo10p10th Planet - https://www.10thplanetjj.comSupport the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 11min

#85 - Gianni Grippo - UFC BJJ Reality Show Was Mostly Staged, We Stayed In Hotels

Grippo joins us to discuss his opponent change for Who's Number One, his experience competing in Kazakhstan, and his journey on the UFC BJJ reality show.• Sharing the recent change from facing Owen Jones to Max Hansen at Who's Number One• Breaking down why he felt confident against Owen's leg entanglement game• Reflecting on the surprising quality and camaraderie at the AIGA tournament in Kazakhstan• Describing a tough loss via leg lock that served as a valuable learning experience• Revealing behind-the-scenes details about the UFC BJJ reality show, including competitors staying in hotels rather than the house shown on camera• Discussing the innovative UFC octoball and why its no-reset format improves jiu-jitsu as a spectator sport• Explaining his transition from obsessive drilling to ecological dynamics training with Keevan• Reflecting on why adaptability and openness to new approaches has sustained his careerGuest Stuff:Insta - https://www.instagram.com/giannigrippoSupport the showGET OUR FREE EMAILS - https://pjfitnesscoaching.aweb.page/GrapplersPerspective Co-Hosts: Paul Johnson (Glasses) and Danny Allen (Beard)Insta - https://www.instagram.com/bodyforbjj and https://www.instagram.com/rollingstrongbjj Audio & Video Edited, and Produced by Paul Johnson Looking to find, organise or manage seminars? Download Matador today and start finding seminars with your favourite athlete’s - https://matadorapp.io Protect Your Grip with 10% off Sticky Grips Finger Tape & Streetwear! Use code: GPGRIPS10 at https://www.stickygrips.co.uk Support us by joining our exclusive YouTube community at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpb3LiQJyU-pYFUO3qk1ohw/join 10% off Mr Bassett’s Grappler’s Soap! Use Code: EVERYDAY at https://www.mrbassetts.com. Come Train BJJ With Us At Flo Martial Arts in Plymouth - https://www.flo-martial-arts.co.uk
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11 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 27min

#84 - Priit Mihkelson - Why Defensive Jiu Jitsu Specialist Switched From SBG to Eco

Priit Mihkelson, a seasoned Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and coach renowned for his expertise in defensive techniques, shares his intriguing journey from traditional training in Estonia to becoming a defensive specialist. He discusses the evolution and significance of defensive strategies in Jiu-Jitsu while emphasizing the balance between offense and defense. Priit also explores modern coaching methods, effective learning environments, and the importance of fostering community in martial arts, ultimately advocating for a more adaptable and realistic approach to training.

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