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
Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 46min
BJJ Fanatics 666: Jeff Curran
Jeff Curran returns to share what its like to start and run a grappling tournament from scratch and life after professional fighting. He also opens up about growing up in poverty and a violent home and how Jiu-Jitsu changed the direction of his life
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 18min
BJJ Fanatics 665: Roberto Godoi
Roberto Godoi returns to talk about competition for Masters athletes. He covers mindset, conditioning, tactics and conserving energy. He also explains how being "starstruck" when competing against a famous athlete is something to be completely avoided!
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 52min
BJJ Fanatics 664: Shawn Melanson
Shawn Melanson joins the show to talk about running a gym specifically for competitors, how anxiety has impacted him on and off the mats, and developing take downs. He also shows his impressive reptile collection (check out the video episode on YouTube)
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 20min
BJJ Fanatics 663: Robert Drysdale
Robert Drysdale joins the show to share his latest research on the history of BJJ. He also discusses the ways that commercialization has helped and hurt the art and his thoughts on professional grappling's influence on the culture and future of BJJ
4 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 34min
BJJ Fanatics 662: Chris Wojcik
Chris Wojcik, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and innovator in leg-lock techniques, shares insights from his journey as a competitor and coach. He discusses the importance of goal setting, overcoming self-doubt, and the value of regret in personal growth. Chris reflects on his transition from wrestling to jiu-jitsu, his experience with injuries, and how they shaped his perspective. He also explores how community and friendships in jiu-jitsu have impacted his career, alongside his passion for writing and using insights from AI to enhance his craft.
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 24min
BJJ Fanatics 661: Malachy Friedman
Malachy Friedman, a third-degree black belt and former pro MMA fighter, returns to share his coaching insights. He dives into the competition mindset and the art of game planning for specific opponents. With a focus on improvisation, he emphasizes adapting techniques in real-time. He also discusses the significance of mental fortitude and emotional intelligence for high-pressure situations. Malachy highlights the balance of hard sparring in training, illustrating how resilience shapes fighter performance.
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.
