Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number

In this episode, I sit down with 56-year-old blue belt Mark Alexander. Although Mark didn’t begin his journey until his early 50s, he has already made a serious impact on the competition scene. In a relatively short time, he’s gone on to win gold at multiple major competitions around the world, proving that it’s never too late to begin.Outside the gym, Mark is a father of six, with kids ranging in age from 9 to 30, and a former Marine who served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He brings that same discipline, resilience, and mindset into his jiu-jitsu journey.We talk about his approach to “big guy” jiu-jitsu, his experiences competing at a high level, and the mental side of training; especially when it comes to managing ego and staying focused. Mark also shares what drives his competitive edge and what it really means to have a winner’s mentality, regardless of when you start. I have to say this was one of my most inspirational episodes. Hope you enjoy!

Welcome to Episode 24 of RO40 with Vince Pacleb. Vince is a 49-year-old brown belt who’s been in the martial arts world for over 20 years, works in the fitness industry, and runs his own (much more established) BJJ podcast called the Bizjitsu Podcast. We got into:His journey through jiu-jitsu as an adult and what’s kept him training for decadesThe crossover between podcasting, business ownership, and jiu-jitsuWhy he focuses on interviewing not just grapplers, but grapplers who run businessesHis vision of building a real community within BJJ to help people connect, network, and grow outside the gymOne of the coolest parts of the episode was hearing about a major “aha” moment he had as a blue belt that still shapes his game today as a brown belt, especially around patience and control when taking the back which he calls, “Going for a ride.” If you’re into jiu-jitsu, business, or just trying to stay consistent on the mats long-term, there’s a lot in this one. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I sit down Brown Belt Blas Carrasco. Blas has been immersed in martial arts, self-defense, and jiu-jitsu for nearly 30 years — and at almost 50 years old, he brings a level of perspective that only time on the mats can produce. We first met over a decade ago at a mutual friend’s wedding, but this conversation dives far deeper.He shares the story of buying a one-way ticket to Thailand, spending six months training Muay Thai, and how that experience shaped his understanding of discipline, culture, and violence. We talk about his fascination with human behavior — how he studies the psychological cues that signal danger, and how he teaches self-defense starting with awareness long before technique.He also tells the wild story of opening his own BJJ academy as a blue belt almost 20 years ago, long before jiu-jitsu exploded in popularity. And outside the martial arts world, we explore his creative passions in music and art, including the bands he’s been part of and the new one he recently launched.This conversation is packed with wisdom, stories, philosophy, and humor — the kind of insight that only comes from decades of learning, teaching, and living fully both on and off the mats.

In this episode, I’m joined by my youngest guest yet — a 25-year-old jiu-jitsu practitioner whose journey began after a real-life confrontation inspired him to learn self-defense. What started as a way to feel safer quickly grew into a passion that led him all the way to the podium, earning gold at a recent JJWL competition.We dive into his biggest aha moments on the mats, his evolving takedown strategy, and how cross-training in Muay Thai has reshaped the way he approaches grappling. But it hasn’t all been smooth rolling — he also opens up about hitting burnout, taking a two-month break, and what ultimately pulled him back to training with renewed focus.This is a story about growth, discipline, and rediscovering your drive — both on and off the mats. Whether you’re brand new to BJJ or years into your journey, this episode will remind you why we keep showing up.

In this episode, I sit down with Mr. Travis Sparks. Travis is a two-stripe purple belt who’s been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for eight years. Originally from Marble Falls, Texas, he grew up roughhousing with his brothers, playing football through high school and college, and spending weekends hunting and fishing. He first started bjj as a grad student at Texas Tech before continuing his journey in Midland, where he now works as a geologist and focuses on mastering the art of “big guy jiu-jitsu.”We talk about what it’s like adapting technique for a larger frame, the lessons learned from competing — including the time he faced off against a Gracie — and how the mental side of BJJ continues to challenge him after nearly a decade on the mats. It’s a conversation full of grit, humility, and insight from a Texas grappler who proves that size might be an advantage, but mindset is everything.There is something for everyone to enjoy in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I sit down with a friend whose jiu-jitsu journey thus far is unforgettable. Originally from Andrews, Texas, a Texas Tech grad now living in Midland, he works as an engineer in the oil business — but decided to give BJJ a try a little over a year ago. After just four classes, disaster struck: he broke his leg in three places during training. What followed was over a year of recovery, reflection, and a deeper appreciation for the mental side of the art. We talk about how jiu-jitsu is like chess — cerebral, uncomfortable, and yet deeply satisfying — and how the lessons of the mats go far beyond technique. Now, after a year and a half away, he’s finally ready to return to training. This is a story about resilience, mindset, and why sometimes the hardest battles are the ones fought in our own heads.

