Damien Tanenbaum: It's Always Worth Showing Up

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal sit down with entrepreneur, action actor, fight coordinator, producer, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Damien Tanenbaum. Damien didn’t begin his jiu jitsu journey until his mid-30s after his son introduced him to the sport. What started as supporting his child quickly became a lifelong pursuit—one that eventually led to earning his black belt, helping build Triple Crown Athletic, coaching the fundamentals he loves, and discovering an unexpected career in film. In this episode, we talk about: Starting jiu jitsu later in life and embracing the beginner’s mindset Why the fundamentals never stop mattering How jiu jitsu opened doors to acting, fight coordination, and producing His upcoming film projects, including A Dish Best Served. His passion project, Shattered, a film centered on a father’s relentless fight to rescue his daughter from human trafficking, where Damien serves as producer, actor, and fight coordinator Why success isn’t about giant leaps—it’s about taking small steps consistently and refusing to quit Whether you’re a brand-new white belt, someone considering trying jiu jitsu for the first time, or simply chasing a new dream later in life, Damien’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to begin. Learn more about Shattered at www.shatteredthemovie.com. Thank You to Our Sponsors 🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling Camp Indy Base Camp | July 9–11, 2027 | Indianapolis, IN 🌐 www.rollmodelswanted.com Use code CHOKE50 for $50 OFF registration. 🌿 MilUsos Skincare Premium skincare made for grapplers. 📲 Instagram: @milusos_skincare 🌐 www.milusosskincare.com Code: CHOCHI 🩹 Limitless Tape High-performance tape built for athletes. 📲 Instagram: @limitless_tape Use code CHOKEHOLD 🌐 https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop