Beyond the Belt

This is a conversation with Christian Pierce, a black belt out of New York, New York, USA currently living in Zurich, Switzerland. He also has a black belt in Hoteikan Jiutjitsu. Christian is a researcher, lecturer, and PhD candidate in organizational studies and cultural theory. He’s a US Army veteran and graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caponearth * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianpierce1/ * Alliance Jiujitsu: https://www.allianceofficial.com/en/ * Sportegration: https://sportegration.ch/en/ * Student Veterans of America: https://studentveterans.org/ * OUR Racism: https://www.ourcontexts.org/podcasts-racism   Reference Links: * Carlson Gracie Laranjeiras: https://www.instagram.com/carlsongracie_laranjeiras/ * Aranya Barcelona: https://www.instagram.com/aranyabarcelona/ * Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave * Grounded Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grounded_theory * Ronin Grappling Values: https://roningrappling.com/values/ * The Strongest Karate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCiZxLdda6s   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:32 Journey to Black Belt 03:07 Defining Black Belt Expertise 12:13 Social Proof and Validation in Jiujitsu 28:29 Community in Jiujitsu 42:07 PhD and Jiujitsu Communities 47:03 The C5 Framework: Connection, Consent, Challenge, Credibility, Care 54:59 Care in Leadership 59:55 Pressure and Authenticity in Different Contexts 01:11:37 Reverse Mentorship 01:19:28 Cultural Insights from Jiujitsu 01:23:43 The Role of Associations in Jiu Jitsu 01:34:27 Sports Integration and Community Building 01:40:06 Early Life 01:43:24 MMA and West Point 01:47:42 Navigating the Transition from Military to Civilian Life 01:54:41 Mental Health Challenges and Jiujitsu 02:07:31 People are People 02:17:58 Future Aspirations and Community Engagement 02:20:45 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Brady McLean, a black belt out of Sheridan, Wyoming, USA. Brady is motorcycle philosopher with a focus on mental health. He's also a CrossFit coach, brand representative for Go Fast, Don't Die, and writer of the On Any Someday e-mail newsletter.   Episode Links: * Go Fast, Don't Die: https://www.gofastdontdie.com/ * On Any Someday Email: https://www.gofastdontdie.com/pages/on-any-someday * Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradytildeath * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-mclean-06975668/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradythejiu/ * Devil's Stone Run: https://thedevilstonerun.com/ * Crooked Motorcycles: https://crookedmotorcycles.com/ * Grindhouse Sheridan: https://www.instagram.com/grindhouse.sheridan   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:23 This Specific Black Belt 04:28 Journey to Black Belt 09:53 The Philosophy of Goals and Work 14:34 Getting Into CrossFit 24:06 Jiujitsu Today 30:03 Life Lessons from Risky Activities 39:23 Painful Lessons From Building Businesses 50:57 Authenticity Over Appearance 01:01:01 The Power of Reflection 01:07:14 I Feel Outstanding 01:11:40 Humility and Authenticity in Inches 01:22:03 Investing Time and Embracing Life 01:35:21 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Nora Schoenthal, a black belt out of Cologne, Germany currently living in Barcelona, Spain. Nora is a mother and career person who has taken a hiatus from jiujitsu. She works in HR and is a head of People with a focus on Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/noranavigator * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noraschoenthal/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:25 Journey to Black Belt 03:59 Teaching vs. Competing in Jiu-Jitsu 06:22 Building a Community for Women in Jiu-Jitsu 09:20 Being Accepted in BJJ 14:22 Balancing Teaching and Personal Growth 21:08 Dealing with FOMO in the Jiujitsu Community 30:23 Finding Balance in Jiu Jitsu and Life 34:21 The Art of Talent Acquisition 40:32 Leveraging Internal Talent Markets 46:26 Motivating Employees for Continuous Learning 55:14 Balancing Automation and Human Touch in Hiring 59:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Development 01:06:41 The Role of HR Business Partners in Strategy 01:13:30 Learning and Development 01:18:16 Measuring Success in Learning and Development 01:23:24 Favorite Parts of the Job 01:27:00 Finding Your Own Path 01:32:49 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Adam Marburger, a black belt out of Alton, Illinois, USA. Adam is an author, owner and CEO of multiple businesses, speaker, coach, and gym owner.   Episode Links: * Alton Elite Jiujitsu - https://altonelite.com/ * Ascent Dealer Services - https://www.ascentdealerservices.com/ * River Bend Rescue - https://riverbendrescue.com/ * Book - You're The Fucking Problem - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W64DPNK/ * Book - The Servant Leading F&I Manager - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966840004/ * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-marburger/ * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adammarburger/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adampmarburger   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:18 Journey to Black Belt 03:20 Coaching and Teaching 06:23 BJJ, MMA, and Muay Thai 09:29 Martial Arts and Family Life 14:57 Starting a BJJ Gym on the Side 20:44 Injuries 26:28 Entrepreneurship 35:12 All the Business Ventures 39:42 The Art of Delegation 46:25 Morning Routines and Gratitude 50:47 The Writing Process 56:33 Personal Transformation Through Adversity 01:10:16 Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 01:13:48 Future Aspirations and Family Focus 01:15:45 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with "Wreck It" Randy McCarty, a black belt out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Randy is a electronics technician, outdoorsman, lifelong rifle and bow hunter, and retired professional MMA fighter.   