Jits and Giggles

Gracie Black belts (and spouses) Kate and Stephen discuss all things BJJ with Alysa. Kate is a high level competitor and Stephen is a Balance Studios instructor/gym manager. This episode has all the hot takes and more. * audio issues with Stephen’s mic 😢

Beatrice Jin, aka "berimbozo" as she is highly recognized on instagram, comes on to chat all things bjj with Alysa. They discuss her competition mindset, coaching, social media, and much more!

Combat veteran Pisey Tan served our country and lost both of his legs during war. He tells his story of surviving multiple battles and then finally finding Jiu Jitsu. After surviving Iraq he was able to live again with the help of the Jiu Jitsu community and spending time on the mats.

High level competitor Josh Wyland sits down with Alysa to discuss all things bjj. They discuss the bjj community, being a gym owner, competitor, CLA, and so much more.

Sijara, aka "Sarj" sits down with Alysa to discuss her UFC career, being on the "Ultimate Fighter", being a coach, the bjj community, and so much more.

Pro MMA fighter, Manny Morales sits down with Alysa to discuss his recent title win, training bjj and mma, improving his mindset, and so much more.

National Ambassador Coordinator for We Defy Foundation, Brian Grant and Philly Coordinator, Sean Robichaud sit down with Alysa to discuss all things We Defy Foundation. The We Defy Foundation provides combat veterans coping with military connected disabilities a long term means to overcome their challenges through Jiu Jitsu.

Bodega athlete's Kyvann and Ness discuss all things dating, Jiu Jitsu, owning a gym, UFC BJJ, and more!

CFFC world champion, Ryan Cafaro sits down to discuss his polarizing hot takes, his MMA career, coaching, women in MMA, and so much more.

To start off 2026 my sisters, Melissa and Annie, join me to discuss all types of topics. We discuss what they think certain bjj positions and submission are, why raw milk is not ideal to drink, the myths of chiropractic, and more.

Roosevelt Sousa is known for his incredible athletic abilities. Behind all his success is persistence, humility, and the ability to never give up.

Ethan Crelinsten, Simple Man's unofficial funniest member, sits down with Alysa to discuss his journey as a high level competitor. They discuss Ethan's success with back takes, his recent CJI win with the rest of the gang, and most importantly, the bond and brotherhood the simpleman gym and podcast have created.

UFC Welterweight, Jeremiah Wells sits down with Alysa to discuss his MMA career. They also discuss his upbringing, his life lessons, and so much more.

Greg Souders, owner of Standard Jiu Jitsu, and accomplished coach, sits down with Alysa to discuss all things bjj. Greg talks about his infamous ecological approach to bjj, coaching different types of personalities, and more!

Amanda Mazza comes on for the second time to discuss her recent injury at Fury grappling, her recovery, being an athlete and more!

AJ Discianni, drops all the hot takes. He talks about being a business owner, competing, why he's pessimistic about this sport, but also why he loves it so so much.

Joslyn Molina is a 13 year old super star bjj practitioner. With her recent WNO win, she is on fire winning any competition she enters. With trials only a week away, she sits down with Alysa to discuss her bjj success, what it's like competing against kids vs. adults, and more!

Jiu-Jitsu internet sensation, Derek Moneyberg has caught a lot of flak from the bjj community. Who is he beyond his black belt?

Paige Ivette talks to Alysa about all things Jiu Jitsu. She speaks on mental health and how Jiu Jitsu helped her through some intense times. They also chat about women's Jiu Jitsu and how to grow the sport for women. Mo Black drops in for a quick and fun game too

Maggie sits down with Alysa to discuss all things bjj.Maggie talks about growing women's bjj, being a coach, being a competitor, and so much more.

Canadian black belt, and world champion, Brianna Set-Marie, joins Alysa to discuss all things bjj. They discuss being a full time athlete, competing, and most importantly Brianna's Tim's order.

Jackson Galka, owner of North Star Academy, and an athlete himself, sits down with Alysa to discuss all things bjj,muay Thai, mma, being an instructor, and more!

Chris Wojcik, bteam's leg locking athlete, shares his bjj journey, and CJI experience. He also discusses with Alysa his love for writing, and his most recent book, "A Grappler's Diary". Chris speaks about his ambition on and off the mats and how he worked his way to being in an advantageous position.

Gabi Garcia, aka Craig Jones wife, and right hand woman of CJI, sits down to discuss behind the scenes of CJI, her childhood, her bjj journey, and SO much more.

Maya Nazareth is the founder and owner of Alchemize Fightwear. She discusses her journey of starting a clothing business, being an athlete, her women bjj camps, and so much more.

