The Bunker Jiu Jitsu Podcast

Fr. Ted interview Prof. Jason Figliano, a 3rd Degree Black Belt under Master Royler Gracie, owner of multiple Gracie Humaita Dojos in he western GTA and also a Kyoshi Black Belt in Karate, running The Canadian Black Belt Academy.

Fr. Ted and Black Belt Mark Manalo close out 2025 with their reflections on this year’s Bunker Tournament, NKS’ first black belt promotion, future projects and much more!

Fr. Ted interviews OG Bunker member Jose Kim. Fr. Ted and Jose have been training together for over 5 years and discuss their BJJ journeys, from the Bunker to the present.

Fr. Ted interviews John. Koveos, founder of Schinoussa SuperFoods, a well-known and exceptional brand of supplements that provide healthy living solutions to many top-tier athletes around the world.

Fr. Ted interviews Brown Belt Breno Mendes from JT6 Studio in Toronto.

Fr. Ted interviews old friend Frank Katsaros, a newly promoted Blue Belt under Gracie Humaita Mississauga.

Fr. Ted gives updates on the upcoming Bunker Holiday Tournament:New Dojos, New Donors, New Charities and some surprises!

Fr. Ted interviews Raul Chavez, a black belt and founder of “Project X-Guard” based out of Toronto Canada.

Fr. Ted interviews Toula Gonedalles-Cioci, cofounder and director of H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Prophet Elias) which is a community based philanthropic organization that mobilizes individuals to help local shelters and other organizations within the community. The bunker holiday tournament has supported HOPE from day one by gathering non-perishable food items by both the competitors and spectators who attend the event.

Fr. Ted reflects on the upcoming fall season, local tournaments at purple belt, school starting and the this year’s Bunker Holiday Tournament in December.

Fr. Ted interviews Professor Mike Aviado, a 2nd degree Black Belt and owner of Vaughan BJJ.

Fr. Ted interviews 2nd Degree BJJ Black Belt Matthew Pasquale from Leslieville Jiu Jitsu. Matt has been training for over 20 years, is a personal trainer out of Apex Gym and also co-owner and instructor at Leslieville Jiu Jitsu in Toronto, Canada. 

Fr. Ted reflects on recently receiving his Purple Belt in BJJ.

Fr. Ted interviews blue belt Mark Alcamo from REV MMA.

Fr. Ted interviews military veteran and current police officer, purple belt Jose Arias.

in this episode, Fr. Ted announces his new publication: “Bunker Jiu Jitsu: Faith, Friendship & Fortitude on the Mats” is the story of Fr. Ted‘s into Jiu Jitsu and the founding of the tournament.

Fr. Ted interviews Co-Founder and CFO of Awake Chocolate Dan Tzotzis. Dan is a major sponsor and supporter of the Bunker Holiday Tournament, providing his delicious caffeinated chocolate so that our competitors can stay sharp! 

Fr. Ted sits down with Blue Belt Dimitri Tsourounis who is a former certified Gracie Combatives instructor but Has since transitioned to sport Jiu Jitsu. Together they discuss the pros and cons of Combatives and how they may compliment sport Jiu Jitsu. 

Fr. Ted talks with good friend and blue belt Christian Kim. Working as a police officer for a northern reserve of the Anishinaabe tribes of Canada, Christian bounces between work up north and BJJ in Toronto.

Fr. Ted interviews 4th Degree Black Belt David Gonzalez, head instructor at Gracie Humaita Bolton, Ontario. An US Air Force veteran, David has been training BJJ since the early 90’s and offers an old school perspective on the evolution of BJJ as a martial art and as a sport.

Fr. Ted interviews Purple Belt Grace Chung. Grace is a 4 stripe purple belt training out of NKS BJJ in Willowdale, Ontario. Together they discuss career, teaching and the joy of the BJJ community.

Aran is a purple belt in BJJ and has been training about thirteen years. Together, he and Fr. Ted discuss the journey of Jiu Jitsu being a long one, full of ups and downs.

Fr. Ted sits down with Black Belt Mark Manalo, owner and head instructor of NKS (Northern Karate Willowdale). Mark is a Red & White (Coral) Belt in Karate and a Black Belt in BJJ. He has over 27 years of teaching experience. Together they discuss Mark’s journey from Karate to BJJ to growing the his new Jiu Jitsu program at NKS.

Fr. Ted interviews Peter Aceto, one of his first training partners in BJJ and a veteran of the Bunker. 

In this episode Fr. Ted interviews another OG of the Bunker, police officer, Phil Cress. Together to discuss starting their Jiu Jitsu journey together, having to change gyms because of life, and getting through injuries.

Fr. Ted briefly reflects on his own Jiu Jitsu journey and what led him to start the Bunker.

Fr.Ted talks with Panos Christou, BJJ brown belt and long time member of the Bunker.

The first guest on the Bunker Jiu Jitsu podcast is Fr. Ted’s good friend Ali Pirvali. Ali is a four stripe purple belt training out of REV MMA. He has been training for about a decade, he is an active police officer in Toronto and the original member of “The Bunker.” Listen in on his Jiu Jitsu story.

Welcome to the Bunker Jiu Jitsu Podcast.