On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and head no-gi coach at Legion AJJ, Sloan "Caveman" Clymer. Sloan discusses the importance of honesty as a coach, how to develop high level submissions, learning Jiu-Jitsu from his dad while training in his barn, moving across the country to pursue grapplin…

Mike Perez is an ATOS Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, high level competitor, and the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials +99 KG winner. On this episode, Mike discusses his start in grappling, choosing to train at ATOS Jiu-Jitsu with Andre Galvao, the strategies Mike used against the bigger grappler at the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials, the main technique Mike avoids a…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer some listener questions. What is one thing that all great competitors do? How to deal with a coach who acts like a “needy ex”? Should you compete in the Adult or Masters division as a 35 year old hobbyist? What is the proper etiquette for rolling with a disabled grappler? How to improve in BJJ…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss some key takeaways from the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials. We discuss how several former trials losers became trials winners in 2024, how to best prepare for ADCC trials, why there is no “meta,” the importance of sticking to your style and game plan, the main differences between the ADCC trials from 2018 to 2…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of why struggling with Jiu-Jitsu early on can be a benefit. We also discuss why every defect has a positive effect, finding the love for training, why time is your ally in BJJ, when BJJ athletes who were slower starters begin to improve, one of the biggest hinderances in improving your BJJ, the val…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to overcome the fear of takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu. We discuss one of the main things Jiu-Jitsu does wrong when training takedowns, the importance of training takedowns with someone that is similar to your weight to decrease injuries and to improve success, how to build confidence in your takedowns, when it…

On this episode, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Owner of Guardian MMA, Chad “The Beast” Hardy. Chad discusses recovering from a severe injury, the crazy story of Chad competing against a 300 lb. wrestler when he was 14 years old, how to modify training to get through a major injury, how Chad improved his BJJ while injured, “The Hardy Hit…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the toughest belt to get in Jiu-Jitsu and also the toughest transition between belts in Jiu-Jitsu. We also discuss the secret to learning a new skill, why the white belt is not the toughest belt to get, how Jiu-Jitsu can impact your life in a positive way, enjoying the process of training, why you should th…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Judo Black Belt, BJJ Black Belt, and the guitarist from the band “Five Finger Death Punch,” Zoltan Bathory. We are also joined by BJJ Black Belt and owner of "Epic Roll," Matt Wahlstrom. On this episode, Zo discusses his dream of moving to the United States to become a musician, starting Judo at 9 yea…

Andy Varela is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and high level competitor. Andy joins the podcast to discuss his start in training MMA and then eventually focusing on Jiu-Jitsu at 21 years old, what it was like having a father who was an MMA coach, moving to Las Vegas to pursue a career MMA, competing in a grappling match against former UFC Middl…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene are joined by BJJ black belt and former MMA fighter Jeff Alexander. Jeff also helps run "The Chewjitsu Open" and shares some details about the upcoming tournaments. Jeff joins the podcast to discuss his start in MMA and taking his first fight without any formal training, the challenges of balancing family life and …

On this episode, we are joined by 10th Planet Black Belt, former MMA fighter, and “Rogue Combat Club” owner Johnny Buck. Johnny discusses what sets his gym and business apart from other gyms in Asheville area, the importance of gym culture on and off the mats 15, how to build a balance at the gym for hobbyists and high level competitors, the import…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of whether BJJ is watered down. We chat about how Jiu-Jitsu has evolved over the years from a traditional self-defense martial art and more toward a sport, how BJJ becoming more of a business changed the martial art, the evolution of training, how social media has impacted BJJ techniques and learni…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene talk to Judo U.S. National Champion, U.S. Open Champion, World Cup Medalist, and Medical Doctor Austin Cook. Austin also specializes in teaching No-Gi Judo on his Instagram page @badboymedicine https://www.instagram.com/badboymedicine/ Austin joins the podcast to discuss his start in Judo, his process for learning …

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 basic principles that are useful in BJJ and in Life. Everything requires repetition and practice. Be open to learning new techniques and doing things that make you uncomfortable. It’s better to be effective with less than be ineffective with more. Your perception shapes everything. Find act…

Chewy discusses what makes an effective BJJ Coach, whether you have to be an extrovert to be a good coach, and how to increase confidence. Know the content you are teaching (be prepared) Prepare more content then you think you will need Get your “reps.” Learn your student’s names. The mission is to make your students better. Book recommendations to…

On this live recording of the Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 life lessons that they have learned from martial arts followed by a live Q&A. We discuss the following ideas: Learning to grind. Being in control of your emotions. Understanding what failure is. Discovering the "After Feeling Focus." Learning to find intrinsic motivation. Q…

