The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset

Change, Initiation, and Jiu Jitsu as a Modern Mystery with Professor Jason Hawkins The host of The Jiu Jitsu Mindset welcomes Professor Jason Hawkins, promotes the My Jiu Jitsu Journey app's new weight-loss component, and mentions Submission Coffee's wholesale program for gym owners. They discuss change as deep transformation rather than habit tweaks, framing growth as transmuting suffering into consciousness and using a marathon "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" story plus the Yoga Sutras' "now" as a call to seriousness when ordinary coping fails. They explore initiation as guided "death, burial, resurrection," historically tied to near-death clarity, with compassion distinguishing it from abuse, and note women are "initiated by nature" while men often need imposed rites. They relate initiation to martial arts as modern mystery schools: sacred space, gi/belt symbolism, told-shown-done learning, humility, trust, and moving from technique to principle and "no habit." They cover Nietzsche's camel-lion-child, three paths (hardship, self-study, surrender), boredom as a gatekeeper, devotion vs outcome-seeking, and responsibility as the warrior ethic. 00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:08 Meet Jason Hawkins 01:50 Why People Change 03:04 Pain vs Suffering Story 03:59 Yoga Sutras and Now 06:02 Transformation Not Habits 10:02 Gross to Subtle Path 13:32 What Is Initiation Today 16:35 Near Death and Rites 21:59 Pete's Grandfather Lesson 25:57 Mysteries and Three Steps 31:27 Nietzsche Camel Lion Child 36:21 Iron John Colors and Jiu Jitsu 38:22 Pick Your Moment 38:33 No Habit Mastery 38:46 Rolling With My Son 40:33 Skill Stages Explained 42:01 Mystery School Question 45:05 Sacred Space Rituals 48:13 False Danger Real Growth 52:00 Practice Reverence Discipline 54:16 Warrior Responsibility 01:01:03 Mystery Cannot Be Told 01:04:03 Miracles And Attention 01:05:57 Boredom Gatekeeper 01:08:16 Devotion Over Discipline 01:11:50 Closing Reflections

Host Pete Deeley welcomes back Professor Kenny Kim to discuss when martial arts became a lifelong path for him, starting at age four or five and realizing by high school he wanted a future in martial arts. Kim shares how training helped him overcome racism, bullying, and childhood shyness by building confidence and a desire to lead and teach, even while competing. He describes a major period of disillusionment in his late 20s/early 30s: business stress from running an academy since age 20–21, debt around $100,000, selling his academy for $100,000 to reset, briefly pursuing home inspection and then thriving as a personal trainer before returning to open a new school in 2006. Kim credits close teammates and world champions for shaping him and emphasizes humility, aging as a privilege, and giving back. He also previews Mat Made's expansion: matmade.com now hosts short stories and a large U.S. jiu-jitsu directory with 7,000+ listings and a rebooted, raw vlog-style academy-visit series. 00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 00:58 Kenny Kim Returns 01:48 Martial Arts Beginnings 03:47 Confidence Through Training 06:01 Competitor to Teacher 07:53 Burnout and Debt Spiral 11:39 Starting Over in 2006 14:53 Hustle and Self Learning 16:51 Brothers and Mentors 18:57 Legacy Humility Giving Back 21:52 Mat Made Directory Expansion 23:37 New Raw Vlog Series 25:14 Closing Thanks and Farewell

