#299 Jay Valko

Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, Thomas’ guest reflects on his 26-year journey in Jiu-Jitsu, discussing the evolution of the sport, the complexities of instructor-student relationships, and the impact he has had on his students. He shares insights on the balance between teaching and competing, the role of competition in personal growth, and the future of Jiu-Jitsu as it continues to evolve. He also reflects on the changing dynamics of starting a Jiu-Jitsu academy, the personal journey that led to a career in martial arts, and his philosophy behind training and competition.Here is The RŌL Radio with a 4th degree black belt who has been training since 1999, and the owner/head instructor at Valko BJJ in Chicago Illinois, Jay Valko.www.rolacademy.tv 30% discount with ROLRADIO code at checkout. Over 1600 videos for your Jiu-Jitsu journey.FREE Access to ROL TV - https://rolacademy.tv/yt/269-the-rol-radiohttp://www.therolradio.comhttps://www.instagram.com/therolradiohttps://www.facebook.com/therolradio/https://valkobjj.com/https://valkobjj.com/valko-studio-1https://www.instagram.com/valkobjj/Episode Highlights:3:00 A Chicago BJJ Pioneer6:00 Instructor and Student Relationships13:56 Ups and Downs of Academy Growth22:57 The Role of Competition in Jiu-Jitsu31:28 How Long Can We Go On34:14 Jay’s Journey38:48 How Jiu-Jitsu Changed the Martial Arts Landscape45:55 Drama In Jiu-Jitsu52:38 What Motivates Jay1:05:40 Training with Carlson SeniorSupport the show