
Partizan Grappling Podcast
Partizan Grappling Cofounder Ben and Coach George dive into BJJ topics for grappling beginners and enthusiasts.Join us as we get to know the world's best BJJ athletes and coaches, discuss BJJ culture and advice for getting the most out of this weird and wonderful sport.
Latest episodes

Jun 22, 2025 • 24min
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Grapplers | Partizan Podcast #23
What habits separate elite BJJ athletes from the rest?In this episode, we break down the seven core lessons that we've learned from chatting with, and observing some of the best BJJ athletes in the game, such as Jozef Chen, Lachlan Giles and Kenta Iwamoto.We'll be sharing tactical advice that you can start implementing in your own training immediately, even as a hobbyist.This episode is brought to you by SubMeta, the premier online platform for learning BJJ in a structured way.Use the codeword "PARTIZAN" for a massive discount on your first month.https://submeta.io/📌 Timestamps:00:00 – Habit 104:35 – Habit 207:40 – Habit 310:00 – Habit 412:50 – Habit 514:53 – Habit 618:28 – Habit 721:40 – Bonus Habit

Jun 15, 2025 • 19min
How to Prepare for your First BJJ Competition | Partizan Podcast #22
Partizan Podcast Episode #22 In this episode, we cover how to prepare for your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition, including stories from our own experiences and mistakes.If you've competed before, what advice would you give to somebody who's about to compete for the first time?This episode is brought to you by SubMeta, the premier online platform for learning BJJ in a structured way.Use the codeword "PARTIZAN" for a massive discount on your first month.https://submeta.io/

Jun 8, 2025 • 55min
Derek Rielly: Bob Hawke’s Biographer, Surf Mag Founder, BJJ Blue Belt | Partizan Podcast #21
Partizan Podcast #21 — Derek Rielly.In this episode, we sit down with Derek — best-selling author, co-founder of Stab Magazine, and the man behind Bob Hawke’s biography. Derek shares wild stories from his days as a surf journalist, what it was like profiling an Aussie Prime Minister, and how he found himself on the mats as a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We explore the overlap between surfing and fighting, the decline of surf culture, and the challenges of staying creative over a long career.This episode is brought to you by SubMeta, the premier online platform for learning BJJ in a structured way.Use the codeword "PARTIZAN" for a massive discount on your first month.https://submeta.io/📍 Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:49 - SubMeta Ad01:20 - Who is Derek Rielly?09:13 - Writing a best-selling biography15:05 - Living a surfer bum lifestyle18:28 - Surfing and fighting21:41 - Surfing is lame now25:05 - On being an author28:22 - Creative process37:11 - Starting BJJ42:34 - Longevity in BJJ46:41 - Breaking the ice in BJJ51:35 - BJJ Books

Jun 1, 2025 • 45min
How to Not Freeze in BJJ Competitions (The Science of Staying Calm) - Briana Bowley | Partizan Podcast #20
In this episode or the Partizan Grappling Podcast, we sit down with Briana Bowley, a Nervous System & Performance Coach who works with combat sports athletes to overcome anxiety, competition nerves, and performance blocks.We break down the science behind staying calm under pressure, why some athletes freeze, and how to retrain your nervous system so you can compete at your best, along with actionable advice for coaches in the combat sports industry.If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know in the comments and consider subscribing!00:00 - 04:40 Briana's Background04:40 - 05:50 Understanding Fight Flight Freeze05:50 - 09:00 First Competition Experiences09:00 - 14:10 Different athletes need different preparation14:10 - 21:00 Understanding your responses21:00 - 24:00 Retraining Survival Responses24:00 - 25:30 Advice for Coaches25:30 - 28:00 You can say no to anybody28:00 - 31:35 Briana's Method32:00 - 40:00 Dealing with losses41:00 - 44:10 Summarysubmeta.ioIf you want to train smarter and learn from structured, principle-based instructionals from Lachlan Giles, check out SubMeta and use code PARTIZAN for 64% off your first month.You can find more from Briana below!https://www.brianabowley.com/https://www.instagram.com/brianabowley/

May 25, 2025 • 53min
Lachlan Giles on CJI2, Advice to Athletes, and Success in BJJ | Partizan Grappling Podcast #19
In this episode of the Partizan Grappling Podcast, Lachlan Giles shares insights from the Australia/Asia CJI Trials, building a world-class team including Fabricio Andrey, and what it really takes to succeed as a BJJ athlete long-term. We dive into coaching philosophy, how to train smarter (not just harder), and what Lachlan has learned throughout his long and successful BJJ career.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing!submeta.ioIf you want to progress quicker in BJJ and learn from structured, principle-based instructionals, check out SubMeta and use the codeword PARTIZAN for 64% off your first month.00:00 CJI Trials Recap08:20 Securing Fabricio Andrey & CJI Team11:10 Level of BJJ in Australia12:50 Innovations in Modern BJJ14:18 Ecological Dynamics/CLA20:10 How Lachlan Likes to Study21:09 Sponsored by SubMeta21:39 Lachlan's Career25:00 Advice for Running a BJJ Gym28:05 What Makes Athletes Successful?30:10 Dealing with Losses32:10 Mindset in Competition35:10 The First CJI Experience38:10 CJI2 Strategy & Ruleset45:10 Sub-Meta49:10 Lachlan's YouTube Channel51:10 Advice for BJJ Content Creators

