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