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In this interview, I sit down with René Dreifuss. René is the founder of Radical MMA in New York. He has been training since 1975, fought in the city's early underground vale tudo shows, and holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu along with ranks in judo, karate and several other styles. He also holds a master's degree in Japanese military history from Columbia, which shows up in how he thinks about where fighting styles come from. Rene's path started with bullying and a street attack that left him convinced karate alone would never protect him. He lived six years in Japan, where he trained at the Kodokan, and learned Kosen Judo from its last living master. He suvived a car accident that almost cost him use of a leg, and was able to return to training and rebuild his game from the ground up.  Our conversation turns into a discussion of what separates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the arts it came from, what a knife does to the positional hierarchy on the ground, and why Rene now throws out techniques he has used successfully for 40 years whenever the fight data tells him to. We also get into why he thinks most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools have lost two of the art's original three pillars, and how he pushes his students hard without turning training into bullying. Rene is a teacher who has lots of experience and is generous about passing his lessons on. Contacts for interviewee: Radical MMA (website) https://radicalmmanyc.com/ About René Dreifuss (Radical MMA bio) https://radicalmmanyc.com/about-us/ Radical MMA YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/radicalmma Martial Culture Podcast (René's podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/martial-culture-podcast/id1823082472 Radical MMA on Tapology https://www.tapology.com/gyms/1766-radical-mma Some clips used for commentary.  Original sources linked below Rat Guard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP8KzgpN0Mc Topic Links: Yuki Nakai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuki_Nakai Rickson Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickson_Gracie Gracie family https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracie_family Royce Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie Vale Tudo Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vale_Tudo_Japan Jean Jacques Machado https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_Machado Machado Jiu-Jitsu https://www.riganbjj.com/ John Machado https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Machado Rigan Machado https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_Machado Cindy Omatsu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Omatsu Toyotaro Miyazaki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotaro_Miyazaki AnnMaria De Mars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnnMaria_De_Mars Neil Adams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Adams_(judoka) Kodokan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodokan_Judo_Institute Kosen Judo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosen_judo Masahiko Kimura https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masahiko_Kimura Kanae Hirata https://budovideos.com/products/kosen-judo-dvd-by-kanae-hirata Shooto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooto Gerard Gordeau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Gordeau Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_LpYdUAo4 John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Rener Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rener_Gracie Hélio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie Burton Richardson  https://jkdunlimited.com/ Ricardo De La Riva https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_de_la_Riva Carlson Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_Gracie Luta Livre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luta_Livre Raw Combat by Jim Genia https://www.everand.com/book/414907067/Raw-Combat-The-Underground-World-of-Mixed-Martial-Arts Eddie Bravo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Bravo Alexa Grasso  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexa_Grasso Demetrious Johnson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrious_Johnson Tim Elliott https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Elliott Léo Vieira https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9o_Vieira Mike Swain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Swain Burton Richardson Ep 33 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burton-richardson-combat-wisdom-training-philosophy-ep-33/id1840239491?i=1000751283525 Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this interview, David sits down with comedy magician, author and keynote speaker Robert Strong for a wide-ranging conversation on the neuroscience of misdirection, memory, and audience psychology, drawing surprising parallels between the art of magic and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Strong is a Magic Castle member, longtime Google magic instructor, Penn & Teller: Fool Us alum, and founder of the AI speaker bureau Speak About AI. Strong breaks down how magicians exploit Darwinian attention triggers, false memory creation, and timing windows to create tricks that mystify and delight audiences. The discussion covers close-up magic versus stage illusions, the "applied improv" mindset behind reading a room and recovering from mistakes, and how ballroom dancing sharpened Strong's sense of balance and misdirection. He also previews his upcoming book, The Magic Mindset: The 18 Traits of Great Magicians and Great Leaders, and performs live mentalism demonstrations mid-interview. This episode offers martial artists, magicians, and anyone curious about persuasion, focus, and cognitive bias a rare crossover look at how deception, confidence, and preparation shape performance under pressure. Contacts for interviewee: Robert Strong: https://www.strongentertainment.com/ About page: https://www.strongentertainment.