Get A Grip with Kendall Reusing

In this solo episode of Get A Grip, Kendall shares a raw life update and opens up about what has quietly been one of the hardest seasons of her life. From questioning competition after ADCC 2022 to navigating burnout, existentialism, identity shifts, and faith… this conversation explores what happens when the thing you built your life around no longer feels the same. 🎙️ Kendall talks about: • Why her word of the year is “relax” … but in the heart • The difference between the “pre-conscious” vs. “post-conscious” athlete (term comes from a podcast ep. where Huberman interviews Joshua Waitzkin – that episode linked here for those interested: https://open.spotify.com/episode/06nvqDXdnYJiJd16MSod8K?si=P0YCXcoPR7ObCzQ5lInycg • Coming back to Polaris on her own terms • Why she may not compete again • Learning to stop hiding and tell the truth • What to do when you don’t know what your mission is anymore • How changing your mind can actually be healing • The real reason she started a 30-day talking-on-camera challenge • Praying for God to change her heart during difficult seasons This episode is a permission slip for anyone in transition… the athlete, entrepreneur, creator, or high achiever trying to figure out who they are outside of performance, pressure, or expectations (often their OWN). Sometimes growth doesn’t look like becoming “more accomplished.” Sometimes it looks like becoming more honest. ⭐️ Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It makes a big difference. 🎧  Connect with Kendall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kendallreusingbjj TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/kendallreusing Website: https://www.kendallreusing.com Episode Show Notes: 00:00 Time for a life update!! 01:53 Why my word of the year is relax… but in the heart 03:50 Getting desperate enough to truly change 04:59 2025 being the hardest year ever 05:27 I didn’t really “love it” during ADCC 2024 06:44 The “pre vs post conscious” athlete + existentialism 09:14 Coming back to Polaris on my terms 10:20 Why idk if I’m going to compete again 12:08 My permission slip to you to change your mind 13:37 Sweet Sweat Ad Read 14:59 Praying for God to change my heart 16:50 30 day talking on camera challenge 17:56 What do you do when you don’t know what the “mission” is? 19:42 Why I’m working with a fitness coach 20:54 My real current daily focus to help others be more of who they are 22:19 How I plan to stop hiding and how you can, too 24:30 To “love” and to tell the truth is my mission 26:36 Permission slip for you

In this episode of Get A Grip, Kendall sits down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete Sula-Mae Loewenthal for a conversation about identity, mental toughness, self-trust, and how life’s hardest seasons often shape who we become. This episode explores the moments that build true resilience… from periods of darkness that eventually led to the most growth, to heartbreak, life transitions, and learning how to keep moving forward when everything familiar changes. This conversation is for anyone building something meaningful — whether on the mats, in business, or in life — and learning how to trust themselves through uncertain seasons. Sometimes the most transformative chapters come from the messiest data, the hardest transitions, and the willingness to keep showing up before the outcome makes sense. ⭐️ Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It helps more people find the show and keeps these conversations going. 🎧 Connect with Kendall Instagram: @kendallreusing YouTube: @kendallreusingbjj TikTok: @kendallreusing Website: kendallreusing.com 🎙️ Connect with Sula-Mae Instagram: @sula_mae_loewenthal Timestamps 00:00 Using your uniqueness in career, goals, and life 01:30 Dark seasons that led to the most growth 02:40 Sula’s origin story + going full time in jiu-jitsu 03:59 Heartbreak after leaving her academy, team, and old life 05:50 How to keep winning during major life transitions 07:40 Intentionally creating chaos to grow 11:00 Why becoming your own best coach changes everything 16:10 How to help people support AND push you 19:08 The power of collecting messy data as a beginner 22:00 Building autonomy and mental toughness in jiu-jitsu 23:03 Sweet Sweat ad – recovery, consistency, and showing up 24:44 Showing up authentically online 26:00 Creating impact beyond medals and shaping how life feels

In this episode of Get A Grip, Kendall sits down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete Sula-Mae Loewenthal to explore what it really means to have a grip on your life — on and off the mats. From the early days of launching Get A Grip in an Austin Airbnb to navigating burnout after ADCC 2024, this conversation goes deeper than wins and losses. Kendall and Sula break down mental toughness, balance, and wellness basics for high achievers chasing big goals, while also unpacking why competition doesn’t always “change your life” the way people expect it to. They discuss standout moments like beating Helena Crevar at Polaris, the pressure of elite competition, and how to stay grounded when you’re not winning everything — yet still becoming an influential, impactful athlete. This episode is especially for the driven person who may never be a “pro fighter,” but still wants to give their absolute best, grow through discomfort, and pursue something meaningful. If you’ve ever felt burnt out, questioned the point of competing, or wondered whether your goals are big enough, this conversation will challenge how you define success — and why chasing something that feels just out of reach might be exactly the point. 🎙️ Topics include: - What it really means to “have a grip” on your life - Recovering from burnout and inconsistency - Mental toughness beyond winning titles - Competing for growth, not validation - Why achievable goals aren’t always worth chasing ⭐️ Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review. It helps more people find the show — and helps us keep these conversations going. 🎧 Connect: Follow Kendall Reusing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kendallreusingbjj TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/kendallreusing Website: https://www.kendallreusing.com Follow Sula-Mae Loewenthal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sula_mae_loewenthal Episode Show Notes: 00:00 Launching Get A Grip in an Austin Airbnb 01:30 What does it mean to have a grip on your life? 02:45 The tightrope analogy: balancing life 06:25 Wellness basics when chasing big goals 07:04 Recovering from burnout after ADCC 2024 09:50 Why ADCC doesn’t really “change your life” 12:51 Beating Helena Crevar at Polaris 13:46 Sweet Sweat Ad – recovery, consistency, and showing up for your goals 15:17 Mental toughness without winning everything 17:11 Connecting through loss and struggle 19:51 What’s the point of competing? 22:41 Message to the high achiever 24:37 Why achievable goals aren’t worth chasing

Another special live episode recorded straight from my booth at Jiu Jitsu Con 2025. You on the mic again… 🎤 From competition nerves and confidence building to training mindset, life balance, and leveling up your game plan… this episode dives into all the real questions from athletes, coaches, and fans who stopped by to chat. Whether you’re brand new to Jiu Jitsu or chasing that next belt, this one’s packed with insight you can use today — on and off the mats. 🥋✨ If you love hearing convos, please subscribe wherever you’re listening + share this one with a teammate or training partner who’d appreciate it too. Always cheering you on, Kendall 🤍 ⸻ PS – Upcoming stuff you’ll love 👇🏼 * Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (currently closed, but this gets you first access to next cohort early 2026): https://kendallreusing.com * JJA IRL Weekend – Dec 6–7, 2025 | Newport Beach, CA: https://kendallreusing.com/events Hawaii Paradise BJJ Retreat – Feb 2026 with Kekoa Collective: https://kendallreusing.com/events K Merch (Use code “Champion10”): https://kendallreusing.com/shop 0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 0:36 What's the Hardest Part of Your Training? 2:49 Who Was Your Hardest Match? 3:00 What is Your Fav Comp Technique? 4:44 Kendall-cana Details 6:48 What's The Most Challenging Part of The Journey? 9:00 How Do You Escape Bottom Mount? 10:15 How Do you Think Brought So Many Women To BJJ? 16:15 Would You Do UFCBJJ? 19:58 What's Your Fav Armbar? 20:40 What Do You Do After Comp? 22:38 Have You Wanted To Quit Mid Comp? 28:07 How Many Years Have You Been Training? 31:05 Will You Fight For The Crown? 32:33 IBJJF VS ADCC Ruleset? 36:45 What Was The Experience of JJCON?

