Adam Caplan is the host of Unanimous Decision Podcast & a certified boxing coach while Wesley Jensen is a Kyokushin Karate sensei, dojo owner, one of the hosts of KRT. The gang discusses the differences between Dutch, Thai, K1, Kyokushin martial arts styles, how they’re applicable & who uses/used them best in martial arts. Adam, Drew & Wesley break down who their favorite strikers are in K1, Kickboxing, MMA, Kyokushin to casual MMA talk. To connect with the individuals Adam is adamca...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 15 min
Shihan Itzik is Shihan of IFK Israel’s Kyokushin. Itzik spoke about how he discovered Kyokushin having knowledge and background in other martial arts before settling on Kyokushin. Itzik covers why it is challenging to keep adults competing in Kyokushin due to Israel’s political situation where returning practitioners train for themselves and not competition and solutions to build and sustain Israel’s Kyokushin success. The conversation takes a break from martial arts as Itzik discusses Israel, J...
Apr 02, 2021•52 min
Rob Rivest is the coach in charge of the amateur development in Tristar MMA. Rob spoke about discovering martial arts through anime and how he moved from Ontario to Quebec finding Muay Thai becoming obsessed with martial arts in training and competing. Rob details his philosophy of coaching and why it is important to always be present in training. Rob breaks down which fighters got him into MMA and why he loves what he does. To connect with Rob he is on IG Ninjarobmtl Rob Rivest on FB. Spotify: ...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 15 min
Cory Schafer is President of ISKA & Bellator MMA's Director of Regulatory Affairs. Cory spoke about him why to take martial arts and meeting Scott Coker the founder of Strikeforce MMA, current Promoter of Bellator MMA. Cory details the negotiating process for sanctioning combat sports events. Cory spoke about the plan to get kickboxing legalized and how ISKA is helping aim to raise the bar for martial arts and kickboxing internationally. To connect with Cory he is on iskaworldhq.com Spotify:...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 9 min
The pride of Israel David Alverdian came on to talk about his boxing career. David spoke about how his parents met immigrating to Israel to provide a better life for themselves. David speaks about his most memorable tournaments in amateurs to how he became professional and what his current goals are to become champion as he builds his resume in his journey for greatness. To connect with David: IG: David_Alverdian Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NQiaeQf1aJo2JQHgyGqnz?si=4513755fc91545b2 A...
Apr 02, 2021•29 min
Ali Reza is a podcast host from Ali on the Street who talks about daily events in Canada he experiences Ali spoke about moving to Canada from Iran to going into mob stories about what he thinks of former mobsters giving stories to how there are too many social media platforms to people needing to get back to work as this pandemic has made many too sensitive with woke culture ruining sports. To connect with Ali his podcast is Ali on the Street on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, alionthestreet on IG....
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 28 min
David "The Crow" Loiseau is Quebec's pioneer in mixed-martial-arts. David spoke about his come-up during the Wild West Days of mixed-martial-arts experiencing the explosion of the sport n 2005 with TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) fighting for the title in 2006 helping grow the sport North of the Amerian Border. David also spoke about how he parlayed his fighting career into entrepreneurship becoming a successful gym owner for Crow MMA stressing the importance of surrounding yourself with good people ...
Apr 02, 2021•50 min
Jeremy Rubin is an entrepreneur who is also the general manager of Tristar MMA. Jeremy spoke about the work ethic that helped him in Judo to finding other projects in helping Montreal's special needs community to create inclusion for all sports & martial arts. Jeremy spoke about MMA history in Quebec highlighting his most memorable moments and how he used these opportunities to create memorable experiences & parlaying them into new business projects & relationships. To connect with J...
Mar 09, 2021•1 hr 43 min
Shihan Pierre Cataford is the branch chief of IKO Nakamura Canada who came on to detail how he discovered martial arts eventually landing on Kyokushin Karate which led to 47 years of practicing, 37 years of teaching. Pierre stressed the importance of being a good human through martial arts regardless of belt rank to experiencing how Quebec, Canada became a powerhouse in martial arts in kickboxing & Kyokushin. Shihan Cataford spoke about his role in IKO Nakamura and how he hopes to work with ...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 40 min
Nikita Kovalev is a junior professional hockey player who played for MHK Atlant Mytishchi in the MHL & currently the Danburry Jr. Hat Tricks in the NA3HL. Nikita spoke about learning hockey under his dad Russian superstar Alexei Kovalev growing up in Montreal, Quebec. Nikita spoke about his experience in martial arts training in kickboxing & Taekwondo to work on mobility. Nikita detailed what he learned from playing in Russia with the Russian training methods. Nikita outlines his goals f...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Angry Monkey MMA owner Justin Etheridge & decorated martial arts teacher Chris Shawbell from California came on to discuss how the AAMQ began during the pandemic & why martial arts are and should be deemed essential. Justin & Chris detailed what the AAMQ has done to date giving all martial arts schools regardless of discipline a voice to have them re-opened so owners can make a steady livelihood to grow and excel at their craft. Chris spoke about how martial arts through hard trainin...
