Ep. 333: Coaching for All Levels, feat. Nick Volpe

This week we're joined by Micah Brakefield! Micah holds dual BJJ black belts under Don Whitefield and Nabil Salameh, and is the head coach at 10th Planet Etobicoke. Micah joins us to discuss the importance of unorthodoxy and creativity in Jiu-Jitsu. Micah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micahbrakefield/ Micah’s Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/micahbrakefield/ Train with Micah at 10th Planet Etobicoke: https://10thplanetetobicoke.com/ Mental models discussed in this...

4 Juli 20221h 1min

This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki! Following up on a previous episode, Rob introduces Island Top Team's proprietary system for constraint-based training. He calls it "F**k Your Jiu-Jitsu," because he's Rob Biernacki, so of course he does. FYJJ has four categories: sweeping, passing, top control, and submission control. BJJ Concepts: https://bjjconcepts.net/ Rob on Instagram: https://instagram.com/islandtopteam/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Constra...

27 Juni 20221h 23min

This week we're joined by Robert Drysdale! Robert brings his extensive experience, both as an elite grappler and historian, to discuss the BJJ "generation gap" and how he's witnessed the art evolve. A really insightful conversation about the importance of history, the evolution of coaching, how rulesets have changed the sport, and fundamentals vs. trends. Opening Closed Guard - the book & film: https://www.closedguardfilm.com/ Robert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ro...

20 Juni 20221h 14min

This week we're joined again by Matt Kirtley! Matt, better known by his internet handle Aesopian, is a lead moderator on Reddit's /r/bjj and an instructor at Inverted Gear Academy. During the day, he's also a web development and search engine optimization (SEO) specialist. In this episode, Matt draws on his BJJ and SEO experience to share some website best practices for BJJ gyms. We talk about website hosting services, gym management software, email, digital security, hirin...

13 Juni 20221h 20min

This week we're joined by Brandon Mccaghren! Brandon is a 10th Planet black belt under Eddie Bravo and the head instructor at 10th Planet Decatur. In this episode, Brandon explains the concepts behind the rubber guard, how it integrates into a more conventional gameplan, and why we haven't seen much rubber guard success in high-level competition. Brandon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonmc.ninja/ Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren — BJJ Fanatics: https:...

6 Juni 202258min

This week we're joined by fan favorites Rob Biernacki & Stephan Kesting! Rob and Stephan's newest instructional, "BJJ for Old F***s," explains concepts and tactics for safe and effective Jiu-Jitsu as you age. We dig into their ideas in this episode. A great listen for older grapplers, or anyone concerned about maximizing safety and effectiveness. Get the instructional here: BJJ for Old F***s: How to Defeat the Younger, More Athletic Opponent By Rob Biernacki and Stepha...

30 Maj 20221h 26min

Just a heads up that this episode has almost nothing to do with Jiu-Jitsu, so if you want to skip it, I don't blame you. 🤣 In this bonus episode, philosophy enthusiast and grappling luminary Robert Degle joins us to make an in-depth defense of the Star Wars prequels. Robert makes the case that the Star Wars prequels are better than you remember, and may in fact be legitimately good movies. Robert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertdeglebjj/ Robert Degle BJJ Online: ht...

27 Maj 20221h 36min

This week, Andrew Wiltse from Daisy Fresh and Wiltse Bros BJJ joins us for a very raw and transparent conversation. For those not aware, Andrew recently experienced a manic episode and was diagnosed with dissociative disorder. He also recently launched the Gym Rat program, a charitable organization focused on sponsoring athletes in need. In this episode, Andrew talks extensively about his experiences with mania and dissociative disorder, the Gym Rat program, and how the comm...

23 Maj 202256min