In this live workshop recorded at Jiu-Jitsu Con, I sits down with my technical coach, 2nd degree black belt ( & WNO submission record holder!) Saul Viayra to break down one of the most powerful tools for your progress on (and off) the mats — Roadmapping. You’ll learn how to take the guesswork out of your training by organizing your strengths, exposing your weaknesses, and creating a clear 12-week plan that actually moves you toward your goals. Inside this episode: 🧭 What Road Mapping really is — and why every serious student needs one 🧠 How to do a full Brain Dump of your strengths & weaknesses 🔁 The art of Reverse Engineering your ideal game 🎯 How to identify 3–5 key focus areas and build your 12-Week Road Map 🗂 Structuring your order of progression for faster results 📈 Measuring progress over time and tracking your wins This is the episode to bookmark if you’re ready to train with intention, build a real system around your growth, and start seeing measurable progress on your path to black belt. ✨ For more free tools, training plans, and mentorship resources, visit kendallreusing.com 🏖️ To come to one of my events IRL (including Newport Beach in December and Hawaii next February), visit: kendallreusing.com/events 0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 1:01 What Road Mapping Is 2:20 Brain Dump - Strengths & Weaknesses 6:13 Reverse Engineering 11:03 Favorite Game Plan 15:56 Identify 3-5 Weaknesses in Game Plan 20:12 Twelve Week Road Map 21:32 Order Of Progression Mapped Out 27:00 Measuring Progress 32:00 Map Three To Six Months

In this special live episode of Get A Grip, I sit down with over 200 incredible women at the Alchemize Women’s Grappling Fest in Los Angeles, California for a powerful Q&A following my seminar. We dive deep into some of the most important topics every Jiu Jitsu athlete faces… from competition mindset and daily routines, to developing confidence after a new belt promotion, training with intention to improve faster, and how to stay mentally strong through injuries. I also open up about working with other mindset coaches, what it really takes to train like a champion, and the importance of community in women’s Jiu Jitsu. Whether you’re a white belt just starting out or a seasoned black belt chasing your next goal, this conversation will help you refocus, and reignite your belief in yourself.  Connect with me: Instagram — @kendallreusing TikTok — @kendallreusing Coaching & Camps — kendallreusing.com 📣 PS: don’t miss out on 2 very special events coming up!! 👇 🌺🥋✨🌈 Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) tickets are already 30% sold out at the time of this posting – https://kendallreusing.com/events 🏖️🥋 Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events 0:00 Start 0:06 Developing your mental game for competition 8:40 Getting injured while getting ready for a competition 14:07 Difference between brown/black belts and lower belts 12:47 Your Experience with Mindset Mike Coaching experience

Guyssss I’m obsessed with this interview! 🤩 I grabbed these two legends for a Q&A — live at Jiu-Jitsu Con, and it’s one of my favorites of all time. This episode of Get A Grip brings together Rafael Lovato Jr. and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (two of the most accomplished and respected athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history)… for a rare, open conversation about what it really takes to perform at the highest level. We dive into everything from competition-day rituals to the mindset behind chasing greatness over decades on the mats. In this episode, you’ll hear: ⚔️ How Lovato and Buchecha mentally and physically prepare for competition day 🧠 The toughest matches they’ve ever faced — and how they handled the pressure 💪🏼 Their advice for handling fatigue, adrenaline, and recovery 🏆 What it actually feels like to achieve your championship dream again and again ☕️ Their top coffee picks (yes, this is crucial intel 😂) 🕰 Tips for longevity and thriving in Jiu-Jitsu well into your 50s and beyond It’s a rare look into the minds of two champions who’ve not only built legacy, but continue to redefine it. If you love hearing the why and how behind greatness, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and tag us with your biggest takeaway. Connect with me on Instagram @kendallreusing & the pod page @getagripwithk. 💫 PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼 🌺🥋✨🌈 Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) tickets are already 30% sold out at the time of this posting – https://kendallreusing.com/events Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening in a couple months, my waitlist gets first access to spots): – https://kendallreusing.com Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events K Merch (Discount Code “Champion10” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop           0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 0:22 How Do You Prepare On Comp Day? 7:28 What Was The Toughest Match To Prepare For Mentally & Physically? 12:47 How to Prepare Outside Comp For Physical Fatigue & The Adrenaline? 20:21 What Is It Like Achieving Your Championship Dream Multiple Times? 28:27 What's The Best Coffee You've Had? 28:54 What Advice For 54 Yo With Longevity In BJJ?

Episode 40 is another fun one, because it was recorded on site at my Jiu-Jitsu Con booth with questions from YOU! 😍 I'd never done this before, but I had folks from all walks of life come by the booth and hop on the mic (including some really high level youth competitors 🕺)... and we went deep into allll things (especially mindset). I hope you enjoy this live q&a with the extra special guests. Please share this episode with a friend who might like it, too. Always cheering you on, Kendall PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼 Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening in a couple months, my waitlist gets first access to spots): – https://kendallreusing.com Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) – https://kendallreusing.com/events K Merch (Discount Code “Champion” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop 0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 0:45 How does it feel being here in your femininity? 3:26 Hardest competition moment? 6:35 How was transitioning from kids to adult divisions? 10:17 How do you manage competition stress? 14:07 What do you do right before stepping on the mats? 17:27 What inspired you to train BJJ? 19:51 What do you think as you step on to compete? 22:41 How to control feelings before competing? 29:38 Has anyone made you doubt yourself in BJJ? 37:27 What make you start BJJ? 39:56 What is your match mindset? 43:00 Outro

In this episode of Get A Grip, I sit down with Rose Miller — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Galvao, nutritionist, 1:1 coach for folks all over the world, and an incredible voice for authenticity in our sport. We dive deep into topics like: navigating body image, the challenges (and ridiculousness 😂) of ADHD, the prevalence of weight cuts in combat sports, and the darker seasons of life that every athlete (and human) faces. Rosie shares her personal journey with honesty and strength, reminding us that even in the hardest moments, there’s space to grow and find purpose. Whether you’re an athlete chasing gold medals or someone working through your own battles outside the gym, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that resilience is built one choice, one comeback, one moment of courage at a time. ✨ Connect with Rosie on Instagram —> @rosierollz. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs it, leave a rating / review.  Connect with me here: Instagram (@kendallreusing), TikTok (@kendallreusing), or join my JJA Waitlist ( 1:1 coaching apps re-open Sept. 23!! —> kendallreusing.com ) ***PS — In case you missed it, tickets to my All Inclusive Jiu Jitsu Vacay in HAWAII just launched 🌈 only 14 spots left at the time of this posting :) come hang with us next Feb. —> https://kekoacollective.com/pages/kendall-reusing-hawaii-jiu-jitsu-camp      0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 3:26 Body Image, Beauty Standards, & Weight Cutting 17:09 GAG Question 22:11 Insecurity Complex 30:09 Not Being Present 32:16 Dark Period That Shaped You 40:20 ADHD 50:25 GAG Question Again  