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertstrong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert_strong/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertStrongMagic/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/RobertStrong The Magic Mindset: The 18 Traits of Great Magicians and Great Leaders (Robert's upcoming book): https://www.strongentertainment.com/ Speak About AI (Robert's company, as founder): https://speakabout.ai/speakers/robert-strong Magic Castle / Academy of Magical Arts (performing member): https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4wyqLswjT/ Google (teaches magic there, unofficial "Chief Magic Officer"): https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/383540/Robert-Strong Clean Comedians (represented speaker/comedian): https://cleancomedians.com/speakers/robert-strong/ Topic Links: Brian Gillis: https://www.newsfromme.com/2018/07/03/brian-gillis-r-i-p/ Arrested Development: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/ Magic Castle: http://www.magiccastle.com Juan Tamariz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Tamariz Penn & Teller: Fool Us: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_%26_Teller:_Fool_Us Penn & Teller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_%26_Teller:_Fool_Us Dwarkesh Podcast: https://www.dwarkesh.com/ Gary Shandling: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002031/ WonderFest: https://wonderfest.org/ Peter Norvig: https://www.norvig.com/ Her (movie): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/ Adam Cheyer: http://www.adam.cheyer.com/ Adopt-a-Pet.com: https://www.adoptapet.com/ The Amazing Randi (James Randi): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Randi Exploratorium: https://www.exploratorium.edu/ The Sixth Sense: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167404/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Description: In this interview, UFC legend Randy "The Natural" Couture sits down to unpack a career defined by improbable timing. A former U.S. Army sergeant and three-time NCAA All-American wrestler. He fought his first MMA fight in UFC 13 at 33 years old and became a two-division world champion. Randy traces his path from a Pacific Northwest wrestling mat to Olympic alternate status, then into the chaotic, unregulated early days of "no holds barred" fighting. He fought alongside names like Tank Abbott, Mark Coleman, and Mark Kerr, and breaks down the mindset that carried him through six championship reigns and a comeback at age 47. The conversation moves well beyond the cage, covering his surprising second act in Hollywood alongside Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables, his outspoken advocacy for fighter pay and the flaws in MMA's promoter-sanctioning system, a near-fatal heart attack, his current work supporting veterans through the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, and — most recently — his unexpected leap into 280-mph NHRA drag racing in his sixties. It's a wide-ranging, candid look at mastery, reinvention, and what it means to stay laser-focused across a lifetime of high-stakes second acts. Contacts for Randy: X (Twitter) - https://x.com/Randy_Couture Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xcnatch/ Xtreme Couture GI Foundation - www.XCGIF.org Merging Vets and Players (MVP) - www.vetsandplayers.org Xtreme Couture GI Foundation - https://www.xtremecoutureg.org/ Xtreme Couture (training center, Las Vegas) - https://www.xtremecouture.com/ Books: Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage -https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Becoming-Natural-Life-Out-Cage/dp/1439153361 Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way - https://a.co/d/08Ti6Jxr Extreme Training: The Fighter's Ultimate Fitness Manual - https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Training-Fighters-Ultimate-Fitness/dp/1450724981 Topic Links: Straight Blast Gym - https://www.straightblastgym.com/ Matt Thornton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Thornton_(martial_artist) Robert Follis - https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/coaches/1229-robert-follis Nate Cory - https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/nate-cory Nate Quarry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Quarry Chris Haueter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Haueter Rigan Machado - https://www.riganbjj.com/ PFL (Professional Fighters League) - https://www.pflmma.com/ Jacaré (Ronaldo Souza) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldo_Souza Randy Couture vs. Jacaré Souza grappling match (PSL "X-Mission," 2006) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_q4Yf0SdAM Robert Drysdale - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Drysdale Ricco Rodriguez - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricco_Rodriguez Boxing Works (Hermosa Beach) - https://www.boxingworks.com/ Vitor Belfort - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitor_Belfort Maurice Smith - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Smith_(fighter) Mark Coleman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Coleman Tank Abbott - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Abbott John McCarthy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(referee) Mark Kerr - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kerr_(fighter) Kurt Angle - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Angle John Will - https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Tito Ortiz - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Ortiz Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B4nio_Rodrigo_Nogueira Royce Gracie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie Rorion Gracie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorion_Gracie Team Quest - https://www.tapology.com/gyms/124-team-quest Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club - https://sunkistkids.org/ Shannon Williams - https://www.themat.com/halloffame/hall-of-fame-detail?PN=Shannon_Williams Mike Valentine (Practical Martial Arts) - https://www.practicalmartialarts.net/ Vision Quest (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Quest_(film) MMAFA - https://mmafa.org/ Muhammad Ali Act - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_Boxing_Reform_Act Lorenzo Fertitta - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Fertitta Zuffa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuffa Conor McGregor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conor_McGregor Jake Paul - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Paul Ronda Rousey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda_Rousey Chuck Liddell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Liddell Cradle 2 the Grave (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_2_the_Grave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_King_2:Rise_of_a_Warrior The Scorpion King (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_King Gersh Agency - https://www.gershagency.com/ Brigitte Nielsen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Nielsen The Expendables (franchise) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables(franchise) Barry Primus - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Primus The Smashing Machine (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smashing_Machine_(2025_film) Matt Lindland - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Lindland Jerry Anderson - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0031578/ Brock Lesnar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brock_Lesnar NHRA - https://www.nhra.com/ SCAG Power Equipment - https://www.scag.com/ Frank Hawley - https://www.frankhawley.com/ Rico Chiperelli - https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/coaches/2088-rico-chiperelli Jay Glazer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Glazer Unbreakable (book) - https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Story-Passion-Perseverance-Purpose/dp/1476776299 Waves to War (documentary) - https://wavestowar.com/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this interview, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu founder Eddie Bravo sits down with longtime training partner and friend David Meyer to share the story behind one of the biggest upsets in grappling history — his legendary submission win over Royler Gracie at ADCC. Eddie opens up about his early days training at the Machado Academy in the 1990s, the origins of the name "Twister" and the rubber guard, and how traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lacked systematic drilling. The conversation dives deep into Eddie's creative process, his unlikely path from strip club DJ to Man Show writer (with the help of Joe Rogan) to jiu jitsu innovator, and the philosophy of "reps over everything" that built 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu into a global grappling movement. Along the way, David and Eddie trade stories about the early Gracie challenge matches, training with the Machado brothers, Ken Shamrock's visit to the academy, and the mindset shifts that shaped two of jiu jitsu's most influential figures. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner, MMA fan, or grappling history enthusiast, this episode is packed with rare behind-the-scenes stories, jiu jitsu history, and hard-earned lessons on creativity, persistence, and building something no one else was doing. Contacts for Eddie Bravo: 10th planet BJJ - https://www.10thplanetjj.com/ Eddie Bravo Invitational EBI - https://www.instagram.com/ebiofficial/?hl=en Eddie's podcast- Look Into It - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW8L4f9Vbw8M&si=xEZ0mjWBgfXDT-ot Eddies Music Hook Thieves" — Eddie's band - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dqndc6A7nTKUsaYFd8ncv?si=mCpJDCs7RO26WKWO1ds0NA "If Lana Covered" — Eddie's YouTube playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXYGaNm4UxrckR5cFaMIn_IA4ZK-VJnuT&si=ITjaEu77L11hwNkz Eddie's Books: Jiu Jitsu Unleashed https://a.co/d/00Ow5LPi Mastering the Rubber Guard https://a.co/d/01eIGH37 Advanced Rubber Guard https://a.co/d/08oqRKJT Mastering the Twister https://a.co/d/04zXEET9 Some clips used for commentary. Original sources linked below Eddie Bravo vs Royler