Episode Links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/wreck_it_randy_mc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randy.mccarty.58 Jesse Briggs MMA Academy: https://www.instagram.com/briggsmma/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:21 Journey to Black Belt 03:22 Teaching and Learning in Jiu-Jitsu 06:20 Overcoming Challenges and Injuries 09:07 The Role of Jiu-Jitsu in Life 12:24 Fighting Background and Transition to MMA 24:46 Mental Warfare in Combat Sports 27:44 The Origin of Wreck-It Randy 32:12 The Impact of Knockouts on Health 37:44 A Life of Hunting 53:26 The Silence of Hunting and Self-Reflection 57:30 Hiking 01:02:57 Parenting Lessons and Personal Growth 01:05:26 Embracing Pain and Consistency in Life 01:13:19 Future Aspirations and Life Goals 01:19:43 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Paris Lee, a black belt out of Howell, New Jersey, USA. Paris is an immigration lawyer in the US. His practice focuses on families, but he also supports BJJ athletes with their American immigration needs. He also is also the co-owner of Holles Gracie Edison.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjjvisalawyer * Website: https://www.njimmigrationattorney.com * Rolles Gracie Academy Edison: https://www.instagram.com/rollesgracieedison * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-lee-3b920b24/   Reference Links: * US EB1 Visa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-1_visa * US O Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_visa * US P Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P_visa   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:22 Journey to Black Belt 03:19 Finding Passion in Jiu-Jitsu 09:07 Injuries in Jiujitsu 12:59 Smaller Bodies and Understanding Jiujitsu 22:25 Life as BJJ Visa Lawyer 26:49 Athlete Immigration 30:03 Understanding Visa Qualifications for Athletes 34:40 Challenges in Sports Immigration 39:01 Visa Types: O, P, and H1B Explained 43:22 Coaches and Support Staff in Sports Visas 46:53 Running a Small Immigration Law Firm 51:56 The Journey to Immigration Law 58:11 Long-Lasting Client Relationships 59:55 The Fulfillment of Helping Others 01:02:18 Transitioning to Immigration Law 01:05:21 Navigating Vulnerability in Immigration 01:11:15 Finding Hope in Adversity 01:14:59 Preparing for Change in Immigration 01:19:44 Building a New Jiu-Jitsu School 01:22:09 Creating a Positive Training Environment 01:27:54 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Petrus Paulus Steyn, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Paulus is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Assistant professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and life long Scuba diver.   Episode Links: * Hospital: https://www.chop.edu/doctors/steyn-petrus-paulus * Instagram: https://instagram.com/southpaulu * Teaching: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p9279638 * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=36588   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:21 Journey to Black Belt 06:17 The Difficulty of Good Coaching 10:53 Life and Jiujitsu 18:34 Working with Children in Medicine 24:08 Navigating Patient Interactions 30:42 Being a Patient 32:20 The Reality of Anesthesia: High Stakes Moments 37:43 The Journey to Becoming a Doctor 42:22 The Impact of Malpractice Concerns 53:59 Teaching the Next Generation of Medical Professionals 01:07:57 The Fascination and Limitations of AI 01:15:48 Humility and Communication 01:29:59 The Joy of Scuba Diving 01:37:09 Overcoming Fear in Diving and Skydiving 01:43:07 The Thrill and Risks of Skydiving 01:50:36 The Importance of Humility in Life 01:56:28 Life Advice and the Future 02:02:55 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Steve Jolly, a black belt out of El Paso, Texas, USA. Steve is a Minister, traveled the world helping to provide clean water, and is the Founder/Director of the Rio Bravo project. If you have the financial ability to donate to the Rio Bravo Project, go to https://www.riobravoproject.com/give where you can either do a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution. Or if you have the ability to donate kids Gis or other BJJ gear, reach out to Steve directly on Instagram.   Episode Links: * Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenjolly * Rio Bravo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riobravoproject * Rio Bravo Project: https://www.riobravoproject.com/ * Rio Bravo Donations: https://www.riobravoproject.com/give * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=16487 * Give Clean Water Charity: https://givecleanwater.org/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:47 Journey to Black Belt 03:46 Getting into BJJ 09:48 Ego and Tapping in Jiujitsu 12:56 Teaching Kids Jiujitsu 15:45 Discipline and Self-Control in Martial Arts 25:00 The Rio Bravo Project 33:24 Funding the Dream: Grassroots Support 36:15 Going Beyond Jiujitsu 41:08 Comprehensive Programs for Kids 50:17 Getting Clean Water to Fiji 59:40 Living Life for Others 01:09:01 Education to Ministry 01:11:41 Finding Your Own Definition of Ministry and Service 01:15:31 Connecting Through Service 01:22:01 Global Perspectives on Life 01:28:31 Looking Ahead 01:32:05 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Heidi Cheng, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Heidi is a Fashion Engineer and Technical Designer, a seamstress, and a reclaimer of goods.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi.im_heidi * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=45315 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-cheng-449792a/ * Training Academy: "The Jiujitsu Company" - https://www.instagram.com/thejiujitsucompany * Decorative Embroidery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashiko * Mending Pottery with Gold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Journey to Black Belt 01:18 Heidi's Seminar 06:58 Discovering the Love for Jiu-Jitsu 12:49 Advice for Women in Jiu-Jitsu 17:58 Overcoming Challenges in Training 20:10 The Joy of Learning and Problem Solving 23:11 Crafting and Creativity Beyond the Mat 26:54 Getting into Sewing 35:03 The Role of a Technical Designer 39:32 Navigating Challenges in Fashion Design 42:22 Seeing Your Work in the Real World 44:31 Transitioning to 3D Design 47:00 Personal vs. Professional Sewing 48:58 The Pursuit of Perfection 52:10 Embracing New Hobbies 56:27 Life Advice: Stick with It 01:02:19 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Dylan Freedman, a black belt out of Jamestown, New York, USA. Dylan is a Corrections officer trainer for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He also travels the US and helps to teach defensive tactics for the company Effective Fitness Combatives.