Episode 38 is suuuper special because it was recorded on site at my Jiu-Jitsu Con booth (which was a crazy experience, by the way 😂). I’ve been a long-time fan of both Romulo and Xande, and lucky enough to train with each of them as well. No matter where you are in your journey, this is the episode for you. These guys drop insight after insight… with a big dose of humor, too. :) I hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did. Please share this episode with a friend who might like it, too. Always cheering you on, Kendall PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼 Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening end of Sept): – https://kendallreusing.com/jiu-jitsu-accelerator Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/jja-irl-jjcon Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) – https://kekoacollective.com/pages/kendall-reusing-hawaii-jiu-jitsu-camp K Merch (Discount Code “Champion” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop 0:00 Start 0:12 With Out JJ Who Would You Be? 3:19 How To Deal With Imposter Syndrome? 7:56 How To Compete While Running Business? 13:08 Were You Ever Close To Walking Away? 19:27 Drilling Or Rolling For Competition?

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Emily Hayden — IFBB Pro, personal coach, motivational speaker, and host of the Evolve With Emily podcast — for a conversation on realignment, healing, and intentionally designing your life. We talk about how our darkest seasons can shape us, the 8/8 Lions Gate Portal, meditation, and manifestation (yes, Joe Dispenza too 👀). Emily brings a grounded and inspiring perspective, and by the end of this episode my hope is that you feel both encouraged and challenged to ask yourself: What shaped me? What am I focusing on now? And how can I realign to create the life I want? ✨ You can connect more with Emily on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhayden , and through her podcast, Evolve With Emily. And if you want to hear the tables turned—check out Get A Grip Episode 27, where my interview on Emily’s show was repurposed on this feed. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend, drop a rating, and connect with me on Instagram + TikTok (both @kendallreusing), and kendallreusing.com. Always in your corner, Kendall       0:00 Start 0:01 Intro  6:00 GAG Questions 8:00 How Do You Realign? 16:00 How We Are Designing Our Lives 23:30 What Darkness Shaped You? 30:20 Do You Pull From That Experience?  35:00 8/8 Lions Gate Portal 42:26 How Do You Focus In Manifesting?  47:00 Joe Dispenza & Meditation  50:23 Outtro 

  In this episode, I sit down with my personal technical coach since blue belt, WNO competitor, school owner, and great friend, Saul Viayra! Saul is a 2nd degree black belt, and a BIG part of my competitive journey and success. He manages the teams of 4 academies, still teaches full time, and also works with my clients inside Jiu Jitsu Accelerator. I’m really excited about this episode, because Saul and I got to deep dive into a few topics I know will bring y’all lots of value. We discuss how he has excelled professionally in jiu jitsu while maintaining multiple full time jobs, some of the “taboo” topics in jiu jitsu around ego and big name gyms, finding purpose in what you do — and using that as your guiding light, the keys to writing your competition camp (for athletes and coaches), and the pros and cons of big teams versus more personalized coaching. Whether you’re a big BJJ person or not, this is an incredible episode focused on finding your purpose and chasing your dreams, even when things get really, really hard. Make sure to follow him on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/saulviayra?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== And join the JJA waitlist if you’re interested in working with either of us more closely in the future: Kendallreusing.com (Or come to our JJA IRL training event in Newport Beach, CA on 8/16!! See my recent IG post for details: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==) Thanks for listening to another episode, please subscribe / rate / share if you enjoy, and I’ll see you soon for the next. 🤍 0:00 Start 0:16 Intro 1:42 GAG Question 6:21 Excelling Professionally in BJJ 17:38 How Did You Find Purpose Along The Way? 27:15 What Are The Keys To Writing a Competition Camp? 42:15 Big Teams VS 1on1 Coaching 52:47 Outro    

Ready for a reset? In this solo episode, I’m walking you through 4 simple, but powerful, steps to upgrade your life this week. … to get you over the plateau, or add a little fuel to your fire. Don’t let the cheesy title fool you. :) This stuff WORKS. Based on the same pillars I use with my private clients inside Jiu Jitsu Accelerator (JJA), this game plan is here to help you feel more clear, confident, and aligned… on and off the mats. 💫 And for those who don’t train in Jiu Jitsu, don’t worry — you can substitute that part with something else important to you (work, family, faith, etc.). If you want to feel and operate your best, you’ve got everything you need already inside you. I’m just here to remind you (and myself!) how to access it. 🤍 And if you enjoy the episode, please give it a rate / follow / share to someone else who might benefit from listening, too. It really means a lot to the growth of the podcast. 👇🏼 Connect with me.🌐 www.kendallreusing.com📸 Instagram: @kendallreusing🎥 TikTok: @kendallreusing   Timecode  0:00 Start 01:06 Performance Pillars 5:00 One Small Change 12:00 Addition VS Restriction  15:00 Simple Magic  19:00 Outro  

In today’s episode, join Buchecha and me at a jiu jitsu camp we taught together in March 2025 called Destination BJJ in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. We deep dive into some FAQ from attendees, and I was able to learn a lot from Buchecha, as well as share some of my knowledge. I hope you enjoy it. Join the “waitlist” here for info on my future camps / seminars / JJA availability (I only have one email list so everyone gets everything here - 🤗). 👉🏼 kendallreusing.com And make sure to follow along on IG  / TikTok as well. 🤍 IG: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendallreusing?_t=ZP-8vq40IM9bB9&_r=1         Show Notes  0:00 Start 0:01 Rate Us 0:26 Q&A  1:10 How do you keep structure when traveling? 7:46 How to teach for upper and lower belts? 13:00 Favorite training philosophy? 24:05 When did you realize it was possible to be the best? 34:00 Not tapping out 35:00 I know when im going to lose   

Lock in, baby. The podcast is back in action and we are in fullll “make 2025 your best year mode.” But, like… in a real life sh*t way. Aka: What can you do TODAY to change your life. What can you do TODAY to upgrade your energy, finances, relationships, health, happiness. What can you do TODAY to step into the *you* you’re excited to become. Today’s episode is a short, sweet solo pod — inspired by getting MYSELF out of my little funk, and teaching you how to, too. It’s a no bs, real-time look into how I change my energy TO change my frequency TO change my life. Little by little. And you and I can both do it right now, today. 📈 If you enjoy the ep, please like / follow / rate / subscribe / share. It really means the world. 🤍 And, like I mentioned at the end of the ep… 🚀📣 If you want to apply for my signature 1:1 mentorship program, Jiu Jitsu Accelerator (which only opens its doors for new clients 1-2x per year), click here. —> kendallreusing.com Apps just re-opened *today* for the first time since Sept. ‘24, and will close again March 2nd. See you inside. ✨     Show Notes 0:00 Start  0:01 Intro   2:20 Change your state  5:00 No one will save you  7:50 How badly do I want to feel good  12:46 Change something  17:55 It's in your hands  21:08 Outro

