The Shintaro Higashi Show - podcast cover

The Shintaro Higashi Show

Shintaro Higashishintarohigashi.com
Welcome to The Shintaro Higashi Show, where martial arts, life, and business collide. Hosted by Shintaro Higashi—Judo and BJJ black belt, former world-level competitor, and lifelong grappler (wrestling and sambo)—this podcast dives into training, competition, coaching, and life on and off the mats. Expect deep dives into technique, strategy, and mindset, plus unfiltered takes on the martial arts world. Whether you're a competitor, coach, or just a fan of combat sports, this show has something for you!
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Episodes

Diet for Grappling

Diet is an important part of any sport, but it is especially so for grappling sports like Judo, BJJ and wrestling. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss what their philosophies are on diet and how they approach it in their everyday lives. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jun 21, 202129 min

Private Lessons

Most Judoka participate in Judo in group settings, but some utilize private lessons. Are private lessons useful? How should we approach them? Shintaro gives his perspective based on his experience as a student and a teacher in private lessons. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jun 14, 202133 min

Kata

What is Kata? Why is it controversial? How can it be beneficial to our Judo journey? Shintaro and Peter discuss how we should approach Kata as we practice Judo. Just a bit of an ad to support Peter's family: please check out Peter's mother-in-law's handmade bucket hats ! Perfect for this summer! Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!...

Jun 07, 202135 min

Importance of Precursor Skills

A perfect Ippon throw doesn't exist in a vacuum-- it needs to follow "precursor skills." Shintaro and Peter discuss what exactly these precursor skills are and how we can learn them effectively. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

May 31, 202144 min

The Belt System

Since being introduced by the founder of Judo Jigoro Kano, the belt system has been an important part of virtually all martial arts. How did it come about, and how should we approach it? Shintaro and Peter discuss various aspects of the belt system to provide a balanced view on it. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

May 24, 202144 min

Guide to Shintaro's Videos

Shintaro has produced a number of Judo videos over the years, and it may be challenging for people to navigate through them. In this episode, Shintaro gives a short guide to his videos from the technique-specific YouTube videos to the curriculum-based instructional videos. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

May 18, 202133 min

Dojo Reopening Updates

The pandemic situation in New York City is finally getting better thanks to the successful vaccine rollout, and Shintaro can finally reopen his dojos to more students. In this episode, Shintaro tells Peter how his reopening efforts have been going and how excited he is to see students back on the mat. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

May 10, 202135 min

2021 USA Judo Youth National Championships

Shintaro recently went to the 2021 USA Judo Youth National Championships in Salt Lake City with one of his students Luka. It was a great event where he could catch up with his old Judo friends, and check the current status of US Judo, as well as its future. In this episode, Shintaro tells Peter what his experience was like at the Youth Nationals. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!...

May 03, 202131 min

Q&A with Shintaro - How to Reach Out and Retain Students

One of the key elements of the success of Shintaro's gyms, KBI and Kano in Manhattan, is his success in reaching out and retaining students. In this episode, he goes into detail about how he did it and offers advice to other dojos. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Apr 26, 202156 min

Fitness for Grappling

Fitness and grappling go hand in hand. Being fit will make you a better grappler, and being a better grappler will make you fit. In this episode, Shintaro discusses some of his philosophies and routines he has about fitness for grappling with Peter. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Apr 19, 202156 min

Sensei

Shintaro has had many sensei throughout his long Judo career, from his father to Jimmy Pedro. As a sensei himself now, he reflects back to all the influences his sensei have had on him as a Judoka, as well as a human being. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Apr 12, 20211 hr 3 min

Heart-to-Heart With Shintaro

In Peter's absence due to his busy schedule, Shintaro goes solo and talks about vulnerable moments in his Judo career: when he was outclassed by a competitor, when he wanted to quit and when students inspired him. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Apr 05, 202141 min

Shintaro's BJJ Journey

As a true martial artist, Shintaro has never shied away from other martial arts, especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He's been at the center of the New York BJJ scene, training with the likes of the Gracies, John Danaher, Bernardo Faria, Brian Glick and many others. In this episode, Shintaro talks about how he started BJJ as a Judoka, and the impact his BJJ journey had on his life. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!...

Mar 30, 202156 min

Developing Your Own Judo

Everyone has his/her own Judo journey, and it's important to develop your "own Judo" to be more successful and, most importantly, have fun. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about how one can develop his/her own Judo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Mar 22, 202157 min

How to Learn Judo Online

Utilizing online content to learn Judo is becoming increasingly popular. As with anything online, it's important to filter out "noise" and consume only the good content. Shintaro and Peter talk about some of the strategies you can use to pick out good online Judo content and integrate it effectively into your daily training. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!...

Mar 15, 202153 min

How to Be a Better Grappler

What does it mean to be a better grappler? How does one become a better grappler? Is it about strength? Techniques? Toughness? Shintaro and Peter discuss these questions in depth. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Mar 08, 202155 min

Dojo Etiquette

Shintaro and Peter talk about important etiquette that needs to be followed around the dojo. The dojo is a place where people with all kinds of background and skill level come together to practice Judo, and it can be confusing for some to navigate through the complex social interaction. However, it is important to keep the dojo etiquette in mind and follow it so that everyone can feel safe and have fun while practicing Judo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shinta...

Mar 01, 20211 hr 1 min

The Leg Grab Ban

The infamous leg grab ban! Introduced in 2010, it is by far the biggest and most controversial rule change ever introduced to Judo. Are Shintaro and Peter for it, or against it? Listen in to find out! Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Feb 22, 202156 min

Stories from Judo Training Days

Shintaro has been training in Judo his whole life, all over the world. Some of the places he's trained are NYC, Japan and Massachusetts. He has so many interesting stories from his Judo training days, from his experience as a high schooler in Japan to training with Olympic champions like Kayla Harris and Travis Stevens in Massachusetts, and he shares some of them with Peter in this episode. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!...

Feb 15, 202158 min

The Business of Martial Arts

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about the business of martial arts-- how to make money doing martial arts! Shintaro has a wealth of experience from running successful Judo clubs in Manhattan, growing his YouTube channel, and graduating from NYU Stern business school. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Feb 08, 20211 hr

Who Is Peter Yu?

In this episode, Shintaro interviews Peter! They talk about how they met, how Peter started Judo, and what he does outside of Judo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Feb 01, 20211 hr 1 min

Judo Strategies

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about Judo strategies-- grip strategies, combinations, newaza transitions and many more! Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jan 25, 20211 hr 11 min

How to Make It in Judo

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about how to "make it" in Judo. It is important to remember that there are many ways in which one can succeed in Judo. It really depends on what Judo means to you. Is it a hobby, an educational tool, or even a career as a competitor? Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jan 18, 20211 hr 15 min

Judo Styles around the World

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter talk about different styles of Judo practiced around the world. As a global sport, Judo is practiced in many different countries, and each has a unique culture and history. It is fascinating to see how each country has developed its own unique style of Judo. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jan 12, 202152 min

History of Kokushi Budo Institute

In this episode, Shintaro recounts the history of his dojo, Kokushi Budo Institute, and tells a fascinating story about the Higashi Family and the American Dream that spans decades from war-torn Japan to the bustling streets of New York City. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Jan 04, 202157 min

Talking Physical Therapy with Emil Berengut

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Emil Berengut, a senior physical therapist at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC, to talk about the discipline of physical therapy, injuries treatment and prevention, and effective training methods. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Dec 22, 20201 hr 19 min

Judo in Self-defense

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter tackle the age-old question: Is Judo good for self-defense? Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Dec 14, 20201 hr 8 min

Mattia Galbiati

In this episode, Shintaro talks to the bronze medalist of the World Sambo Championships and an old friend, Mattia Galbiati. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Dec 07, 20201 hr 15 min

Japanese Technique Names

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss the pros and cons of using Japanese technique names in Judo and other martial arts. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Dec 03, 202052 min

Talking Judo with Travis Stevens

In this episode, Shintaro talks with his old friend, Rio 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist Travis Stevens. Please support us on Patreon if you can: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show . Any amount helps!

Nov 30, 20202 hr 22 min
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