Spencer is now a third degree Black Belt after starting martial arts during his childhood, and ended up injuring his back boxing, losing his muscle strength until he started training and sparring in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Spencer shares the challenges of going from being very active and physical, to losing his confidence, a drop in mental health, and changing careers.

The story of learning to deal with customers, especially in retail has served Spencer in dealing with individuals joining his BJJ academy, which started as 4 students to well over 140 students today, with a 50% competition team. We talk about the style of learning and teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, changing attitudes and mindsets of concepts around the art of BJJ. Moving from a defensive position to an attacking one is the aim to continue to play the game. Leading the dance of jiu jitsu especially in competition is essential, as is having experience in all areas of the art.

Some excellent advice Spencer offers is to stay dedicated to your dream. Where can you make the biggest impact in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Topics:

• Martial Arts
• Injury
• Mental Health
• Working in retail
• Focus on the individual
• Running a business
• Learning and teaching
• Value of attacking
• Grip with purpose
• Accountability
• Feedback

Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjjhewitt/

Checkmat Essex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkmatessex/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

JOIN my new show Double Mic Takedown Podcast: https://voxiferistudios.com/double-mic-takedown-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Strauss is an experienced commentator, and talks about his recent experience on Polaris 30, along with some of the technicalities of the role. He talks about the 50-60 matches commentating on Cage Warriors available on UFC Fight Pass since 2020.

Dan was first interested in martial arts as a teenager, starting with Japanese Jiu Jitsu in Mill Hill, and he's been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for close to 20 years, and has been a Black Belt for 10 years. We talk about the journey of the art, discovering new techniques, and the depth and breadth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as you progress.

Grip training is very important for grip strength and longevity, not just in jiu jitsu but life in general. Dan shares his experience and knowledge in this area, with it being one of the most effective areas of training for the most beneficial physical results, especially for any grappler.

Topics:

• Commentating
• Play-By-Play
• Polaris
• Cage Warriors
• Give the energy
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Competition
• Seminars
• Grip Strength
• Strong Man training
• Mythology

GO TO The Ape Academy: https://www.apeacademyonline.com/

Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianbutlermma

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

JOIN my new show Double Mic Takedown Podcast: https://voxiferistudios.com/double-mic-takedown-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Butler is fresh off of Polaris 30, having brought his family to London for his debut at Polaris Professional here in the UK. He fought to the very end, and very much delivered the joy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Ian reflects on his match performance and like many of us, being stuck in a really tight closed guard!

Reflecting on every match you participate in, win or learn, you have to refresh and learn from feedback, video footage and anything else is so important for your personal progress. Ian talks of the hours learning from every match that he participates in.

Ian comes from humble beginnings, and is now growing his wrestling gyms in the US. He wants to continue to build a legacy beyond his fighting career that supports young people's education on and off the mats. Respect for culture, being tough, and knowing you don't have to take the step of life alone, is fundamental in the art.

Topics:

• Humble beginnings
• Wrestling
• Grappling is fun
• Polaris 30
• Bellator Fighter
• Who's Number One (WNO)
• Ian 'Silverback' Butler
• Silverback Wrestling Club
• Fight language

Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianbutlermma

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Follow Silverback Wrestling: https://www.instagram.com/silverbackwrestling

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dani's journey of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu started in Qatar shortly after her Mother suddenly passed away. Taking steps to grieve, heal and grow through the art of Jiu Jitsu is something many of us turn to. One of Dani's friends during this time took her to her very first class, that she describes as 'Jiu Jitsu Heaven'!

Working through grief for Dani brought her a physical connection that was able to reconnect her emotionally to the present moment, on the mats. What comes through is that we don't know that we all need Jiu Jitsu until we start training. Dani now supports her club as an Assistant Coach, working with kids classes which echoes her teaching career, giving back to the community.

Topics:

• Grief
• Women's Only Classes
• Fear and winning
• Female Black Belt Professors
• Jiu Jitsu is therapy
• Consistent training
• Competition
• Assistant Coach
• Building confidence

Dani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justadpixiedust/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

JOIN my new show Double Mic Takedown Podcast: https://voxiferistudios.com/double-mic-takedown-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jade Barker always wanted to be a Power Ranger, and ditched Ballet for Taekwondo at the age of 5. She trained with kids who were much older than her, and they became an inspiration to Jade, as did seeing, and wanting the large competition trophies. Growing up, Jade found a passion for fighting and striking during her teenage years and then met Colin Howells and began her jiu jitsu journey.

She makes a very inspirational point in the transition from her beginnings of Jiu Jitsu at a small gym, to her first Polaris match. MMA has given Jade an awareness and experience of being more positionally advanced in competition, and is mindful of the stress and intensity of preparation for matches. Jade shows up with integrity and honesty to give this episode a real sense of learning for us all.

Topics:

• Aspiring Power Ranger
• Taekwondo
• MMA
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Polaris Professional
• Mental progress
• Competitive nature

Jade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jade_barker01/

Gym01Portsmouth: https://www.instagram.com/gym01portsmouth/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

JOIN my new show Double Mic Takedown Podcast: https://voxiferistudios.com/double-mic-takedown-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy trains at Checkmat Plymouth under Ian Harrop, and is a Brown Belt. He brings his extensive years of coaching to the mats and always works on his A-Game.

Topics:

• Training hours
• Bottom game
• One-to-One Training
• Guard Player
• Route to Submission
• Coaching
• Boxing
• Competition Prep
• Strength and Conditioning

Andy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harris.a.bjj_and_fitness/

The Jiu Jitsu League: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8infsWRCsQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Check out my new show Double Mic Takedown Podcast: https://voxiferistudios.com/double-mic-takedown-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Bell is a competitor in Freestyle Wrestling, and also trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because he was unable to find places to continue his wrestling after returning from Afghanistan. He is now a Purple Belt and trains in and around York, UK.

He is also a Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and is currently running a Grappling Injury Research Study, where he is trying to further understand injury prevention. Jon is seeing the majority of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu injuries in knees, because of the amount of torque there is in this joint.

Topics:

• Northern Grappling Co
• Greco Roman Wrestling
• Freestyle Wresting
• Your first Martial Art
• Fitness Training
• PTSD
• Callisthenics
• Grappling Injury Research
• GB Wrestling
• Catch Wrestling
• BJJ Injuries
• Tips to stay safe

Jon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northern_grappling_co/

Jon at Leeds Beckett University: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/jon-bell/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is a Black Belt, and started his return to competition with a very smooth inside heel hook at Impact Invitational, albeit injured. He is also Head Coach at Gracie Barra Salisbury. The return to competition was something Michael wanted to do, to test the quality of his Jiu Jitsu, regardless of any barrier on the day.

Being a smaller guy, Michael has built up a personal brand and positive reputation that far exceeds his physical persona. He has deep belief in his jiu jitsu, and brings such positivity to the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Michael talks of his time off the mats, and how he overcame the challenges of life, coming back stronger and supporting others as much as his own wellbeing.

Topics:

• Impact Invitational
• Leg Locks
• Emotions
• The Journey starts at Black Belt
• Black Belt tips
• Competition Career
• Self-Love
• Community
• Train with a higher ranks
• Fall in love with Jiu Jitsu
• Trust your Jiu Jitsu

Michael D'aguiar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfdaguiar/

Gracie Barra Salisbury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciebarrasalisbury/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merchandise AVAILABLE NOW : https://jiujitsulou.com/shop

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.