Episodes

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    Today’s guest joins the show to discuss the expanding roles within the jiu-jitsu world, how students learn, why jiu-jitsu has become so complicated, how prioritizing his training afforded him the opportunities to train with the best in the world, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with owner and instructor at Black Cat Jiu-Jitsu in Springfield Virginia, Adam Benayoun.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.adambenayounbjj.com/
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    https://www.instagram.com/blackcatjiujitsu/?hl=en
    https://blackcatjiujitsu.com/

    Episode Highlights:
    5:51 Roles Within Jiu-Jitsu
    11:59 Surprises in Business
    15:04 Teaching Jiu-Jitsu
    25:50 Simple Jiu-Jitsu vs Complicated Jiu-Jitsu
    39:32 Fostering Relationships
    47:16 Training with the Greats
    59:00 Jorgen Matsi’s Question

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    This week’s guest joins the podcast to discuss the beginings of BJJ in his homeland of Estonia, the evolution of training in BJJ, the characteristics of a good coach, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with a pioneer in Estonian BJJ, Jorgen Matsi.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://www.instagram.com/jorgenmatsi/
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    Episode Highlights:
    7:10 Estonian BJJ
    11:15 How Seminars Have Changed
    16:25 The Skillset of Training
    33:12 How to Learn vs What to Learn
    46:44 The Impracticality of Traditional Martial Arts
    53:32 Characteristics of a Good Coach
    57:05 Are We Crazy
    1:06:15 What Makes Jiu-Jitsu Unique
    1:12:36 Dorothy Dao’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins the show to discuss her journey of self-discovery through jiu-jitsu, the distinction between training hard and rolling hard, the importance of community and mentorship, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with an IBJJF NOGI Pan American Champion and an ADCC Thailand Open Champion, Dorothy Dao.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.instagram.com/not_dorothydao/
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    Episode Highlights:
    3:18 Living Without Regret
    13:50 Life Takes a 180
    29:28 Training Dynamics Big, Little, Men, Women
    37:56 Rolling Hard vs Training Hard
    48:16 The Academies That Stand Out from the Others
    1:03:26 Natan Levy’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins the show to discuss his journey from a kid in Israel, who loved martial arts to a pro MMA fighter, the impact training in Japan had on his life, the importance of mentorship, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with Ultimate Self-Defense Championship season 2 competitor, and current UFC lightweight fighter, Natan Levy.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.instagram.com/natan_levy/?hl=en
    https://www.youtube.com/@MartialArtsJourney
    https://www.ufc.com/search?query=Natan+Levy&referrerPageUrl=https://www.ufc.com/

    Episode Highlights:
    3:41 Falling in Love with Martial Arts
    6:58 No Escape from Discipline
    20:31 Training Smarter
    28:30 Finding Balance
    35:29 No Plan B Mom
    37:38 Adventures in Japan
    53:24 Lessons from Another Culture
    1:01.02 Transitioning to MMA
    1:10.54 Natan’s Drive
    1:15.08 Ben Van Doren’s Question

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    Today’s guest is joins the show to discuss the importance of finding work-life balance in addition to running a BJJ academy full-time, setting clear expectations for students, the importance of building a positive culture and community, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with Lucas Lepri black belt, the Substack creator of Life in Jiu-Jitsu, and head instructor at Deep Blue Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ben Van Doren.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://www.deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu.com/instructors/bio/id/8838
    https://benvandoren.substack.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu/


    Episode Highlights:
    3:24 Balancing Acts
    10:06 Defining Your Vision
    13:53 Ben’s Slow Begining
    20:16 Being Confident on Your Feet
    25:20 Priorities
    29:05 Culture, Community, Curriculum, and Consistancy
    40:02 Learning to Instruct
    47:46 Communication in the Digital Enviornmennt
    54:37 Carving Out Time for Jiu-Jitsu
    1:08:25 Micah Brakefield’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins the show to discuss the life that jiu-jitsu has provided him, the importance of enjoying the now, learning to keep calm in the eye of a storm, how an injury changed the direction of his life, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with 1st degree gi black belt under Don Whitefield and first dergree 10th planet black belt under Nabil Salameh, and owner and instructor of 10th Planet Etobicoke, Micah Brakefield.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://10thplanetetobicoke.com/?
    https://micahbrakefield.com/
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    Episode Highlights:
    4:22 The Life Jiu-Jitsu Has Provided
    9:21 Life Lessons from Forrest Gump
    11:25 Grappling in the Family
    20:52 Early Tournament Lessons
    26:13 Being Calm In the Eye of a Storm
    38:00 The Wrestlers Advantage
    41:08 The Mental Tap
    45:50 Converting from Wrestling to BJJ
    50:08 Accept Your Situation
    59:34 Just One of the Guys
    1:02:33 Steve Kwan’s Question

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    Today’s guest is one of the leading BJJ podcasters. He has taken concepts related to his years of working in the corparate world and applied them to Jiu-Jitsu.

