The BJJ Fanatics Podcast - podcast cover

The BJJ Fanatics Podcast

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!
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Episodes

BJJ Fanatics 654: Murilo Mustamante

Living legend Murilo Bustamante joins the show to talk about his dedication to guiding the next generation of competitors and students. We discuss "old school" BJJ, creating pressure and surfing. Murilo also talks about learning to be patient as a coach.

Jun 17, 20251 hr 26 minEp. 654

BJJ Fanatics 655: Eric Silver

Eric Silver is one of the early Americans to study Jiu-Jitsu and one of the first to open a gym on the east coast. He talks about learning directly from Rickson Gracie, challenge matches, how to preserve energy as an older practitioner and Half Guard.

Jun 17, 20251 hr 20 minEp. 655

BJJ Fanatics 653: Brian Glick

Brian Glick returns to talk about the importance of strong communication skills as a teacher, the skill of simplifying complex concepts to make them more digestible and why he chose Judo over Wrestling for BJJ. He also breaks down escaping back control

May 20, 20251 hr 41 minEp. 653

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!

May 06, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 652

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!

Apr 15, 20251 hr 28 minEp. 651

BJJ Fanatics 650: Kurt Osiander

Kurt is back! He talks about his health, lifting weights, "old guy" Jiu-Jitsu and conspiracy theories. He also takes questions from listeners, which include dealing with people who fight dirty, dealing with gym drama, dumb tattoos and learning to teach.

Apr 01, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 650

BJJ Fanatics 649: Matt Castaneda

Matt Castaneda is a white belt who recently used Jiu-Jitsu he learned from BJJ Fanatics instructionals to defend himself and protect others from a violent attacker at his job. He shares the full story in detail!

Mar 17, 202556 minEp. 649

BJJ Fanatics 648: Anthony Budion

Anthony Budion shares his story of training with prominent UFC fighters and his years with the NYPD, NYFD and USAF. He also shares insight on growing a school. Other topics include pizza, the heavyweight rodents of NY and using the Crabride for counters!

Mar 03, 20251 hr 37 minEp. 648

BJJ Fanatics 647: Tom DeBlass

Tom DeBlass joins the show to talk about bullying, being consistent in training while battling depression, and some final thoughts on his recent debate about the Ecological approach in Jiu-Jitsu. He also gives some technical insight on Half Guard!

Feb 17, 202558 minEp. 647

BJJ Fanatics 646: Charles Harriott

Charles Harriott returns to talk etiquette when visiting another school, the pros and cons of running a tournament, advice for future promoters, knee bars and how growing up in Florida has prepared him to battle some of nature's most deadly creatures!

Feb 03, 20251 hr 40 minEp. 646

BJJ Fanatics 645: Neil Melanson

Neil Melanson returns to talk about attacking structures in grappling, funky gyms he's visited and the origin of the K Guard. He also shares the story of dying and coming back to life recently. Other topics include Bigfoot, Mothman and predatory birds

Jan 20, 20252 hr 9 minEp. 645

BJJ Fanatics 644: David Petrone

David Petrone joins the show to talk about the increasing physical intensity seen in competitive grappling. Clubbing collar ties, neck cranks, smother chokes, and the psychological warfare side of grappling are all discussed in this episode!

Jan 07, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 644

BJJ Fanatics 643: Roger Machado

Roger Machado joins the show to talk about the zen side of Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include ego-less training, mindful teaching and he explains how Yoga has had a dramatic impact not only on his body, but the way he approaches Jiu-Jitsu.

Dec 16, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 643

BJJ Fanatics 642: Tomer Alroy

Tomer Alroy returns to discuss competition strategy and tactics. He also shares how a well-prepared competition training room should feel very much like the actual competition so that the athlete is completely prepared. He also discusses the mental game

Dec 02, 20241 hr 39 minEp. 642

BJJ Fanatics 641: John Machado

John Machado joins the show to share his insights on what the "BJJ Lifestyle" means in modern times. He also shares stories from the old days in Rio De Janeiro as well as old stories from the early days in the US.

Nov 18, 20241 hr 31 minEp. 641

BJJ Fanatics 640: Robson Moura

Robson Moura returns to talk about the keys to remaining consistent on the mats, finding motivation to train later in life and he hints at a possible return to competition!