In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, the newly minted blue belt, Mark Tran! 🎉 We dive into what it’s really like making the jump to blue belt—how the game changes, the mindset shifts, and the surprising challenges that come with wearing that new belt color on the mat.But Mark’s story doesn’t stop there. When he’s not rolling, he’s a globe-trotting software engineer whose journey began in Asia and stretched through Europe and Latin America over four unforgettable years. From Minnesota to New York, Vancouver to SoCal, we talk about how travel has shaped his perspective—and when exactly did jujitsu enter the picture?!Oh, and did I mention he’s leveling up his takedown game with judo classes? 🥋 Whether you're deep into your own jujitsu journey or just love a good story about passion, travel, and personal growth, this episode has something for you.Tune in and enjoy the roll!

In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I'm joined by my training partner, Jason Wei. Jason is a 3-stripe white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a diverse background in martial arts, including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Judo.We dive into Jason’s life journey as he moved between China, Canada, and the U.S., exploring how his experiences shaped his approach to martial arts. Judo plays a major role in our conversation, as it's the primary discipline he practices outside of BJJ.From ear guards to guard pulls, this episode offers insights, laughs, and something for every martial arts enthusiast to enjoy.

In this episode I am joined by another training partner of mine and fellow one-stripe white belt, Mr. Luis Cervantes, better known as Slim. Slim and I have been training together for over a year now and I have yet to make him tap, although he has made me tap many times!Slim has one of the most unique training styles in that although he has a home gym, he makes a habit of exploring gyms not just locally, but all over the world. In fact, when he was in Spain recently to play a concert with his band, he trained at two different gyms!You can find Slim performing at local, national, and international venues as a guitarist in FIVE different bands. Follow him on Instagram at lou_ferns!

In this episode I am joined by blue belt and former Jiu Jitsu practitioner Russell Melmed. Russell is a 4-stripe blue belt who no longer trains as a result of too many injuries which we get into in great detail in this episode. For the first part of the episode Russell and I spend a good deal of time getting to know each other since he is the first guest I have had that I have never actually spoken with before. We discuss a lot of our mutual interest in backcountry hiking. Russell is an avid backcountry hiker and even made sure his kids would have a love for it. After this, of course, we discuss Russell’s Jiu Jitsu career, the unique style of those who train at his gym, what its like training at multiple gyms, his thoughts on different belts, his injuries, and much more!There is something for everyone to enjoy on this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I am joined by another training partner of mine at One Jiu Jitsu in Tustin California, Martin Delgado. Martin is currently a brown belt who has been training off and on for almost twenty years. We discuss Martin’s unique journey to brown belt which is marked by several different gyms, a few long breaks, major life events, and finally culminating with 8 years of consistent training since 2017. Part of Martin’s journey includes a period of time where he along with a few other white belt friends decided to try and learn jujitsu by themselves. They found a gym with some mat space and cheap admission and would try different moves on each other that they saw on youtube!Martin has competed ten times and he tells us all of the details of some of his most memorable matches. We also discuss a lot about the mental side of jujitsu and how to overcome feelings of discouragement and defeat. Hope you enjoy this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Robert Kim, a black belt in jiu jitsu who is quite unique in that he not only has his own jiu jitsu academy, but he also owns his own dental practice!Dr. Rob is one of the busiest people I know. A husband and father of two, he describes himself as having ADD, yet begins each day with meditation and exercise. He then heads to his dental practice, where he oversees all operations. After work, he shifts his focus to his jiu jitsu dojo, managing everything from belt promotions and student classes to his own training. On top of all that, Dr. Rob also teaches private jiu jitsu lessons, travels internationally to give dentistry lectures, and even finds time to record podcasts.Rob and I also discuss all things jiu jitsu from his own personal journey which started in the 2000s, to the challenges of promoting students, to injuries and recovery. Please tune in to hear more about Dr. Rob!You can find Dr. Rob at his dental office in Chino Hills, www.aviondental.com or on the mat at his One Jiu Jitsu Redlands, www.redlandsbjj.com.