    Steve Kwan joins the podcast to discuss how to reframe your mindset from a negative to a positve, the pitfalls hobbyists face having access to training with pros, why he believes technique is one of the least important things while learning jiu-jitsu, and how impactful the community of jiu-jitsu can be for students and instructors.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with Emily Kwok black belt and host of the BJJ Mental Models podcast, Steve Kwan.


    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/
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    Episode Highlights:
    5:30 The Butterfly Effect
    6:23 Turning Negatives Into Positives
    14:49 Intelligent Performance
    16:56 Redefining the Hobbyist
    31:39 Jiu-Jitsu Maturity
    41:43 The Jiu-Jitsu Community
    56:01 Consistency
    1:10:26 Adele Fornarino’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins us to discuss the impact her success has had on others, her rollercoaster ride as a brown belt, her recent win at ADCC, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with black belt under David Hart at Team Dominance MMA, and IBJJF World Gi and NOGI champion, and 2 x ADCC champion, Adele Fornarino.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://www.instagram.com/adelefornarino/?hl=en
    https://linktr.ee/daddy.adele.bjj
    https://dominance.com.au/

    Episode Highlights:
    2:52 Becoming ADCC Champ
    11:05 Discovering Jiu-Jitsu?
    19:24 Determined to Make a Career Out Of BJJ
    23:51 Asserting Dominance Over the Guys
    28:57 Brown Belt Rollercoaster
    33:58 Sacrifice and Support
    42:35 Fundamentals and Basic Concepts
    46:20 Making an Impact
    1:02:47 Wanting World Domination

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    Today’s guest join us to discuss how online education has revolutionized learning, how cultural influences impact fighting styles, and his hourglass theory of jiu-jitsu.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with the operator of Grapplearts.com, host of The Strenuous Life BJJ Podcast, and the author of The Roadmap for BJJ, Stephan Kesting.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://www.grapplearts.com/
    https://www.grapplearts.com/tag/podcasts/
    https://www.grapplearts.com/the-free-roadmap-for-bjj-app/
    https://www.grapplearts.com/grapplearts-bjj-master-app/

    Episode Highlights:
    3:10 Dissemination of Information
    14:04 Revolutionizing How to Teach
    17:01 Giving Mom an Ultimatum
    21:00 Techniques, Training, and Tools, Make a Difference
    29:15 Training for Rule Sets
    36:06 Culture Changes Fighting
    46:06 The Hourglass Concept
    53:32 Evolution of Instruction
    1:01:53 Celeste Cronin’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins us to discuss the mental and physical balance in jiu-jitsu, focusing on making time for one’s self, the responsibility of a jiu-jitsu instructor, the importance of taking competition seriously while still having fun, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with a Masters Nogi World Champion, and instructor at Carlson Gracie Team Murrieta, Celeste Cronin.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.instagram.com/celestecroninfit/
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    Episode Highlights:
    3:14 Finding Balance
    9:30 The Muscle We Can’t See
    15:17 An Instructors Responsibility
    22:17 Go Have Fun
    25:30 Why Jiu-Jitsu?
    32:23 Does Technique Conquer All?
    38:38 A Strategic Approach
    46:53 Receiving a Black Belt
    1:00:01 Gile Uni’s Question

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    Gile Uni has trained all over the world and has lived in different countries. One thing he has found is that people are people and jiu-jitsu is jiu-jitsu no matter where you are.

    On this Takeaway, Thomas and Gary discuss how, through jiu-jitsu, we can find that we have more in common with people than we think.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://bjjkimura.rs/en/instructors/
    https://www.bjjee.com/
    https://bjjee-shop.myshopify.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/gilebjjee/
    https://www.instagram.com/bjjee/

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    Today’s guest might not be a household name in BJJ, but if you have been practicing for any time, you have probably seen and been influenced by his work.