Gracie ADCC 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewTGXah4GXE&t=11s Eddie Bravo vs Royler Gracie Metamoris 2014 rematch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dWuG0oQnpw Dr. D Schultz Slaps Reporter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeJepvj5tn4 Dominic Lobo Gogoplata Knockout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S25cwU5xUk Richie BoogeyMan Martinez Rubber Guard Finish at No Gi Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Twqr2beqjw Topic Links: Royce Gracie — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie Rickson Gracie — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickson_Gracie Carlos Machado — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Machado_(fighter) Jean Jacques Machado — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_Machado John "Johnny" Machado — https://johnmachadobjj.com/professor-john-machado/ Rigan Machado — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_Machado Ken Shamrock — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Shamrock Masakatsu Funaki — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masakatsu_Funaki Ricco Rodriguez — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricco_Rodriguez Randy Couture — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Couture Bart Vale — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Vale Chris Haueter — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Haueter Royler Gracie — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royler_Gracie Marcio Feitosa — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcio_Feitosa Joe Moreira — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Moreira Renzo Gracie — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renzo_Gracie ADCC — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADCC_Submission_Fighting_World_Championship Leo Vieira — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9o_Vieira The Man Show — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Show Joe Rogan — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rogan Hulk Hogan — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_Hogan Fedor Emelianenko — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedor_Emelianenko Israel Adesanya — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Adesanya Lana Del Rey — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Del_Rey Suno — https://suno.com/discover Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this interview, BJJ black belt Felicia Oh sits down to share her remarkable journey from starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 33 to becoming a black belt under both Jean Jacques Machado and Eddie Bravo, a rare distinction only a handful of grapplers hold. The conversation covers what it was like training as a small woman in the male-dominated early days of BJJ, competing at ADCC and the FILA Worlds, and practical advice for smaller grapplers dealing with bigger, stronger opponents. Felicia also opens up about the camaraderie among the "Dirty Dozen" pioneering women in the sport, her take on gi versus no-gi training, BJJ's realistic limits as self-defense, adapting her game through injuries and a battle with Epstein-Barr virus, and her unexpected career as an MMA inspector and judge for the state athletic commission. Packed with candid stories and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-watch for grapplers, MMA fans, and anyone interested in martial arts history and women's role in combat sports. Contacts for interviewee: Instagram (official) - https://www.instagram.com/felicia0h/ USA Dojo profile (Big John McCarthy's UTA bio) - https://www.usadojo.com/felicia-oh/ Herb Dean's referee training https://www.herbdean.com/ John McCarthy's referee training https://www.mmareferee.com/ Topic Links: Felicia Oh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_OhwikipediaJean Jacques Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_MachadowikipediaRigan Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_MachadoEddie Bravo - https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/eddie-bravobjjheroesJohn McCarthy ("Big John") - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(referee)wikipediaADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) - https://adcc-official.com/adcc-officialIBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) - https://ibjjf.com/ibjjf10th Planet Jiu Jitsu - https://www.10thplanetjj.com/10thplanetjj!0th Planet Phoenix - https://www.10thplanetphx.com/Jean Jacques Machado Academy - https://www.jjmachado.com/jjmachadoRenzo Gracie Academy - https://renzogracieacademy.com/renzogracieacademyBlack Sheep Jiu Jitsu - https://www.blacksheepjiujitsu.com/blacksheepjiujitsu Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this conversation with Ryron Gracie — grandson of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie and son of UFC co-founder Rorion Gracie, Ryron breaks down the true philosophy of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, exploring the critical differences between sport BJJ, self-defense training, and MMA, and why he believes "there are no bad positions" in jiu-jitsu, only bad situations. Filmed at the Gracie University in Los Angeles, Ryron shares deep insights on staying calm under pressure, principles he learned from his grandfather Hélio, and how slowing down and prioritizing positional control can transform how you handle conflict both on the mat and in real life. He also discusses SafeWrap, an innovative proprietary restraint system developed for healthcare and law enforcement that uses two-person lateral control to safely subdue individuals without joint locks, chokes, or pain compliance. The discussion goes further into ego, patience, teaching philosophy, and how jiu-jitsu principles like timing, misdirection, and non-attachment show up everywhere — from parenting to business negotiations to everyday interactions. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner, MMA fan, or interested in self-defense, martial arts psychology, and the Gracie family legacy, this episode offers rare wisdom from one of the most respected voices in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu today Contacts for Ryron Gracie: "Gracie University" (official website) - https://www.gracieuniversity.comgracieuniversity "The Gracie Breakdown" (YouTube channel with brother Rener) - https://www.youtube.com/graciebreakdownyoutube "Ryron Gracie" (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/ryrongracieinstagram "Ryron Gracie" (X/Twitter) - https://x.com/RyronGracie Some clips used for commentary.  Original sources linked below Royce Gracie vs Kimo UFC 3 Classic Fight - https://youtu.be/kCdh-PXYZMs?si=WUkmcXm_kW2p6nGS Topic Links: "Rigan Machado" (BJJ instructor David trained with) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_Machadopaste.txt "UFC" (Ultimate Fighting Championship) - https://www.ufc.compaste.txt "Royce Gracie" (early UFC fighter, sparked BJJ's US popularity) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Graciepaste.txt "Hélio Gracie" (Ryron's grandfather, founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hélio_Graciepaste.txt "Rorion Gracie" (Ryron's father, UFC co-founder) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorion_Graciepaste.txt "Jean Jacques Machado" (David's coach, defense-first philosophy) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_Machadopaste.txt "Rener Gracie" (Ryron's brother and business partner) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rener_Graciewikipedia "Safe Wrap" (Gracie two-on-one restraint system) - https://www.gracieuniversity.com Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this episode, Dave shares the second half of his two-part series on longevity in sports, focusing on his final two "secret laws." He calls out the importance of diet that sees beyond simple terms like  "processed" and "natural" , and offers practical guidance on what, how much, and when to eat, including insights on portion control, eating slowly, and intermittent fasting. He then turns to attitude, exploring how taming your ego, adapting your training as you age, and staying mentally youthful are essential for longevity in BJJ and beyond. Drawing on personal stories from decades on the mat, Dave closes with wisdom on building habits that create a "pull towards health," reminding listeners that small, consistent actions compound over time to shape a stronger, more resilient future self. Topics & People Mentioned 2009 University of Oxford obesity study: Moderate obesity takes years off life expectancy 2023 Harvard meal-timing study: Late-Night Eating Impact – Harvard Medical Schoolhms.harvard 16:8 intermittent fasting protocol: Harvard Meal Timing Study detailshms.harvard Dan Millman (author): Official website – The Peaceful Warrior's Wa Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this deep dive on how to stay strong, flexible, and injury-free as you age, I discuss the four essential laws for longevity in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports. Drawing from decades of BJJ training experience at nearly 64 years old, I break down why protecting your joints is the single most important factor in athletic longevity, and reveal the critical difference between flexibility and mobility. Learn practical strategies for injury prevention and recovery, including yoga techniques, massage therapy, and self-myofascial release tools. Whether you're a competitive grappler, martial artist, or anyone looking to age well and stay active for decades to come, this episode delivers actionable, real-world wisdom on joint health, mobility training, and building the kind of functional strength that keeps you moving pain-free for life. This is part one of a two-part series on longevity, with part two covering diet and mindset still to come. Topic Links: Foam Roller - https://www.trxtraining.com/products/foam-roller Stick Roller - https://a.co/d/0764Fse6 Inversion Table - https://buyereviews.com/inversion-table Massage Gun - https://hyperice.com/products/hypervolt-3-pro Whale Therapeutic Back Bench - https://beanproducts.com/products/whale-therapeutic-back-bench Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

