BJJ Mat Times

Send us a textResearch and Reach Out in AdvancePack AccordinglyRespect Local Customs and InstructorsBe Punctual and PreparedEmbrace the Experience

Send us a textWhether you're a seasoned grappler or just getting started, this episode has something for you! Today we talk with Kyle Leviton, part owner of Carry Fire Jiu Jitsu. If you are in the market for a new gi or jiujitsu apparel, you might want to check them out! Link is below! https://carryfire.com/

Send us a text00:00 Introduction and Background05:33 Journey into Jiu-Jitsu14:12 Training Regimen and Recovery24:31 Ecological Approach to Training29:17 Transformation and Personal Growth35:49 Dietary Adjustments 37:42 Experiences at ADCC and CJI Events41:34 Training Evolution and Finding the Right Gym41:46 Training Dynamics at Texas Made MMA43:54 Competition Experiences and Overcoming Injuries53:21 Facing Competition Anxiety and Future Goals

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We talk about the science of dietetics in our latest episode, featuring Nicole Franqui, a passionate jiu-jitsu practitioner and a dedicated registered dietitian. We also discuss the intersection of social media and nutrition, the benefits of endurance training, and the importance of consistency in fitness routines. Whether you're a jiu-jitsu enthusiast, a nutrition aficionado, or someone navigating their fitness journey, this episode is packed with invaluable information and inspiration.

 This episode unfolds a tapestry of tenacity and technique, from the empowering insights of Penny Thomas' women's self-defense seminar to the varying styles of coaching. We take an inspiring ride, examining the nuance of color perception among artists, the invaluable skill of verbal judo, and the friendships that underpin our decision to linger after class.Be a fly on the wall during our most candid moments, where we peel back the layers of what it means to progress in jiu jitsu. We talk of navigating training with a chronic condition; we also dive into the challenges and triumphs that come with coaching and the personal evolution of our techniques and strategies. Close your gi, tie your belt, and prepare to be moved by stories of resilience, personal goals, and the inevitable laugh-out-loud moments that grace our training sessions. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the sport, you'll find connection and inspiration in our discussion on the benefits of jiu jitsu, the strategies with different body types, and the mental fortitude learned in training. Join us as we talk about our experiences!

Ever wonder about the intertwining paths of creative passion and martial discipline?  From the mats of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the vulnerable showcase of a gallery wall, we traverse a diverse landscape of experiences, reflecting on the camaraderie and shared experiences that have shaped us along the way.This time around, we peel back the curtains on the struggle with self-promotion, examining the connections viewers forge with artwork and the tranquility that inspiration from nature can instill in life. We also share stories from the Jiu-Jitsu journey—haircuts included!—revealing the personal development that occurs from white belt to black and how the martial art can become a catalyst for community, teaching, and transformation.Justin doesn't shy away from the grittier details, discussing the ever-evolving learning process and how teaching Jiu-Jitsu can be an entry into a new level of understanding. As we dissect the balance between fundamental and innovative techniques, you'll gain insight into how age and mat experience shape a more strategic approach to the sport. Discover the parallels between the discipline required in Jiu-Jitsu and and how we approach life.  Join us as we look toward the future with an open mind for change and the growth it promises to bring.

Ever found yourself chuckling at the absurdities of growing older while training Jiu-Jitsu? That's where we're at, a bunch of mat-side philosophers sharing how we balance laughter, lessons, and ligaments in our latest episode.  We also delve into meatier topics of training strategies and the influence of age and injuries. Our banter covers everything from the chess game of guard retention to the nitty-gritty of training routines that keep us on our toes – or, more accurately, our backs, depending on the day. We pay tribute to the black belts who've paved the way, sharing insights from Takashi's grip game to Cory's methodical passing, all while tossing in our own experiences with weight management and competition prep to keep things real.And because we can never resist a good ramble, we wrap up with some unfiltered Jiu-Jitsu nonsense. Join us for the laughs, stay for the revelations, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find some wisdom in our random musings to apply to your own journey on and off the mats.

From the wrestling mats to Jiu-Jitsu, our latest guest, Michael Jackula, shares how he came to train at North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Michael's wrestling background offers a glimpse into how his wrestler background has enhanced his jiu-jitsu performance. We also dive into the framework of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Michael explains the connection between various MCMAP training and how that technique is progressed into a fighting sequence. Thanks for joining us in the conversation, and we hope to see you on the mats!!! 

