Advertise on podcast: Small Man Jiu Jitsu

Description

Small Man PodcastThe Small Man Podcast is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu meets real life. Hosted in Hawaii, each episode features honest conversations with the people who make the Jiu-Jitsu community special—from world champions and seasoned black belts to dedicated parents, first-time white belts, coaches, business owners, and everyday practitioners. These aren't just stories about winning tournaments—they're stories about overcoming adversity, building confidence, strengthening families, and discovering purpose on and off the mats. You'll hear inspiring journeys of resilience, sacrifice, perseverance, and personal growth, along with practical insights on training, longevity, mindset, leadership, and the life lessons that Jiu-Jitsu teaches. Whether you're a lifelong grappler, just thinking about stepping onto the mats, or simply enjoy hearing powerful stories from extraordinary people, the Small Man Podcast delivers conversations that motivate, educate, and inspire. New episodes feature: Inspiring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journeysTraining, mindset, and longevity tipsFamily, faith, and community storiesInterviews with athletes, coaches, and local leadersLessons that apply far beyond the matsNo matter your size, background, or experience, everyone has a story worth telling. Train hard. Stay humble. Keep showing up. Welcome to the Small Man Podcast.

Unlock Small Man Jiu Jitsu podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Small Man Jiu Jitsu podcast

A Second Home on the Mats: Bruno Pucci’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey

2026/10/24

Bruno Pucci’s jiu-jitsu journey began at 14. He shares how early losses and the coaches who became like family helped shape his path from Brazil to Singapore and eventually to Hawaii. Bruno talks about stepping away from MMA, building United BJJ with his family, opening a gym during the pandemic, and the lessons he hopes to pass on to his daughter. A conversation about family, perseverance, and finding a second home on the mats. Follow Bruno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpucci/

A Second Chance to Breathe: Cliff Lim’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey

2026/10/23

Cliff Lim’s son started jiu-jitsu before he started school. What began as an activity for his son eventually helped transform Cliff’s health, family and outlook on life. After nearly reaching 400 pounds, living with diabetes and undergoing surgery to remove part of his lung, Cliff realized that what he had accepted as “normal” needed to change. He opens up about depression, drinking, the end of his relationship and his determination to give his son a different childhood than the one he experienced. Cliff also shares how CJJF Central gave his family a place to reconnect, restored his sense of community and helped bring faith and hope back into his life. Today, Cliff is a healthier, more active blue belt who is learning to trust himself, enjoy the process and keep moving forward.

Cancer Almost Took Jiu Jitsu From Me | Anthonio "Tony" Bale Jr

2026/10/09

Antonio Bale Jr. | Family, Cancer, and Finding His Way Back to Jiu-Jitsu Antonio Bale Jr. started jiu-jitsu because of his son. A few years later, he found himself facing a much bigger challenge outside the gym. After undergoing emergency surgery for a tumor in 2022, Tony experienced complications that kept him away from training for an extended period. He talks about the uncertainty of recovery, the support he received from his teammates at Gracie Barra Kapolei, and how his perspective on jiu-jitsu changed. Today, Tony continues to train, spend time on the mats with his children, and help raise money through Tap Cancer Out. We talk about family, health, community, and learning to appreciate the opportunity to train. Tap Cancer Out Donations: https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/fundraiser/7365511 Rashguard Preorder: https://www.hawaiisneakerheads.com/merch Antonio's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antoniobale_/

Steve Maxwell: The Untold Story of UFC 1 and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

2026/10/09

Steve Maxwell witnessed the beginning of American jiu-jitsu from the inside. He opened one of the earliest Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schools on the East Coast, became Relson Gracie’s first black belt, invested in the original UFC and watched UFC 1 from ringside as Royce Gracie changed martial arts forever. Steve shares stories from the early Gracie Academy, the challenge-match era, earning his black belt in Hawaii and surviving a 45-minute fight against a much larger NCAA wrestling champion. Now approaching 74, Steve is still training and teaching. He also shares practical advice for older practitioners, including why we should tap early, avoid rolling to exhaustion and keep jiu-jitsu playful. This is a firsthand look at where American jiu-jitsu began and what it takes to stay on the mat for life.

