Best Matt Kwan Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 300: Teachers Who Compete, feat. James "300" Foster 59:29

2h ago59:29

59:29

For our 300th episode, there's only one guest that'll do: James "300" Foster! James is a 3x black belt masters world champion, 4th degree black belt under Giva Santana, and the head coach at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, James shares how teachers who are also active competitors can balance those two priorities, and even synergize the…

1
Episode #10 Dana Dickeson: Creating a Community and Living the Dream 54:07

1h ago54:07

54:07

Dana Dickeson shares his journey in martial arts, from his childhood fascination with action movies to his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a police officer. He recounts his experiences in MMA and the challenges of running a BJJ school in a small area. Dana eventually opens his own gym, Absolute BJJ, and discusses the growth of BJJ in h…

1
Mini Ep. 17: Air Choke Mechanics 10:05

2h ago10:05

10:05

In this week's mini-episode we discuss air choke mechanics! Air chokes involve cutting off your opponent's ability to breathe by either compressing their trachea ("windpipe") or covering their mouth. Air chokes often don't act as quickly as blood chokes, but there are ways to speed them up by triggering the gag reflex. We also talk about why air ch…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 71: ADCC/CJI Review, Upsets, Takeaways 46:37

2h ago46:37

46:37

The biggest weekend in grappling history has come and gone, and we are still coming down off the high! ADCC and CJI in the same weekend guaranteed to be a milestone in grappling history, and that is exactly what we got! I discuss the biggest upsets, takeaways, and tournament gripes of the weekend. Please leave a review, subscribe, like, share, and …

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Ep. 299: Student Assessment, feat. Adam Medlock 1:02:02

1h ago1:02:02

1:02:02

This week we're joined again by Adam Medlock! Adam is a Braulio Estima black belt and a lead educator from the UK. In this episode, Adam discusses the challenges of student assessment, or how Jiu-Jitsu coaches can measure student progress and the effectiveness of the curriculum. Key points include the introduction of the TLA cycle (Teaching, Learni…

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Mini Ep. 16: Blood Choke Mechanics 9:11

2h ago9:11

9:11

In this week's mini-episode we discuss blood choke mechanics! This is the concept behind all chokes we'd classify as "carotid restraints," where compression on the carotid arteries cuts off blood flow to the brain. We'll discuss the simple "triangle around the head" concept that helps tighten all blood chokes including rear naked chokes, collar cho…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 70: Less Impressed More Involved BJJ Feat. Jake Luigi 1:23:39

3h ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Jake Luigi is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the creator of Less Impressed More Involved BJJ, and the purveyor of The Outlier Database, an analytics tool specifically designed for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. We discuss analyzing Jiu Jitsu, ADCC, CJI, and class structure. Please leave a review, subscribe, like, share, and comment if yo…

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Getting your EOS Scorecard Right, with Mark O’Donnell 38:33

6d ago38:33

38:33

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes Mark O'Donnell, the leader of EOS Worldwide, to discuss the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its impact on businesses, focusing specifically on data and scorecards. 02:04 – 03:38 – What is EOS?: Mark O'Donnell provides an overview of EOS, explaining its core compone…

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Ep. 298: Working Around Injury, feat. Mandy Schneider 49:34

11d ago49:34

49:34

This week we're joined by Mandy Schneider! Mandy is a BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete competing at purple belt out of SOUL FIGHTERS Martial Arts in Allen, Texas. Mandy just underwent surgery for chronic bursitis in her elbow, and in this week's episode, Mandy shares her experience working around injury in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include the challenge…

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No-Code, Community Building, and the Leap to Full-Time Founder with Sharath Kuruganty 52:13

18d ago52:13

52:13

Send us a text In the latest episode of the Growth Leap Podcast, I had a great chat with Sharath Kuruganty. Sharath’s a serial maker, a successful SaaS founder, and a key player in various online communities. He’s the brain behind projects like Guest Lab, an AI research assistant that helps podcast hosts streamline guest research. You’ve probably s…

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Episode #9 Brent Fryia: The Evolution of Steel City MMA 52:48

10d ago52:48

52:48

Brent Fryia shares his origin story of becoming a gym owner and MMA fighter. He started as a wrestler and had a successful career in university wrestling. After teaching for a while, he saw an ad for an MMA class and joined, eventually turning pro and moving to Asia to compete. When he returned, he found out that the gym he trained at had a falling…

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Mini Ep. 15: Dominant Angles 8:17

12d ago8:17

8:17

In this week's mini-episode we discuss dominant angles! The concept of dominant angles is more complicated than "being behind or beside your opponent." It's more about positioning your body relative to theirs such that their arms, legs, and other weapons can't come into play. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjm…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 69: FTW Recap & ADCC/CJI Picks 51:06