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!

In this episode I sit down with a long time friend of mine, Mr. Al Reyes. I have known Al for almost 20 years although we have never trained together. Al is my first black belt guest and also my first guest over 60! Al trains at Cassio Werneck BJJ in Sacramento, CA, where he has been for 20 years. In this episode we discuss Al’s jujitsu journey which actually started in the 90s and continues today. Al discusses how jujitsu instruction has changed through the years, how his own personal style has evolved, how he has overcome injuries and learned to work through them, and also offers several highly beneficial black belt tips! We also discuss his own personal journey through belts and promotions and what it was like returning to the mat after a two year absence due to surgery! There is something for everyone to enjoy in the episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I am joined by my friend and training partner Hieu Vu. Hieu is currently a purple belt, trains at One Jujitsu in Tustin California like myself, and is a former marathon runner. Hieu takes us through his decades-long journey of training jujitsu starting with the Nogi world in 2008, followed by a ten-plus year hiatus, and starting up again in 2022. In this period of time, Hieu got really into long distance running. He competed in several marathons and also a few ultra-marathons with his longest race being 50 miles!After a few injuries forced him to dial back his running career, he came back to the world of martial arts and has been training jujitsu for three straight years now. We discuss the differences in mentalities between being a white belt, a blue belt, and a purple belt. We also hear about Hieu’s past competitions and his desire to compete more in the future. Hear about all of this and more in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I’m joined by my training partner Fernando Morales — a three-stripe white belt who started his BJJ journey in late 2022, but whose love of combat sports goes all the way back to childhood boxing at just four years old. Fernando shares what it was like growing up in Santa Ana, how boxing shaped his youth, and the night a guillotine choke from a friend first planted the idea of trying jiu-jitsu. We also talk about his biggest surprise since stepping onto the mats: the lack of ego in BJJ compared to boxing, where “a light spar can just turn into a full-on fight.” Fernando reflects on his first competition, the lessons he took from it, and his excitement for many more to come. This is a conversation about growth, humility, and rediscovering the joy of martial arts through jiu-jitsu.There is something for people of all levels to enjoy in this episode of Rolling Over 40!There is something for people of all levels to enjoy in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I’m joined by former MMA fighter and current BJJ practitioner, Dale Corzine. Dale’s martial arts journey began with Tae Kwon Do and wrestling as a kid, before he dove headfirst into MMA as a teenager with dreams of going pro. By day he worked a demanding manual labor job, and by night he endured a brutal training schedule — all in pursuit of making his dream a reality. Dale takes us inside the highs and lows of his three unforgettable MMA fights, sharing the physical punishment, the mental battles, and the ultimate cost of chasing a career in combat sports. After a heartbreaking decision to step away from training for nearly a decade, Dale has found his way back — this time to the mats of Steez Jiu Jitsu Club in Tustin, where he now trains alongside his son and prepares to compete again this May. This is a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of rediscovering your passion.You will not want to miss Dale himself recounting his journey in this episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Mr. Chris Camia — a three-stripe white belt who’s been training for nearly two years and is now mentally preparing for his first official competition. We talk about the work our gym has been doing on takedowns and back takes from standing, and Chris shares why the arm triangle has become one of his favorite submissions. We also dig into the common mistakes we white belts still make, the lessons that come with them, and why the journey is so enjoyable despite the struggles. And here’s the twist — Chris actually had his very first “recreational” jiu-jitsu match almost twenty years ago, long before any formal training! This episode is a fun mix of technique, personal growth, and the unique stories that keep us hooked on the mats.Hear about all of this and more in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome my first female guest — and longtime training partner — Shelisa Diaz. Like me, she’s a one-stripe white belt, and while she may not look it, she’s proudly training BJJ well into her 40s. We dive into everything from cauliflower ear (yes, she thinks she might be getting it!) to the realities of injuries and why learning to tap is especially important for practitioners over 40. Shelisa also shares her go-to moves on the mats — from sweeps to submissions — and why taking the back might just be her specialty. Beyond the techniques, we explore the deeper rewards of training: the physical release, the mental resilience, and the therapeutic side of jiu-jitsu that keeps us coming back. This is a fun, insightful conversation that proves jiu-jitsu is for everyone — and it just might inspire you to start your own journey.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Cody Corzine, whose jiu-jitsu journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Cody’s path began as the “punching bag” for his older MMA-obsessed brother, continued with a stint in the no-gi world of 10th Planet, and eventually brought him to One Jiu Jitsu of Tustin — where he’s now one of the most dedicated students on the mats. Not only does Cody train three times a week, but he takes detailed notes after every class, studies hours of tutorials on sites like BJJ Fanatics, and constantly works to improve his game outside the gym. We also talk about his upcoming first competition in April, and what it means to put all that preparation to the test. Cody’s story is a perfect reminder that passion, discipline, and consistency can transform your jiu-jitsu journey.Hear about all of this and more in this episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Houman Shahi — someone whose jiu-jitsu journey is unlike anyone else’s I know. Houman first discovered BJJ nearly twenty years ago, and his path has unfolded in three distinct chapters: beginning in Iran, continuing through Europe, and culminating in Southern California, where he trained under his longtime instructor, Giva Santana. We also dive into Houman’s most recent competition, where he broke his hand mid-match but still pushed through four grueling bouts. He shares not only how he fought physically, but also how he wrestled with the crushing sense of “mental defeat” despite achieving big wins along the way. This is a story of resilience, passion, and what it really means to stay committed to the mats over the long haul.Follow the link below to see pictures of Houman‘s journey alongside Giva Santana!https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nh7Satq2jMCFmmsvXrpTPVYoKkAq81cK