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Eddie Kone to the Jiu-Jitsu Mindset where they explore Cohn's 30-year Jiu Jitsu journey beginning March 12, 1996. Kone describes a troubled youth spent in children's homes and periods of homelessness, developing an ego-driven, scrappy mentality that led him through karate, judo, and Thai boxing before the UFC revealed what he felt was missing. After seeing Royce Gracie on VHS, Kone traveled to Rio, found the Gracie Academy in Botafogo, trained with Royler and encountered Helio Gracie and other icons, immediately quitting striking after being repeatedly submitted. He discusses mentorship, jiu-jitsu's spiritual and community aspects, UK gym politics, competing as a validation tool, a memorable last-minute MMA fight he won by triangle, and student transformations including a blind practitioner and a child with cerebral palsy, emphasizing preserving Helio/Rickson principles and directing listeners to Ricksongracie.com. 00:00 Welcome 02:03 Life Beyond Jiu Jitsu 03:32 Wild Kid Origins 05:27 Street Survival and Mentors 13:32 UFC VHS Sparks Obsession 15:02 Finding the Gracie Academy 17:03 First Roll Reality Check 18:12 Hooked on the Culture 26:01 Jiu Jitsu Spiritual Ethos 28:39 Defense Versus Offense 30:00 Planting Your Flag 30:34 Tribes and Mud Slinging 31:56 Ego and Late Starts 33:42 Why Everyone Competes 35:11 Open Weight Reality Check 37:15 Taking a Fight on Short Notice 39:19 Ego and Controlled Aggression 43:12 Legacy and Finding Home 47:15 Inside Rickson Circle 49:46 Rickson Teaching Magic 54:52 Students Who Transform 57:35 Jujitsu Over Sides 57:53 Farewell

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Coral Belt Professor Dave Meyer to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset, noting Meyer's Ageless Warrior Lab podcast and his animal welfare work. Meyer explains he began ujitsu jat age six, making it inseparable from his identity, and says martial arts discipline and strategy improved his effectiveness in animal welfare, where he raised $160 million. He connects martial arts ethos—being "the help," defending the weak, and controlling ego—to his choice to advocate for animals, reinforced by his religious upbringing's "repair the world" ethic. Meyer discusses prioritizing time (including choosing not to have a TV), a pivotal wake-up from a cousin's tragic death, and why Jiu Jitsu learning requires partners and constant failure. He argues competition is optional but valuable for stress, learning, and adrenal response, shares memorable matches (including a superfight with Fabio Santos), mentions mentoring Brian Johnson's Seattle school, and briefly recounts playing pop-rock in late-1980s LA. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:24 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 04:29 Warrior Ethos and Animal Welfare 08:47 Discipline Time and Focus 13:56 Mortality Wake Up Call 16:40 How Jiu Jitsu Learning Works 20:26 Competition for Everyone 24:09 Adrenaline Stress and Realism 26:06 What Winning Really Means 27:00 Winning Versus Growth 27:50 Competition As Stress Training 28:36 Most Memorable Match 29:55 Black Belt Heartbreak 30:55 Fabio Santos Superfight 33:27 Hot Mat Chaos 35:08 Brazil Trip And Medal 36:01 Mentoring Brian Johnson 38:20 Rock And Roll Years 42:10 LA Talent Clusters 45:22 Martial Arts Mecca LA 47:09 Superhero Name And Podcast

