Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Juanta "Tater" Wolf to discuss building a jiu jitsu life and academy while balancing family and community. Pete shares updates on the My Jiu Jitsu Journey app (including a new weight-loss component) and invites gym owners to carry Submission Coffee. Juanta explains that before jiu jitsu he focused on painting and murals, describing his style as therapeutic, abstract "Afro Cubism," and connects that improvisational approach to how he rolls and avoids rigid game plans. He credits becoming a father as the turning point that moved him from hobbyist to daily coach and eventual owner, bringing his son to the academy since four months old. Juanta recounts how he found his first gym through a graffiti painting encounter with coach Aaron, emphasizing serious training paired with fun, welcoming culture, and he shares his love of competition, a memorable injury match win, and a student moment when his cousin's daughter showcased jiu jitsu at a school talent show. He closes with where to follow Prairie Wolf Jujitsu online.   00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:32 Meet Professor Juanta 02:38 Art Before Jiu Jitsu 03:54 Flow State Training 05:25 Fatherhood and Ownership 09:26 Finding the First Gym 11:40 Building a Fun Culture 13:34 Why Compete 17:09 Injury and Breakthrough Win 20:07 Student Impact Story 22:05 Tater Man Nickname 22:42 Where to Follow and Farewell

Change, Initiation, and Jiu Jitsu as a Modern Mystery with Professor Jason Hawkins The host of The Jiu Jitsu Mindset welcomes Professor Jason Hawkins, promotes the My Jiu Jitsu Journey app's new weight-loss component, and mentions Submission Coffee's wholesale program for gym owners. They discuss change as deep transformation rather than habit tweaks, framing growth as transmuting suffering into consciousness and using a marathon "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" story plus the Yoga Sutras' "now" as a call to seriousness when ordinary coping fails. They explore initiation as guided "death, burial, resurrection," historically tied to near-death clarity, with compassion distinguishing it from abuse, and note women are "initiated by nature" while men often need imposed rites. They relate initiation to martial arts as modern mystery schools: sacred space, gi/belt symbolism, told-shown-done learning, humility, trust, and moving from technique to principle and "no habit." They cover Nietzsche's camel-lion-child, three paths (hardship, self-study, surrender), boredom as a gatekeeper, devotion vs outcome-seeking, and responsibility as the warrior ethic.   00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:08 Meet Jason Hawkins 01:50 Why People Change 03:04 Pain vs Suffering Story 03:59 Yoga Sutras and Now 06:02 Transformation Not Habits 10:02 Gross to Subtle Path 13:32 What Is Initiation Today 16:35 Near Death and Rites 21:59 Pete's Grandfather Lesson 25:57 Mysteries and Three Steps 31:27 Nietzsche Camel Lion Child 36:21 Iron John Colors and Jiu Jitsu 38:22 Pick Your Moment 38:33 No Habit Mastery 38:46 Rolling With My Son 40:33 Skill Stages Explained 42:01 Mystery School Question 45:05 Sacred Space Rituals 48:13 False Danger Real Growth 52:00 Practice Reverence Discipline 54:16 Warrior Responsibility 01:01:03 Mystery Cannot Be Told 01:04:03 Miracles And Attention 01:05:57 Boredom Gatekeeper 01:08:16 Devotion Over Discipline 01:11:50 Closing Reflections

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Coach Levi Frank to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset, shares updates on Submission Coffee sponsoring the Momentum Martial Arts Competition Team and the ad-free My Jiu Jitsu Journey app, then explores how martial arts transformed Levi's life. Levi explains he lacked confidence before MMA/jiu-jitsu and was influenced by watching UFC, school bullying, and a difficult relationship with his older brother. He credits Professor Darian Cobon with changing his worldview and mindset, replacing false security with confidence built from training and work, helping him calm overthinking and improve daily life. Levi argues competition is necessary because it tests training and changes people mentally regardless of outcome. He recounts a memorable amateur MMA TKO against a striker, following Darian's guidance to secure mount and finish with ground-and-pound. Levi also describes the impact of teaching kids and seeing dramatic confidence and life changes in students, and jokingly adopts the nickname "Super Billy Gilly" for his love of the guillotine.   00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 01:14 Life Without Martial Arts 02:39 Bullying and Early Motivation 04:03 Coach Darian Mindset Shift 05:26 Confidence Beyond the Mats 08:55 Why Competition Matters 11:43 Most Memorable MMA Fight 14:35 Ring vs Schoolyard Violence 18:39 Teaching Kids and Raising Lions 21:21 Gym Transformations and Wins 23:54 Super Billy Gilly Name 24:39 Closing and Next Meetup

