The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

Leadership is easy when things are going well,but is considerably more difficult when all hell is breaking loose and the s**t is hitting the fan. In this episode we look at a common denominator of great leadership in difficult situations, the optimal state of arousal, and a few examples of good and bad leadership in the fire department. If you enjoyed this episode then please subscribe, rate, and review the show. I can't tell you how much that helps and encourages me to pump out episodes more frequently!

JP Dinnell spent nearly a decade in the SEAL teams, including serving with Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi, Iraq, where he was a point man, machine gunner, and lead sniper for Delta Platoon. He worked with his officers Jocko Willink and Leif Babin on many combat operations, and then used the knowledge he had gained in the field to train the next generation of SEALS. In this conversation we talk about what made JP want to become a Navy SEAL, surviving BUDS and Hell Week, becoming a sniper, managing the risk of killing civilians accidentally, and how principles learned in combat can be applied to civilian life, business, and achieving team goals. More about JP at https://www.echelonfront.com/jeremiah-dinnell

This discussion with multiple time BJJ world champion Fabio Gurgel was amazing. He talked about coming up under Jacare, being trained by Carlson Gracie to fight in Vale Tudo, and then battling Mark 'The Smashing Machine' Kerr in his prime under the old school, no gloves, no rounds, style Brazilian No Holds Barred rules. We also talked about the traditional vs modern jiu-jitsu debate, why the level of BJJ right now is the highest it's ever been, how stalling in matches was worse in the old days, what all world champions have in common, how to create world champions (and keep them on your team), making a living off of jiu-jitsu, and much more. I think you'll love it! If you want to support the podcast then please make sure to rate and review it in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to it. That's hugely important and it's really helping! Thanks Stephan

I'm thrilled to have Ando Mierzwa back on the podcast to discuss dealing with fear, overcoming claustrophobia, whether martial arts lessons can be life lessons, training differently based on your age, fitness, and goals, and much more! Find out more about Ando at http://www.senseiando.com And if you do BJJ (or are interested in finding out more about it) make sure you download the Grapplearts BJJ Master App for iOS and Android with more than 457 minutes of FREE black belt instruction at https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp

I LOVED talking to Will Gadd, champion ice climber, X games gold medalist, and extreme adventurer. In this episode we covered his epic climb up Niagara Falls in the winter, organising big climbs, climbing up icebergs and down ice caves in Greenland, dealing with risk and unknowns, close calls, the 25 people he's known who have died in the mountains, fear of loss vs hope of gain, and how to execute on audacious goals. Check out my "Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ and Wrestling" on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYR9ZG

Weight cutting is a fact of life in modern MMA and also in many jiu-jitsu and submission grappling competitions. In this episode Ben Zhuang and I talk about how to cut weight safely, effectively replenishing your body after a weight cut, the differences between cutting weight for day-of vs next-day events, and more. We also talked about strength training, and if you're interested in the exercises, article, or PDF guide that Ben and I talk about then go to https://www.grapplearts.com/bjj-strength-training-the-top-6-exercises/ where it's all free! Also Follow Ben Zhuang on Instagram as @coachbz or by clicking https://www.instagram.com/coachbz/

I really, really enjoyed talking to Shane Adams, the godfather of modern full contact jousting, in this on-site interview. Full contact jousting involves two knights in full armour attack each other on charging horses using solid wooden lances that deliver 2,000 lbs of force. Shattered lances, unhorsings, broken bones, concussions and impacts that feel like you're being hit in the chest with a sledge hammer. Oh, did I mention that dodging, ducking, parrying, and blocking your opponent's lance is NOT allowed? You have to sit there and take it. This is definitely NOT a choreographed Vegas dinner show. Shane and I talk about the physical and mental aspects of jousting, and what distinguishes people who make it through the training to perform in this sport. I really enjoyed the part where he talks about balancing on the knife's edge between the aggression required to do this insane sport, and the zen state of mind you need to properly plan and aim your shot. If you enjoyed this then subscribe to the podcast because I hope to bring Shane back for a longer and more detailed conversation before the end of the year! Check it out, and for more information about full contact jousting check out www.extremejousting.com

BJJ black belt Sim Go and I explore the early days of the Vegas jiu-jitsu and MMA scene, how a 'garage' club can evolve to be a professional school, structuring a class, Marc Laimon's legacy in BJJ, rule sets, transitioning from competitor to instructor, and much more. Find out more about the Cobra Kai school at http://www.ckjj.com Please rate and review my podcast on iTunes or any other platform of your choice - it really helps! And check out all the techniques and training tips on my own site at http://www.grapplearts.com/articles! Cheers, Stephan

I really enjoyed talking with Andreh Anderson who started training in the very early days of North American MMA with famous fighters like Oleg Taktarov and more. We cover the specific ways how MMA (and BJJ) were very different in the early days, tribalism in the martial arts, training in Brazil, making the switch from JKD to jiu-jitsu, the evolution of leglocks, old school jiu-jitsu, and more!

Loved chatting with articulate Seph Smith, Ryan Hall's first BJJ black belt and a Combat Sambo black belt as well! We cover training leglocks safely, competing in Judo and Sambo, his instructional products, potentially career-ending injuries, where the sport of Jiu-jitsu is headed, developing a well rounded game, and tips for performing well in competition. Find out more about Seph's school in Richmond VA at http://www.upstreambjj.com Find out more about Seph's BJJ mini-courses at https://upstream-bjj.teachable.com/courses Follow Seph on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sephwillkillyou/?hl=en Finally, if you enjoyed this episode the single best thing you can do to help me (and get more episodes out for you faster) is to go and subscribe to the podcast right now. I can't tell you how much that moves the needle. And if you've already done that then a rating and review would be super-appreciated. It may seem silly but it REALLY helps! Thank you so much Stephan