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/freedbjj * Effective Fitness Combatives: https://www.efcombatives.com/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Journey to Black Belt 03:57 Naming Things 11:07 Transitioning from Military to Martial Arts 17:01 The Evolution of Grappling Sports 25:26 Combat Sports in the 90s 29:15 Importance of Fundamentals and Ego 34:15 Understanding Human Behavior in Corrections 44:06 Misconceptions About Corrections Officers 51:12 Martial Arts in Law Enforcement Training 01:05:48 Understanding Defensive Strategies in Self-Defense 01:18:06 Not Getting Into Filmmaking 01:24:28 The Impact of Military Experience on Personal Growth 01:27:41 The Journey Over the Destination 01:34:30 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Fabian Fitzner, a black belt out of Dubai, UAE. Fabian is lifelong entrepreneur, network marketing expert, kite surfer, and BJJ school owner.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/fabian.fitzner * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FabianFitzner * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabianfitzner/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Journey to Black Belt 04:49 Traveling and Training Unaffiliated 08:29 Injuries and Adaptations in Jiu-Jitsu 16:33 Life in Uganda: Adoption and Cultural Insights 25:31 Resourcefulness and Mentorship 35:17 Essence of a Mentor 40:58 Understanding Network Marketing 48:18 Helping Others Succeed 56:48 Selfishness and Selflessness in Success 01:00:42 Believing in Yourself 01:15:01 The Importance of Skillset and Network 01:24:09 Cultural Insights: Jiu-Jitsu in Dubai 01:28:46 The Contrast of Life in Dubai and Mauritius 01:34:23 Finding Freedom and Balance in Life 01:38:51 Defining Success: A Personal Journey 01:50:26 Mental Health and High Performance 01:57:45 Life Advice and the Future 02:00:17 The Impact of AI on Society 02:18:26 On a Positive Note 02:20:11 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Matt Shamloo, a black belt out of Long Island, New York, USA. Matt is a wedding photographer and videographer, BJJ and MMA coach, and avid Tony Robbins supporter.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattshamloo_bjjmma * The Midnight Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themidnightprojectweddings * The Midnight Project Website: https://www.themidnightproject.co/ * Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Journey to Black Belt 05:41 What is the Tony Robbins Experience 09:51 Self-Discipline and Personal Growth 16:19 Finding Gratitude and Perspective in Martial Arts 19:16 Confronting Weaknesses 24:56 Misconceptions about Tony Robbins 28:39 Changes in Outlook and Training 32:01 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth 38:45 Teaching and Guiding Students 41:53 Overcoming Physical Limitations in Martial Arts 49:01 Lessons from Jiujitsu 53:52 Getting Into Wedding Videography 01:01:17 Wedding Stories 01:04:37 Capturing Sentiment in Photography 01:07:48 Life Lessons from Weddings 01:10:06 Connecting with Shy Couples 01:13:05 Handling Difficult Situations at Weddings 01:19:07 Lots of Life Advice 01:27:16 Future Aspirations and Personal Growth 01:32:36 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Paul Elliott, a black belt out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Paul is a software engineer, BJJ coach and writer, backpacker, and photographer.   Episode Links: * Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/simplebjj * Website: https://www.simplebjj.com * Most Popular Article: https://simplebjj.com/a-week-with-henry-akins/ * A Year With Henry Akins: https://simplebjj.com/a-year-with-henry-akins/ * Redline BJJ: https://www.redlinebjj.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplebjj * Twitter (X): https://x.com/simplebjj * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/u/SimpleBJJ   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:18 Journey to Black Belt 06:29 Finding Jiujitsu-Life Balance 13:23 Writing for Jitjitsu 20:17 Starting BJJ at 38 29:14 Writing Software Since the 80s 34:26 Transitioning from C++ to C# for Better Memory Management 38:06 LLMs and Large Code Bases 44:21 Balancing AI Assistance with Best Practices 53:40 Solo Backpacking and Optimization 01:00:27 DIY Gear for Backpacking Adventures 01:13:28 Redundancy and Adaptability in Outdoor Equipment 01:19:21 Recording the Backpacking Trips 01:21:39 Getting into Photography 01:28:07 Skydiving and Finding Balance 01:32:24 Prioritizing Goals and Managing Emotions 01:42:40 Traveling and Teaching More Jiujitsu 01:49:14 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Mikhail Oza, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Mikhail is technology strategist with Microsoft, BJJ coach and commentator, and scuba diver.   Episode Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhail-oza/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baloothebeardog * The Jiujitsu Company: https://www.instagram.com/thejiujitsucompany * The Jiujitsu Shop: https://www.jiujitsuphilly.com/shop * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=3661 * 4 Archetypes of People (Jets Coach): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonathangreechan_according-to-robert-saleh-there-are-4-types-activity-7100209641984294912-tGBB/ * Arena Grappling: https://www.arenagrappling.com/ * FSM BJJ: https://www.instagram.com/fsmbjj * Andrew Kochel vs Luke Staley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj37iy9aBO8   Contact: Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:18 Journey to Black Belt 02:52 BJJ and Community 06:20 Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu Culture 09:46 Regulated Tension and Cruise Control 13:22 Reducing the Obsession 17:31 Finding Balance 19:50 Coaching Philosophy and Leadership 23:58 Strategic Thinking in Jiu-Jitsu and Work 28:46 The Platform Play 33:23 Perspectives on Coaching 44:30 The Importance of Resilience and Enjoyment in Life 50:24 Leadership and Coaching: Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu 01:00:20 Coaching People and Your Partner 01:07:46 Journey into Scuba Diving 01:15:38 The Role of Scuba Diving in Life 01:18:55 High-Stakes Moments in Diving 01:27:41 Respect, Value, and Fun 01:31:47 Commentary in Jiu-Jitsu Matches 01:39:36 The Future 01:43:39 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Toma Dragicevic, a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. Toma is senior manager in corporate North America as well as being the owner of a few gyms in Ontario, Canada.