The No Natural Talent Podcast

She's a white belt with a story shaped by intense experiences and a big heart. She has gone down seldom traveled paths for her healing, and Jiu Jitsu has become part of the proof of how far she’s come. Grounded, real, and as authentic as they come... This is Amber.

White belt. Family man. Idaho born and raised. He knew this wouldn’t be easy, and that’s exactly why he stayed. Humble, consistent, and pushing through injuries, he’s the kind of training partner everyone wants in the room. This is Luke.

She's a white belt who brings an upbeat attitude, lots of smiles, and a unique perspective on training to the mat. A wife, a mom who juggles kiddos who also train jiujitsu AND a very niche vocation...she's a physical therapist focused on men’s pelvic floor health. We get into the conversations people usually avoid — erectile dysfunction, prostate health and good questions answered, like… can men do kegels?!? It might sound awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. This is Kristen.

A Rest Round with Shanti, Westen, Jeremy, and Wade — real conversation, plenty of laughs, and stories from the past that shaped who they are today. Chaotic and unfiltered in the best way. Mature audiences recommended.

Off the cuff with no agenda, just real conversation. From unsung heroes in Jiujitsu, to world level drama, training mindsets and the mental side of competing, nothing's off limits. Honest, unfiltered and a little bit unpredictable. This is Shanti and Wes.

She’s a white belt with a passion for Jiujitsu. Even while off the mats with an injury, she keeps showing up...watching, learning, and staying connected. With her husband and kiddo training alongside her, it’s become something they share and love together. A constant source of encouragement with a fantastic attitude and undeniable drive, she lifts everyone around her. This is Codie.

OG Purple belt, lawyer, musician, and all-around good human. Always helping teammates and bringing steady, positive energy to the mats. He’s also the host of the "I Fought the Law" podcast, a kick-ass show he runs with his business partner Brian, a dynamic duo, impacting one client at a time. And yes, his daughter bedazzled his belt… and he wears it proudly. This is Steve.

A purple belt and MMA fighter with a deep passion for the fight. Quiet at first, but surprisingly talkative once he opens up, his Star Wars and Lord of the Rings tattoos give away the inner nerd behind the warrior. Fighter on the mats, fan of epic sagas off them. This is Cesar.

A blue belt who stepped away from Jiujitsu for a time, but came back all in. Curious, conscientious, and deeply respectful of the people around him, he approaches training with intention and humility. An excellent partner on the mats and a mind that's always asking questions. This is "Kyle 2".

He returns to the mic, taking on listener questions and sharing more of the story behind the strength. Raw, reflective, and real. This is Wade.

Alliance Winter Camp 2026 in Eagle, Idaho, brought together voices from across the country. Leah from Philadelphia, Alex from New York, Eric from Miami, Megan, newly relocated from Minneapolis, and Brandon and Riley from the Boise area — sharing what they learned and the stories that shaped them. Along the way, there are conversations with some of the greats, including Marcelo Garcia, Michael Langhi, Fabio Gurgel, Alexandre Paiva, and Dani Genovesi. From everyday practitioners to world-class legends, this is Jiujitsu.

A black belt with a background in MMA and gymnastics, he's driven by passion and a relentless work ethic. Fatherhood and friendship ground him, while coaching lets his energy and leadership shine. Focused, powerful, and all heart. This is Brandon.

Bad drivers. Hot takes. A little smart assery and a lot of jiujitsu talk. He stirs the pot and calls out teammates for a brown belt throwdown. Don't blink. This is Jeremy.

She is a blue belt fresh out of Marine boot camp, carrying massive ambition, confidence, and clear goals. Starting at SIBJJ in her early teens, she trained with the original ladies class and the big guys at morning class alike. Young, fearless, and unshakable — nothing throws her off course. This is Bethany. 

As a head coach at System Jiujitsu in Meridian, Idaho, he brings structure, intention and a unique way to think about training to the mats. Join us as he dives deep into the art of disagreement, how to use AI as a training tool, and his past health habits and how that has shaped his present self.  This is Jacen.  

Roles reverse as Westen takes the mic and interviews Shanti about her journey through blue belt — the doubts, the growth, and how far she believes she still has to go. What she didn’t know at the time is that this conversation was recorded just hours before her promotion to purple belt. That unknowing honesty gives the episode depth, capturing a moment of reflection right before everything changed. This is Shanti.  

Jiujitsu moms. They may not train...yet, but they see the impact on their children every day. They share stories of watching their sons grow through Jiujitsu. The struggles, the confidence, the discipline, and the friendships that form along the way. Supportive from the sidelines, they witness how the mats shape character, community, and kids becoming good humans. This is Jana and Natalie. 

A black belt known for his calm, meticulous rolls and deadly butterfly hooks, he is an introspective and thoughtful person who brings the same quiet precision to Jiujitsu and poker alike. Calm in spirit, dangerous on the mats...this is Pedro.

Noisy and chaotic, emotions run high at tournaments. Catch a glimpse of the competitive energy that jiujitsu brings. Pre-match nerves. Post-match reflections, coaches, competitors, and gyms come together at Grappling Industries, Boise. This is competition, this is community, this is jiujitsu.

Our special 30th episode guest, he is a blackbelt and SIBJJ's former head coach, whose experience runs deep. He's trained with the greats and has been shaped by years on the mats. He brings a rare presence to his teaching, offering patience and insight to every student he works with. Calm, yet passionate about his jiujitsu and his people, he is grounded and caries an unmistakable island vibe. This is Westen. 

He is a purple belt and part of the morning OG crew, a leg locker with a sharp, no bullshit gauge. He trains through every chapter of life as a family man, business owner and seriously talented artist. Honest, creative and unapologetically real This is Tattoo Chris. 

After years of supporting her kids as a jiujitsu gym mom, she stepped on the mats herself. Between motherhood, night shifts and endless responsibilities, she still shows up to train with kindness, grit and a beautiful heart. This is Medina. 

A Rest Round with Jiu Jitsu couples-We dive into what it's like when your partner is on the mats too: support, struggle, ego checks, and growing together. Along the way, Dom and Almine share how their own jiu jitsu journey began together, setting the tone for what it means to train, grow and evolve together. Same sport, same team...sometimes different rolls. This is life and love on the mats.

A blackbelt of 31 years, hailing from from the Boise area and one of the head honchos at System Jiu Jitsu, his passion for the art is unmatched. Equal parts serious technician and lighthearted training partner, he's a leader, a lifer and someone who lives and breathes Jiu Jitsu. This is Jacen. 

A brown belt who knows the hardest battles are not always physical, he's faced his own thoughts, fought through the mental walls and found strength...and community...on the mats. This is Michael. 

A blue belt who got his start in grappling through wrestling, and though it wasn't quite what he expected, it let the spark that led him to jiujitsu. He's been a steady part of the journey ever since, recently helping behind the scenes with the podcast's production and bringing the same focus and curiosity to everything he touches. A family man, a deep thinker and an all around solid human. This is Mike.

From the chaos of radio hosting and a musicians life, to finding peace, purpose and redemption...He’s the voice behind the No Natural Talent intro and living proof that the mats can turn your life around. Creative and grounded. This is Jason.

A rock climbing, brown belt, yoga instructor, acupuncturist whose presence radiates strength, serenity and fire. Her insight runs deep. She brings intuitive wisdom and an experienced perspective to every conversation and roll. Vibrant, grounded and full of life, she moves through the world with purpose and light. This is Almine.

An Eagle, Idaho blackbelt who blends jiu jitsu, health and wellness in a way that pushes beyond the usual. Thoughtful and relentless, nothing stands in the way of his training or his drive to keep learning. This is Dom. 

Hawaiian born Idahoan with blackbelt wisdom, he's a loyal friend and a mat enforcer everyone respects. Every move deliberate, every armbar hunted with precision, he has a huge smile and an even bigger heart. This is Joston.

*Listener discretion advised Episode 19 gets a little raw - language, stories, and laughs included. Listener discretion advised. Joining us are some familiar voices: Nick, who once admitted he didn't even like Jujitsu but kept showing up anyway; Ismenia, who brings her own spark to the mats; and Dalton, steady and loyal even as the “always injured guy”. Together they make this conversation as real as the training that binds us.

Big heart, bigger fight, he is a protective father who is no stranger to physical challenges. Blessed to have his family in his corner. This is Hugo. 

Introspective and grounded, a rock climber who knows what it means to test limits on and off the mats. He's battled through injuries, fought his way back to training and carries with him a deep sense of knowing who he is and who he wants to become. This is Scott.

She loves anime and is quiet and shy, but make no mistake, she's a badass. She's overcome health struggles, drives further than most to train and she does it with joy and grit because she is in this for the long haul. This is Marie.

He is loyal and steady, the kind of teammate you can always count on, the self proclaimed "always injured" guy. Nothing shakes his commitment...to his training, his people, or the ones he loves most. This is Dalton.

He started training as a teenager, stepped away for 20 years and is now back on the mats as a blue belt. With a grin that shows his enthusiasm, he's soaking up every round of learning. He's proof that it's never too late to return to what you love. This is Aaron.

Quick with smart ass comments and never runs out of words, his loyalty to his teammates runs even deeper. He shows up, lifts others up, and keeps the energy alive in the room. This is Jeremy.  

A generous smile with endless curiosity for the art. He stepped on the mats and found the missing piece. Quietly determined, he is proof that steady commitment builds unstoppable skill. This is Cayson. 

A brilliant mind with a heart for teaching, both on and off the mat. He breaks down technique with precision and ease. He is the nicest person you'll ever get choked by. This is Avery.

He’s the heart behind the gym, the Wristlock King, and the reason Jiujitsu feels like home for so many of us. His passion is matched only by his generosity, making the mats accessible and welcoming to us all. The Alliance SIBJJ community in Twin Falls exists because he built it with tenacity and heart. This is August.

He is formidable, happy, and just the right amount of "scary" — a beast on the mat with a coach’s heart and a passport full of stamps. He's not afraid to tap you while rocking a pink Gi. This is Chris

A gruff smart-ass with a great sense of humor and perseverance you can’t fake. He’s not flashy, he’s steady… Showing up, grinding it out, one day at a time. A tribute to grit, sarcasm, and sticking with it. This is Zach.

He shows up with intensity and tenacity, but it’s his huge heart for the gym and its people that really defines him. He helps everyone around him, and he loves getting intellectual about Jiujitsu — always thinking, always growing. This is Rusty.

Training for the joy, not the glory. Years in, and he still shows up smiling, and that's what makes him dangerous. This is David.

Quiet but driven, facing his demons with grit instead of words. This episode is about silent strength and the battles no one sees. This is Brynden.

Don't let her cute size, contagious laugh and generous heart fool you...she's a force to be reckoned with on the mat. This is Ismenia.

He's humble, fiercely loyal, and tougher than most- a chill bad ass with a past and a purpose. This is Wade. 

He showed up, hated it...and came back anyway. Where is he now? He's still here. Still rolling...and he's a brown belt. This is Nick, the kind of story that reminds you why its worth it. 

What led me to jujitsu, what keeps me in jiujitsu, why you should do jiujitsu!