Skyler Munson is a competitive Jiu Jitsu athlete. She wasn't always though. Pre Jiu Jitsu, she "joined a cult." During this episode, Skylar talks about the emotional abuse she faced leading up to one of the best turning points of her life.

Jacob Rodriguez, sits down with Alysa to talk all things Jiu Jitsu ,even the "elephant in the room."

Rob Ingram aka McDojo sits down with Alysa to discuss his popular Instagram and YouTube channel. He talks about how he exposes McDojos, and terrible people in the martial arts community. Rob also talks about his very cool documentary that is in the works! This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Earl "Trouble" Small talks to Alysa about owning his gym, fighting MMA, his Jiu Jitsu journey, being on "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding", and so much more.

Nick Albin, aka Chewy, aka the creator of ChewJitsu, the popular YouTube channel, sits down with Alysa. They discuss all things bjj, being an instructor vs coach, being a dad, running a YouTube channel, how bjj has mental health benefits, and more.

New Wave black belt, Helena Crevar talks to Alysa about her bjj journey, how she became a bjj star, what she does when she's not on big stages, and so much more.

Brandon Reed speaks on his upcoming CJI team involvement with Daisy Fresh, coaching, his wrestling background, his mindset when it comes to competing, and so much more.

Brandon Keller, one of the owners of American MMA and Wrestling, talks to Alysa about being a coach, running a wrestling gym, balancing students and their parents, and so much more.

UFC fighter and professional grappler, Pat Sabatini, discusses all things MMA and Jiu Jitsu. He talks about many hot takes including pulling guard during MMA, his cardio of choice, and more. He also is REALLY good at matching fish to fighters!

Devhonte Johnson, competitor and owner of Bones BJJ, sits down with Alysa to discuss his upcoming match against Daishi Goto, being a coach, competing, having a good mindset, and more!

Emily and Mila are two 8 year old Jiu Jitsu students. They compete regularly, and have adorable and spunky personalities. They share with Alysa what they love about bjj, don't like about it, and the zoo they want to own?!

Katie Hooven, brown belt out of New Wave bjj discusses her experience training with the team, helping to run "Grappling Getaways", what's in John Danahers fanny pack, and so much more!

Seth Daniels, owner of Fight 2 Win, past coordinator of ADCC, sits down to discuss all things bjj, including women being paid in the sport, running a promotion, the highs and lows of working in the bjj world, and so much more.

Karla is co-owner of the bjj clothing company, Gaidaima, a black belt in bjj, a Venezuelan native, and competitive both on the mats and within her company. This episode is filled with giggles, dogs, bjj talk, business advice, and so much more.

Danny Maira, co-owner of Movement Art Jiu Jitsu, sits down with Alysa to discuss all things bjj, running a gym, competing, self defense bjj, sport bjj, and so much more.

Comedian and bjj purple belt, Albert Davis, sits down with Alysa to discuss comparisons between bjj and stand up comedy, training with a purpose, being a dad, and so much more.

Ian Butler sits down with Alysa to discuss his wrestling career, his non profit wrestling club, Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and so much more!

Katie B and Katie C have an ongoing feud which will be somewhat settled March 30, on Main Character JJ. The two have agreed to a power slap ending, where the winner power slaps the loser 3 times. In this episode I interview both women separately, to have them tell their side of the story. Listen to both of their truths, and choose your fighter.

Josh Baker, owner of Hammer Challenge Series sits down with Alysa to discuss the upcoming HCS competition. We also discuss all things bjj, including ADCC,IBJJF, and coaching.

Nick Salles, co owner of Movement Art Jiu Jitsu, sits down with Alysa to discuss the good, the bad, and the out of date Jiu Jitsu theories and Jiu Jitsu"hot topics". Nick also talks about opening a gym during the pandemic, being black belt under Mikey Musumeci, and so much more.

Big Dan Manasoiu sits down with Alysa to discuss being a part of "New Wave", living in Puerto Rico, his involvement with the ecological approach debate, ADCC, and so much more.

ADCC double gold champ, Adele Fornarino sits down with Alysa to discuss her upcoming main even at the UFC invitational against Ffion Davies, ADCC, being a smaller competitor, managing her social media and so much more.

Kevin Dantzler joins Alysa for the second time in this mini episode. They discuss the ecological approach and have a very poorly executed rap battle.

Tom DeBlass talks all things BJJ, working for One Championship, running a gym, speaking up for the bullied youth, and more.

Laura Kent and Jon "Thor" Blank sit down with Alysa to discuss 10th Planet Bethlehem, 10th Planet Allentown, Finishers Sub Only, dating in Jiu Jitsu, and so much more.