Join me in today’s solo episode as I walk you through a guided visualization exercise. Before we jump in, I discuss the value of utilizing the tool of visualization WHILE you are conjuring up / leaning into the next version of your evolution. ❤️‍🔥 Whether you’re listening while seated with your eyes closed, driving, doing laundry, or on a walk… you can do this. So tune in and tap in. This is for you. If you enjoy the episode, please follow / share / rate the podcast, wherever you’re listening. Really means a lot and helps us grow. 🙏🏼 To learn more about 1:1 coaching with me to make 2025 your best year on and off the mats, please see (and join the waitlist) my site regarding my signature program: Jiu Jitsu Accelerator. ✨ We finally re-open our doors in a couple weeks (I only do so 1-2x/year), and while spots are very limited, my waitlist gets first access to apply (and free bonus trainings via email!). See here: kendallreusing.com 📈🔥♥️🥋

Welcome back to part 2 of this episode Becky & I recorded together. Re-dropping the description from pt. 1 below for y’all… and just know that this episode gets deeper and deeper as it goes on. We touch on some very sensitive topics I don’t hear talked about enough in the jiu jitsu world, but I know many can relate to. Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did. ❤️🙏🏼 Today, I have the privilege of sitting with my friend Becky, who generously deep-dives into her experiences with: ❤️ mindfulness, meditation, and finding peace within chaos, ❤️ finding her career as a courtroom translator, ❤️ moving abroad and then having to secretly plot her escape later on, ❤️ discovering jiu jitsu and dance as forms of self-defense and personal transformation, ❤️ struggling in jiu jitsu to feel safe due to reliving past trauma, ❤️ developing her new company, Mil Usos Skincare, and so much more. Thank you to Becky for her time, honesty, and generosity. You can follow her here:  https://www.instagram.com/milusos_bybecky?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== And you can follow her company here: https://www.instagram.com/milusos_skincare?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== If you’d like to try Mil Usos for yourself (or as a gift 🎁), you can do so here: www.milusosskincare.com (code Kendall10 will save ya $ at checkout!) 🌟 As always, thanks for listening, and please rate / subscribe / follow / review / comment / share etc. if you enjoyed the episode. Really makes a big different in the growth of the pod, and directly affects the caliber of guests I can bring in etc. 🌟 Xoxo,Kendall   0:00 Start0:01 The Fight Continued 6:30 The Escape 9:25 How Did You Find JJ?15:45 Expression Difference in Dance & JJ28:40 Cant Date Who I Can "Kill"33:00 JJA33:56 Mil Usos36:00 Skin Care Science 39:40 GAG Question Again 48:43 Outro

Today, I have the privilege of sitting with my friend Becky, who generously deep-dives into her experiences with: ❤️ mindfulness, meditation, and finding peace within chaos, ❤️ finding her career as a courtroom translator, ❤️ moving abroad and then having to secretly plot her escape later on, ❤️ discovering jiu jitsu and dance as forms of self-defense and personal transformation, ❤️ struggling in jiu jitsu to feel safe due to reliving past trauma, ❤️ developing her new company, Mil Usos Skincare, and so much more. Thank you to Becky for her time, honesty, and generosity. You can follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/milusos_bybecky?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== And you can follow her company here: https://www.instagram.com/milusos_skincare?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== If you’d like to try Mil Usos for yourself (or as a gift 🎁), you can do so here: www.milusosskincare.com (code Kendall10 will save ya $ at checkout!) 🌟 As always, thanks for listening, and please rate / subscribe / follow / review / comment / share etc. if you enjoyed the episode. Really makes a big different in the growth of the pod, and directly affects the caliber of guests I can bring in etc. 🌟 Xoxo, Kendall ( PS: this is only part 1! second half of this ep. will be released next week 🙏🏼 stay tuned)   0:00 Start 2:20 GAG Question 8:40 Uncomfortable is OK 13:00 Life’s story 20:00 Peru  

Alrightyyyy my friends, we are back with Q&A podcast / YouTube hybrid!! This is episode 29 of my podcast, Get A Grip with K. This time… I deep dive into questions asked from the live audience at the alchemize warrior women’s weekender in Austin, Texas. We talk about competition mindset strategies, how to train with different types of partners, self-esteem, and so much more. Really hope you enjoy it, and, if you do, don’t forget to like/subscribe/comment/share it with someone it might help etc. ❤️❤️❤️ Till next time,K 💖 0:00 Start0:01 Intro 0:06 Question 1 Are you back to competition or still injured?0:27 Question 2 Saying no to rolls6:27 Question 3 How to mentally overcome injuries?11:45 Question 4 Mental fight prep17:00 Question 5 How to be comfortable with your weight?21:49 Question 6 How to deal with comfortability in cross training?25:42 Question 7 How to deal with pre training anxiety?29:58 Question 8 How did you regain mobility post injury?35:10 Question 9 Technical question on knee tap35:32 Question 10 Inside trip details36:31 Question 11 Under hooks and posture37:05 Question 12 Finding joy in training (again)

 Today, I sit with the brand new IBJJF GI WORLD CHAMPION (although, no stranger to the top of the world's most prestigious podiums in jiu jitsu), Nathalie Ribeiro. Nathalie is one of bjj's most well known and loved competitors, not only for who she is on the mats, but for what she intimately shares with us off of it. In this episode, Nathalie generously opens up about how this year's internal transformation changed her life, and ultimately led to finally conquering a new level of success at the Worlds in June. You can expect to be inspired around: - embodying and believing in your worthiness,- building new mindset (and jiu jitsu) habits quickly,- using people around you as feedback loops,- accepting your darkest, "ugliest" parts,- turning acceptance into an automatic practice,and so much more. I can't thank Nathalie enough for sharing herself so vulnerably and inspirationally with us in this interview. It was also my first ever in-home interview in my new space! Such a treat. I know y'all are going to love this one. ❤️ Follow Nathalie here: https://www.instagram.com/tatawribeiro?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== All of my discounts / links / JJA waitlist to work inside my mentorship program (which re-launches next week, btw 👀) / camps / seminars etc: https://linktr.ee/kendallreusing Don't forget to please share / like / subscribe / rate / comment whateverrrr you know the drill lol if you enjoyed the show. Thanks so much for being here and being a part of the journey.     0:00 Start 1:00 Tata Introduction 3:30 Becoming a Gi World Champ 8:03 Feeling Worthy Brought the Win 11:40 “I Couldn’t Like My Ugly Parts” 12:40 GAG Question 1 9:00 Life's Story 39:00 What Kept You Going? 45:35 Accepting Our “Dark Parts”  56:00 Acceptance as an Automatic Practice  58:50 What Helped You Build The Habits? 01:05:22 Who Do You Want To Be? 01:11:32 People Are Feedback For Us 01:14:50 GAG Question Again 01:20:21 Where to Find Tata  01:21:46 Outro    Books Mentioned: A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson, Atomic Habits by James Clear, &  12 Rules For Life by Jordan Peterson 