Feb 21, 2021•1 hr 33 min
From representing “Smokin’” Joe Frazier during Boxing’s Heyday, meeting then Zuffa heads the Fretittas & Dana White helping build the UFC into the juggernaut it is, becoming director of Alliance MMA Fighter relations, to battling his biggest battle with colon cancer & starting his own promotion Burt Watson has seen it all. Burt dove into how he got into combat sports, detailing most memorable moments and how he is most proud to use his platform to raise awareness for cancer and the impor...
Feb 19, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Melanie Shernofsky is a personal trainer and part-owner of Orangetheory Fitness in NDG, Quebec. Melanie spoke about how she got into personal training, building her brand/craft. Melanie went into how she became a part-owner of Orangetheory with the goals of 2020 before the pandemic hit. Melanie went into how her gym and many others did everything in their power to make a clean and safe environment to train with all the guidelines. Melanie outlines how she thinks re-openings will happen and how O...
Feb 16, 2021•49 min
Andrew Guerrieri is a pilot to talk about how the pandemic has affected the airline industry and why the travel industry needs more help from the government. The conversation went into how the government has basically neglected the airline industry workers from pilots to baggage check as hard-working Canadians in this sector have lost their livelihoods to no fault of their own while being once considered essential making sure Canadians came back home safely. Andrew educates on how the government...
Feb 16, 2021•1 hr 13 min
WCA Commentator, podcaster of In Between Rounds & Two & a Half Fighters Emilio Greco came on to talk about his comeback fight in kickboxing while discussing his preparation. Emilio also broke down the latest UFC on how Usman vs. Burns would go. Emilio also spoke about some fights we wish to watch as fans and the most memorable guests we have had on our shows. To connect with Emilio he is on Instagram under millzgrecz. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NQiaeQf1aJo2JQHgyGqnz?si=45137...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Quebec’s own Sensei Marc Pronovost came on telling his story how he went from hockey to finding martial arts in Kyokushin Karate becoming one of the most crafty competitors of his era. Marc detailed how he sees himself as a teacher and it is about creating community in Kyokushin to see everybody growing to achieve their life potential. The conversation took a deeper route when Marc detailed his battle with cancer and why it is important to seek attention immediately when noticing pains, bumps be...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 52 min
Nima Safapour founder of Moments Management came on to discuss taking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu having the chance to meet the Gracies to becoming a pro-fighter manager by chance representing legends such as Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko, Anthony Hardonik, Alex Gustafsson, Pannie Kianzad, Gegard Mousasi, Costello Van Steenis. Nima spoke about the early days of being a manager growing his firm and how a manager should represent in the fight business. The conversation turned into talking about ho...
Feb 12, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Vic Theriault is one of Quebec Combat Sports' most pivotal figures. Vic spoke about finding martial arts with his brother Jean Yves “Iceman” Theriault in youth parlaying it in competitions in Ontario and then coming to Quebec after Ontario’s boxing commission banned kickboxing due to rising popularity. Vic explained how he turned Quebec into a hotspot for combat sports in kickboxing by bringing the first mixed martial arts event into Canada with the outcome being straight out of a movie to being...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Kyokushin lightweight women’s Champion & Dr. Kimm Carriere (as of Thursday!) Kimm Carriere is one of Canada’s most accomplished female martial artists in Kyokushin under ShinKyokushin. Kimm discusses how she discovered Kyokushin style Karate under Shihan John. The conversation not only covers martial arts but mental health as mental illness has spiked during the second lockdown. Kimm expresses her thoughts on the current mental health crisis and the lack of preventative measures put in place...
Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 24 min
Shihan Felix Ntumazah came on the show to tell his story of finding out about Kyokushin in the UK after being on the constant move with his parents. Felix's story is what defines perseverance in facing challenges and creating opportunities from obstacles to grow and succeed. The conversation went into Felix's fighting career, what he felt made him the most dominant competitor of his era, and how he breaks down fighting in what makes a fighter successful to his most memorable fights. We ended the...
