Jaidyn Mueller is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Tom DeBlass, training out of Ocean County BJJ in New Jersey. Jaidyn competes at the highest level in the sport and is currently ranked one of the top 10 female competitors in the 145-pound division. In this episode, we discuss Jaidyn’s background in various martial arts and her eventual mo…

Kameron Ross is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, strength and mobility coach, and law enforcement officer. He is also the owner and founder of KrossTrainingBJJ, an online coaching system that is customized to meet clients’ goals and requirements. In this episode, we discuss Kameron’s background in strength and conditioning, and his motivation …

Chad Myers is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Ken Gabrielson (the first American coral belt). Chad is also the co-owner of Combative Fighting Systems in Peyton, Colorado. In this episode we discuss Chad’s early start in wrestling, and his eventual transition to MMA and Jiu Jitsu. He shares his progression through various belts, and what h…

Amanda Bruse is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently trains out of Atos HQ in San Diego, California. Amanda is also the owner and founder of Kimono Boutique, a brand specializing in women’s Jiu Jitsu apparel. In this episode, we discuss Amanda’s early transition between competitive powerlifting and Jiu Jitsu. We also discuss her experi…

Ryan “Gringo” Ford is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently trains out of the Demian Maia Academy in Sau Paulo, Brazil. Ryan also hosts the very popular BJJ Fanatics Podcast. In this episode, we discuss Ryan’s start in Jiu Jitsu and how his passion for the sport eventually evolved into a podcast. He also talks about the growth of his po…

John Hansen is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently trains out of The Academy in Omaha, Nebraska. John has achieved multiple accolades throughout his career and most recently defeated five opponents during the ADCC North American Trials, clinching a spot in the 2022 ADCC World Championship +99kg division. In this episode, we discuss Jo…

Paul Ardila is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a full-time practicing attorney out of Atlanta, Georgia. Paul recently won the ADCC West Coast Trials, defeating six opponents in the 99kg division, and solidifying his spot in the 2022 ADCC World Championship. In this episode, we discuss Paul’s upbringing and his move to the United States from…

Barb Ciesnolevicz is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and professional MMA athlete who currently trains out of Cies MMA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She recently became an IBJJF Pan American gold medalist and is preparing for her second Battle MMA Championships appearance on June 18th in Colorado Springs. In this episode, we discuss Barb’s st…

The Open Mat series is intended to brings together fans of the sport in an open forum to discuss current events, training, lessons learned, benefits, and any other topics related to Jiu Jitsu or combat sports in general. In this episode, I sit down with one of my first training partners, Mike Godina. Mike was there on day one of my Jiu Jitsu journe…

Sophia Cassella is brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently ranked one of the top 10 competitors in the FloGrappling 115-pound and 125-pound female divisions. She has achieved multiple accolades throughout her career, and recently earned the fastest submission in a women's WNO match. In this episode, we discuss Sophia’s early start in Jiu Ji…

Chris Haueter is a 6th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a member of the famed “Dirty Dozen” (the first 12 non-Brazilian black belts). He is also the owner and founder of Combat Base Jiu Jitsu. In this episode, we discuss Chris’ early start in Jiu Jitsu, and how it has evolved over the years. He also shares his perspective on the first …

Erika Dawn is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and currently trains out of Legacy BJJ in Los Angeles, California. In this episode, we discuss Erika’s early start as a competitive dancer and how that eventually evolved into martial arts. We also discuss her progression through various belts and lessons she learned along the way. Finally, Erika o…

Mike Edwards is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Dr. Edwards has been practicing Physical Therapy for nearly 20 years and currently owns his own practice, My Movement Therapy, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Edwards desire to practice physical therapy, his experiences in college, and what led him to Las Vegas. We also dis…

Jaime Hernandez is a former Division 1 collegiate wrestler, professional MMA fighter, and co-owner of Battle Championship MMA in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this episode, we discuss Jaime’s experience growing up and how it led him to wrestling. We also discuss his competitive journey through college and eventually into MMA. Finally, Jaime talks …

Adam Alaniz is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Marine Corps veteran, triathlete, and ultramarathon runner. In this episode, we discuss Adam’s years of military service, his start in Jiu Jitsu, and his eventual transition to endurance sports. Adam also opens up about mindset, and where he generates the mental strength to complete some of the to…

Andrew Wiltse is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Heath Pedigo, and currently trains out of Pedigo Submission Fighting Academy in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He is a five-time IBJJF Worlds gold medalists and seven-time IBJJF Pan American gold medalist. In this episode, we discuss Andrew’s unique upbringing, how he discovered Jiu Jitsu, his yea…

Cresencio Zamora is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the owner of Las Vegas Jiu Jitsu. He also serves as a law enforcement officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In this episode, we discuss Cresencio’s start in Jiu Jitsu, his years competing, opening his own gym, and what led him to public service. We also discuss his cur…

The Open Mat series is intended to brings together fans of the sport in an open forum to discuss current events, training, lessons learned, benefits, and any other topics related to Jiu Jitsu or combat sports in general. In this episode, I sit down with two friends who are also passionate about Jiu Jitsu. Joe is a blue belt currently training in Co…

Jessica Crane is a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu who trains out of Ares BJJ in Dallas, Texas. She is a two-time blue belt Worlds gold medalist, a blue belt No-Gi Worlds champion, a purple belt No-Gi Worlds silver medalist, and brown belt No-Gi Worlds champion. In this episode, we discuss Jessica’s early start in Jiu Jitsu, her years competing as a wrestl…

Greg Kalteich is a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Robert Drysdale, and the owner of Drysdale Fight For Us in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, we discuss Greg’s start in Jiu Jitsu, his transition between belts, competing at various levels, and what ultimately motivated him to open his own gym. We also discuss Greg’s 23 years o…

Ronda Andrews is a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and the owner of Gracie Humaita West Craig in Las Vegas. Ronda started training in 2007, and over the years has gone on to win several major tournaments and titles throughout her career. In this episode, Ronda discusses her passion surrounding Jiu Jitsu, specifically being an instruct…