From the Mat to the Badge: Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu and Law Enforcement with Sergeant Daniel Whelan

In this episode I am thrilled to be joined by my cousin, Daniel Whelan. Daniel is a Sergeant in the New Hampshire Police Department, has a purple belt in jiu jitsu, and is a highly accomplished wrestler. Dan takes us through his career as a wrestler which started in the 4th grade and continued on through college. From grueling weight-cuts to intense college matches under the lights, Dan shares stories of victories, setbacks, and the life lessons learned along the way. Dan started training jiu jitsu in 2007 and was hooked from the start. He recounts his very first class led by the only black belt in the entire state of New Hampshire at the time. He details how shocked he was on that first night expecting to steamroll the competition with his wrestling prowess, but to his surprise, was repeatedly submitted by both blue and white belts. He has been training ever since. Dan believes jiu-jitsu should be a cornerstone of police training, emphasizing that the discipline teaches control, composure, and technique over brute force. In high-stress situations, he says jiu-jitsu equips officers with the skills to de-escalate confrontations safely, subdue suspects without excessive force, and protect both themselves and others. Hear about all of this and more in this episode of Rolling Over 40!