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/toma_rmnu_canada * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toma-dragicevic-7b92a022/ * Current BJJ: https://currentbjj.com * Revo Jiujitsu: https://revojiujitsu.com   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Journey to Black Belt 08:17 Grading Philosophy and Student Development 10:51 Training Smarter with Age 14:08 Training as an Instructor 19:30 Injuries and Recovery 28:47 Styles and Body Care 32:28 BJJ Associations 37:33 The Thrill of Corporate Life 41:16 Managing a P&L 43:30 Empowering Leadership and Team Engagement 47:33 Goal Setting Strategies 56:19 Work Life Balance 01:01:36 Hybrid Work Culture 01:06:21 Professional Atmospheres 01:11:13 Authentic Curiosity About People 01:14:32 Confidence and Life Advice 01:20:02 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Jimmy Park is a black belt of New York, New York, USA. Jimmy is a climber, photographer, and Bonsai stylist. He is also an entrepreneur who runs Opascope, his digital marketing agency.   Episode Links: * Photography IG: https://instagram.com/EasyStreetNYC * Personal IG: https://instagram.com/Veritas247 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmypark/ * Opascope: https://opascope.com/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:24 Journey to Black Belt 06:21 Training at the Renzo Gracie Academy 11:48 Training with Danaher 19:06 Competition for Hobbyists 26:28 BJJ Lessons for Life 30:05 Entrepreneurship Personality Types 37:27 Becoming an SEO Expert 44:48 Jimmy's Favorite Campaign 47:16 Evolution of SEO in the Age of AI 52:38 Generative AI Influences 57:34 Real Life Street Photography 01:08:57 The Journey of a Climber 01:20:30 Overcoming Fear After a Fall 01:23:38 Climbing Grades and Preparation 01:25:48 The Importance of Mentorship 01:30:42 The Art of Bonsai Gardening 01:39:48 Life Lessons and Balance 01:56:12 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Gorka Uztarroz, a black belt out of Paris, France. Gorka is an artist who likes to focus most of his creative energy on comics. He also works for a medical repatriation company.   Episode Links: * Art Website: https://www.gorkauztarroz.com * Comic Website: https://www.lefrenchninja.com * Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmogol666 * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=32726   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:20 Journey to Black Belt 02:55 Black Belt Legitimacy 06:18 Growth in Jiujitsu 09:24 Finding Joy in the Process 18:54 BJJ and Injuries 22:20 BJJ Saved My Art 26:35 Digital Art and Physical Mediums 31:12 Artistic Inspirations 34:33 Self-Publishing and Self-Promotion 42:56 Le French Ninja Inspiration 46:46 The Heart of Storytelling: Vulnerability and Authenticity 50:59 Understanding Medical Repatriation 01:03:37 Future Projects and Inspirations 01:12:53 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Mike McLean, a black belt out of Torquay, Victoria, Australia. Mike is an artist who focuses mostly on painting on reclaimed materials. He has painted hundreds of thousands of Wagtails that have made it around the world. He's also an art teacher and a poet. Episode Links: * Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanartist * Will the Wagtail Instagram: https://instagram.com/@willythewagtail * World Wide Wag Tails: https://instagram.com/@worldwidewagtails * Mike's Poetry: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanpoet * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MikeMcleanArtist Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:22 Journey to Black Belt 03:28 Training for Longevity 08:29 Reflections on Life and Jiu Jitsu 14:25 Getting Into Jiujitsu 16:53 Balancing BJJ, Family, and Relationships 19:51 Family Road Trip 24:52 Artistic Journey and Career 36:11 Getting Into Art 45:23 Artistic Materials and Economic Choices 50:35 The Wagtail Phenomenon 59:02 An Emotional Painting for Jamie 01:02:40 Immersive Activities 01:04:55 Getting Into Poetry 01:11:32 Living a Life of Happiness 01:15:53 Outro Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Stephan Kesting is a black belt out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Stephan is a fireman, outdoorsman, podcaster, author, and BJJ instructor and OG jiujitsu content creator. He is currently making the rounds promoting his new book, "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic."   Episode Links: * Book: Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://btb.fan/17-persevere * Strenuous Life Podcast: https://youtube.com/channel/UCxFCWZJbnlRyhw3vmDx0Rlg * Grapple Arts: https://www.grapplearts.com/ * Outdoors Site: https://essentialwilderness.com/ * Personal Site: https://www.stephankesting.com * Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephan_kesting * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@stephankesting * Threads: https://threads.net/@stephan_kesting * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephankesting * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephankesting.bsky.social * German Jiujitsu Commercial: https://youtube.com/watch?v=X6wpRVqD5VQ * Book: Non-Stop Jiujitsu: https://btb.fan/17-nonstop * High Percentage Leglocks: https://btb.fan/17-leglocks   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:36 Journey to Black Belt 09:29 The Early Years of BJJ 13:01 Online Content Creation and Teaching 19:20 BJJ as You Age 23:07 Protect Ya Neck 27:15 Firefighter Combat Challenge 31:50 From Biologist to Firefighter 35:14 First Fire Rescue Operations 42:51 Team Dynamics in High-Stress Situations 45:00 Prank Culture in Firefighting 50:43 Toxicity in Martial Arts 55:07 Loneliness and Finding Solitude in Nature 01:00:43 The Mental Focus of Wilderness Survival 01:06:13 The Importance of Sleep and Recovery 01:08:54 Journaling and Reflection 01:11:22 Grit, Perseverance, and Risk 01:15:50 Toughness is Transferable 01:20:57 Why Canoe in Canada 01:24:55 Luck and Averages 01:27:45 Work-Life Balance 01:29:17 The Power of Momentum in Taking Action 01:33:11 Lack of Future Plans 01:36:06 Perseverance and Promotion 01:39:05 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Bunmi Ojewole is a black belt out of Cape Town, South Africa. Bunmi is a doctor and currently finishing up her training to become an orthopaedic surgeon. In her spare time, she also fights MMA and dances Kazumba and Bachata. She is one of first few female black belts in South Africa.