Nov 04, 20241 hr 28 minEp. 640

BJJ Fanatics 639: Kurt Osiander

Kurt is back! He gives an entertaining recap of the Olympics, ADCC and CJI. He also takes questions from listeners and talks metal bands, craziness in California and eating exotic animals.

Oct 21, 20241 hr 20 minEp. 639

BJJ Fanatics 638: Adele Fornarino

ADCC Champ Adele Fornarino joins the show to share her story! Topics include advice for smaller grapplers, managing distance, competitive personality types and steroids in women's Jiu-Jitsu. She also discusses Fortnite and dangerous Aussie wildlife!

Oct 15, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 638

BJJ Fanatics 637: Flavio Canto

Flavio Canto joins the show to talk about overcoming losses, competing on the Olympic stage, how he benefited from learning Jiu-Jitsu during his Judo career and developing the Canto Choke. He also talks about his social project "Instituto Reacao"

Sep 16, 20241 hr 35 minEp. 637

BJJ Fanatics 636: Joel Tudor

Joel Tudor returns to talk about recently getting his Judo black belt and how the art has changed his perspective on grappling. He also talks about balance and injury prevention.

Sep 02, 20241 hr 24 minEp. 636

BJJ Fanatics 635: Silverfox Pravec

Silverfox is back! In this episode we discuss injury prevention, selecting your rolls, being mindful of training partners and using the armbar to its full potential! He also talks about the importance of instructors having the ability to read the room.

Aug 26, 20241 hr 18 minEp. 635

BJJ Fanatics 634: Henry Akins

Henry Akins joins the show to talk about the importance of defense in your game. He covers several defensive categories and explains how ultimately, a solid defense allows you to be free in the way you express your Jiu-Jitsu.

Aug 19, 202456 minEp. 634

BJJ Fanatics 633: Travis Stevens

Travis Stevens returns to talk about the current state of American Judo, his thoughts on BJJ athletes crossing over to Judo competition and the pros and cons of tradition in martial arts. He also talks about mindset and assessing your skills honestly.

Aug 12, 20242 hr 35 minEp. 633

BJJ Fanatics 632: Shintaro Higashi

Shintaro Higashi joins the show to talk about applying Judo techniques in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. He also explains how to train safely and "trade wins" for optimal results. He also discusses how to break the linear learning cycle commonly seen in BJJ

Aug 05, 20241 hr 36 minEp. 632

BJJ Fanatgics 631: Fabio Gurgel

If you've ever considered opening your own gym, this episode is a must-listen! Master Fabio Gurgel shares knowledge he's collected from decades of running one of the largest teams in BJJ. He covers best practices, costs and income potential for gym owners

Jul 29, 20242 hr 20 minEp. 631

BJJ Fanatics podcast 630: Rigan Machado

Rigan Machado joins the show to talk about Old School Jiu-Jitsu, the importance of keeping up with modern trends in the art and Jiu-Jitsu in film choreography. He also talks about what he feels BJJ needs to do to reach more mainstream viewers.

Jul 22, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 630

BJJ Fanatics Podcast 629: Shawn Williams

Shawn Williams returns to talk about ADCC vs CJI, the standards of a black belt, overcoming self-doubt and developing sliding skills. He also covers effective coaching methods and dives deep on the body lock!

Jul 15, 20242 hr 10 minEp. 629

BJJ Fanatics 628: Adam Wardzinski

Adam Wardzinski joins the show fresh off his history-making World Championship. He talks about the lifestyle and work ethic it took to achieve this accomplishment and he gives advice to aspiring future champions. He also talks about the Octopus Guard!

Jul 08, 20241 hr 44 minEp. 628

BJJ Fanatics 627: Kurt Osiander

Kurt is back and in better shape than ever! He talks about lifting weights, setting up take downs, using swords in a street fight and CJI vs ADCC. He also takes questions from listeners and gives tips on fighting both wild animals and leg lockers!

Jul 01, 20241 hr 12 min

BJJ Fanatics 626: Paul Schreiner

Paul Schreiner joins the show to discuss the various methods that are being used to teach Jiu-Jitsu. He shares his thoughts on what has worked best for him and his students. We discuss the ecological approach and linear method and their differences

Jun 24, 20242 hr 15 minEp. 626
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