Host Pete Deeley welcomes back Professor Kenny Kim to discuss when martial arts became a lifelong path for him, starting at age four or five and realizing by high school he wanted a future in martial arts. Kim shares how training helped him overcome racism, bullying, and childhood shyness by building confidence and a desire to lead and teach, even while competing. He describes a major period of disillusionment in his late 20s/early 30s: business stress from running an academy since age 20–21, debt around $100,000, selling his academy for $100,000 to reset, briefly pursuing home inspection and then thriving as a personal trainer before returning to open a new school in 2006. Kim credits close teammates and world champions for shaping him and emphasizes humility, aging as a privilege, and giving back. He also previews Mat Made's expansion: matmade.com now hosts short stories and a large U.S. jiu-jitsu directory with 7,000+ listings and a rebooted, raw vlog-style academy-visit series.   00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 00:58 Kenny Kim Returns 01:48 Martial Arts Beginnings 03:47 Confidence Through Training 06:01 Competitor to Teacher 07:53 Burnout and Debt Spiral 11:39 Starting Over in 2006 14:53 Hustle and Self Learning 16:51 Brothers and Mentors 18:57 Legacy Humility Giving Back 21:52 Mat Made Directory Expansion 23:37 New Raw Vlog Series 25:14 Closing Thanks and Farewell

Damien Blotzke on Martial Arts as a Life Pivot, Competition, and Self-Mastery Host Pete Deeley opens by promoting the Momentum Martial Arts competition team, joking about "submission coffee" as a performance enhancer, and announcing the ad-free My Jiu-Jitsu Journey app with a small monthly fee. He then interviews fighter Damien Blotzke, who says martial arts shaped his identity and gave him tools for learning, problem-solving, listening, and self-control. Blotzke describes being adopted by his brother Darian and moving to Nevada on short notice as a pivotal fork in the road that placed him in a strong learning environment and allowed him to pursue fighting. He cites Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings and discusses competition as mental, spiritual, and physical, emphasizing breathwork to quiet his inner critic and fight camp as preparation. He recounts memorable bouts, including his first amateur loss at 16, later success, and a five-round fight where he dominated. Deeley shares his own early competition experience and they discuss Momentum's supportive culture. Blotzke suggests the superhero name "Spike Elbow" and shares social links: dthekidmma and Momentum Martial Arts. 00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 01:24 Meet Damien Blotzke 02:18 Adoption and New Start 07:34 When Martial Arts Clicked 10:49 Musashi and Life Lessons 13:08 Competition and Inner Voice 16:56 Most Memorable Fights 20:17 Host Competition Story 24:21 Momentum Community Impact 27:43 Spike Elbow Superhero 28:52 Where to Follow Damien 29:26 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Mo Gobena to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset, mentions sponsorship of Momentum Martial Arts Competition Team, Subscription Coffee, and the My Jiu-Jitsu Journey app. Mo shares how martial arts evolved for him from overcoming fear as a kid in dangerous 1990s Las Vegas after his family migrated from Africa, to athletics, and now community at age 40. He describes a formative lesson from hearing the John Diggins "circus bear jiu-jitsu" story about experimenting without fear of losing, and how that mindset shaped his approach beyond wrestling and boxing. Mo argues most practitioners should compete at least once or twice for stress inoculation and self-defense readiness, and recounts memorable MMA fights, including taking a last-minute heavier opponent and winning by TKO. He explains how competing helps coaches empathize with students, and highlights watching Damien, Coach Darian's brother, fall in love with jiu-jitsu. Mo also shares his nickname "Mighty Mocifer," his stand-up comedy hobby, and upcoming shows including the Savage Henry Comedy Festival.   00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 01:25 Meet Professor Mo 02:14 Martial Arts and Fear 05:00 Growing Up in Vegas 07:37 Learning to Experiment 11:39 Journey Over Belts 14:55 Why Compete 18:45 First MMA Fight Story 24:37 Coaching Through Competition 27:24 Student Success Damien 32:13 Mocifer Nickname 35:08 Comedy and Closing

Cassidy Roblero ("La Cazadora") on Martial Arts as an Outlet, Competition Mindset, and Building Confidence On this episode of The Jiu Jitsu Mindset, the host shares updates on the My Jiu Jitsu Journey app (a zero-advertising, subscription-based jujitsu-only platform) and Submission Coffee sponsoring the Momentum Martial Arts Competition Team, then interviews Momentum athlete and coach Cassidy Roblero. Cassidy describes starting boxing at 14 and MMA/jujitsu/Muay Thai at 15 during a personal crisis, crediting martial arts with providing a healthy outlet, structure, community, and inner calm. She discusses mentorship from Coach Darian and how martial arts principles apply to life, reflects on women's growing opportunities in combat sports, and explains how competition tests skills and mindset under pressure. Cassidy recounts pivotal experiences from her first jujitsu competition and first MMA fight, emphasizing self-belief, resilience, honesty, and adapting technique for safety, and highlights the confidence gains she sees in kids who train. She shares her fight name, La Cazadora ("The Huntress"), where to follow her (Cass on the Mats), and notes she's rehabbing a neck/shoulder with hopes to fight in September or October.   00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:46 Meet Cassidy Roblero 02:40 Martial Arts Saved Me 04:09 Crisis to Calm 07:08 Coaches and Life Lessons 09:24 Women in Combat Sports 13:27 Why Compete 18:07 First MMA Fight Mindset 22:05 Confidence and Resilience 27:53 Kids Program Transformations 33:21 The Huntress Identity 34:11 Follow and Next Fight

Professor Carlos Reyes (Splendid Savage) on Jiu-Jitsu, Humility, Self-Defense, and Life Change   Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Carlos Reyes ("Splendid Savage") to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset, promotes the My Jiu-Jitsu Journey social app and Submission coffee, and discusses how jiu-jitsu redirected Reyes' life away from trouble associated with his band years, alongside faith. Reyes describes being drawn in through punishing early experiences, including being repeatedly submitted by a much smaller blue belt, which taught humility and openness to learning. He recounts a DUI and time in jail that prompted a commitment to jiu-jitsu, and how competition can inoculate practitioners against stress, though it should not be forced. Reyes contrasts sport-focused training with self-defense principles, emphasizing "DNA" concepts like base, connection, leverage, and weight distribution. He shares a student's transformation—losing 70 pounds and gaining confidence—illustrating jiu-jitsu's off-mat impact, and closes with where to find him online.   00:00 Welcome and Announcements 01:42 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 04:31 First Roll Reality Check 06:58 Humility and Honest Growth 12:13 Jail Wake Up Call 15:37 Habits and Incremental Change 17:30 Why Compete at All 20:27 Competition as Stress Training 26:16 Most Memorable Rolls 29:10 Self Defense Awakening 30:40 Sport Gym Shark Tank 31:53 Choosing the Right Gym 37:36 Principles Over Moves 39:48 Embracing Failure and Time 43:47 Student Transformation Story 49:26 Virtuous Cycles and Lifestyle 51:21 Splendid Savage Identity 52:44 Wrap Up and Where to Find

Host Pete Deeley welcomes listeners back to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset, promotes subscription coffee and announces the new app "My Jiu-Jitsu Journey," then interviews Sensei George Rego about his lifelong martial arts path. Rego describes walking into an old, gritty dojo as a child and feeling instantly "at home," drawn to the combination of real physical capability and character, honor, and discipline—echoing Miyamoto Musashi's "twofold way" of sword and pen. He discusses the unique trust of training, the deep teacher-student bond, and the grief of losing his sensei. Rego shares lessons on discipline becoming self-discipline, navigating students who disappear, and his motivation for writing "The Founding of Jujutsu and Judo in America," including Teddy Roosevelt's ju jitsu connections. He concludes that a strong martial artist should be difficult to harm but easy to respect.   00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:05 Meet Sensei George Rego 02:01 Why Martial Arts 03:25 First Dojo Awakening 05:54 Quiet Strength Ideal 09:14 Twofold Way Mindset 13:21 Loss of a Sensei 15:02 Teacher Student Bond 19:08 Trust and Time on Mat 22:18 Students Who Disappear 23:44 Refocus on Students 25:07 Sensei Beyond Fighting 27:13 Systems and Discipline 29:14 Gravitas of a Master 31:05 Why Write the Book 33:53 Research and Roosevelt Dojo 35:05 Preserving Hidden Lineages 36:22 Where to Find the Book 36:57 Audiobook and Bestseller Run 38:33 Hard to Harm Easy Respect

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Darien to discuss how lessons from jiu-jitsu transfer to life and how first principles, efficiency, and environment shape learning. Professor Darien emphasizes concepts over flashy techniques, urging beginners to build fundamentals like posture, base, weight distribution, and inside position so submissions become reliable and safer. They compare learning to surfing and chess, highlighting "time on the board," pattern recognition, and applying knowledge through feel rather than memory or forcing outcomes. The conversation explores mindset as staying connected to yourself, observing thoughts, avoiding reactive "shootouts," and seeking truth even when it means admitting you've lost a position. Darien shares experiences training with Howder and an unforgettable hour-long roll with Rickson Gracie, plus how adopting his younger brother helped transform his life into a fight-team leader and UFC Fight Pass competitor.   00:00 Welcome 01:12 Why Jiu Jitsu Transfers 02:50 Teaching Evidence First 03:59 Concepts Before Techniques 06:51 Building Safe Training Culture 08:52 Feel Versus Know 10:21 Fight Your Fight Principles 13:08 Mindset and Self Awareness 15:58 Mind as Radio Frequency 17:18 Teaching Inspiration and Metaphors 19:17 Coaching Focus Structure Weight 20:38 Educated Instincts 21:21 Invisible Jujitsu 23:25 Overthink Good Outcomes 25:34 Chess Like Calmness 28:53 Composure Under Pressure 30:51 Most Memorable Roll 35:26 Students Changed Lives 38:00 Calculated Nickname 38:45 Closing Thanks