May 17, 2025 • 49min
What BJJ Can Learn from Judo & Lessons from a Lifetime on the Mats | Ivica Pavlinic | Partizan Grappling Podcast #18
Ivica Pavlinic (aka Judo2U) joins the Partizan Podcast to talk about his journey through Judo — from starting out, to coaching young athletes, and even working as a bouncer. We cover practical coaching advice, how to build good training environments, the difference between hobbyists and competitors, and whether Judo still works for self-defense today. Ivica also shares his take on dynamic balance, the belt system, and what separates high-level athletes from the rest. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like and subscribe!https://www.instagram.com/judo2u/00:00 - Intro 00:02:32 - Starting Judo00:06:19 - Finding Training Partners with Common Goals 00:11:37 - Go-To Throws 00:14:28 - How to Develop Young Athletes00:18:48 - Hobbyists vs Competitors in Judo00:21:01 - Belt System in Judo00:25:42 - Is Judo Good for Self-Defence?00:27:34 - Veets Was a Bouncer00:30:47 - Dynamic Balance00:33:43 - Teaching Different Ages00:38:48 - Constraints-Based Learning00:42:49 - What Sets High Achievers Apart

May 11, 2025 • 45min
Kit Dale: How to get a BJJ Black Belt in 4 years & CJI Trials | Partizan Grappling Podcast #17
In this conversation with Kit Dale, an Australian jiu-jitsu black belt and filmmaker, he shares his experiences in both the martial arts and film industries. Kit discusses his unique training methods and why he believes traditional BJJ practices are flawed. He reveals how he achieved his black belt in just four years and critiques the limitations of positional sparring. The podcast also explores his transition into acting and the joys of infusing humor into Jiu-Jitsu, challenging listeners to rethink training and competition strategies.

May 4, 2025 • 45min
From Underdog to World Champion: Adele Fornarino’s Journey | Partizan Grappling Podcast #16
🎙 Partizan Podcast #15 — Adele Fornarino: #1 Female Grappler in the World. In this episode, we sit down with ADCC World Champion Adele Fornarino — Flo Grappling's P4P best female grappler on the planet, and her coach Jake O'Driscoll.She opens up about her journey from a young blue belt in Australia to dominating the international scene, training at ATOS, and preparing for her highly anticipated match against Ffion Davies.We also dive deep into the mindset it takes to become world-class, the role of elite coaches, and why Adele believes athletes need to stand up for themselves in today’s BJJ culture.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – How did Adele start training BJJ?05:12 – Deciding to pursue full-time BJJ08:02 – How did Jake start training BJJ?10:32 – The role of a coach at the highest level12:57 – Mindset of high-level competitors15:12 – How to deal with nerves18:50 – Training overseas at ATOS22:07 – If Adele could change one thing about BJJ23:12 – Hierarchy and power dynamics26:12 – Athletes standing up for themselves30:12 – ADCC Wins34:12 – Balancing enjoyment and greatness37:12 – Challenges and setbacks39:12 – Upcoming match with Ffion Davies40:02 – Becoming the greatest grappler of all time43:02 – Advice for up-and-coming athletes📲 Like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes!

Apr 27, 2025 • 23min
complete beginners guide to not SUCKING at BJJ | Partizan Grappling Podcast #15
Do you suck at jiu-jitsu and would like to suck a bit less?This episode is for you.We deconstruct some of the lessons we've learned over the years, including how some of the best in the world train, so you can get better, quicker, at the sport that we all love.Make sure to smash that subscribe button! It helps more than you know.Partizan Podcast Episode #1500:00 Reduce unforced errors04:00 Emulate a pro with your body type06:00 Become hard to submit and pin09:00 Have a singular focus12:00 The secret to skill development15:40 Jozef Chen and tinkering17:40 Training intensity and asking the right questions21:00 Be in the right training room with the right people

Apr 20, 2025 • 15min
The secret to beating bigger opponents in BJJ | Partizan Grappling Podcast #14
What are the secrets for beating larger opponents in BJJ? Do you agree or disagree?If you enjoyed this, please subscribe so you don't miss out on the next episode!Partizan Podcast Episode 14.You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@Partizangrappling00:00 Attack the Legs 04:40 Use Your Advantages 07:30 Choose the Right Guards 09:10 Take the Back 13:25 Guillotines 14:15 Summary