Faith, AOJ and the Birth of Roma Jiu Jitsu | Kawika Yoneda

2026/10/09

Kawika Yoneda grew up believing he was meant to become a fighter. When that path disappeared, he lost his sense of identity and struggled with depression. Jiu-jitsu gave him a new direction. Kawika and his wife, Jamie, eventually sold nearly everything and moved from Hawaii to California with four suitcases. While Kawika trained full-time at the Art of Jiu Jitsu Academy under Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, Jamie worked long hours to help keep their dream alive. They later returned to Hilo and took another leap of faith by opening Roma Jiu Jitsu Academy. In this conversation, Kawika shares the story behind Roma, the importance of Romans 5:1–5, receiving Rafael Mendes’ own black belt and building a program focused on faith, humility, character and the next generation. This is more than Kawika’s jiu-jitsu journey. It is the story of what Kawika and Jamie built together.

“I Finally Did Something Right” | DeRoy Lupica

2026/10/05

Spotify description“I did a lot of wrong things in my life, and this was right.” Island Jiu Jitsu brown belt DeRoy Lupica shares how jiu-jitsu pulled him away from partying, gave him structure and helped him move through injuries, grief and major changes in his life. After two serious knee injuries and the loss of his best friend, DeRoy entered his first IBJJF tournament with his family and newborn daughter supporting him. He won gold with a triangle and received his brown belt on the podium. DeRoy also talks about competing after only three months of training, coaching at Island Jiu Jitsu, learning how to recover and turning the things that could have stopped him into fuel to keep going. Follow DeRoy on Instagram: @ziggybiggunzdawigglah808

Jed Uson: Don’t Talk Yourself Out of It | Hawaii Jiu-Jitsu

2026/10/05

Jed Uson shares how talking himself out of college soccer became a lesson he now passes on to his students: take the chance and see what you can do. A Hawaii teacher and brown belt who coaches the 5 a.m. jiu-jitsu classes at UFC Gym Mililani, Jed talks about fitting training around family life and overcoming his doubts about becoming a coach. We also talk story about starting Campbell High School’s jiu-jitsu club, helping with NAGA and Triple Crown tournaments, and giving students opportunities beyond the classroom. Along the way, we discuss parents setting an example at competitions, respecting referees, and learning to recognize your own progress. Connect with Jed on Instagram: @beforethesunrisebjj

The MMA Dream Came With a Price | Nathan Feitosa

2026/10/05

Nathan “Nasty Nate” Feitosa shares his journey from Maui to Team Alpha Male and the physical price that came with chasing a professional MMA career. Nathan talks openly about fighting on emotion, training through concussions and realizing that the jiu-jitsu he sometimes overlooked was actually his greatest strength. After walking away from MMA, he committed himself fully to the art, earning his black belt and becoming the no-gi instructor at Maui Jiu Jitsu Academy. This conversation explores fighting, injuries, coaching, faith, fatherhood and how the mistakes Nathan made as a young competitor now help him guide the next generation.

From White Belt to Black Belt With the Same Coach | Ricky Ridela

2026/10/05

Ricky Ridela’s martial arts journey began with his father and grew through judo, high school and college wrestling, and nearly 20 years of jiu-jitsu. In this episode, Ricky talks about losing every wrestling match during his freshman year, competing against high-level athletes, receiving his black belt during COVID and recovering from ACL surgery. He also shares what it meant to train under Professor Rex from white belt to black belt and how that relationship grew into something much deeper than coaching. Ricky’s wife, Alexis, is also an important part of his story. She introduced him to surfing, he introduced her to jiu-jitsu, and the mats became something they could share together. Now coaching at Alliance, Ricky is discovering that helping his students grow can be even more rewarding than his own competition success. His story is a reminder that the hardest part is starting and that the right people can shape your entire journey.