I've spent 36 years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — competing, winning world titles (and losing them), and learning from every moment on the mat. In this episode, I'm sharing 15 battle-tested strategies for achieving victory in grappling, business, and life.  Winning isn't about overpowering your opponent — it's about positioning, timing, adaptation, and psychology. Whether you're a competitor looking to sharpen your game or an entrepreneur trying to outmaneuver the competition, these principles have helped me build and sell businesses, lead a major nonprofit, and succeed across multiple arenas. If you're a grappler, you'll find direct application on the mat. If you're in business, I break down how to generalize these principles for success. Subscribe and never miss a new episode. Topics & People Mentioned: Grace Hopper - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper Wayne Gretzky - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Gretzky Apple Inc. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. Nokia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia BlackBerry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry_Limited Motorola - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola Steve Jobs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs Amazon Web Services (AWS) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services IBM - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM HP - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Inc. Microsoft - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft John Will - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Will_(martial_artist) Rigan Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_Machado Jean Jacques Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Machado George St-Pierre (GSP) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_St-Pierre Gene LeBell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Southwest Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Airlines United Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines American Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines Delta Air Lines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines Google - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google Amazon Fresh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Fresh Instacart - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instacart Coors Brewing Company - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coors_Brewing_Company Facebook - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook Instagram - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram WhatsApp - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp X (formerly Twitter) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Corp. Hershey's - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hershey_Company SkinnyPop - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkinnyPop Pirate's Booty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate%27s_Booty Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this in‑depth interview with Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu grandmaster Professor Rorion Gracie, eldest son of Hélio Gracie and co‑creator of the UFC, we explore the origins of Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu, the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and why BJJ is such an effective self‑defense system. Rorion shares how he brought Jiu‑Jitsu to America, the philosophy behind the Gracie Academy and Gracie University, and what separates sport BJJ from real‑world self‑defense. We also dive into the Gracie Diet, how BJJ can transform your life, and what makes a truly great instructor and student on and off the mats. If you’re interested in martial arts history, Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu fundamentals, or the evolution of UFC and modern MMA, this conversation is a must‑watch. Contacts for interviewee: RorionGracie.com GracieMuseum.com  Books: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu https://www.amazon.com/GRACIE-JIU-JITSU-Revised-Helio-Gracie/dp/0975941135/ The Gracie Diet https://www.amazon.com/Gracie-Diet-Revised-Rorion/dp/0975941100 Some clips used for commentary. Original sources linked below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_LpYdUAo4&t=32s Topic Links: Gracie University https://www.gracieuniversity.com/ Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Action (videotape) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_LpYdUAo4&t=1090s Royce Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie Hélio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ John Milius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milius Cesar Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Gracie_Jiu-Jitsu John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Gracie Diet https://gracieone.com/the-gracie-diet-the-complete-guide-to-understanding-and-applying-it-in-your-daily-life/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Big John McCarthy is one of the most influential figures in MMA history — not as a fighter, but as the man who helped write the rules that shaped the sport. In this episode, we sit down with the legendary MMA referee, BJJ black belt, and founder of the COMMAND referee training program to talk about what it really takes to protect fighters inside the cage. Big John breaks down why fighters are wired to hide their pain, how referees decide when to stop a fight, and why getting a fighter out at the right moment can save their career — and their life. We also go deep into the early days of the UFC, the creation of the Unified Rules of MMA, and what most fans fundamentally misunderstand about the referee's role. Plus, Big John reflects on his recent return to refereeing Netflix's first-ever live MMA event featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano — and what it felt like to be back in the cage. Topics covered: How referees read fighters who are hiding damageThe hardest calls Big John has made in his careerThe birth of the Unified Rules and how they saved MMAEarly UFC chaos and how the sport evolvedNetflix's first live MMA event — Ronda vs. GinaThe