Danny, Ed, and I got some great training in last weekend. We talked about how and when to use lasso guard and the benefits of using it to control the pace of a match. It was a good conversation about all things Jiu Jitsu! We hope you enjoy the episode! 

This week we sat down with Chris Payne. Chris is a blue belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu and has been training with us for about a year and a half. Chris competed at Jiu Jitsu World League in San Diego this past weekend, and we talked about the training leading up to the comp and the action on the mats. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. 

Saturday was a special night! Chance Snyder took part in his first MMA fight and brought home the win! I am super excited we were able to get together and have this post fight conversation. We hope you enjoy it! 

In this On the Mats talk, Chris Drozd and I have a quick talk about leg locks and leg defense! We hope you enjoy the conversation! 

In this episode of On the Mats, Jake and I discuss competition and competition training. Thanks for listening!!! 

This week we talk with Todd Stedman. Todd is a purple belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu and has been training with us since roughly 2020. We cover the benefits of flow class, the feelings around transitioning from belt to belt, and the community we train in. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we talk with Rebeka O'Keefe. Rebeka is a brown belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu and has been training with us since the gym first opened! Rebeka is a teacher specializing in German language instruction and can speak several languages! Rebeka and I talk about her training over the past ten years and how she maintains focus and continues training while working full-time and being a mother of two. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we talk with one of my close friends, Chris Roberts. Chris is a retired Navy Chief and retired police officer. We have been buddies for over a decade and we decided to get together and talk about his twenty years in the Navy and some of our conversations before he moves out of the Southern California area. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show! 

This week we talk with Julio Valdez. Julio is a white belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu and has been training with us for about two years. He is also a Marine Corps Veteran, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, and high school wrestler! Julio and I talk about his service in the Marine Corps, how he found jiu jitsu, and what keeps him on the mats. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This is a quick talk we call On the Mats, where we talk live after training and have a shortened discussion about jiu jitsu. This installment is with North Coast purple belt Jessie Stedman. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

This week we talk with Zack Kovacs. Zack is a white belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu and has been training with us for about a year. He is also an Army Infantry Veteran and wrestler. His experience in Army combatives and years of wrestling make rounds with him a bit more challenging than the average white belt! We also talk about Zack's military service and how he found his way back to grappling after the Army. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This is a quick talk we call On the Mats, where we talk live after training and have a shortened discussion about jiu jitsu. This installment is with North Coast brown belt Carlos Perez. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

This week we talked with Ed Lopez, a purple belt training out of Halo Jiu Jitsu in Fresno, CA. Ted shares his experience of training and recovering as an older grappler and how to be effective on the mats. We also discuss the Halo team matches at Fight to Win and how the gym supports and competes at the event! Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This is a quick talk we call On the Mats, where we talk live after training and have a shortened discussion about jiu jitsu. This installment is with North Coast black belt and instructor, Terence DeToy. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

This is a quick talk we call On the Mats, where we talk live after training and have a shortened discussion about jiu jitsu. This installment is with Justin Hoepner, a black belt, friend, and drilling partner training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

This week we talked with Ciara Gutierrez, a blue belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Ciara brings a brightness to the gym, and we are lucky to have her with us! She shares her experience with sign language, multiple gyms, and life on the move over the past few years. Now that Ciara is back in Southern California, she is training, working, and furthering her education and career. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

We talked with Chris and Daniel from the Hangin' On 4 Dear Life Podcast this week. Chris and Daniel share their jiu jitsu experiences while training for the last six months and what it was like competing for the first time. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we talk with Liane Burchette, a purple belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Liane talks with us about training, life in the Navy, and training while deployed. We also talk about personal sacrifice with a career of military service and the difficulties of military life. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

Today we had a quick mini-cast with Elky Mijo about training and what has helped him in his jiu jitsu and his life. We hope you enjoy the conversation. 

A quick conversation with Big Los and Todd about the Flow Class and how it's helping our game. We hope you enjoy the shorter format in between longer interviews. 

