The Chewjitsu Podcast

Join Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and multiple-time world champion Roosevelt Sousa as he shares his inspiring journey from starting at 21 to dominating the competition. Hear how insights from volleyball shaped his work ethic and mindset. Roosevelt discusses the importance of training smarter, focusing on personal growth over medals, and the transformative power of coaching. He also reflects on the significance of community and how immigrating to the U.S. enriched his life and teaching approach.

Discover the signs of overtraining and how it can shorten your jiu-jitsu career. Learn to recognize red flags like ongoing injuries and mental fatigue. Explore the mindset behind avoiding rest and how to reframe rehab as productive training. Chewy and Eugene share tips on effective training routines while balancing intensity and recovery. They also discuss lifestyle factors that impact training capacity, from nutrition to sleep. Emphasize quality training over sheer volume to continue progressing without injury.

The hosts delve into crucial signs of a problematic Jiu-Jitsu gym. They explore the impact of a coach's engagement and behavior, highlighting how substance abuse or lack of care can compromise learning. The dangers of negative gym culture and the importance of open mats for cross-training are discussed. They also criticize exploitative promotion rules that can hinder student progress and emphasize the need for a supportive environment with senior belts for long-term development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering their Jiu-Jitsu journey!

Mastering defense and escapes in BJJ can significantly enhance your mat experience. It reduces fear and allows you to focus on offense without panic. Efficient escape skills save energy, keeping you from feeling overwhelmed by athletic opponents. A solid defensive game also lowers injury risks and boosts your submission rates. Grappling becomes more enjoyable and you’ll become a tougher competitor who’s hard to score on. Dive into practical drilling techniques that can dramatically improve your escapes in just a month!

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and the misconceptions about discipline. We discuss why discipline is about flexibility, what all success is built on, how to develop the ability to be flexible and not get off track, the importance of being reflective, habit stacking, having contrast, how to prioritize the most important tasks, how to train your subconscious to support you, how to improve efficiency, focusing on things you can control, and why people respond different to adversity. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints. Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss the "Golden Rule" of competition. We discuss why the way you win is just as important as if you win, doing the honorable thing in competition, why how you go about daily training is important for your success, why competitions are "controlled aggression" and not "animosity," what makes competing so unique, and the experience of coaching a student in a tournament. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints. Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, we share some of the best moments from the podcast. In this edition, we dive into a recap of the "Rules For Jiu-Jitsu" series. We discuss the following rules: BJJ is a marathon (Episode 160: Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 1) Be an anti-martial artist (Episode 164: Rules For Jiu-Jitsu 2) Grips First (Episode 166: Rules for Jiu-Jitsu 3) Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints. Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Chewy and Eugene dive into the intriguing 80-20 Rule in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, exploring how just 20% of techniques can yield 80% of success. They discuss the potential traps of over-focusing on certain moves and the importance of balancing exploration with refinement. Reflection, journaling, and visualization are highlighted as tools for improvement. Chewy emphasizes redefining success with actionable habits and becoming outcome independent. The conversation encourages finding joy in practice to maintain long-term commitment.

In this engaging discussion, ADCC veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt John Hansen shares his unique journey through various gyms before settling in at Dojo Omaha. He reveals the five key pillars of grappling and how aging has shaped his training routine. John talks about his biggest regret of not wrestling in high school and the relentless focus necessary for success. Discover how his experiences and teaching style have evolved, alongside insights on goal setting and the importance of finding a signature move in your game.

Jon Thomas, a BJJ Black Belt and the inspiring founder of Tap Cancer Out, shares his journey from starting Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 to leading a successful non-profit. He opens up about imposter syndrome, the unique experience of charity tournaments, and the importance of community in growing fundraising efforts like Global Grappling Day. Jon discusses navigating the challenges of tournament management, the emotional impact of supporting families affected by cancer, and how to maintain a supportive atmosphere over competition.