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@bunmiojewole * Lions Den Jiujitsu: https://instagram.com/@lionsdensa * Pride Fighting Academy: https://instagram.com/@pf_sa * South African Gi Girls: https://instagram.com/@southafricangirlsingi   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Journey to Black Belt 02:47 Mentoring in Jiujitsu 06:21 Competitive Landscape 10:26 Opinions of Avatar, the Last Air Bender and Arcane 13:06 Bone Bender and Orthopaedics 16:46 Advice for Queer Women 22:00 Origin Story: Geography and Culture 28:28 Becoming a Orthopaedic Surgeon 32:03 Surgical Stories 37:08 Medicine in South Africa 41:44 Dancing: A Safer Hobby 47:02 Life Lessons: Giving Grace to Others 50:18 Looking to the Future 54:25 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Matt McPeake is a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. He is also an Engineer, director of Sales in the paper and packaging industry, and a Batman enthusiast.   Episode Links: * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=61 * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@jitzrollz * Facebook: https://facebook.com/matthew.mcpeake.1 * BJJ Fanatics Introduction to the Power Line: Modified Kesa Gatame: https://btb.fan/15-bjjkesa * BJJ Fanatics Power Line: Backpack Attack: https://btb.fan/15-bjjback * Book 1984 by George Orwell: https://btb.fan/15-book1 * Book A History of Canada in 10 Maps by Adam Shoalts: https://btb.fan/15-book2 * Book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: https://btb.fan/15-book3 * Book Batman and Ethics by Mark White: https://btb.fan/15-book4 * Comic Batman Contagion by Chuck Dixon: https://btb.fan/15-comic1 * Comic Batman Cataclysm by Chuck Dixon: https://btb.fan/15-comic2 * Comic Batman No Man's Land by Bob Gale: https://btb.fan/15-comic3   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:26 Journey to Black Belt 07:37 Find Your Gym Culture 17:09 Guard Pulling and Rulesets 19:44 Have a Game Plan 22:26 Teaching Structure 27:14 Sticking to the Rules 30:13 The Reality of Competition 37:00 Reading and Lifelong Learning 44:56 Jiujitsu's Role In Life 48:40 Dealing with Injuries 54:16 Life Advice 58:15 Conversation Take 2 59:21 Journey into Engineering and Corporate Career 01:02:14 Understanding the Starch Industry 01:04:34 Making Cardboard Boxes 01:08:12 Sustainability and Innovations in Packaging 01:18:23 Greenwashing and Recycling 01:23:07 Corporate Life 01:25:58 The Path to Advancement 01:35:22 Batman: The Complexity of a Hero 01:41:25 Ethics and Morality: Batman's Dilemma 01:45:07 Different Batmans, Different Villains 01:50:29 Exploring Batman: Recommendations for New Readers 01:52:50 The Importance of Authenticity in Life and Business 01:55:41 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Will Stone is a black belt out of Swindon, United Kingdom. Will is a member of the UK parliament representing Swindon North, an Army veteran, former bouncer as well as the owner of 10th Planet Swindon. Episode Links: * Will Stone Instagram: https://instagram.com/@WillstoneMP * Will Stone Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willstone1990/ * 10th Planet Swindon Website: https://www.10thplanetswindon.com/ * 10th Planet Swindon Instagram: https://instagram.com/@10thplanetjiujitsuswindon * Street Sports BJJ Santa Monica: https://instagram.com/@streetsportsbjj * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-stone-mp-b4910a265/ * X: https://x.com/WStone4SN Additional Notes: * Politics Joe Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtLrjltHVk * Critical Role D&D Podcast: https://critrole.com/podcast/ * Harry Parker Law: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d55gzeqx8o * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/ Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:22 Black Belt Feeling 03:21 Complete Jiujitsu 07:58 Transitioning to 10th Planet 14:06 Competing in Jiujitsu 17:29 Teaching Jiujitsu 20:14 BJJ Gyms as Communities 26:17 Finding Passion in Public Service 31:00 What does a Member of Parliament do 35:15 MP Casework 40:52 Learning to Embrace the Grind 46:09 Dad is a Great Influence 48:35 The Importance of Support Systems 52:55 Learning Who You Are Through Martial Arts 55:02 Stories from Bouncing 59:49 Building Effective Bouncing Teams 01:02:57 The Therapeutic Nature of Hobbies 01:06:21 Getting Started with Dungeons & Dragons 01:09:10 Advice for Overcoming Challenges 01:11:05 God Complex in Coaches 01:14:31 IBJJF and JiuJitsu Politics 01:18:50 Belts as Validation 01:21:39 Breaking from Martial Arts Tradition 01:30:33 The Polaris Performance 01:38:15 Toxic Masculinity and Positive Male Role Models 01:44:11 Reaching Across the Aisle 01:48:36 Getting Into Politics 01:54:54 Outro Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Stevie Antoniou is a black belt out of Stockholm, Sweden. Stevie is a world traveler, freelance photographer and videographer, documentarian, and wilderness guide. He has also been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Episode Links: * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=44 * Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@stevieantoniou * Personal Website: https://www.stevieantoniou.com * Hundarutanhem Documentary: https://btb.fan/13-dogdoc * Hundarutanhem: https://hundarutanhem.se/ * Hundarutanhem Donations: https://btb.fan/13-dogdonate * BJJ Globetrotters Documentary: https://btb.fan/13-bjjdoc * BJJ Globetrotters: https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/ * Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://btb.fan/13-book1 * Book: Hunter Gatherer's Guide for the 21st Century by Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein - https://btb.fan/13-book2 Additional Links: * Stevie's Current Job: https://youtube.com/@ErikGrankvist * Crohn's Disease: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn%27s_disease Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:21 Journey to Black Belt 04:54 Growing Up in Martial Arts 07:33 Changing Size in Jiujitsu 11:07 Getting Diagnosed with Crohn's Disease 14:40 Health Challenges and Personal Growth 23:49 Language Learning 26:04 Lessons From Traveling 33:54 Wilderness Guide 37:28 Forest Bathing 40:31 Journey into Photography: From Hobby to Profession 44:17 The Emotional Side of Photography 48:13 Stevie's Favorite Photo 51:02 Dogs Without Homes Documentary 54:58 BJJ Globetrotters Documentary 58:57 Advice for Aspiring Creatives 01:02:09 Documentary Stats and Behind the Scenes 01:05:49 Gratitude and Doing Hard Things 01:08:54 A New Chapter in Life 01:11:22 Outro Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Doug Kimball is a black belt out of Oklahoma, USA. Doug is a former Chief Marketing Officer, seasoned marketing executive, and the Operations Director for the Robson Moura BJJ Association.   Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@dkimballil * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougkimball/ * Robson Moura Association: https://robsonmoura.com/rmnu/robson-moura-jiu-jitsu-association/ * Robson Moura: https://robsonmoura.com/ * Rafael Lovato BJJ: https://okbjj.com/   Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:19 Journey to Black Belt 02:54 Experiencing Age and Jiu-Jitsu 06:27 The Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu 08:59 ACL Injury and Lockdown 10:24 Training Under Different Instructors 16:31 Training Outside His Home Gym 19:35 Starting BJJ Older 23:13 Teaching and a Foundation in Counseling 26:07 BJJ Associations 32:56 Marketing as a Career 36:50 The Importance of Mentorship 39:15 Product Marketing Insights 41:25 Key Performance Indicators in Marketing 44:58 Doug's Innovative Marketing Wins 49:10 The Art of Storytelling in Marketing 51:43 Reflections on C-Level Leadership 56:04 Advice for Personal and Professional Growth 58:00 Future Aspirations and Jiu Jitsu Journey 01:02:40 Changing Gyms as an Upper Belt 01:09:58 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Jamie Bunn is a black belt out of Melbourne, Australia. Jamie is an executive coach, has a master's degree in nutrition, and is a life-long Buddhist. Episode Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebunn/ * Website: https://www.jamiebunn.coach * Jamie's 5 Foundational Forces: https://btb.fan/11-5forces * X: https://x.com/@jamiebunn * Dan Pink: https://www.danpink.com/ * Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/ * Book: Llama Surya Das - Awakening the Buddha Within: https://btb.fan/11-book1 * Book: Llama Surya Das - Awakening to the Sacred: https://btb.fan/11-book2 * Book: Llama Surya Das - Awakening the Buddhist Heart: https://btb.fan/11-book3 * Book: Gordon Livingston - Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: https://btb.fan/11-book4 * Mike McLean: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanartist (Painting behind Jamie) Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:18 Journey to Black Belt 05:52 Jamie's First Competition 11:36 The Tragedy of Losing His Daughter 21:18 Jitjitsu is One of Many Interests 24:08 Dealing with Grief 27:36 The Significance of the Black Belt 29:56 Getting Started in Buddhism 33:42 Daily Buddhism Practice 35:27 The Synergy of Buddhism and Martial Arts 39:39 Jiujitsu Helps in a Real Fight 43:02 Consent in Martial Arts 44:25 Integrating Life Into Executive Coaching 48:35 Jamie's Coaching Principals 54:20 The Five Foundations 57:24 Navigating Nutrition 01:04:23 The Importance of Biodiversity in Diet 01:06:44 Personal Protein Powder 01:14:37 About Caffeine 01:18:32 Five Keys to Success 01:23:14 Embracing Change and Future Aspirations 01:29:46 Outro Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Brandon Gaspar is a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. Brandon is former gold miner, current geologist, and now works as a research analyst doing technical due diligence on mineral development projects. Episode Links: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@bgaspar00 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bgaspar * SCP Resource Finance: https://www.scp-rf.com/ * Volt Rush by Henry Sanderson - https://btb.fan/10-book1 * The New Map by Daniel Yergin - https://btb.fan/10-book2 * Solo Travel Collection Instagram: https://instagram.com/@SoloTravelCollection Contact: * Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:20 Journey to Black Belt 02:38 The Meaning of Belts 04:06 A Non-Typical BJJ Journey 10:17 Gracie University Curriculum 14:46 Jiujitsu's Role in Life 16:22 Being a Geologist and a Gold Miner 19:09 The Geologist's Role in Mining Operations 21:29 Licking and Smelling Rocks 22:42 Shifting from Mining to Operations 25:46 Evaluating Mining Projects 28:29 The Community's Role in Mining 31:25 Responsible Mining Practices 34:39 Properly Closing Down a Mine 36:52 PR in Mining and Modern Day Mineral Needs 39:23 Geopolitics of Global Mining Needs 42:40 Geopolitical Tensions and Resource Control 48:34 Innovations in Lithium Mining 51:15 Nickel and Dirty Nickel 54:29 Financing Mines and Venture Capital 01:00:55 Martial Arts and Stress Management 01:08:02 BJJ Defensive Focus and Training Differently 01:16:36 Living Day by Day 01:18:58 Outro Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Alex Buch is a black belt out of Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Alex is a lifelong martial artist, former MMA fighter, philosophy major, and social worker focusing childhood behaviorial therapy.   Episode Links: * Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=35397 * Alex's Instagram: https://instagram.com/@xelabook * Kuzushi BJJ: https://instagram.com/@kuzushi_bjj_dinslaken * Caveirinia JJ Düsseldorf IG: https://instagram.com/@cjjfdusseldorf * Caveirinia JJ Düsseldorf Web: https://www.cjjfduesseldorf.de/ * Dortmund Luta Livre IG: https://instagram.com/@luta_livre_akademie_dortmund * Dortmund Luta Livre Web: http://lutalivre-dortmund.de/   Contact: Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:20 Getting the Black Belt 01:52 Navigating Gym Changes 04:35 The Sport Builds Trust 08:08 Dealing with Injuries and Time Off the Mats 10:59 Advice for Women in Jiu-Jitsu 12:37 How to Say No To A Roll 14:09 Finding the Right Gym 19:48 Traveling and Training Martial Arts 20:45 Becoming a Social Worker 22:05 Working With At Risk Youth 25:59 Understanding Youth Behavior and Violence 27:33 Teaching Kids About Violence 30:49 Objective Philosophy 33:19 Diverse Discourse 37:50 The Interplay of Philosophy and Social Work 40:15 The Joy of Traveling and Learning 41:59 Stuff to Promote 42:58 Outro   Podcast Links: * Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ * Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify * Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple * RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: * Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod * Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Michael Zolondek, a black belt out of Gainesville, Florida, USA. Michael received his PhD in New Testament language, literature, and theology with a focus on Jesus as a historical figure. He's also a childhood psychologist focusing on behavior and trauma with his own wellness practice.   