The Mat Sheriff Behind X79 Clean

2026/10/02

Bobby Kahana is a purple belt at UFC Gym Honolulu, a 20-year Honolulu Police Department veteran and the founder of X79 Clean. After contracting ringworm, Bobby began quietly cleaning the mats before jiu-jitsu class. What started as a personal effort to protect himself and his training partners eventually earned him the nickname “The Mat Sheriff” and developed into a specialized mat-cleaning business. Bobby talks about the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, common mistakes academies make and the everyday habits that help keep training partners safe. He also shares what it takes to build X79 Clean while balancing police work, family, jiu-jitsu and his responsibilities at UFC Gym Honolulu. This conversation is a reminder that protecting your training partners includes what happens after everyone leaves the mats. Connect with X79 Clean: Website: https://www.x79clean.com Instagram: @x79clean Phone: 808-838-2536

Jon Ishikawa: Starting Jiu-Jitsu at 41 and Competing at 50

2026/09/30

Jon Ishikawa started jiu-jitsu at 41 after bringing his son to UFC Gym Mililani. Eight years later, Jon is approaching 50, training at United BJJ Hawaii, and beginning a new chapter as a brown belt. Jon talks about training through COVID, moving from UFC to United, preparing for the IBJJF World Masters, and competing in a 29-person division. He also shares how military service shaped his discipline, humility, and ability to keep moving forward when progress is difficult to see. As Jon gets older, his focus has shifted toward recovery, longevity, purposeful training, and competing without allowing ego to shorten his journey. His advice is simple: keep showing up. You may not notice your progress today, but over time, the work adds up.

Jonathan Marrero: From Marine to Freakuency Honolulu Founder

2026/09/28

Spotify title Jonathan Marrero: From Marine to Freakuency Honolulu Founder Jonathan Marrero never expected jiu-jitsu to become his life. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, a Snapchat post led him to 10th Planet Oceanside and Geo Martinez. His first class completely humbled him, and Jonathan admits he was once so stiff that some people did not want to drill with him. He kept showing up. Jonathan eventually earned his black belt, became an instructor and moved to Hawaii. When an opportunity to take over a fully equipped academy arrived sooner than expected, he had to choose between waiting until he felt ready or taking the risk. In this episode, Jonathan shares the story behind Freakuency Jiu Jitsu Honolulu, why the academy is not called 10th Planet Honolulu and how faith has guided the biggest decisions of his life. Follow Jonathan: @jonathanknowsjiujitsu Spotify description

Casey Kobata: Patience, Longevity and a 20-Year Jiu-Jitsu Goal

2026/09/25

Casey Kobata has given himself a personal goal: train jiu-jitsu for 20 years. Now approaching 50, the one-stripe blue belt talks about starting later in life, learning to relax with younger training partners, and developing a game that works for his body type. He also shares how earning his blue belt changed his understanding of jiu-jitsu and how he uses coaches, instructional videos, notes, and AI to work through problems on the mat. For Casey, the journey is not about winning every roll or chasing a quick promotion. It is about patience, longevity, building connections, and finally sticking with something that has become an important part of his life.

Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa: 33 Years of Competition, Coaching and Jiu-Jitsu

2026/09/24

Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa has spent 33 years competing, coaching, and building his life around jiu-jitsu. Formiga shares how watching Royce Gracie at UFC 1 led him to start training at 10 years old, why losing his first three competitions motivated him to improve, and how two coaches became father figures in his life. He also talks about earning his black belt, winning the Brazilian Nationals, moving to America without speaking English, and building a family-run academy in Texas with nearly 400 students. Through every stage of his journey, Formiga has followed one principle: You don’t need to be better than anyone else. You just need to be better than you.

Always a Student: Mat Lewis on Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Starting Over

2026/09/23

Mat Lewis has spent nearly 40 years practicing martial arts, but he still approaches every training session as a student. Mat began judo at four years old and eventually earned his third-degree black belt. During his Navy career, he trained around the world, repeatedly walking into unfamiliar gyms and learning how to become the new guy again. After arriving in Hawaii, Mat found a home at Trickster Jiu-Jitsu. The consistency, coaching and competition team helped him blend his judo with jiu-jitsu, work through competition anxiety and win his first purple-belt gold medal at the IBJJF Honolulu Open. Mat also shares how he lost nearly 50 pounds, changed his approach to nutrition and recovery, and why experienced martial artists have a responsibility to pass their knowledge forward. His message is simple: never stop learning, but never be afraid to teach.