Today is a special episode filmed on my good friend Emily Hayden’s podcast from February 2023. Below is Emily’s description of her takeaways and who this is a good listen for. ♥️ PS: she and I MAY have a special, in-person event coming up to offer for a small group of people… stay tuned. 🥰 “In today’s episode, Emily interviews JiuJitsu 7x world champion Kendall Ruesing. Kendall has been through a lot of life experiences at such a young age that truly has shaped her mindset towards life. Her perspective, vulnerability, & willingness to share her “not so pretty” moments in this episode will leave you feeling empowered to go out there and truly live life. Knowing that failure & missing the mark, is simply a PART of the journey to your personal “world championship”. In today’s episode you will hear about:1. The pathway to personal development 2. Overcoming shame & guilt3. Eating disorder recovery & healing journey4. Publicly going through injuries, changes in body comp, etc5. Living a full Fck yes life6. You’re going to fail anyways7. A mystical experience 8. The art of Surrender9. Masculine vs. feminine 10. What changed between her first championship and her 7th. Connect with Kendall here:Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendallreusing Connect with Emily Here: All links: https://linktr.ee/evolvewithemilypodcast https://linktr.ee/emilyhayden Connect with Emily here: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Subscribe to The Evolve With Emily Show here: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3v10YPsiTunes: https://apple.co/3aqW5YeSoundcloud: https://bit.ly/3dtNINp”

This is an interview I did on the Inner Beauty Code Podcast. Below is the description they wrote for it. Super grateful to be sharing the podcast here, too, because I think there’s a lot of value in it for so many of us. 🙏🏼♥️ "In this episode of Inner Beauty Code, Rachele Fialco chats with Kendall Reusing, an eight-time jiu-jitsu champion, black belt, mindset coach, and owner of multiple jiu-jitsu schools in California. Kendall discusses her passion for working in both athlete and business owner roles, engaging in media work like commentary and interviews, and providing online coaching for jiu-jitsu athletes worldwide. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, sharing her journey of eating disorder recovery and promoting mental health and body image positivity, especially as a woman in a male-dominated combat sport. Kendall explores the balance of feminine and masculine energies in her sport and personal life."   Timecode 5:11 Advice For Other Women In Male Dominated Fields 12:24 Vulnerability in Jiu Jitsu  17:24 Mindset 26:34 Our Parts // Queen K 39:52 Multifaceted 49:00 Body Acceptance      Where to Find Inner Beauty Code: Apple - innerbeautycode Instagram - @innerbeautycode YouTube - @innerbeautycode

In this episode, I sit with Ray (member of the band Kill The Fall - who just dropped their newest EP!) in Cleveland, OH, the morning after I taught a seminar at his gym. We discuss… his journey through traveling the country in his van, playing punk rock as a starving artist,the number 1 skill an aspiring athlete / artist / up and comer in any industry needs to develop,how to overcome darkness from your childhood and upbringing, and create the life of your dreams,some of the entitlement we see that kills folk’s careers,the never-ending importance of building disciplined habits,the similarities between jiu jitsu and music,and how to ALWAYS keep moving forward. Enjoy this deep, genuine, raw episode. It’s definitely on my favorites list, and I think it could end up on yours, too. Don’t forget to share / review / subscribe / rate / comment / post, whatever works for you. 😆 It all means the world. 🤍 Thank you for being here. I’ll see y’all in the next episode. Love, Kendall PS: here are all of Ray’s links! Make sure to stream his new music here: and follow him and the band on IG here: @killthefall@raymonterry@rtsctrainingcenter Listen to Ray's music here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2FRPhGy4WkKkUqDlLi1CUA?si=IKQhsR7aQOat9ajRlVs1-w     Time code: 0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 1:15 How long have you been a musician? 1:45 Get a grip question 4:51 What's been your favorite concert 7:00 You'll find what you're looking for ( good or bad) 10:43 Jiu Jitsu & Music entitlement 13:04 First band success 15:35 Touring and "selling out" 21:30 Perform if its 2 or 50 people 24:09 Caring about tiny stuff / staying power 33:23 Conan O'Brien 38:32 Jiu Jitsu & punk music cross over 41:29 Family history 46:39 How'd you get to the American dream? 55:51 Everything happens for a reason 1:00:46 Get a grip question again

Today, I’ve started a brand new kind of episode. We’ve done Q&A here before… but I’m finally introducing it as a mainstay of the show, alongside our classic interview episodes AND teaching/updating/random brain dump episodes lol. This time around, I cover 3 great questions. ⬇️ 1) As an co-owner / manager of 4 academies, how do I manage and assist with power struggles amongst staff, leadership, and students? 2) Will I be competing at ADCC 2024? 3) How do I balance my masculine and feminine energy in a male dominated field… in a way that allows me to feel genuinely ME, and lead to fulfilling levels of success? I also sneak in a super quick 4th one, but I won’t spoil it for you. 😉 This episode is perfect for: - anyone who owns / works in / trains in a martial arts academy - ⁠anyone who owns / manages / is a part of other types of business teams - ⁠jiu jitsu fans who want an insight to my competitive plans for this year - ⁠my men and women out there who don’t seem to know exactly how to combine both their masculine + feminine energy in a way that feels true to them and consistent (hint: we’ve all got both, and for good reason!) - ⁠jiu jitsu practitioners who are interested in the whys / why nots of when + how often to compete - ⁠anyone looking for more internal + external energy balance - ⁠team members looking for more peace, happiness, communication, and success in the workplace - ⁠my ladies who need help choosing nogi gear to train in 😆 I hope you enjoy this one, AND I do want to apologize for the camera auto-focusing behind me. I was filming alone this time around, and y’all know I’m doing my best to improve my technological skills! 🙏🏼 Thanks for your patience and for sticking with me through it all. If you feel inclined, I’d love any feedback / requests / improvement ideas / interview guests desired etc. in the form of a review (Apple/Spotify) or comment section (YT). You truly help me improve. Thank you thank you thank you. Your support is so appreciated. ♥️ Until next time… xo, K     00:00 Start 00:01 Intro   01:38 How To Manage Power Struggles in Staff?  10:28 Will You Be At ADCC 2024?  19:30 What Leggings For Women  19:57 How Do You Balance Your Feminine & Masculine Energy?  34:00 Outro

In today’s episode, Juliana joins me at my Orange County hotel (the morning after FloGrappling WNO 22 🤠) to take a big deep dive into… All things The Ultimate Fighter, dealing with online haters, being bullied in school, violence in the home throughout childhood leading to her passion for studying emotional intelligence, turning her IG comments off, leaving MMA to return to competitive jiu jitsu (training under Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez at 10th Planet San Diego, CA), developing true confidence and determination AMONGST public failure, and her gratitude for her surgery leading into her UFC return.   I’m really grateful for Juliana for coming into this conversation with such raw authenticity and vulnerability. She says the things most “online people” only speak about privately. I know it has the potential to touch many lives with inspiration, as it did for me. 💌 Make sure to follow Juliana’s journey here on her IG: @killermillermma AND please like, rate, follow, subscribe, download, share, whatever it is you do. 😆 It helps more than you know to grow the channel and get more amazing guests here over time. Each one is very, very appreciated. ENJOY! 😍✨     Time Code: 0:41 Intro to Juliana 1:56 GAG Question 4:56 Life Story (Short Version) 12:34 Toxic Relationships 15:35 Leading in to TUF 18:48 Medusa 22:23 TUF Calls 30:25 Injury 32:15 Try Commentating 35:09 Online Hate 44:04 Getting Spiritual 48:04 Speaking Our Truth 58:02 GAG Question Again