    Gile Huni joins us to discuss the rewards of being an instructor, international jiu-jitsu, connecting with students, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with owner and head instructor of Kimura Jiu-Jitsu Academy Serbia, 3rd-degree black belt, and owner and editor of one of the most influential jiu-jitsu websites BJJ Eastern Europe, Gile Uni.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://bjjkimura.rs/en/instructors/
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    https://bjjee-shop.myshopify.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/gilebjjee/
    https://www.instagram.com/bjjee/

    Episode Highlights:
    3:39 Shout Out to Adem Redzovic
    4:31 Once You Feel Jiu Jitsu Your Convinced
    9:37 Rewards of Being an Instructor
    17:31 Constructive Ego
    24:36 Serbian Jiu-Jitsu
    26:13 Starting BJJ Eastern Europe
    35:47 European Jiu-Jitsu
    40:00 Connecting with Students
    55:06 Gile’s Future
    56:53 Old Man Jiu-Jitsu
    58:44 Brandon Walensky’s Question

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    We all want to win, and when you start jiu-jitsu wins can be few and far between. So is that the reason so many people quit jiu-jitsu?

    After a great conversation with Brandon Walensky, Thomas and Gary discuss the desire to win and how it affects life on and off the mats.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://walenskyjiujitsu.com/
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    https://www.instagram.com/walenskyjiujitsu/
    https://www.instagram.com/gracieallegiancehq/

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    Today’s guest joins us to discuss his natural progression to becoming and academy owner, why it is so hard to be dedicated to jiu-jitsu, the hardest part of jiu-jitsu, the split he foresees in the sports future, and more.

    Here is THe RŌL Radio with 2x brown belt no-gi world champion, Clark Gracie black belt, and owner and head instructor at Walensky Jiu-Jitsu, Brandon Walensky.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    Episode Highlights:
    3:56 Jiu-Jitsu Full Time
    10:13 Inspiring Others
    17:24 Life Without Jiu-Jitsu
    24:27 Getting Students Over Hurdles
    31:46 Life Is Easier Because of Jiu-Jitsu
    34:52 Natural Progression to Opening an Academy
    47:47 Major Setbacks and Changing Focus
    1:00:27 Denis Pinto’s Question

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    Does rank really matter in jiu-jitsu? Does it really represent a level of skill?

    After hearing how Denis Pinto was promoted over the years, Thomas and Gary discuss how people are promoted and what rank represents.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    Today’s guest has an incredible competition career and his list of accomplishments is second to none.

    Denis Pinto joins the show to discuss the toll that career has taken on his body, the unique way he moved through the jiu-jitsu ranks, how he can teach to a black belt and white belt within the same class, and the future of jiu-jitsu.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with 8 x IBJJF World Champion, 12 x Pans Champion, and instructor at Fight Sports Club Miami, Denis Pinto.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    Episode Highlights:
    4:44 Denis’ Fight History
    11:15 Promoted Over the Phone
    22:14 Not Ready for the Black Belt
    31:42 Knowing He Would Teach from Day One
    41:41 The Best Training Partner
    56:39 Bre Stikk’s Question

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    Today’s guest joins us to discuss her life of service, dealing with major life changes, trauma survival, women who made her career in MMA possible, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with, activist, farmer, former paramedic and wildland firefighter, BJJ instructor, MMA fighter, and black belt under Renato Magno and Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez, Bre Stikk.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    https://www.instagram.com/brejj/?hl=en
    https://www.patreon.com/Brejj
    https://www.instagram.com/skullgames.io/?hl=en

    Episode Highlights:
    4:42 Working the Homestead
    10:16 180 Degree Change
    16:47 Life of Service
    21:16 Women’s MMA
    32:09 Drive to Overcome
    41:29 Impacting Others
    58:11 Arin Ardjamian’s Question

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    There are things in life that you can not say no to.

    After a great conversation with Arin Ardjamian, Thomas and Gary discuss the things in life that matter so much, that you have no choice but to do them.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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    Today’s guest dives deep into how he went from an overweight white belt to a multi-time world champion.

    Arin Adjamian joins us to discuss his journey, how success is not linear, his father and coaches' impact on him, and more.

    Here is The RŌL Radio with, entrepreneur, instructor, multi-time world champion, and Robert Drysdale black belt, Arin Adjamian.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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    https://www.instagram.com/da_jits/

    Episode Highlights:
    3:43 Balancing Life and Training
    9:16 What Makes Jiu-Jitsu So Special
    14:26 Single Focus
    22:35 Priorities
    31:12 Proving Something to Myself
    44:50 Winning Worlds
    48:35 You Got To Be A Knucklehead
    57:50 What a Gold Medal is Really Worth
    1:04:08 Zelvis Slootemaker’s Question
    1:05:01 Rolling with Robert Drysdale

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    Father Figures play a significant role in our lives. Whether it is our actual father or a surrogate, the values and lessons learned, either positive or negative have a massive impact on our lives.

    In this Takeaway, Thomas and Gary discuss the importance of father figures and how they shape us.

    www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1300 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

    FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radio

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