2h ago51:06

51:06

It’s that time of year again… ADCC (& CJI) fight week is upon us!! The long wait is over, and it’s almost time to watch the best in the world go at it for ADCC Gold and 1 million dollars. I go over all divisions and break down my match at Fight To Win Vancouver a few weeks ago. Enjoy the show and the amazing Jiu-Jitsu that is coming our way later t…

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Ep. 297: Leaving Your Gym, feat. David Figueroa-Martinez 1:03:45

5d ago1:03:45

1:03:45

This week we're joined again by David Figueroa-Martinez! David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California. In this episode, David discusses one of the most difficult — but sometimes essential — decisions that many grapplers will face during their journey: the decision to leave their gym. Follow David on soc…

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Mini Ep. 14: Countergripping 7:40

23d ago7:40

7:40

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss countergripping! There are three ways to counter a grip: breaking the grip (stripping their fingers), inverting the grip (pummeling to make the grip our own), or changing the angle (which can render the grip useless). In general, breaking the grip is the least efficient option, changing the angle is the most …

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 68: Avoiding Burn Out 55:00

27d ago55:00

55:00

Anyone who practices Jiu-Jitsu consistently over a long period of time will inevitably experience burnout. Especially for those individuals who have made Jiu-Jitsu their full-time profession, it’s only a matter of time before this happens to some degree. I discuss how to recognize signs of burning out, how to maintain your love and passion for the …

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Exit Planning Strategy, with David Tobin 34:59

7d ago34:59

34:59

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:36 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes David Tobin, a mergers and acquisitions expert, to discuss strategies for successful business exits. 01:09 – 02:52 – David’s Background: David shares his journey from starting his first business in college to founding TobinLeff, focusing on his niche in financial services and…

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Ep. 296: Adapting on the Fly, feat. Tom "TP" Grant 1:01:11

8d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

This week we're joined by Tom "TP" Grant! Tom Grant, also known by the writer's handle TP Grant, is a BJJ black belt under Issac Riggs and an MMA/BJJ writer best known for his work at Bloody Elbow and Bleacher Report. In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of adapting on the fly. Techniques are rarely executed exactly as taught; they're usua…

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You’re Using OKRs All Wrong — Here’s How to Get Your Team to Reach Their Goals 10:57

1M ago10:57

10:57

Send us a text Most OKR frameworks focus on what you want to accomplish, but not how. They’re great for setting strategy and direction, but they don’t help you identify the tactical tasks that will get those things done. The real stumbling block ain’t the strategies or the OKRs, it’s how they align with daily tasks. That’s where most OKR frameworks…

1
Mini Ep. 13: Grips Dictate Position 6:44

26d ago6:44

6:44

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss one of Steve's favorite mental models: grips dictate position! As the name implies, whoever wins the grip fight in Jiu-Jitsu often dictates the position. Focus on winning the grip fight before attempting to advance position or secure a submission. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: h…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 67: Arm Bars 1:01:54

1M ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Arm bars are one of the fundamental submission systems in Jiu-Jitsu. This episode is all about arm bar concepts, mechanics, and variations. The arm bar has always been a staple of my game, and it absolutely should be for you as well. ADCC 2011 Vinny Magalhaes vs. Fabricio Werdum: Why didn't the armbar work?!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qf4SVo…

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Ep. 295: Organizing Knowledge, feat. Sebastian Brosche 1:17:32

15d ago1:17:32

1:17:32

This week we're joined by Sebastian Brosche! Sebastian is a BJJ black belt, the founder of the legendary platform Yoga for BJJ, and also the founder of his new project, Teach Grappling. In this episode, we discuss knowledge organization, effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, standardization, instructor education, and the future of …

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Episode #8 Milena Hrebacka: Mastering Brand Identity 53:16

1M ago53:16

53:16

Summary Milena Hrebacka, founder of New Breed Design, discusses the importance of branding and marketing for martial arts schools. She emphasizes the need for a strong brand that reflects the gym's values and resonates with its target demographic. Milena highlights the impact of a well-designed logo and consistent branding across all touchpoints, i…

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Mini Ep. 12: The Anatomic Hierarchy 8:53

19d ago8:53

8:53

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing the anatomic hierarchy! The anatomic hierarchy is a simple but powerful mental model that organizes our body into six major tools, from strongest to weakest: our torso, our two legs, our two arms, and our head. The anatomic hierarchy teaches us that when attacking, we should use as many of our weapons a…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 66: Scaling Tasks Feat. Jon Chan 1:07:23