Feb 07, 2021•1 hr 37 min
Vincent Michaud is a heavyweight champion of Kyokushin from Quebec Canada. Vincent detailed his Kyokushin journey becoming one of Canada & Quebec’s champions for the art in competition nationally and internationally. Vincent announced independence from his dojo as he explores other ventures in martial arts and becoming a consultant for the association of martial arts clubs, dojos in Quebec arguing why martial arts dojos are an essential service and what he hopes to accomplish with this and o...
Feb 06, 2021•1 hr 49 min
Rene Stigter is a sensei in Ashihara Karate which is an offshoot of Kyokushin in the full contact Karate sphere. Rene speaks about what differentiates Ashihara from Kyokushin breaking down the Sabaki philosophy. Rene detailed some of his most memorable competitions detailing how the visibility of full-contact karate was in the pre-internet era vs. the internet age. The conversation took a turn where we spoke about where Rene discussed how Ashihara Karate has helped him become a better person in ...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Melissa Masella is a certified real estate broker who trains in mixed martial arts. Mel spoke about what got her into sports to then transitioning into martial arts in kickboxing, boxing before finding mixed martial arts at Sherbatov MMA & Tristar. Mel broke down how taking up Brazilian Jiujitsu awoke her endless appetite to understand martial arts as a whole. Melissa broke down the keys to financial freedom as professionals can go broke fast if they do not have a plan to invest, keep their ...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Senseis' Darren Stringer & Wesley Jansen came on to talk about their platform Karate Tips & Tricks bringing Kyokushin Karate & other striking martial arts together. We spoke about how KRT was born and took off during the lockdown. The conversation evolved how Kyokushin can improve with bending some traditions to modernize, fights people should watch from history among other epic stories. To connect with Wesley & Darren on FB Darren Stringer, Wesley Jansen. IG wesjeee90 stringerd1...
Jan 30, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Yannick Reynaud is a Karateka practitioner in both Shotokan and Kyokushin styles. Yannick details his story born in France starting Shotokan Karate with his brothers and father before coming to Quebec Canada to launch his business Reyjin Sport a brand of technical products based on martial arts values. Yannick emphasized how important it is to keep an open mind not only learning one discipline but multiple disciplines to learn new skills to realize the human potential in all facets of life. Yann...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Sensei Mikhail "Misha" Zimerman came on to detail his life and career in Kyokushin Karate. Misha spoke about finding martial arts in Soviet Russia when it was underground being illegal to learning Kyokushin when it became legal in the mid-1980s until emigrating to Israel and then Australia continuing to train until finally arriving in Quebec, Canada finding Shihan Geatan Suave who helped mold Misha into the greatest lightweight of Kyokushin in North America. Misha broke down his most memorable f...
Jan 23, 2021•1 hr 56 min
Version Franciase Shihan Jacques Dupont de Seibukai Karate est la première interview en français. Shihan Dupont a discuté de ce qui l'a amené à pratiquer le karaté Kyokushin en expliquant la richesse de la communauté Kyokushin du Québec. Drew et Shihan Dupont ont discuté de l'importance d'être un apprenant à vie ayant une mentalité de ceinture blanche en apprenant de nouvelles compétences, langues et philosophies. Pour se connecter avec Shihan Dupont, les plates-formes sont: http://karatedupont....
Jan 22, 2021•54 min
Australia's own Sensei Pat Pinto Made his debut. Pat gave a detailed history about Australasia's rich martial arts history specifically on striking arts in various karate styles to Thai kickboxing. Other areas discussed was on when you find your "Why?" whether in martial arts, business & life. Pat went into why Kyokushin has not evolved and modernized as it should in the 21st century offering solutions to help bring awareness to the art for modernizing and globalizing. Pat also revealed what...
Jan 20, 2021•50 min
The Drewsperience takes a trip to the United Kingdom (not literally) to host Sensei Darren Stringer of Budo Kyokushinkai and co-owner of Karate Tips & Tricks. Darren details his martial arts journey finding Kyokushin Karate at the Crystal Palace & then Judo to compliment his Kyokushin base. Darren detailed which tournaments stood out the most to him and why his 2005 All-Tournament win has the most meaning and what we can take away from life lessons when we are hit with obstacles. Darren ...
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 17 min
The fans asked the fans got what they asked for. Justin Mancini made his long-awaited appearance to talk everything about combat sports. The highlight point was giving shoutouts to a majority of people in the Montreal combat sports scene during these crazy times. Justin also discussed how he and his family have kept active with the hope of competing again. To connect with Justin on social media his handles are justin_mancini_ and Justin Melissa Mancini on Facebook. Spotify: https://open.spotify....
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 40 min