Rafael Lovato Jr. on Timeless Jiu-Jitsu, Competition, and Overcoming Adversity Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. to discuss passion, discipline, and growth through jiu-jitsu. Lovato reflects that, had he not pursued martial arts, he might have followed music or fitness, influenced by his father, a professional organist and martial artist. They explore links between music, engineering, and jiu-jitsu as arts involving creativity, structure, and problem solving, and Lovato emphasizes open-minded learning across martial arts. Lovato explains how training built resilience during a medical diagnosis received while preparing for a Bellator title fight, and highlights the importance of community support. He argues jiu-jitsu can be started at any age, remains endlessly learnable, and that competition helps reveal "truth," develop presence, and drive preparation. He shares memorable moments, including an MMA title fight and a 2008 Pan final escape, then explains his "timeless" approach—pressure-based, efficient jiu-jitsu that ages well—along with ways to connect via TimelessJitsu.com, LovatoJr.com, camps, retreats, and mobility work. 00:00 Welcome 00:49 Meet Rafael Lovato Jr 01:48 Alternate Life Paths 04:06 Music and Jiu Jitsu Link 06:12 Open Minded Martial Arts 07:32 Health Scare Resilience 11:35 Purpose Beyond Winning 12:42 Why Start Jiu Jitsu Anytime 16:09 Lifelong Student Mindset 18:36 Competition for Everyone 22:41 Preparation Pressure Presence 25:30 Measuring Competition Growth 26:58 Honesty Prevents Injuries 27:12 Most Memorable Fights 29:10 Fatherhood Fuels Fire 30:14 Breaking the Underdog Mindset 31:52 MMA Title Second Gear 32:43 Triangle Escape Breakthrough 35:52 Competition as Life Touchstone 38:43 Timeless Jiu Jitsu Mission 42:00 Style That Ages Well 44:12 How to Train as Masters 45:20 Programs Camps and Retreats 46:25 Mobility Retreat in Montana 48:24 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Professor Jack Taufer on Jiu-Jitsu Learning, Longevity, and "Invisible" Mechanics Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Jack Taufer to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset and asks how Jiu Jitsu has shaped his life since starting at 15 in 1995, compared with paths like skateboarding, basketball, woodworking influences from his late father, or a possible finance career. They discuss jiu-jitsu as technical and physics-based yet expressed differently by each person, how skateboarding contributed balance, and how learning differs from other sports through constant adaptation to an opponent. Taufer describes visualization, changes in training media from VHS to YouTube, and his view that competition can accelerate progress but isn't necessary. He shares memorable rolls with Rickson Gracie, "invisible jiu-jitsu" mechanics like posture, weight distribution, and training with eyes closed, plus stories about confidence gains in students and gym culture enforcing safety and respect. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:48 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 02:48 Engineering Meets Art 05:43 Gymnastics and Skate Roots 08:10 How We Learn Jiu Jitsu 12:31 Visualization and Video Era 15:39 Competition and Stress Tests 19:12 Why People Train 23:33 Most Memorable Rolls 26:18 The 40 Minute War 28:06 Wrestler Surprise Roll 28:28 Invisible Jiu Jitsu Explained 31:06 Physics Behind Pressure 33:47 Eyes Closed Connection 37:00 Longevity And Purpose 41:48 Jiu Jitsu Beyond Self Defense 46:55 Early Gym Reality Check 49:46 Confidence Through Technique 53:05 Superhero Name Farewell

Tait Fletcher on Jiu-Jitsu, Truth, Persistence, and Healing Pete Deeley interviews Professor Tait Fletcher about how combat sports shaped his life and character. Fletcher traces his path from Dog Brothers stick fighting to early Jiu Jitsu training in the 1990s, learning from figures including Arlan Sanford, Amal Easton, later also receiving a black belt from Eddie Bravo. He describes competing widely, fighting in MMA, training with notable fighters, and appearing on The Ultimate Fighter Season 3, emphasizing Eddie Bravo's systematic coaching. The conversation focuses on jiu-jitsu as a source of truth, humility, community, and accelerated learning, stating that teammates improve together through generosity rather than ego. Fletcher discusses plateaus, staying the course, finding joy in training, and how a severe head injury in 2019 led him to rely on Jiu Jitsu, discipline, curiosity, and community to recover and re-engage with life, advocating responsibility, eliminating complaints, and consistent action toward one's destiny. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:50 Why Combat Sports 02:04 Dog Brothers to Groundwork 03:54 Early BJJ and First Coaches 05:08 Competition and Breakthroughs 06:16 Black Belts and LA Move 09:55 Jiu Jitsu Shaves Time 11:02 Truth and Gym Culture 15:57 Ego Checks and Mentors 25:09 Injury Recovery and Resilience 28:24 Curiosity and Healing Forward 30:45 Act Reflect Repeat 32:04 Life Is A Beta Test 32:26 Jiu Jitsu Finds The Path 33:02 The Artist Roadmap 35:32 Create For Yourself 36:37 Stay Ready For Opportunity 37:42 Curiosity Meets Faith 40:16 Suffer Well In Training 44:37 Resist Complaining 47:18 Move A Muscle 49:02 Everyone Is An Artist 53:20 Jiu Jitsu And Presence 55:29 Grandparent Presence Lessons 01:00:46 Gratitude And Goodbye