MERRY CHRISTMAS podcast friends!!! 🥰✨ Today, I download a fullll recap of what it was like to compete on the blue and yellow mats again. I dive deeply into… 🎄 WHY I even value competing anymore (after working so hard to remove my attachment / self-esteem reliance on it), 🎄 the very real fear and anxiety conversations pre-finals match, 🎄 and post-championship energy management. I also open up about what I *really* do every day (lol), why competing is now taking a different place than I thought it would, how “content creation” actually works, being an over-sharer (not a surprise HAHA), and the excitement around launching Jiu Jitsu Accelerator (my 1:1 mentorship program based on Jiu Jitsu, Mindset, Strength & Conditioning, and Nutrition) again in January! I hope y’all enjoy this bff FaceTime style episode. Please drop any comments / reviews / subscribes / downloads / shares you know the deal. ♥️ It helps me and the podcast more than you know. If you are interested in applying for an interview for JJA, join the waitlist here: https://kendall-reusing.mykajabi.com/jiu-jitsu-accelerator Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Amazing New Year, and ALL the love straight from me to you. I appreciate you being here SO much. ✨🎄🎁   Timecodes-  0:00 Start  1:27 Nogi Worlds   3:00 Not Doing The Open Class  4:19 Do What Makes Sense  4:42 1st Match  6:52 Competing With Other Champions  8:00 Cloud 9   9:30 Finals  11:10 Expectations & Nerves  12:30 Why Compete?  15:00 Identity Of A Competitor  16:25 Good, Let's Do It Again  17:21 10.5 Hours Of Takedowns On BJJ Fanatics   20:00 Peaceful   21:55 What's Next  22:18 JJA 1to1 Mentorship  25:00 ADCC 2024  27:00 Focus   34:00 Outro

Today, I sit with Eddie in his academy (right before I head to LAX for Polaris lol): 10th Planet Downtown Los Angeles. The legend who needs no introduction walks us through some of his best stories about young love, bullying, fitting in, famous ADCC moments, the “real” history of bjj, and what it means to him to have a grip on his life. Sit back and relax. This one is pretty wild. But would you expect anything else? Follow Eddie on IG: @eddiebravo10p Listen to Eddie’s new album: https://open.spotify.com/album/3cQhqJ9CItStR1OkIV4FRv?si=ToBZw1_vTbKrB1QLJVMS5w     Show Time Code  0:00 Start 0:01 Intro  1:25 Jean Jacques Machado 2:00 History of JiuJitsu  5:14 George Gracie 7:00 Life Story 18:12 Cut From 6th Grade Football 19:32 Mexican AF 21:02 Dating a 7th Grader 22:44 Sabrina Green Lights Me 23:39 Gets Out to Willard 24:01 Left 6th Grade 29:11 Donovan the Football Star 31:40 Sitting on His Chest! 41:01 Rapid Fire Questions 48:18 How 10P Started 49:50 Black Belt 50:47 Kendall’s First ADCC Meeting Eddie 51:42 Last Questions  51:58 First / Last Question  56:01 Scandemic 57:15 New Album Jar of Flies 

Today, I talk through the ever-expanding lessons I’m learning (and living) around balancing seasons of “doing everything at once” with seasons of “something’s gotta give.” I SPECIFICALLY describe my process with this in order to set myself up for mental success (rather than chronic not-enoughness and disappointment in myself). And I know lots of folks can relate to this, because I’ve talked to many of you about this at my seminars, online, and when we meet in person. This episode is literally me getting home from gym, sitting down at my computer (not my high quality camera that leads to better reels on ig, because I couldn’t find my SD card 😅), and hitting record with zero planning, makeup, or good lighting lol. I also throw in a few fun life updates. I hope you feel like we were on FaceTime with this one, because that’s what it felt like to record. :) I love you, and I’m in your corner all the time. Thank you for being here. For your precious time and attention, your subscriptions/follows/shares, and, above all else, for your love. As mentioned, you can always use code: KENDALLDT8 at scramblestuff.com, and access to apply to my online mentorship program, Jiu Jitsu Accelerator, will be announced soon. In the meantime, you can join the waitlist here if you’d like. https://kendall-reusing.mykajabi.com/jiu-jitsu-accelerator K 🤍   Timecodes - 0:00 Start 1:43 Gold Medal Mindset 2:30 How Do You Manage It All? 5:30 Seasons 9:47 Getting "Resentful" 13:00 Being Enough 16:10 ADCC 17:15 Overachiever 18:40 Losing My Shit 20:05 Highlight Reel 23:10 Outro

Today, I talk with my longtime friend, ex Team USA Track & Field representative, strength and conditioning coach, bjj purple belt competitor, and Chek Institute certified holistic health practitioner: Ashley Manso. Ashley and I discuss the most common health and lifestyle patterns (+ tangible, easy to implement adjustments) she sees with her athletes / clients, in addition to some of the changes she and I have specifically made together (under her guidance) through my competitive career. This is THE episode you want to listen to if you’d like to learn how to apply “holistic health” to your life (nutrition, s&c, learning patterns, energy leaks, etc.), even if you’re not into astrology, crystals, and mushroom supplements. Lots of science talk here in this episode. 😉 Follow Ashley here + dm her directly with any questions regarding how you might be able to work with her, either in person or remotely: https://www.instagram.com/abundantmind3/ 

Today, Shelby is BACK with us on Get A Grip for part 2 of her 3 part series. :) I have the pleasure of talking with my good friend and incredible human being - on and off the mats - about her insane, turbulent road to winning Worlds this year, receiving her black belt on the podium, and winning her first black belt tournament immediately after. Shelby and I talk about defining what success truly means to you, how to pivot when dealing with circumstances outside of your control, managing injuries while prepping for the world’s largest tournaments, and how competing LIKE a black belt is not actually about winning matches… Shelby shares what ACTUALLY helped her win Worlds this year, and it’s probably not what you think (ps: it includes a mid-match ego death AT the World Championships). Sit back and tune into this episode for some major insight we normally don’t have the pleasure of hearing from those who are consistently performing successfully at the highest levels. Follow Shelby’s journey here: https://www.instagram.com/shelbymurpheyjj/

I’ll start this off by mentioning that I abstain from all sorts of substance use (except for caffeine lol). It’s just what’s best for me and my spirit. :) I’m writing that here because I don’t believe I said it in our recording.   That being said, it’s intriguing to me to hear the stories of those who live journeys and lives quite similar to mine share their experiences with the modalities they use. And Justin’s stories are quite something.   Justin and I have a deep conversation about the tangible, daily ways we humans may come home to - and remember - the truth of who we REALLY are. The oneness of us all. We talk about…   - the destruction of our subconscious programming - the “gurus” you should avoid - daily actions he uses to live more presently (including the breath work session I did with him!) - his dark night of heartbreak and grief - the adventure of moving from east to west coast with no plan - eventually bodybuilding out of Golds Gym Mecca in Venice Beach, CA - the balance of being vs becoming (aka I wanna be “conscious” but I don’t want to live in the woods + also desire financial abundance and material contentment) - and the power of telling our absolute truth.   This episode is different than those of the past (in a great way), and I hope it brings you as much life and love as it did me.   As always, thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you soon. Please share / review / rate / send to a friend or social media if you found value in it. Xo 🤍   Follow Justin on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/justindlovato/?hl=en   If you’d like to work with Justin in a myriad of capacities, you can check out his website here: https://www.nirvanamindbody.com/nirvananation  

In today’s episode, I answer YOUR questions - Q&A style. :) I talk about my favorite (and easy) 5 minute mental exercise that helps me track my training progress daily, how to maintain motivation and discipline, a list of my favorite books for personal development, my best journal prompt personal and spiritual growth, how to know when you’re overtraining (and what to do to manage and avoid that), and… a lot more. 🥳 I really enjoyed filming this, and I hope you get a lot out of it. If you do, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a friend or on social media. It means a lot. ❤️   As referenced in the episode. 👇🏼   My current favorite reads:   - Winning by Tim Grover  - Obstacle Is The Way, Discipline is Destiny and Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday - Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf  - The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron   If If you’re interested in joining my online mentorship program, Gold Medal Mindset, (Spots are limited to maintain integrity of the container, and registration closes Aug 14.) click here: https://kendall-reusing.mykajabi.com/jiu-jitsu-gold-medal-mindset   My link to get 1 month free of Whoop Activity Tracker (for combat athletes, get the arm sleeve as well!): http://join.whoop.com/Kendall   My scramble link (use code reusing15): https://scramblestuff.com/   Again, thank you for listening and reading. See you in the next episode. :)   Ps: leave a question in the reviews / comments to have it answered in a future Q&A 🖤

Today… I don’t “talk with” anyone lol. It’s just you and me, baby! And man, even though this 6 month podcast is late (Get A Grip launched Dec 2022), I’m really happy to finally be celebrating this project and bringing you up to speed on what is actuallyyy going on on my life. Past what you might see on IG. In this episode, I talk raw and unedited about:my uncertain future as a bjj athlete, my frustration (and surrender) with injuries, the real list of other businesses and responsibilities I work on day to day, my struggles with social media and how to show up since my “online persona and character” has shifted so drastically, insecurity (but also wonderful growth) around identity and value, my new mentorship/coaching format, and a whole lot more. To be honest, after I finished this episode, I really considered re-filming it. It didn’t feel professional or well thought out enough in my “content creator” eyes. But I decided to full send it (lol) exactly as is for two reasons:1 - a practice of honoring and flexing my “I’m literally ONLY on social media to show up as I am, which is why I’ve loved being on social media from the beginning anyway (using it as a journal for self-discovery and expression, and to connect with others), so stop feeling like it needs to be a certain way to be presentable” muscles2 - to be in integrity with this whole “vulnerability” thing. I want anyone who is reading this to believe that being exactly who they are is already enough. You and I? We really don’t need to curate and edit ourselves. I mean it when I say that stuff. So here’s to walking the walk. :) Anywho, if you’ve read this far, I want you to know that I really appreciate your love and support for this project. I love this podcast, and I love sharing peoples’ stories and experiences with more minds like their own. Thank you thank you thank you. For making my career possible. For sharing your own stories with me. For walking this path with me. For tuning in as I’ve shifted and changed so much (internally and externally). While I’ve struggled and triumphed. Anything you see and enjoy here is simply something within you that is being reflected back. Thank you for being here. <3 Always in your corner,K (Ps: I almost forgot because I got really into writing this, but we have a whole giveaway happening to celebrat 6 (8 lmao) months HAHA. If you send a screenshot of ANY review, rating, comment, subscription, share of the podcast on any platform - YouTube, Apple, Spotify - as a DM to @getagripwithk https://www.instagram.com/getagripwithk/on IG, you will be entered into a giveaway to win one of the 5 K Merch Hoodies or Tees and 1 BJJ Fanatics Instructional of mine!!! No limit on how many entries you can send in the DMs, so feel free to play on all platforms. Final entries must be submitted by July 24, 2023, and all of the winners will be announced July 25, 2023) Check out my instructional: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/all/products/jiu-jitsu-accelerator-mastering-no-gi-takedowns-by-kendall-reusing Buy K Merch: https://kendallreusing.com/

Today, I have a very special guest and good friend of mine on the Get A Grip podcast! 3x Jiu Jitsu World Champion and brand new AOJ black belt (promoted by Gui Mendes on the podium after winning her 2023 World Title), Shelby Murphey, joins me as we discuss all things Jiu Jitsu, fear, failure, purpose, teaching, and homeschooling. She shares her philosophies on making decisions with courage and conviction, all while focusing on the delicate balance between the way we value both the finite and infinite aspects of life. This episode is only the first of a 3 Part Series with the 19 year old champion, so I invite you to listen closely and stay tuned for the next, in which we will walk Shelby's road to 2023 Worlds with her. Follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shelbymurpheyjj/

Today, I have an amazing conversation with Oliver Taza about his global journey from Lebanon, all the way through Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Puerto Rico, finally landing him in Austin, Texas, where he trains with John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Nicholas Meregali, and Giancarlo Bodoni - many of the Jiu Jitsu world’s top competitors. A top level competitor and ADCC Veteran himself, Oliver describes his specific focuses in training, and how he finds ways to consistently improve, regardless of training partners, travel schedule, or tournament results. He also opens up about some very personal topics in his life, such as death in his immediate family, his own daily introspective process, and struggles and philosophy in the realm of comparison. This interview is a rare opportunity to see what goes on in the mind of a professional jiu jitsu fighter, on and off the mats. Big thank you to Oliver for his honesty and heart-centered approach to this conversation. I know you guys will feel as connected as I do by the end of it. Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tazagarami/ Check out his Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tazagarami 

Today, I talk with Jacob Rodriguez, who is also known as JayRod about his explosion onto the scene of the BJJ World. After winning the most stacked ADCC (what many of us refer to as the Olympics of grappling/Jiu Jitsu) North American Trials in history with just one year of training, Jay became one of the hottest names to look out for in BJJ. He and I discuss exactly how he transitioned from wrestling in high school to training Jiu Jitsu with his brother, Nick Rodriquez (NickyRod) to make that happen. He also tells me the story of not being allowed to train with DDS (Danaher Death Squad) in Puerto Rico due to John Danaher wrongly believing Jay had herpes. And if that’s not enough to make this episode a must-listen, I also got to dive into Jay’s dos and don’ts around competing - including never looking at his bracket or studying his opponents before a fight (hint: he has a solution to this). Enjoy taking a deep dive into the mind of this young and accomplished athlete’s (and new business owner, which we discuss in detail!) mind. Normally pretty quiet on social media and in interviews, I definitely felt that I was allowed to see a lot more of Jay than I have before.

Today, I had an amazing conversation with Jamie Kilstein. Jamie is a bjj brown belt, comedian, podcast host, writer, and a very outspoken (and funny af) voice in the space of mental health and personal experience with spirituality. Jamie and I talk about exploring religion, reframing limiting beliefs, how all forms of consumption deeply affect our state of being, dating, and why sometimes “doing it for the bit” keeps life (and comedy) really fun. Jamie is also a dear friend of mind, and, as a result, this was one of the most “real” conversations I’ve ever had on Get A Grip. Enjoy. :) You can find more of Jamie on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejamiekilstein/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jamiekilstein Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamiekilstein You can also check out my episode of HIS podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fXrXFFFtnYGAj0DHghgJL?si=StNc25H0TfKxNyieU4-Hug

Today, Raquel and I connect over trying to manage what feels like having 1000 roles on a daily basis. She explains how she started fighting MMA in her early days, which led to the timeline of how she and Renato met and got married, scrappily made a living (in a barely paying rent every month kind of way) in a time where Jiu Jitsu didn’t put food on anyone’s plates, and now own and operate successful businesses together. Raquel also dives deeply (sometimes through tears) into her journey with self-honesty and personal development, which has included recently going back home to Hawaii to connect with her roots and her “why”s. Through extreme ownership and digging into uncomfortable places, Raquel has an inspiring story to tell us about “doing it all,” truly living well, and making yourself and the people you love extremely proud. From professional athletes to business owners to creative writers to family-focused folks, this episode is for us ALL. Raquel made a huge impact on my heart, and I know she will bring a lot of love and self-leadership straight to you, too. You can follow her on IG: https://instagram.com/raquelpaaluhi?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= And read her blogs: https://www.raquelcanuto.com/

Today, I talk with the force that is Time Kennedy, otherwise known as a UFC Fighter, Green Beret, New York Times Best Selling Author, BJJ Black Belt, and TV Host. Among other things, he is a self-proclaimed proud American, father, and husband looking to build strong men and women through martial arts and his tactical training company, Sheepdog Response. Tim and I talk about the importance of intentionality and planning, discipline, and being a man (or woman) of your word. He lays out his views on treating his actions as a father and husband as another “job” or “role” in day to day life, and the importance of prioritizing those. Through compelling stories of the past, combined with his philosophies that are extremely current, Tim left a lasting impact on me. I know he will on you, too.   Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/timkennedymma/

Today, I talk with Giancarlo about his journey from being a big fish in a small pond in his hometown, to transitioning to NoGi right before ADCC Trials, to then moving to Texas and winning ADCC in dominant fashion soon after. We discuss the beauty of leaders (such as Lucas Lepri, in his experience), who aren’t afraid to let you go and follow your dreams (even if that means leaving them), being an uke for John Danaher’s BJJ Fanatics DVDs, and what it is really like to pick up your life and move to Austin, Texas to train with the team at New Wave. In a real-life rise to the top American Jiu Jitsu story, Giancarlo gives listeners a ton of tangible insight on what it takes to chase your dreams full force.   Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/giancarlobodoni/

Today, I connect with Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez over his experience and advice in the realms of: the responsibility that comes with leadership, reputation and integrity, and learning through immense pain. Not only does he discuss how to handle betrayal and loss, but Richie truly opens his heart to us in this interview, describing some of his most severe life experiences. I’m very grateful to Richie for his honesty and depth, and I encourage you to listen closely. I hope that you will feel both authentically connected and deeply inspired by the end of our conversation. Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/boogeyman_tfs/

Today, Victor lays out his formula of moving from Brazil to the US to become a multiple time Jiu Jitsu World Champion, 2x ADCC Veteran, and business owner, at just 25 years old. We talk about the importance of dropping your ego in order to ask the right questions, continuously seeking out knowledge and guidance from others, building a brand that is more than just “good at jiu jitsu,” and the North Star of always doing and creating with your community and loved ones at the top of your mind. From a young kid in Fortaleza to a world champion and business owner living in Austin, Texas, “Big Man Flow” has a lot to teach us about his heart-led vision of success.   Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/victorhugojj/

Today, I talk with one of Jiu Jitsu’s most iconic legends about what you must sacrifice in order to pursue your dreams and become a champion. We explore the challenges and blessings of having your older sibling as your coach, becoming the most authentic version of yourself as a fighter and instructor, and what it was REALLY like to fight in Brazil before the days of Instagram Jiu Jitsu. I met Xande when I was 8 years old, and it’s an honor to share some of his stories, wisdom, and warmth with you all this week.   Follow Xande on IG https://www.instagram.com/xanderibeirojj/

Today, Ffion and I dive straight into the juicy topics as we discuss the behind-the-scenes reality of being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. After her incredible year of winning the World Championships and ADCC, Ffion is one of Jiu Jitsu’s loudest and most well-respected voices. She tells me about her recent transition to being single in a new country (and how going it alone has given her her biggest breakthroughs), describes creating light out of darkness, and makes me laugh at a LOT of inappropriate jokes (but what else is new?). Buckle up, this episode is quite the rollercoaster.   Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsffionnotfiona/

Today, I talk with Kody Steele and William Tackett about Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and the importance of community and consistency. We deep dive into the daily grind of being a combat athlete as we explore the routines and ups and downs of their careers. Join us to hear these two young athletes share their thoughts on what it really means to "give it your all" and why commitment to excellence will always get you to the top.   Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kody_steelebjj/   https://www.instagram.com/tackett_jiujitsu/ Also, don't forget to check out  https://www.grapplegallery.com/

Today, I connect with Rafael Lovato Jr. on all things MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, fatherhood, and the history of his legacy. He walks us through the trials and tribulations that made him the widely successful man he is today. His story, like so many, has dark moments and hearing how he fought through it all to become the legend he is today is truly inspiring. An undefeated Bellator Champion, and Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, now newly retired from Adult Tournament competition and fully focused on fatherhood and business, Lovato teaches us exactly what it takes to create the life of your wildest dreams. Follow Lovato https://www.instagram.com/lovatojrbjj/ https://www.youtube.com/lovatojiujitsu Learn more from Lovato https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com/trial https://okbjj.com/ https://bjjfanatics.com/search?q=rafael%20lovato Follow Us https://www.instagram.com/getagripwithk/ https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing/

Before jumping into all of the amazing interviews to come, I am catching you up on the events of my traumatic knee injury in the semifinals of ADCC September 2022. I discuss why it was the best thing that could have happened, and how life has evolved since. I overview the journey from Las Vegas to California, MRI results of the injury, potential of surgery and healing timeline, return to training and competition, and what I’m focused on in the meantime. Special thanks to Brigham and his team at Ways2Well (https://www.ways2well.com https://instagram.com/ways2well?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=), along with my team of coaches, trainers, doctors, and healers.