COMMAND officiating program and the future of refereeing Contacts for John McCarthy Instagram & X - @JohnMcCarthyMMA COMMAND MMA Referee Training MMAreferee.com  Podcast: McCarthy Mondays with Josh Thomson on the Weighing In Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingIn/featured Topic Links: Felicia Oh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_Oh PFC – Executive security training company with Chad Lyman https://pfctraining.com/chad-lyman/ Joao Baretto  https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/joao-alberto-barreto Helio Vigio https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/helio-vigio Gerard Gordeau vs. Teila Tuli in UFC 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prcWJgfeuJg Pat Smith vs. Scott Morris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IABbQrQXlVk&t=7s Tank Abbott vs Oleg Taktarov – Fishhooking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LufiBRFE2Iw CAMO (California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization) https://camomma.org/ ISKA https://www.iskaworldhq.com/ Unified Rules of MMA https://www.ufc.com/unified-rules-mixed-martial-arts Zuffa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuffa Tito Ortiz vs Evan Tanner UFC 30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s110EQz0Ohg California State Athletic Commission https://www.dca.ca.gov/csac/ ARP (Association of Ringside Physicians) https://ringsidearp.org/ Big John giving pre-fight fighter instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HGpSp8aS30 Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley – Strikeforce San Diego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_vrF7N7Cu8&t=307s Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDLz0THYPAs Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIO4WKIHP0 Georges St-Pierre vs. Michael Bisping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOREpJ7ANPA Brian Johnson vs. Reza Naseri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxtXLGR2h7Y&t=61s Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

GSP reveals he hated fighting — so why did he become the greatest MMA fighter of all time? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Georges St-Pierre breaks down the mindset, preparation, and mental tools that built a legend. 🥊 What we cover: Why GSP hated fight night but kept competing anywayHow bullying and a difficult childhood became his greatest fuelThe truth about confidence: "It's not the absence of fear — it's knowing you have what you need to succeed"How to "make the butterflies fly in formation" and perform under extreme stressHis 4-layer preparation pyramid: physical, technical, tactical, and mentalVisualization strategy: best-case, realistic, and worst-case scenario planningThe small, unglamorous daily habits that separate champions from everyone elseTraining for longevity — mobility, stability, and staying athletic for lifeWhether you're a fighter, an entrepreneur, or anyone who struggles with self-doubt — this episode is a masterclass in mental performance and turning adversity into fuel. Contacts for interviewee: Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@GSPPodcastOfficial Website: https://www.gspofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgesstpierre/ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsppodcastofficial/ GSP Foundation https://www.gspofficial.com/gsp-foundation GSP Training tools The Path: https://thepathbygsp.com/ RushFit: https://www.rushfit.com/ MMA Academy: https://mmaacademy.gspofficial.com/ "The Way of the Fight" book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-way-of-the-fight-georges-st-pierre/1114516179 Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org/ Marcelo Garcia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler) Khamzat Chimaev https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamzat_Chimaev Sean Strickland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Strickland Hurricane Katrina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina Dan Millman https://peacefulwarrior.com/ "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" — book by Dan Millman https://peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/ Tough Love Fitness https://www.tufflove.org/ Aleo Foundation https://fondationaleo.ca/en/ Jeremy Corbell https://www.youtube.com/JeremyCorbell Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

IIn this episode, I sit down with Peter Maguire — historian, war crimes investigator, Rickson Gracie black belt, and the co-author of two books with Rickson Gracie: the New York Times bestselling Breathe: A Life in Flow* and the follow-up Comfort in Darkness: The Invisible Power of Jiu Jitsu*. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy my interview with Peter Maguire. Links to Find Peter Maguire: Peter Maguire Website - http://www.faintingrobin.org/founder.html Peter Maguire Substack (Sour Milk) - https://petermaguire.substack.com Fainting Robin Foundation - http://www.faintingrobin.org Books: Breathe: A Life in Flow (Rickson Gracie & Peter Maguire) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063018985 Comfort in Darkness (Rickson Gracie & Peter Maguire) - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/200233523-comfort-in-darkness Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade - https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Stick-Surfers-Scammers-Marijuana/dp/0231161352 Facing Death in Cambodia - https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Death-Cambodia-Peter-Maguire/dp/0231120524 Law and War: International Law and American History - https://www.amazon.com/Law-War-International-American-History/dp/0231120516 Thai Stick Documentary - https://petermaguire.substack.com/p/thai-stick Topic Links:  Rickson Gracie Official Website - https://www.ricksongracie.com Jean Jacques Machado BJJ Academy - https://www.jjmachado.com Gene LeBell - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Gene LeBell vs. Milo Savage (First Televised MMA Fight, 1963) - https://mmahistory.org/cool_timeline/lebell-vs-savage/ Nuremberg Trials - https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nuremberg-trials Khmer Rouge - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge Cambodian Genocide - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_genocide Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) - https://tuolsleng.gov.kh/en/ Mayaguez Incident - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayaguez_incident Pat Tillman - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Host Dave Meyer sits down with Professor Robert Drysdale — IBJJF Black Belt Heavyweight World Champion (2005), ADCC Absolute Champion (2007), undefeated MMA fighter (7-0), and author of multiple books on the history of BJJ. They cover the decline of self-defense training, the warrior ethos of Carlson Gracie, competition vs. memorized moves, and how to keep training well into your 60s and beyond. For all Robert Drysdale Books and Merchandise https://zenithjiujitsushop.com/collections/all Zenith Jiu Jitsu by Robert Drysdale, Las Vegas Academy https://drysdalejiujitsu.com/ Robert Drysdale's TEDx Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_drysdale_what_is_the_point_of_winning Topic Links: Roberto Pedreira https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6997001.Roberto_Pedreira Dr. Jose Tufy Cairus https://wwwifc.academia.edu/JoseTufyCairus Elton Silva https://www.amazon.com/Long-Before-MMA-forerunners-1845-1934/dp/B0C6W1HCQM Gracie Jiu Jitsu book https://www.amazon.com/GRACIE-JIU-JITSU-Revised-Helio-Gracie/dp/0975941135 Jack Seki https://budoshin.com/about-bjj/budoshin-lineage/jack-seki/ Mikey Musumeci https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikey_Musumeci John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ Willy Cahill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_Cahill Neil Adams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Adams_(judoka) Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie Helio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie Carlson Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_Gracie Carlos Gracie Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie_Jr Rolls Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls_Gracie Rickson Gracie Books https://www.amazon.com/Books-Rickson-Gracie/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARickson%2BGracie Alberto Crane podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic93Ro9QLs0 Islam Makhachev https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Makhachev Khabib Nurmagomedov https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabib_Nurmagomedov Ze Carioca (Brazilian Disney character) https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%A9_Carioca Rico Rodriguez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricco_Rodriguez Tito Ortiz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Ortiz Jean Jacques Machado https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_Machado Frank Trigg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Trigg Eric Ries https://leanstartup.co/about/team/eric-ries/ Incorruptible book by Eric Ries https://www.incorruptible.co/ Adopt-a-Pet.com https://www.adoptapet.com/ Matt Hughes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hughes_(fighter) Landmark Forum https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/ Chris Haueter https://www.combatbase.com/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this episode, I break down what strategy really is—and how it can help you go after goals that look like a long shot from where you are right now. Back in the year 2000, I decided I wanted to stop millions of dogs and cats from being killed in animal shelters. I had no job, no money, and no obvious way to do it… so if you were betting on me, it would have been reasonable to bet against me. The only real advantage I had was that I understood a bit about strategy, largely because of my lifelong practice of jujitsu. In this video, I use that story as a through line to talk about strategy and how you can use it for your own life. I ask you to think about a personal or professional goal that really matters to you—something that feels hard, unlikely, and not at all obvious you can achieve. The kind of goal where most people, if they had to place a bet, would probably bet you won’t pull it off. You’ll learn: How to pick a goal that’s big enough to excite you, even if it feels unrealistic.How Tim Ferriss’ “dreamline” (have / be / do) helps you get specific about what you want.The difference between a strategy and just a plan. If you care about doing something that actually matters—whether in your career, your training, or your life—this episode will help you think more clearly about strategy and your long‑shot goals. Show Links: Adopt-a-Pet.com https://www.adoptapet.com/ The Four Hour Work Week (book) https://a.co/d/0cqAnf0H Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.