1M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Jon Chan is a BJJ black belt and the owner and head coach at Nimbus Grappling in Vancouver. Jon is one of my favourite training partners, and has always brought so much knowledge and good energy to the practice room. Despite being a student of mine, Jon he has helped me develop my own game tremendously over the years. We discuss gym ownership, teac…

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Independence By Design, with Ryan Tansom 37:22

1M ago37:22

37:22

Points of Interest 02:02 – 02:20 – Ryan's Framework: Marcel explains how Ryan Tansom's "Independence by Design" framework has transformed his view on his own business. 03:32 – 05:03 – Owner-Operator Challenges: Ryan describes the challenges of owner-operators and the importance of achieving true independence through sustainable business practices. …

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Ep. 294: Unconventional Jiu-Jitsu Careers, feat. Kiaya Jackson 57:00

1M ago57:00

57:00

This week we're joined by Kiaya Jackson! Kiaya is the founder of SoPro Collective and a Jiu-Jitsu competitor representing Brandon Mccaghren from 10th Planet Decatur. In this episode, Kiaya explains her unconventional journey into a Jiu-Jitsu career, and shares her playbook for making a living in the sport beyond the usual athlete and coach career p…

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Mini Ep. 11: Posts 11:45

27d ago11:45

11:45

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing posts, the last of the six core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu! Posts occur when you use an extremity of your body to connect with and base off a platform like the floor. Posts are important for maintaining your own base and creating opportunities to attack your opponent. This is the sixth in a six-part series …

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 65: Developing Systems & My Thoughts on Battle Mats 1 52:15

2M ago52:15

52:15

Jiu Jitsu is a systems-based sport. I have always encouraged my students to think of filing their Jiu-Jitsu knowledge away in the form of systems. In this episode, I talk about developing systems, attacking your opponent with multiple systems simultaneously, holding your systems to scrutiny, and my thoughts on Battle Mats 1. Please leave a review, …

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Ep. 293: The 3-Fold View of Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Charles Harriott 1:06:07

29d ago1:06:07

1:06:07

This week we're joined by Charles Harriott! Charles is a BJJ black belt, professional seminar instructor, and content creator. In this episode, Charles introduces a mental model he calls "the 3-fold view of Jiu-Jitsu." We discuss the three lenses through which Charles views Jiu-Jitsu and how these different perspectives work together to help him be…

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Episode #7 Brendan Rice: Harnessing the Power of Data 1:03:24

1M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Summary Brendan Rice, CEO of Wodify, discusses the benefits of using Wodify for gym owners and how the software has expanded from serving CrossFit gyms to martial arts schools. He emphasizes the importance of engagement and how tracking attendance and providing additional resources can significantly improve retention rates. Rice also highlights the…

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Mini Ep. 10: Hooks 7:25

1M ago7:25

7:25

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing hooks, the main mechanic behind techniques like butterfly guard. Hooks are a tracking mechanic used to follow your opponent and create opportunities to off-balance them. This is the fifth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 64: In Search of Truth Feat. Hector Lombard 1:37:01

2M ago1:37:01

1:37:01

Hector Lombard is a Cuban professional mixed martial artist and bare knuckle boxing world champion, multiple-time Cuba national Judo champion, Olympic Judoka, and inventor. Aside from being a legend in various martial arts, he is very outspoken with a powerful personality and is not afraid to discuss controversial topics publicly. I’ve always been …

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How to Leverage M&A as a Growth Strategy for Your Agency, With Matt Bodnar 38:28

2M ago38:28

38:28

Points of Interest 00:54 – 01:39 – Matt’s Journey: Matt Bodnar shares his background, mentioning his experience at Goldman Sachs and his move to Nashville in 2011, where he bought his first IT service company. 02:24 – 03:07 – M&A Realization: Matt explains how he stumbled into mergers and acquisitions and the importance of creative deal structures …

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Ep. 292: The Paradox of Control, feat. Jesse Walker 1:00:32

2M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

This week we're joined by Jesse Walker! Jesse is a black belt under Chris Haueter and is the head coach at Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky. In this episode, Jesse introduces the paradox of control: a concept teaching us that in order to attack in Jiu-Jitsu, you must sometimes sacrifice control for movement. Follow Jesse and Rough Hands BJJ …

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Mini Ep. 9: Clamps 7:22

1M ago7:22

7:22

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing clamps, the mechanic where you use your limbs to create a closed circuit around your opponent's body. Think closed guard or seatbelt. This is the fourth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts. Further study: …

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 63: How to Win a Fight 47:48

2M ago47:48

47:48

Have you ever been in a fight? What if you found yourself in a physical altercation completely untrained? I discuss fight tactics like managing the distance, creating asymmetrical warfare, risk vs. reward, and more. I believe society would be a better place if everyone trained some kind of martial art. Be safe out there. Please leave a review, subs…