This week we talked with Carly Drelleshak, a blue belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Carly shares a bit about her jiu jitsu journey and how the 75 Hard program has transformed her approach to setting goals and making changes in her life. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we talked with Jon Aasted, a blue belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Jon shares a bit about his background in law enforcement, the military, and battling cancer twice. Jon also talks about leaving jiu jitsu in 2018 and returning after a four year break. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we talked with Cody Guy! Cody is a blue belt training out of Excel in Oceanside and is a frequent visitor to open mat at North Coast. Cody is also an amateur boxer with Nevarez Boxing and has around fifteen fights under his belt. Cody has a wealth of information to share about his training and what makes him successful in boxing and jiu jitsu. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

Derek and I talked about how he found jiu jitsu and some wild times on the mat this week. Derek has cardio for days and can push his training partners to their cardio limits. He competes frequently and always hits the mats with intensity and intent. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Thanks 

This week we talked with Sean Fallon. If you are looking for a challenging and heavy round, look no further. Sean is one of the very first people I ever rolled with and helped introduce me to the world of jiu jitsu. He gives us his perspective on ego and how letting it go can help improve your game. We also talk about how some of the best rounds are flow rounds, where you get lots of movement and get into the flow state of mind. We hope you enjoy the conversation. 

This week we talked with Corey O'Keefe, a brown belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. I have known Corey since the beginning of my jiu jitsu journey, and he has been one of my training partners that has helped shape my game. Corey shares his story of getting started and insight on how to train in class and prepare for competition. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week we are talking with Texas Ben Rodriguez. He is a blue belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu in Vista, CA. He has been one of my training partners for the last year or so, and unfortunately, he will be leaving us and moving on to the next phase in his life and career on the East Coast. I'm glad we had the opportunity to sit down and talk about how his Jiu Jitsu game has evolved during his time with North Coast and his plan to restart training once he gets settled in at his new place. We hope you enjoy the show!

This week we talk with Shaun Skelton, a purple belt training out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Shaun takes some time to speak with us about his journey, his life, and his perspective on how we keep moving forward through hardship in life and on the mats. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode. We will see you on the mats!!! 

This week Charles and I talked about mindset, competition, and the benefits of jiu jitsu. We also spent much of our time talking about how helping others helps you. We hope you enjoy the conversation! 

Today we talk with No Gi Billy out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu about his years training and what keeps him on the mats. We had a great conversation about transitioning from belt to belt, diet, and training outside of jiu jitsu. We hope you enjoy the discussion! 

This week Jessie, Alma, and Carly talk about what it's like to train in a sport where the participants are typically men. They each talk about different challenges, how they overcame them, and offer their perspective on rolling with various opponents. We hope you enjoy the conversation! 

Today we talked to a few competitors from North Coast Jiu Jitsu about their matches at Jiu Jitsu World League Del Mar. It was great seeing the team compete and watching them put what we train to work on the mats! Just in case I didn't mention their names during the interview, the list is below! Interviews - 1) Tyler Moulton                            2) Derrick McCartney                            3) Amanda Rodriguez

We talked with Laurynn “Iron Butterfly” Garcia this week, who is just coming off a win via TKO at Epic 48. Laurynn is a brown belt training out of Excel Jiu Jitsu in Oceanside, and she is also a coach! We are fortunate to get Laurynn's perspective on training for jiu jitsu and MMA and talk about what is involved with getting ready for competition and fighting. We hope you enjoy the talk!Instagram - @ironbutterfly_mmaSponsors - @klash.supply.co 

This week we talked with Steve “Thunderbeast” Kozola about jiu jitsu, MMA, and the mindset of training. Steve stepped into the cage a total of seventeen times before retiring in 2020. Although he has retired, he's not finished. Steve is still involved in martial arts and jiu jitsu as a coach with Gracie Carlsbad and instructor at Kozola Combatives. We hope you enjoy the conversation about jiu jitsu!Instagram - @stevekozolamma Origin Maine discount code - Kozola10

After some time off due to a knee injury, Alma is getting back to training. We had a great conversation about the challenges life will throw at you and the community of jiu jitsu. We also find out some interesting facts about Alma's grappling background! From wrestling to rock climbing, Alma is about action and pushing her limits. We hope you enjoy the episode! 

Today we talked with Adam out of North Coast Jiu Jitsu. Adam has been one of my training partners for the last few years, and rolling with Adam brings unique challenges because of his sheer power and strength. He is also an avid weight lifter, and we talk about his training regimen and how he approaches working out and Jiu Jitsu. There's also some talk about Turkish oil wrestling and Shotokan Karate, we hope you enjoy the episode!