Episode Links: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@dr_mvz Nogi Garage: https://youtube.com/@thegaragenogiBJJ Michael Zolondek Amazon Author Page: https://btb.fan/8-amz-author Michael Zolondek - The Quest for a Historical Jesus Methodology: https://btb.fan/8-jesus-quest Michael Zolondek - We Have Found the Messiah: https://btb.fan/8-found-messiah Viktor E Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning: https://btb.fan/8-book1 Jamie Marich - Transforming Trauma with Jiu-Jitsu: https://btb.fan/8-book2 Arise Wellness Center Gainesville: https://www.arisegnv.com/ Child Advocacy Center Gainesville: https://childadvocacycentergainesville.org/ Marcelo Garcia Gainesville: https://bjjgainesville.com/   Contact: Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:24 Journey to Black Belt 05:33 What's Different as a Black Belt 08:02 Re-Discovering Jiu-Jitsu 09:51 Teaching and Learning Styles in Jiu-Jitsu 17:05 Bridging Jiu-Jitsu and Academic Teaching 20:12 Exploring Religion and Personal Beliefs 24:58 The Impact of Studying Religion 27:00 Historical Methodologies in Jesus Studies 29:48 Criteria of Authenticity in Historical Jesus Studies 34:41 The Challenges of Historical Jesus Research 38:04 Cultural Context of Jesus and His Disciples 42:39 Messianic Identity: Perception vs. Reality 49:57 Transitioning to Children's Trauma Therapy 52:26 Understanding Violence in Education 55:44 Therapy's Influence on Martial Arts 57:38 Therapy vs. Martial Arts as Healing 01:01:24 The Importance and Value of Therapy 01:06:07 Crossovers With Teaching BJJ and Therapy 01:09:44 Advice for Personal Growth and Kindness 01:12:49 Finding a Purpose 01:14:30 Promotions 01:16:03 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with John Ethier, a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. John is a train conductor for the Canadian railroad. He runs a small fitness business and has a passion for Gothic architecture. We also had a great conversation about ADHD, dyslexia, and how to overcome learning disabilities in jiujitsu and in life.   Episode Links: John's Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@ethier2095 Ethier Fitness Instagram: https://instagram.com/@ethierfitness Mamute Martial Arts (Oshwa, Ontario, Canada): https://instagram.com/@mamutemaa Platinum BJJ (London, Ontario, Canada): https://instagram.com/@platinum_bjj Infinite Jiujitsu (Brantford, Canada): https://instagram.com/@infinumbjj Rumble Academy (Brandford, Canada): https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Rumble-Academy-100057419059340/   Contact: Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:24 The Journey to Black Belt 02:37 From Obesity to MMA Fighter 04:48 What Motivates You to Keep Training? 07:07 How Did Eric Get Into Martial Arts 09:01 Eric Training at Marcelo Garcia 13:29 ADHD, Dyslexia, and Learning Jiujitsu 17:56 BJJ and Confidence 19:20 Life as a Train Driver 22:52 Most Interesting Train Conductor Moment 25:18 Railways and Economic Impact 28:53 Ethier Fitness 32:46 Navigating Injuries and Time Off the Mats 36:08 Finding Purpose Beyond Jiu-Jitsu 38:54 The Importance of Mentorship 40:32 A Love for Gothic Architecture 41:48 The Joy of Building with Legos 43:24 The Value of Patience in Life and Jiu-Jitsu 46:09 Sharing the Gift of Jiu-Jitsu with Others 49:37 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Bryan Rumble is a clinical epidemiologist who focuses his work on genital urinary cancers. He has also had a life long fascination with science fiction and fantasy; both in written form as well as table top games.   Episode Links: Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=4763 Twitter/X: https://x.com/BryanRumble Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@bryanrumble Rumble Academy: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Rumble-Academy-100057419059340/ PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=RUMBLE+RB ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R-Rumble LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-bryan-rumble-690a9630 Good Reads: https://btb.fan/6-gr   Additional Notes: Martha Wells - Murderbot: https://btb.fan/6-bk1 William Gibson - Neuromancer: https://btb.fan/6-bk2 EE Doc Smith - Triplanetary: https://btb.fan/6-bk3 Ursula K Le Guin - The Left Hand of Darkness: https://btb.fan/6-bk4 Robert Heinlein - I Will Fear No Evil: https://btb.fan/6-bk5 Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: This is How You Lose the Time War: https://btb.fan/6-bk6 Sylvain Neuvel - A History of What Comes Next: https://btb.fan/6-bk7 qntm - There is No Antimemetics Division: https://btb.fan/6-bk8 Peter Watts - Blindsight: https://btb.fan/6-bk9   Contact: Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Journey to Black Belt 05:36 Teaching and Responsibility as a Black Belt 08:54 The Gauntlet: A Unique Initiation 24:18 What does a Clinical Epidemiologist Do? 31:10 Bryan's Contributions to Science 38:48 Future Directions in Cancer Research 43:55 The Specifics of Cancer 46:01 Scientific Method 49:29 From Science to Science Fiction: Tabletop Games 52:37 What is Dungeon and Dragons? 55:14 Exploring Humanity Through Role-Playing Games 59:56 The Power of Storytelling in Gaming 01:01:53 Being the Main Character in a Story 01:03:18 Science Fiction Reading 01:05:14 Science Fiction is Social Commentary 01:12:40 Inspiration and Reading as an Adult 01:16:27 Life Lessons from Martial Arts and Gaming 01:19:03 How to Find Bryan 01:19:58 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Cornell Thomas, a black belt out of New Jersey, USA. Cornell is a basketball coach, trainer, multiple time author, life coach, mentor, and a youth and motivational speaker. In addition to all that, he also hosts a yearly Positivity Summit.   