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Ep. 291: Difficult Coaching Conversations, feat. Ben Van Doren 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

1:06:24

This week we're joined by Ben Van Doren! Ben is a Lucas Lepri black belt and the head instructor at Deep Blue Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Caledonia, Michigan. In this episode, Ben draws on his experience as a manager and BJJ gym owner to discuss difficult coaching conversations. This conversation is a great playbook for Jiu-Jisu leaders of all sorts, an…

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Mini Ep. 8: Wedges 7:55

2M ago7:55

7:55

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing wedges, and we don't mean pizza! We break down the two types of wedges in Jiu-Jitsu: blocking wedges (used for immobilizing your opponent) and prying wedges (used for breaking open your opponent's defenses). This is the third in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 62: Optimizing Weight Distribution 59:32

2M ago59:32

59:32

One of the truly most important skills in Jiu-Jitsu is to master the use of your weight and how you apply it to your opponent. This skill can break down even the most skilled opponents over the course of a match. In this episode, I discuss camping, backtracking, gamifying weight distribution, and my thoughts on the ADCC Dallas brawl. Please leave a…

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Building a Vibrant Agency Culture, With Nicole Greer 46:17

2M ago46:17

46:17

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Nicole Greer, founder and CEO of Build a Vibrant CultureTM. 00:59 – 02:14 – Guest Background: Nicole shares her journey and experience, highlighting her work with notable brands like State Farm and The Ohio State University. 02:15 – 04:05 – Importance …

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Episode #6 Matt Kwan: Taking Risks and Going All In 1:04:49

2M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

Summary Matt Kwan, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, shares his journey from being a chef to opening his own Jiu Jitsu school. He talks about his passion for teaching and his desire to make a living off of Jiu Jitsu. Matt emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and taking risks to pursue one's dreams. He also discusses the challenges he f…

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Ep. 290: Gym Culture and Dogma, feat. Jeff Serafin 1:10:25

2M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

This week we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff is the head instructor at Serafin BJJ, a partner at Gym 1801, and a black belt under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias. In this episode, Jeff advocates for fostering a healthy gym culture and reducing dogma in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: identifying and avoiding toxic gym cultures, ego management in training…

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Mini Ep. 7: Levers 9:52

2M ago9:52

9:52

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing levers! Levers are force multipliers and the source of leverage in Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, we talk about the levers of the human body, turning frames into levers, and when levers are less important. This is the second in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jit…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 61: Kuzushi 47:57

3M ago47:57

47:57

Kuzushi is one of the most crucial principles in grappling (and in fighting). This principle was popularized by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo. Kano was a firm believer that if you want to effectively attack your opponent with techniques, you must first attack their stance. The idea of Kuzushi is to first break your opponent’s body positi…

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Ep. 289: Competition Camps, feat. Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic 59:45

3M ago59:45

59:45

This week we're joined again by Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic! Lyzz is a multi-time black belt masters world champion and a longtime member of the BJJ Mental Models Premium community. Lyzz will be competing at ADCC this year after earning her entry via victory at ADCC West Coast Trials. In this episode, Lyzz shares what high-level competition camps lo…

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Scaling eCommerce with YouTube Ads: Christian Hoppe’s Proven Approach 37:13

3M ago37:13

37:13

Send us a text On this episode of the Growth Leap Podcast, I chat with Christian Hoppe, co-founder of Forwrd Agency. This digital marketing agency has cracked the code for driving revenue for sustainable e-commerce brands with YouTube ads. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and advertising, Christian shares how he discovered the …

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Episode #5 Matt Becker: Setting Expectations and Preventing Legal Risks 49:01

2M ago49:01

49:01

Summary: Matthew Becker, practicing attorney and owner of Gym Lawyers, provides legal consulting for gym owners. He emphasizes the importance of keeping gym owners and their members safe through proper business practices. Matthew discusses the difference between legal consulting and representation, and how he helps gym owners with education, contra…

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Mini Ep. 6: Frames 10:14

3M ago10:14

10:14

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing frames! You probably know what a frame is, but I'm guessing you haven't walked through the concept as in-depth as we'll do here today! Let's talk about how we define a "frame," when we want to use frames, what makes frames useful, and when frames become a liability. This is the first in a six-part serie…

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The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Ep 60: Dr. Kickass Feat. Mike Piekarski 1:05:44

3M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Mike “Doctor Kickass” Piekarski is a Black Belt under Henry Akins, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Combat Athlete Performance Coach, and online content creator. He is known for his excellent injury breakdowns and sport-specific physiotherapy protocols. In this episode, we discuss safe training with beginners, assessing and healing injuries, the mos…

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