BJJ Balance
BJJ Balance
Kenneth Wilson & Mat Veiga
Welcome to "BJJ Balance," your ultimate guide to mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and conquering life's challenges! Join hosts Black Belt Matt Veiga and Purple Belt Kenny Wilson for hilarious, insightful talks on balancing BJJ expertise with daily life. Episodes feature the black belt sharing cutting-edge BJJ techniques, while the purple belt adds relatable perspectives and funny anecdotes. Special guests, interviews, and entertaining stories promise inspiration.
Episode 144 - Craig Jones’ Jiu-Jitsu Resort, Health Scares & Big Guys Avoiding Hard Rounds
Episode 144 of BJJ Balance starts with Fourth of July chaos, AI photo edits, old-school road trip memories, Game Gear nostalgia, e-bikes, childhood stories, and the kind of random tangents only this podcast can produce.Then the boys get into Craig Jones potentially building a jiu-jitsu destination in Mexico, whether it could become a BJJ retreat-style hub, what that might mean for CJI, and why now might be the perfect time to finally get Craig Jones on the podcast.The episode also gets serious for a bit as Kenny talks about a recent health scare, what it felt like for the people around him, the reminder to appreciate family and the life you already have, and the nerves that can come with returning to jiu-jitsu after something scary happens.From there, the listener questions take over: big guys avoiding other big guys, why smaller grapplers may have a harder road to black belt, calling out tough rounds, Gordon Ryan vs Kron Gracie in MMA, why the teepee choke and gogoplata comments are getting out of control, flow rolling, purple belts giving stripes, knee on belly escapes, traditional jiu-jitsu warmups, and more.This one has everything: comedy, jiu-jitsu debates, life perspective, Craig Jones talk, Gordon Ryan talk, listener questions, and classic BJJ Balance chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
Jul 7
1 hr 18 min
Episode 143 - Fake Glory in Jiu-Jitsu
In Episode 143 of BJJ Balance, Kenny and Matt open with one of the most important questions in modern jiu-jitsu:How long are you allowed to wear your medal after winning a tournament?From there, the conversation goes exactly where you’d expect — gi vs no-gi, why Matt is officially “gi till I die,” Kick livestream plans, Craig Jones being back around the B-Team, ADCC/CJI rumors, internet criticism, Dana White on the mats with shoes, Sean Strickland being Sean Strickland, gym drama, relationships inside jiu-jitsu schools, fake glory from empty brackets, and why the respect of your training room matters more than social media followers.This one gets wild, honest, uncomfortable, and very BJJ Balance.Follow us on all socials and subscribe for more jiu-jitsu talk, podcast chaos, and weekly episodes.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
Jun 30
1 hr 5 min
Episode 142 - What the World Cup and Jiu-Jitsu Have in Common
This week on BJJ Balance, Matt and Kenny start with the World Cup and somehow turn it into one of the most honest conversations about culture, America, jiu-jitsu, and why people are not as divided as the internet wants us to believe.The guys talk about how the World Cup brings countries together, how jiu-jitsu does the same thing inside the gym, and why shared struggle can break down walls between people from completely different backgrounds.Then the episode goes exactly where you’d expect: action movie legends, old video stores, N64 GoldenEye, magician riz, Father’s Day strategy, marriage, listener questions, wives training jiu-jitsu, beginner classes, live sparring, cutting weight, competing as a master, what it really means to be a world champion, and the emotion of watching someone receive their black belt.This one has jokes, real talk, BJJ advice, and a lot of chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
Jun 23
1 hr 8 min
Episode 141 - Purple Belt Pop Quiz: Pressure, Promotions & Surviving Giants
Episode 141 is a full BJJ Balance chaos session. Kenny and Matt talk purple belt promotions, what separates purple belts from brown belts, how to slow your game down, surviving huge training partners, tournament horror stories, pressure passing, half guard, and why jiu-jitsu always makes you feel better even on a bad day. Plus NBA referee rants, podcast growth talk, sponsor jokes, and Matt explaining why some sports are sports and some are just skills.Sponsored by Optiva WellnessUse code BJJBalance10 at checkout.Follow BJJ Balance everywhere: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, and Discord.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesdBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
Jun 16
1 hr 2 min
Episode 140 - Ready to Bet on Myself
This week on BJJ Balance, we dive into something bigger than jiu-jitsu.Mat opens up about hitting a point in life where being comfortable isn't enough anymore. With a great family, a successful career, and a growing podcast, why does the desire for more keep getting louder?We talk about taking calculated risks, building something meaningful, finding the right people to grow with, and why chasing your potential becomes harder to ignore as you get older.We also answer listener questions on:When to move on from techniques that aren't workingLetting your blue belts "eat"Why wrestlers often progress faster than hobbyistsCommon mistakes that stall jiu-jitsu growthInjuries at purple beltTRT, recovery, and supplementsSocial media drama in the BJJ worldWhy giving your training partners credit mattersPlus, Kenny gets roasted once again.If you've ever felt like you're capable of more, this episode is for you.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
Jun 9
1 hr 13 min
Episode 139 - Why Competing Changed Everything Again
This week the boys break down a wild IBJJF competition experience, lessons learned from taking an L, why the pressure of competing is addictive, belt promotions, gym culture, patches on gis, building leaders through jiu-jitsu, and the future of the sport.They also dive into Craig Jones speculation, CJI talk, UFC BJJ, promotion standards, and why blue belt is just the beginning. Plus: steroid jokes, giant ultra-heavies, rash guards, music playlists, and the usual chaos.