On this episode, Chewy answers a question from Rolo, who says that he is an out of shape 50 year old BJJ hobbyist that doesn’t feel deserving of his belt promotion. Chewy provides some advice and perspective on how to deal with not feeling worthy of the belt promotion and some ideas to work on. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. H…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to get the most out of an instructional and successfully implement these techniques into training and competition. We discuss how to decide which instructional to purchase, why Chewy gives less instruction when initially teaching a new position or technique in class, how to break down an …

Chewy answers a question from a listener who travels to different gyms, but never approaches black belts to roll. If they are offered a roll with an upper belt such as a black belt or a coach, they can occasionally submit them. The listener asks whether they should train honestly and beat the upper belt when visiting another gym, or not submit the …

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how to execute on your goals in 2024. We discuss the importance of having the ability to say “no,” managing your inputs, being strategic and tactical with your goals, making your goals visible, how to utilize the “2 minute drill," why the spark of motivation is your action, how to make your goals into a dai…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 5 fundamental ideas to implement into your training as an older grappler: Be ok with getting older. Use nasal breathing to moderate your pace. Positional choice (cooking your opponent). Tactical retreat (conserving energy). Diet/Lifestyle off the mats. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. He…

On this episode, we are once again joined by 3 x NAIA National Wrestling Champion, Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt, and high level competitor, Brandon Reed. We discuss using social media to grow your brand, how to deal with negative comments and internet trolls, why Brandon went back to college but left after 6 months to pursue grappling full time, how relea…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how the mindset you take into training is going to dictate what you learn and how you improve. We also discuss why you should get used to losing, having a curious mindset, learning from your losses, how to counteract a negative feeling with something positive, what prompted Chewy to change his mindset on tr…

On this episode, we are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and the owner of "Standard Jiu-Jitsu," Greg Sounders. Greg joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu, training with Lloyd Irvin, his methodology of training, why Greg doesn’t teach Jiu-Jitsu techniques, how and why Greg uses the “Ecological Approach” to teaching Jiu-Jitsu, how Greg st…

On this episode, we chat with 10th Planet Black Belt and head coach at 10th Planet Atlanta, Sean Applegate. Sean discusses how he discovered Jiu-Jitsu, how he learned Jiu-Jitsu without high level coaches nearby, becoming a head coach with less than 2 years of training, the process of balancing training and coaching, the value and importance of comp…

Want the worst BJJ game at your gym? Well then join us on this episode to get the 10 sure-fire ways to have an awful BJJ game. It’s no secret that consistency is important for skill development, so if you want to be terrible at BJJ, then train as inconsistently as possible. Strength training is an important part of decreasing injury risk and improv…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss how avoiding the initial discomfort of dealing with a problem can lead to a bigger problem that will require more effort to resolve later. We discuss the habit of avoidance, how avoiding discomfort in BJJ can stagnate your game, why we avoid growth in Jiu-Jitsu, how failure and difficulty creates better lea…

On this episode of the podcast, BJJ black belt and ADCC Champion Robert Drysdale returns to discuss the history of Jiu-Jitsu and his new book, “The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” Robert discusses his motivation behind writing his new book on the history of Jiu-Jitsu, the reception he has gotten from the book, how early Jiu-Jitsu rulese…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss the idea of discipline and the benefits of using restraint in daily life. We discuss why people look at discipline as a punishment initially, but how it actually leads to greater rewards in the long term, why enjoying the pleasures of life on your own terms make them much better, ideas on how to more easily…

Danielle Kelly is a BJJ black belt and the inaugural ONE Championship Atomweight World Champion. Danielle discusses her recent championship match at ONE Championship against Jessa Khan, her training camp leading into the match, how to approach a match against an opponent who has a win against you, training for a grappling match in a cage, what it f…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss what makes the difference between white belt and black belt level techniques and how black belts make “basic” techniques so effective. We discuss one of the biggest factors to developing black belt level techniques, the intuition and feel that develops with experience, learning physical cues of BJJ techniqu…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss an uncomfortable truth about achieving your goals. We chat about the idea of desire vs. discomfort, the reasons why people quit Jiu-Jitsu, why barrier of entry is important to attrition, the three types of BJJ students, two useful ideas for chasing goals, how to increase desire and decrease d…

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene discuss 8 ways you can decrease anxiety in your life and on the mats. Here are some of the ideas we discussed on the episode: Meditation and breath work. Exercise and movement. Be a “Stoic” about your anxiety. Flood your mind. What can I do about it (productive worry). Have a hobby. Have a "Worry Journal." Looking …

On this episode, Chewy shares a story about his buddy training at another gym and getting a severe infection that almost forced him to get his leg amputated. Chewy and Eugene also chat about dirty gym stories and share 7 tips on gym hygiene that can help you from getting an infection. The 7 tips include: shower and be clean, trim your nails, stay h…

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt and World Champion, Jessa Khan. Jessa discusses starting BJJ at 8 years old, moving to California to train with the Mendes brothers and Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ), which sport helped her BJJ progression the most, the biggest difference training with the Mendes brothers compared to other gy…

Brian Littlefield is a BJJ Black Belt and Co-founder of Jocko Fuel. On this episode, Brian shares the story of how he started working for Origin, how getting out of shape led him to discovering fitness and eventually being convinced by a friend to start Jiu-Jitsu. He also shares the story of his first Jiu-Jitsu class, the importance of leverage, ho…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss what a "BJJ Belt Hunter" is and what to do if there is one at your gym. Chewy discusses the importance of your intention when rolling and why you should focus on implementing your techniques instead of trying to beat a higher ranked training partner, how being a "belt hunter" and worrying abo…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Elijah "Jabroni Grappler" Carlton. Elijah discusses how he got his nickname “Jabroni Grappler,” starting Jiu-Jitsu as a teenager, how opening a gym changed his trajectory in Jiu-Jitsu and forced him to keep learning, how Elijah implements new techniques…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt "Big" Dan Manasoiu. Dan joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu at age 14, his 6-hour commute from Pennsylvania to train at Renzo Gracie New York, what set Renzo Gracie New York apart from other gyms, getting humbled by smaller grapplers, his daily trai…

John Combs is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and high level competitor. On this episode, John discusses his start in grappling as a wrestler and his transition to training BJJ full time, how a wrestling camp significantly improved his wrestling, his biggest struggles when transitioning from wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu, how John overcame a devastating knee infec…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy discusses why he doesn't set expectations for outcomes and how he learned this lesson through competing and rolling. Chewy discusses how he was able to become distant from expectation and was able to put this idea into practice, using meditation to promote a mindset of no expectations while recognizing negative…

Jason Khalipa is a 2008 CrossFit World Champion, Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, and the owner of NCFIT. On this episode, Jason discusses how his daughter’s illness led him to start training Jiu-Jitsu, what he looks for in a Jiu-Jitsu gym, his main motivation for training, the impact of learning a new skill, how he mixes Crossfit with Jiu-Jitsu training, wh…

Chewy and Eugene discuss how clinging to the idea of only using “Old Man Jiu-Jitsu” as an older grappler can actually hinder your BJJ game. We chat about how our desire for simple answers to complex problems can impact progress, why you should avoid being restrictive with your Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of learning to adjust your guard passing based…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss a common mistake in Jiu-Jitsu. This mistake is getting good at a position in Jiu-Jitsu, but only focusing on one or two techniques from that position, and when your opponent starts to counter those techniques, moving on to another position. We chat about why the better option is to find more …

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss how one idea or concept can radically improve your Jiu-Jitsu game. We discuss how this concept or idea can be learned from an instructional, a coach, or a training partner. How this idea can help you add new layers and techniques into your game, the best way to discover this concept, one of t…

On this episode of The Chewjitsu Podcast, Chewy and Eugene answer a question from a BJJ coach who feels that he is not improving his BJJ as a coach, and what he can do to get better. We discuss 5 key ideas: Do not take on the mindset of the student. How to structure your rolling to ensure you get something out of it. Put yourself in bad positions. …

On this episode of the Chewjitsu Podcast, we are joined by Amanda "Tubby" Alequin. Amanda is a Jiu-Jitsu back belt, high level competitor, and owner of “The People’s Jiu-Jitsu” gym. Amanda discusses how she got the nickname “Tubby,” what motivated her to lose weight, how to find your ideal weight, the importance of strength training, the specific w…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and owner of New Breed Training Center, Mark Vives. Mark discusses how he got his three children to train Jiu-Jitsu, the minimum amount your kids should train, why Mark pulled his son out of Jiu-Jitsu and switched him to wrestling, why you should limit the number of…

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene are joined by BJJ legend and coach, Professor Ricardo Liborio. Professor Liborio joins the podcast to discuss his start in Jiu-Jitsu, the training environment at Carlson Gracie’s gym, the importance of the Luta Livre and BJJ rivalry and the challenge event that elevated the level of BJJ popularity, w…