The BJJ Fanatics Podcast
Ryan Ford
Our mission with this podcast is to help YOU grow on the mats! We do this by presenting deep, insightful interviews every week with the best athletes, coaches and legends of BJJ and Grappling. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge about technique, BJJ culture or the history of the art, every episode is loaded with advice and lessons from the best in the game. The host Ryan Ford conducts each interview in a casual setting, which makes it easy to see the human side of the stars of our sport and get to know their story while also learning more for your own development. New episodes are available every week, and we have over 500 episodes for you to enjoy as well, which is over 800 hours of entertainment and knowledge! We hope you enjoy it!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 34min
BJJ Fanatics 660: Roy Dean
Roy Dean, a fourth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and esteemed martial arts author, shares insights on ego-less training and processing losses positively. He reflects on his transformative journey through Japan, detailing a private lesson at the Kodokan. Dean emphasizes the importance of balancing ego for competitors and reframing failure as a growth opportunity. His views on respect in martial arts and the foundational philosophies behind Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu create a meaningful conversation about cultivating a positive training culture.
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 33min
BJJ Fanatics 659: Kurt Osiander
Kurt is back! In this episode, Kurt responds to lots of questions from the listeners, we talk music and the passing of the legend Ozzy Osbourne, Kurt breaks out his Boston accent and he talks about his desire to start a new cooking show!
6 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
BJJ Fanatics 658: Justin Flores
Justin Flores, a black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Team USA Olympic coach, shares his insights on transforming grappling techniques. He emphasizes the importance of building effective habits and adapting strategies for older or injured athletes. Flores breaks traditional norms by demonstrating how to be effective without fiercely contesting positions. He also discusses the key elements of cardio, mental resilience, and safety in grappling, while exploring the elegance of foot sweeps and future goals for the martial arts community.
Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 14min
BJJ Fanatics 657: Rick Ellis
Rick Ellis, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and creator of The Art of Skill, shares valuable insights for grapplers over 40. He emphasizes the importance of adjusting one’s mindset as age influences training goals and techniques. Rick addresses common pitfalls, such as intensity regulation and the dangers of comparison with younger counterparts. He discusses the benefits of community support and mentorship, along with innovative strategies for adapting technique and recovery, making Jiu-Jitsu an enduring passion at any age.
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 46min
BJJ Fanatics 656: Renato Canuto
Renato Canuto, a black belt and world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, shares insights fresh from his MMA debut. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from grappling to striking, emphasizing adaptability and the mental hurdles athletes face. The conversation offers a humorous take on a hypothetical battle against a gorilla, blending absurdity with combat strategy. Canuto also reflects on innovative techniques influenced by soccer and the necessity of creativity in sparring, making for a captivating exploration of the evolving landscape of martial arts.
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 20min
BJJ Fanatics 655: Eric Silver
Eric Silver, a fourth-degree black belt and one of the first Americans to dive deep into Jiu-Jitsu, shares his fascinating journey in martial arts. He recounts learning from the legendary Rickson Gracie and discusses the intense challenge matches of the past. Silver emphasizes the importance of energy conservation as he ages, along with practical tips on mastering the half guard. His insights into training dynamics, particularly with larger partners, and reflections on personal growth make for an engaging conversation.
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 26min
BJJ Fanatics 654: Murilo Mustamante
Murilo Bustamante, a legendary figure in jiu-jitsu and MMA, shares his journey from fighter to mentor. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing young athletes by making training enjoyable and improving their social skills. Murilo discusses the patience required in coaching and the need to adapt teaching methods for diverse students. He also reflects on his love for surfing and the connections it fosters, while reminiscing about his favorite fighters and the evolution of jiu-jitsu techniques that blend tradition with modern strategies.
May 20, 2025 • 1h 41min
BJJ Fanatics 653: Brian Glick
Brian Glick, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo with over 20 years of teaching experience, shares insights on effective communication in martial arts. He discusses simplifying complex concepts and his preference for Judo over Wrestling for BJJ. Glick provides valuable tips on escaping back control, emphasizing calmness and clarity under pressure. Moreover, he highlights the importance of setting specific training goals, mastering grip management, and adapting techniques based on partner reactions to enhance overall grappling effectiveness.
May 6, 2025 • 1h 27min
BJJ Fanatics 652: Jason Rau
Jason Rau returns to talk about growing his schools, the ethics and etiquette of filming training sessions, and how to track your own progress on the mats. He also gives a deep breakdown on his guard passing system!
Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 28min
BJJ Fanatics 651: Kyle Sleeman
Kyle "The Bull" Sleeman joins the show to talk about the BJJ scene in Canada, making competition second nature, developing a well rounded game and weight training for Jiu-Jitsu. He also details the road to becoming the #6 ranked athlete in his category!