In this episode, I welcome my friend Jeremy Lee — my first guest from a different academy, Steez Jiu Jitsu Club. Jeremy shares what makes Steez unique, from how their classes are structured and how belts are earned, to the unexpected quirks of training there (yes, including a foosball table in the gym!). We dive into the big differences between white, blue, and purple belts — not just in skill, but in mindset and expectations on the mats. Jeremy also takes us through his first competition as a white belt, where nothing went according to plan: his warm-up was cut short, a triangle slipped away, and even his grip strength nearly gave out. But did he manage to pull off a victory? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Mike Tang — a three-stripe white belt who began training jiu-jitsu in March 2023. Before stepping onto the mats, Mike spent years practicing Tae Kwon Do as a kid and playing football in high school, but now he’s found a deeper connection through BJJ. We talk about how training nourishes the “mind, body, and soul,” the satisfaction of steady progress, and the excitement of preparing for his very first competition. Mike also shares why drilling with a grappling dummy has helped his game, his love for the arm triangle, and the reasons he believes everyone should start jiu-jitsu right away. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, Mike’s journey will remind you why stepping on the mats can change everything.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Khoi Ho — a 3-stripe blue belt who’s been on the mats since 2018. Khoi shares wild stories from his competition days, including the time he got thrown into a younger bracket at the last minute, the day he was promoted to blue belt right before stepping on the mats, and even the match where he popped his arm in an armbar but refused to quit. We also dive into his experiences training at three different academies, what it really feels like to be a blue belt, and why he thinks smashing white belts is all part of the fun. Most importantly, Khoi lays out three powerful reasons why anyone should start training jiu-jitsu. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps us coming back to the mats, this conversation will get you fired up.

What’s it really like to start jiu-jitsu later in life? In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Mark Green — a one-stripe white belt who began training in the fall of 2023 at age 37. We dig into the doubts we had before stepping on the mats, the physical and mental challenges of training as adults, and the surprising rewards that keep us coming back. From sore joints and busy schedules to the joy of small breakthroughs, Mark and I share what the journey has been like so far. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to start jiu-jitsu, this conversation will give you both perspective and encouragement.