Jun 2
1 hr 19 min
Episode 138 - The UFC BJJ Era Has Officially Begun
This episode of After The Roll goes completely off the rails.The boys break down the rise of UFC BJJ, whether the promotion is actually good for jiu-jitsu, and why fighters are chasing the UFC name. They also dive deep into Mikey Musumeci’s role as the face of UFC BJJ, why some fans love him, and why others think the “cringe” factor is hurting the sport.Then things spiral into:A2 gi slandertournament prepBloodsport appreciationbelt tying etiquettebathroom horror storiesTaco Bell debatesjiu-jitsu gym cultureand some of the wildest analogies ever said on this podcastClassic BJJ Balance: equal parts jiu-jitsu discussion, comedy, chaos, and absolute nonsense.Topics include:UFC BJJ & the future of grapplingMikey Musumeci controversyPGF vs UFC BJJBloodsport & martial arts moviesTournament mindsetA2 gi jokesBelt promotion etiquetteGrapple App discussionJiu-jitsu cultureBathroom & Taco Bell stories#BJJBalance #UFCBJJ #MikeyMusumeci #JiuJitsu #BJJPodcast #AfterTheRoll #PGF #CraigJones #Grappling #BloodsportPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
May 26
1 hr 13 min
Episode 137 - The Anti-Hero of Jiu-Jitsu? Shawn Melanson Gets REAL About PGF, Sponsors & Competition
Shawn Melanson joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern jiu-jitsu. We dive deep into the PGF season, the Phenom team controversy, social media strategy in BJJ, building a personal brand, BJJ Fanatics instructionals, competition culture, gym ownership, training philosophies, and why Sean believes most athletes are leaving money and opportunities on the table.Shawn talks about being underestimated during the PGF draft, using controversy to build storylines, the realities of sponsorships in jiu-jitsu, why social media matters more than titles for most athletes, and how he built a loyal following by being authentic online.We also get into old-school pressure passing, knee slice passing, route drags, competition training, hobbyist gyms vs competition gyms, coaching women in jiu-jitsu, seminars, building a gym culture, and the future of the PGF.If you’re into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no-gi grappling, BJJ culture, PGF, CJI, ADCC, gym ownership, instructionals, or social media growth for athletes — this episode is packed.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #NoGi #PGF #shawnmelanson #BJJFanatics #Grappling #BrazilianJiuJitsu #ADCC #CJI #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuLife #BJJTraining #MMA #SubmissionGrapplingPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
May 19
1 hr 29 min
Episode 136 - Fake Belts, Gauntlets & BJJ Culture Wars
This episode of BJJ Balance After The Roll gets HEATED.Matt returns from Vegas with stories about Morgan Wallen, gambling losses, and expensive concerts before the conversation completely shifts into one of the most passionate jiu-jitsu debates we’ve had yet.The guys dive deep into:Are jiu-jitsu belts getting watered down?Should “gym belts” be held to the same standard as competitors?Attendance-based promotions in BJJOld-school gauntlets & shark tanksFake belts and gym politicsWhy difficult training creates stronger teamsSean Strickland vs Khamzat predictionsOpen mats, competition mentality & proving yourselfThis episode is funny, chaotic, brutally honest, and packed with strong opinions about the current state of jiu-jitsu culture. If you love raw BJJ conversations and uncensored gym talk, this one is for you.Subscribe for weekly episodes covering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, UFC, grappling culture, competition mindset, gym stories, and listener questions.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MMA #UFC #SeanStrickland #KhamzatChimaev #BJJPodcast #NoGi #Grappling #IBJJF #BJJBalancePlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
May 12
1 hr 2 min
Episode 135 - The Truth About BJJ Belts, Progress & Reality
In this solo episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny goes off-script and lets the audience run the show.From belt progression and imposter syndrome to dealing with wrestlers, shark tanks, and the realities of training—this episode is raw, honest, and unfiltered.This is one of the most real conversations about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—covering the struggles, mindset, and lessons that every grappler goes through.Whether you're a white belt, blue belt, or beyond… this one will hit.🔥 Topics Covered:Kenny’s journey into jiu-jitsuThe truth about the BJJ belt systemImposter syndrome at blue beltHow to deal with wrestlers in classGuard development & weaknessesShark tank & belt testing cultureMusic, lifestyle & training mindsetPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj
May 5
1 hr 18 min
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