

I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show
Josh McKinney
Jiu-Jitsu is hard. Join host Josh McKinney on his forever quest to "suck less at jiu-jitsu." Learn from high level black belts, in depth conversations, and off the wall rants by the host himself.
It is guaranteed that each episode will help you suck just a little less at jiu-jitsu, or your money back.
Josh McKinney is an accomplished adult black belt competitor with a "suck-less" mindset that can help anyone progress
It is guaranteed that each episode will help you suck just a little less at jiu-jitsu, or your money back.
Josh McKinney is an accomplished adult black belt competitor with a "suck-less" mindset that can help anyone progress
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 31min
#353 Richie Kelly: I love competing but sub-only is stupid
Richie Kelly, an experienced black belt and coach, dives into the quirks of jiu-jitsu competition. He passionately critiques submission-only formats, arguing they encourage bad tactics and confuse spectators. Richie believes that points create necessary drama and define match narratives, enhancing the spectator experience. He also shares insightful thoughts on the rise of no-gi superfights and the importance of effective scoring to minimize controversial decisions. The conversation wraps up with Richie's excitement for upcoming events and his journey within the jiu-jitsu community.

11 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 59min
#352 TRT Hot Takes
Dive into the hot topic of TRT in Jiu Jitsu, where opinions collide over cheating accusations and necessary performance enhancement. Enjoy humorous takes on TRT as gender-affirming care and personal stories of transforming training dynamics. The debate extends to lifestyle impacts on testosterone levels and the controversial idea of a steroid division. Josh explores the risks of TRT, from sales tactics at clinics to the long-term effects on health. Tune in for laughter and thought-provoking insights on navigating the world of performance enhancement.

11 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 4min
#351: Jake Luigi: Creativity, Content Creation, and Burn Out | Less Impressed More Involved
Jake Luigi, a jiu-jitsu content creator and founder of the Outlier Database, dives deep into the realities of content creation in the BJJ world. He shares his experiences with burnout and the isolation that often accompanies such a creative journey. The discussion covers the balance between jiu-jitsu and business, the importance of keeping training enjoyable, and how the Outlier Database helps optimize learning. Jake also reveals his innovative plans for the future of the database, emphasizing a shift from financial motivations to creating genuinely useful tools for jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 9min
#350 Thanksgiving Special: "Thanks for Kneeing me in the Nuts"
This Thanksgiving-themed discussion humorously thanks the quirky characters in jiu-jitsu training. From knee strikes to lost hair on mats, it highlights the oddities of practice. Hygiene myths are tackled with a nod to mat cleanliness, while timer tricks reveal competitive tactics. The episode explores accountability in matches versus blaming refs. Other amusing moments feature a conspiracy theorist and a casual dig at stoned training partners. Plus, practical tips on managing gear issues and enjoying simple, analog tools are shared.

Nov 20, 2025 • 59min
#349 ONE HACK for Getting Good at Jiu Jitsu (FAST) | Performance Days
Discover a game-changing hack that could revolutionize your jiu-jitsu practice. The concept of a 'performance day' is introduced, where you focus on competing weekly to enhance your skills. Learn how to simulate real match pressure by selecting challenging partners and keeping score. Understand the importance of balancing performance and learning mindsets to tackle anxiety and competition habits. Implement this approach to identify training priorities and experience significant improvements in your performance!

Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 9min
#348 Why You Keep Losing Competitions
This discussion offers a blueprint to transform your competition performance. It reveals why focused training outshines random sparring and how to effectively prepare with mock-competition days. Josh emphasizes the importance of rituals and staying present on match day. Learn to watch tape strategically to refine your game plan and avoid reinventing your techniques under pressure. Discover how volume training boosts skill through repetition and why overtraining can hinder success. Get ready to unlock your best performance!

Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
#347 Women's BJJ Hot Takes...
This podcast dives into the unfiltered opinions on women's BJJ, tackling topics like whether women's-only classes boost or hinder growth. Discussions shift to the stereotype of women tapping due to strength versus skill, and the debate over female competitors gaining followers for their looks versus their abilities. It addresses the challenges of smelly training partners and the phenomenon of young boys dominating older teammates. With humor, it also explores creepy DMs and the need for inclusive, supportive environments in the sport.

Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 13min
#346: 13 Jiu Jitsu Horror Stories!
In this spooky Halloween special, Bryce Allen, a frequent contributor and training partner, shares wild jiu-jitsu horror stories that will make you both cringe and laugh. From using super glue for a broken toe to the tale of the 10-year haunting white belt legend, the duo dives into epic tales of near-misses and crazy competition moments. Highlights include an accidental fart that scared off a newbie, Bryce's extreme weight cut mishap, and a questionable gi-check scandal—proving that the mats are as unpredictable as they are thrilling!

Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 16min
#345 The Sacred Art of Stalling
Everyone hates stalling—until they realize it’s actually strategy. In this episode, I(@thejoshmckinney) breaks down why the best competitors know when to slow the game down, how to use the clock as a weapon, and why “winning is winning” (shoutout Dom Toretto). Learn how to control pace, protect your energy, and make less Jiu-Jitsu happen when it matters most.🎙️ What You’ll Learn:The real definition of strategy in Jiu-JitsuHow to manage limited resources (energy, grips, time)Why stalling exists in every clock-based sportHow to practice and defend against stallingThe mindset shift that separates winners from “moral victors”Guard passing seminar: https://youtu.be/aDAwqBVoDP4The Jiu Jitsu Games: https://youtu.be/88pNKjbzswMJiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/isucksportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/ The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp Join ISAJJ PRO(ALL of Josh’s Courses in One Place): https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/suckFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow Check out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney

Oct 16, 2025 • 56min
#344 I'm Quitting BJJ, Here's Why...
After 17 years I'm Quitting BJJIf you want to know why, listen to the episode.HeadnodHQ Home of American Jiu-JitsuJiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles (FREE) BJJ Mental Models sportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”The Competitor’s JourneyJoin ISAJJ PRO (ALL of Josh’s Courses in One Place)Follow the show on InstagramCheck out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel


