Off the Mats Podcast

For the first time since July 2020, Episode 317 of Off the Mats Podcast is a solo episode. Jake sits down without a guest to catch listeners up on what has been happening in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, around the gym, and behind the scenes of the podcast. He shares thoughts on current BJJ conversations, training consistency, gym culture, personal progress, and the challenges of balancing jiu-jitsu with work, family, recovery, and podcasting. Jake also reflects on how Off the Mats has evolved over more than 300 episodes, what he has learned from interviewing grapplers, coaches, fighters, and community members, and why everyday stories continue to be an important part of the show. The episode closes with a preview of upcoming guests, future conversations, and what may be next for Off the Mats Podcast. Whether you are a competitor, coach, hobbyist, or someone simply trying to stay consistent on the mats, this episode is a reminder that progress can look different at every stage of the journey. Follow Off the Mats Podcast, share the episode with a teammate, and send in your suggestions for future guests and topics.

Shawn Gray returns to the Off the Mats Podcast. This time, as a newly promoted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt out of Crazy 88 MMA. In his first appearance, Shawn was navigating the challenges of blue belt and building his foundation in jiu-jitsu. Now, the conversation shifts to what happens after that foundation is set, when expectations rise, responsibility increases, and your role on the mats begins to change. We break down what earning a purple belt really represents, from the technical evolution of his game to the mental and emotional shifts that come with it. Shawn shares what his coaches saw in him, how his approach to training has changed, and why purple belt is often where grapplers either take a major step forward or begin to plateau. We also explore leadership inside the gym, helping lower belts develop, dealing with pressure, and redefining what progress looks like at this stage of the journey. This episode isn’t about techniques, it’s about identity, growth, and what it means to carry the responsibility of your rank. Topics include: The transition from blue belt to purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Mental and technical growth in BJJ Leadership and mentorship on the mats Handling pressure, plateaus, and expectations Training culture at Crazy 88 MMA 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

In Episode 304 of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Chris Tran, Mark Rollamas, and Erica Rivera for a roundtable conversation about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts culture, and the lessons that come with training and community. Together, we reflect on how our relationships with jiu-jitsu have evolved, from the beliefs we held as white and blue belt students to the realities of training today. We also discuss how much unlearning is required to grow in the art, whether it’s better to sharpen your strengths or focus on fixing weaknesses, and how perspective changes the longer you stay on the mats. The conversation also moves into some honest BJJ hot takes, including trends in modern grappling, old-school concepts that may have been abandoned too quickly, and opinions that might be too controversial for social media. To close out the episode, we run through a rapid-fire round of jiu-jitsu questions, covering favorite submissions, the toughest positions to escape, advice we ignored early in training, and the belt levels that are most misunderstood. This episode is a relaxed but insightful conversation about martial arts growth, mindset, and the evolving culture of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from people who have spent years learning the hard lessons that only time on the mats can teach. 🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and Philadelphia Phenoms owner Lauren Barone for a conversation about competition, leadership, and building something bigger than yourself in the evolving world of professional grappling. Lauren opens up about her early jiu-jitsu journey, the moment she realized she belonged on the mats, and how competing at blue belt has shaped her mindset and identity. We also dive into her role as a franchise owner in the Professional Grappling Federation, breaking down how the opportunity came about, the risks of stepping into ownership, and what team based grappling offers that traditional tournaments don’t. From balancing athlete life with executive decisions to discussing visibility in women’s jiu-jitsu and the future of sustainable pay and structure for competitors, this episode explores what it really means to lead in a growing sport. Beyond the mats, Lauren shares how discipline carries into everyday life, how she defines herself outside of jiu-jitsu, and even how her love of horror and sci-fi influences her personality and perspective. This conversation is for grapplers, entrepreneurs, competitors, and anyone trying to reconcile identity with ambition. Be sure to check out https://www.patreon.com/cw/phillyphenoms for team updates and info and head to Instagram and follow @phillyphenoms

In Episode 300 of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with my original Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, Danny Ives, for a conversation about evolution, longevity, and what the black belt really represents. This isn’t just a milestone episode, it’s a reflection on mat time, consistency, and how jiu-jitsu changes the longer you stay in it. We break down the differences between old school and new school jiu-jitsu, less information versus the instructional era, fundamentals versus specialization, gym reputation versus online branding, and how competition has evolved from smaller local tournaments to global stages like ADCC. We talk about whether the average blue belt today is more technical, whether fundamentals are being lost, and what each era gets right and wrong. We also deconstruct the myth of the black belt. Do black belts really win every round? Do they stop learning? What changes technically and mentally after reaching that rank? Danny answers direct questions in our “Ask A Black Belt” segment, covering ego, longevity, training after 40, recovery habits, and what white, blue, and purple belts misunderstand most. This episode is for grapplers at every level who want perspective, not hype. If you’re chasing improvement, questioning your path, or wondering what long-term jiu-jitsu really looks like, this conversation is for you. Old school gave us roots. New school gives us branches. The belt is symbolic, but the mat doesn’t care what color you’re wearing.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Robyn Henderson for an honest, non-performative conversation about sobriety, identity, and rebuilding life off the mats. Robyn has been on the show before to talk about jiu-jitsu and competition. This time, the focus is deeper. We talk about life before sobriety, the moments that made change unavoidable, and what it actually feels like to sit with yourself once the crutch is gone. There’s no rock-bottom mythology here, just a real discussion about fear, accountability, and learning how to show up consistently without numbing out. We also explore how jiu-jitsu fit into Robyn’s recovery, not as a cure-all, but as a place that demanded humility, presence, and honesty. From early sobriety and emotional discomfort to redefining identity without alcohol, this episode centers sobriety as a lived, ongoing process rather than a finish line. This conversation is for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol, navigating recovery, or trying to figure out who they are when the distractions fall away. No slogans. No inspiration bait. Just two people talking honestly about what it means to stay present and keep going.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Ana Stevens of Underground 702 to talk through her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey and the weight-loss transformation that unfolded alongside it. Ana shares what led her to step onto the mats for the first time, the fears and hesitations she carried early on, and how training gradually reshaped her relationship with her body, consistency, and self-belief. Our conversation explores the intersection between BJJ and sustainable weight loss, how jiu-jitsu provided structure, accountability, and community, and how physical changes influenced her confidence, movement, and performance on the mats. Ana speaks candidly about setbacks, plateaus, mental battles, and the moments that tested her commitment when progress slowed or motivation dipped. We also discuss the role of teammates, coaches, and support systems in long-term change, as well as what her training looks like today compared to when she started. The episode closes with practical advice for listeners who feel overwhelmed by starting BJJ, intimidated by weight loss, or unsure whether meaningful change is possible for them. This is a grounded conversation about patience, resilience, and growth—on the mats and beyond them.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jarrell Garcia, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt whose journey extends well beyond competition and rank. Jarrell shares his path into jiu-jitsu, what initially drew him to the 10th Planet system, and how his relationship with training evolved over the years. We talk honestly about moments of frustration, changing expectations, and what the belt actually represents once you earn it. The conversation also explores Jarrell’s role as a coach and educator, and how his background in higher education influences the way he teaches on the mats. We discuss leadership, responsibility, and the realities of guiding students through different stages of their jiu-jitsu journey. Jarrell reflects on identity beyond the academy, balancing professional life with training, and what jiu-jitsu does and does not prepare you for outside the gym. This episode is a thoughtful look at growth, process, and perspective, aimed at practitioners at every level. Whether you’re a white belt feeling overwhelmed or an upper belt reassessing your relationship with jiu-jitsu, this conversation focuses on longevity, learning, and showing up with intention, both on and off the mats.