Episode Links: Cornell Instagram: https://instagram.com/@cornellthomas34 Cornell Website: https://cornellthomas.com Positivity Summit: https://cornellthomas.com/positivity-summit/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/https://instagram.com/@teamrenzograciedenville Book: The Power of Positivity: https://btb.fan/5-power-of-positivity Book: The Power of Me: https://btb.fan/5-power-of-me Book: Extraordinary - The Distance Between Good and Great: https://btb.fan/5-extraordinary   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:23 The Journey to Black Belt 03:05 The Responsibilities of a Black Belt 05:59 Black Belt Means Back to Basics 08:31 Belts are Mountains 12:13 Who Am I Rolling Against 14:38 Finding the Right Gym 18:05 Finding My Home Gym was Dumb Luck 26:43 Sparring Dynamics and Control as Big Guys 29:05 Injuries Can Be Positively Life Changing 35:18 The Power of Positivity 37:37 A Different Kind of Calm 40:55 Creating a Positivity Summit 44:33 Finding Purpose in Life 47:38 Bringing People Together 50:28 A Life of Fulliment and Purpose 55:30 The Joy of Mentoring and Impact 57:41 The Winding Path to Helping Others 59:53 Reflections on Family Legacy 01:01:18 Being the Son of Black Police Officer 01:02:59 New Jersey 01:04:59 The Power of Gratitude 01:07:01 Gratitude and Depression 01:09:14 Creating a Supportive Environment 01:12:16 What Are You Excited for in the Future 01:13:16 What Do You Want to Promote 01:14:40 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Kurt Wuckert Jr, a black belt out of Florida, USA. Kurt is a bitcoin and blockchain historian, media personality, podcaster, husband and father. He is also the owner of Gorillapool.com, a bitcoin mining firm. And he's the host of the CoinGeek weekly Livestream.   Episode Links: Influencer Site: https://wwww.kurwuckertjr.com Gorillapool: https://gorillapool.com CoinGeek: https://www.youtube.com/@CoinGeek Instagram: https://instagram.com/@kurtwuckertjr X: https://x.com/@kurtwuckertjr Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=42430 Outline: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Getting the Black Belt 03:36 Recovering from Major Surgery 06:13 Mental Resilience in Injury Recovery 11:37 The Path to Jiu-Jitsu 18:50 Jiujitsu Won't Kill You 21:12 Fight, Flight, or Freeze 23:28 Understanding Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency 27:22 Why is Bitcoin Polarizing 30:35 The Polarizing Nature of Bitcoin 36:08 The Philosophy of Money and Bitcoin 44:14 The Historical Context of Bitcoin 47:44 Bitcoin Mining and The Environment 51:11 Types of People 53:06 Getting Into Podcasting 01:00:11 Jiu-Jitsu: A Playground for Authenticity 01:09:27 Defining Success: Happiness and Joy 01:11:41 Choosing Happiness: A Life Philosophy 01:14:09 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Family Joy 01:17:31 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

"Crash Test" Tommy Dowdall is a black belt out of Canada. He is a mental health crisis counselor with over 30 years of experience. He has also fostered over 50 children.   Episode Links: Crash Test Tommy's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@crashtesttommy-ge4bn Jerk Chicken Sauce: https://friendlybutchershop.com/products/jerk-in-a-jar Tommy's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIAD4nKIRfM Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=42858 Additional Notes: * Teaching at BJJ Globetrotters Heidelberg 2025   Outline: 00:00 Journey to Black Belt 04:24 Patterns of Learning in Jiu-Jitsu 10:23 Mental Health and Jiu-Jitsu: An Intersection 21:42 Crisis Counseling: Daily Challenges and Insights 26:09 Pattern Matches and Not Rolling Hard 29:30 Mat Culture and Safe Spaces 35:35 Fostering Children: A Compassionate Life 40:33 Culinary Adventures: The Jerk Chicken Sauce Story 45:05 Balancing Life: Jiu-Jitsu, Counseling, and More 49:09 Understand Your Dog 53:00 Walkout Music 54:22 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Missy Baize is a black belt from Wenona, Illinois, USA out of War Horse BJJ. She is a medical technician and studying to become a paramedical tattoo artist.   Episode Links: War Horse BJJ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warhorsebrazilianjiujitsu/ War Horse BJJ Instagram: https://instagram.com/@warhorsebjjwenona Teaching at Rough Hands Camp in April: https://roughhandsbjj.com/spring-camp Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=21522   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Journey to Black Belt 03:07 Overcoming Haters and Self-Doubt 06:35 Learning and Dealing with Frustration 09:33 Lessons for Women 14:14 Teaching and Coaching People with Special Needs 16:19 What's It Like Being a Medical Technician 19:46 Working in Emergency Medicine 22:51 Anatomy and Physiology 24:16 Handling Pressure 26:29 Leadership Off the Mats 28:41 Misconceptions about Med-Techs 30:26 Exploring Paramedical Tattooing 32:16 Studying to be a Paramedical Tattoo Artist 36:45 Parallels in Skill Building 38:15 Having a Lot of Irons in the Fire 39:16 Breaking Down Problems as a Skill 40:59 Any Advice 42:16 Long Breaks from Jiujitsu 45:25 Advice for Long Layoffs 46:04 Advice for Non-Jiujitsu People 48:43 Promotions from Missy 49:47 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Sebastian Elmenhoff is a Swedish black belt who gave up a good corporate job to live on a farm and raise his family.   Episode Links: Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@elmenhoffs Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=12869   Outline: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Journey to Black Belt 05:52 Proving You're A Black Belt 08:57 Life Lessons from Jiu Jitsu 10:00 Buying the Farm 13:27 Lessons From the Farm 15:14 Not Everyone Burns Out to a Farm 16:00 Jiujitsu's Role in your Life Today 18:11 BJJ with a Physically Intense Job 22:17 Foundation from Jiujitsu 24:27 Raising Air Force Dogs 27:12 Training Dogs: Bridging Passion and Purpose 31:57 Giving Up Your Fostered Dog 35:45 Dog and Human Psychology 37:29 Relating it back to BJJ 38:36 2 Weeks as a Black Belt 40:41 Favorite Jiujitsu Memory 42:19 Learning to Trust Yourself 43:54 Thank You 44:43 Outro   Podcast Links: Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/ Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple RSS: https://btb.fan/rss   Social: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb