September 08, 2009
ESPN, I'm Sorry!
I think I owe ESPN an official apology!
2 weeks ago I released my second-ever podcast and it shot up the charts, eventually making the Grapplearts Radio podcast the number four podcast for the entire sports section of iTunes.
The only podcasts ahead of me were three ESPN shows. For a few days I'm sure that the top executives at ESPN were getting a bit worried that I was going to knock them out of top place.
I mean they probably spend tens of thousands of dollars producing these podcasts. Then along comes some little upstart, talking about pajama wrestling of all things, and threatens to upset their apple cart!
I'm very sorry, I never meant to cause the upper level management of ESPN this much stress ;-)
(If you missed it the podcast can be accessed at
www.grapplearts.com/2009/08/bjj-submission-grappling-competition.htm)
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, competition, podcasts
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August 26, 2009
BJJ & Submission Grappling Competition: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know!
"Everything you ever wanted to know about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competition but were afraid to ask!"
That's a strong statement, but it's almost even true. In my latest podcast I talk extensively with David Meyer, author of Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Submission Grappling.
We cover a TON of ground in this interview, ranging from why you might want to compete at all, to physical conditioning for competition, to specific strategies you can use against certain types of opponents.
This is one of the best interviews I've ever done. There is so much good information here that it'll be very useful for anyone who trains in BJJ or another grappling art, even if they don't compete.
And you can listen to the whole interview right here using the player embedded at the bottom of this post.
If you want to download future episodes of my podcasts and interviews automatically then click here to sign up for Grapplearts Radio in iTunes - it's completely free and totally simple.
Click the player below to listen to the whole 1 hour, 20 minute interview on BJJ and Submission Grappling Competition (or right click this link: http://media.libsyn.com/media/kesting/BJJ_Competition.mp3 and select "Save Link As..." to save the mp3 file to your computer)
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That's a strong statement, but it's almost even true. In my latest podcast I talk extensively with David Meyer, author of Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Submission Grappling.
We cover a TON of ground in this interview, ranging from why you might want to compete at all, to physical conditioning for competition, to specific strategies you can use against certain types of opponents.
This is one of the best interviews I've ever done. There is so much good information here that it'll be very useful for anyone who trains in BJJ or another grappling art, even if they don't compete.
And you can listen to the whole interview right here using the player embedded at the bottom of this post.
If you want to download future episodes of my podcasts and interviews automatically then click here to sign up for Grapplearts Radio in iTunes - it's completely free and totally simple.
Click the player below to listen to the whole 1 hour, 20 minute interview on BJJ and Submission Grappling Competition (or right click this link: http://media.libsyn.com/media/kesting/BJJ_Competition.mp3 and select "Save Link As..." to save the mp3 file to your computer)
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, competition, podcasts, self defense, submission grappling, the mental aspect, training
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June 30, 2009
Do You Have Competition Questions?
David Meyer has a ton of credentials, but for now I'm only going to mention three of them:
- He's a BJJ Black Belt under the Machado brothers,
- He's got a very solid record in BJJ and in submission grappling competition, and
- He's the author of one of my favorite new books, "Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling."
Sometime in July of 2009 I'm hoping to interview David and pick his brain on the topic of competition. I want to get his take on the very best tournament strategies and tactics, advice on how to prepare for competition and reasons why one should compete at all.
Now I got a LOT of feedback about how informative my first podcast (the Jon Chaimberg interview) was, and how intelligent my questions were.
I had to laugh, of course, because a lot of those questions came directly from my readers - you guys! (Thanks again to everyone who sent me those questions).
So now I'm going to open up the process once again and ask does anyone has questions about any aspect of competition? If you want your competition questions answered by the man who quite literally wrote the book on the topic, then go to the contact link and send 'em in soon.
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, competition, interviews, podcasts
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June 22, 2009
GSP's MMA Conditioning Coach: Jon Chaimberg
Jon Chaimberg is a guy I've always wanted to talk to. Actually, that's an understatement, because I what I really wanted was pick his brain mercilessly until he gave me all the secrets of his incredible approach to MMA conditioning.
Jon has worked with many top Mixed Martial Arts fighters, including Georges St-Pierre, Denis Kang, Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt, David Loiseau, Keith Jardine and many others. Here's a circuit he put together for Denis Kang, and in a second clip he's working with GSP, Loiseau and Kang.
I wanted to get to the bottom of why so many top MMA fighters hold this guy in such high regard and make him a central part of their fight preparation.
Recently I took the bull by the horns and called him up. We talked for almost a whole hour, and I asked some very detailed and specific questions about MMA conditioning. Jon pulled no punches and shared much of his approach for working with fighters.
We talked about specific exercises, periodization, crossfit, aerobic vs. anaerobic work, program design, overtraining, initial assessment of an athlete, and a whole lot more. You might be surprised to hear what he had to say about the mistakes that some big name fighters make in their conditioning program.
And you can listen to the whole interview right here, in the brand new Grapplearts Podcast!
I plan on creating other episodes and adding other interviews to the podcast periodically (alas, not at predictable intervals though).
If you want to download future episodes automatically then click here to sign up for Grapplearts Radio in iTunes - it's completely free and totally simple.
Click the player below to listen to the whole interview
bookmark this! del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb | Google | StumbleUpon
Jon has worked with many top Mixed Martial Arts fighters, including Georges St-Pierre, Denis Kang, Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt, David Loiseau, Keith Jardine and many others. Here's a circuit he put together for Denis Kang, and in a second clip he's working with GSP, Loiseau and Kang.
I wanted to get to the bottom of why so many top MMA fighters hold this guy in such high regard and make him a central part of their fight preparation.
Recently I took the bull by the horns and called him up. We talked for almost a whole hour, and I asked some very detailed and specific questions about MMA conditioning. Jon pulled no punches and shared much of his approach for working with fighters.
We talked about specific exercises, periodization, crossfit, aerobic vs. anaerobic work, program design, overtraining, initial assessment of an athlete, and a whole lot more. You might be surprised to hear what he had to say about the mistakes that some big name fighters make in their conditioning program.
And you can listen to the whole interview right here, in the brand new Grapplearts Podcast!
I plan on creating other episodes and adding other interviews to the podcast periodically (alas, not at predictable intervals though).
If you want to download future episodes automatically then click here to sign up for Grapplearts Radio in iTunes - it's completely free and totally simple.
Click the player below to listen to the whole interview
Labels: conditioning, MMA, podcasts
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May 01, 2009
MMA and BJJ Podcasts
Getting stuck in traffic is a fact of life when you live in a big city, and usually it's a giant waste of time. For the last couple of years, though, I've been using a secret weapon that makes my time in the car much more enjoyable - downloadable podcasts.
Podcasts and portable mp3 players have totally changed my commute and significantly increased my quality of life. Certain time slots, which used to be mind-numbing and boring, are now interesting and intellectually stimulating.
I listen to a wide variety of podcasts covering topics from MMA to history to science to current events shows.
You can listen to all these shows on your computer, but if you have an iPod or other mp3 player then you can upload these files to it and listen to the the shows at any point.
Here are some podcasts to get you started. You can check out hundreds of thousands of categorized episodes using iTunes or other podcast aggregators.
SHERDOG RADIO
Grapplearts was featured last weekend on the Sherdog Radio Network (which consists of several different shows).
In the MMA Sunday School segment I chatted to Scott Holmes and Rodney Dean about the genesis and inspiration for the Grapplearts iPhone application. If you're interested, my segment is at about the 31 minute mark.
FIGHTWORKS PODCAST
I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Fightworks Podcast, at least partially because they've had me on the show a couple of times.
The first time was a Stephan Kesting feature interview, and the second interview was specifically about leglocks in BJJ, MMA and submission grappling.
MMA RING REPORT
Arnold Lim from MMA Ring Report has conducted some great interviews with MMA fighters, promoters and trainers.
TVO BIG IDEAS
I don't only listen to MMA podcasts. In fact, I'd say the majority of what I listen to is only indirectly related to MMA. One of my favorites is TVO's Big Ideas program, which broadcasts some really good lectures too on a variety of topics.
In a recent Big Ideas podcast, for example, I really learned a lot about the science of stretching, stuff that's directly applicable to improving my grappling skills and remaining injury-free.
As we've discussed before, it turns out that the benefits of stretching aren't exactly as cut and dried as your High school football coach would've liked you to believe.
Stretching probably only improves performance in sports that require flexibility; the classic example being gymnastics or figure skating. However our sport - grappling - also requires a lot of flexibility and thus stretching is probably a very good thing.
HARDCORE HISTORY
I've also got to mention Hardcore History by Dan Carlin. This podcast has nothing at all to do with grappling or MMA (other than having a strong focus on military history).
I like it so much that I've been trying to think of a clever angle to talk about this show in my newsletter, but I couldn't come up with a plausible connection. For now I'm just going to tell you that it's really good.
My favorite episode in that series is Episode 12 - Steppe Stories, which takes a look at the long and bloody history of the Scythians, Mongols, Huns, Turks and other peoples who came rampaging out of the Central Asian steppe
ONE MORE
Do yourself a favor and check out some TED Talks on a topic that interests you (they include science, arts and design, politics, education, culture, business, global issues, technology and development, and entertainment).
You can download TED Talks either in video or audio-only format.
YOUR TURN!
I'm interested in finding out what you guys are listening to - maybe I'll discover something new.
So if you have a favorite MMA, BJJ or submission grappling podcast then send me then link. I'll post reader favorites in a future newsletter.
bookmark this! del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb | Google | StumbleUpon
Podcasts and portable mp3 players have totally changed my commute and significantly increased my quality of life. Certain time slots, which used to be mind-numbing and boring, are now interesting and intellectually stimulating.
I listen to a wide variety of podcasts covering topics from MMA to history to science to current events shows.
You can listen to all these shows on your computer, but if you have an iPod or other mp3 player then you can upload these files to it and listen to the the shows at any point.
Here are some podcasts to get you started. You can check out hundreds of thousands of categorized episodes using iTunes or other podcast aggregators.
SHERDOG RADIO
Grapplearts was featured last weekend on the Sherdog Radio Network (which consists of several different shows).
In the MMA Sunday School segment I chatted to Scott Holmes and Rodney Dean about the genesis and inspiration for the Grapplearts iPhone application. If you're interested, my segment is at about the 31 minute mark.
FIGHTWORKS PODCAST
I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Fightworks Podcast, at least partially because they've had me on the show a couple of times.
The first time was a Stephan Kesting feature interview, and the second interview was specifically about leglocks in BJJ, MMA and submission grappling.
MMA RING REPORT
Arnold Lim from MMA Ring Report has conducted some great interviews with MMA fighters, promoters and trainers.
TVO BIG IDEAS
I don't only listen to MMA podcasts. In fact, I'd say the majority of what I listen to is only indirectly related to MMA. One of my favorites is TVO's Big Ideas program, which broadcasts some really good lectures too on a variety of topics.
In a recent Big Ideas podcast, for example, I really learned a lot about the science of stretching, stuff that's directly applicable to improving my grappling skills and remaining injury-free.
As we've discussed before, it turns out that the benefits of stretching aren't exactly as cut and dried as your High school football coach would've liked you to believe.
Stretching probably only improves performance in sports that require flexibility; the classic example being gymnastics or figure skating. However our sport - grappling - also requires a lot of flexibility and thus stretching is probably a very good thing.
HARDCORE HISTORY
I've also got to mention Hardcore History by Dan Carlin. This podcast has nothing at all to do with grappling or MMA (other than having a strong focus on military history).
I like it so much that I've been trying to think of a clever angle to talk about this show in my newsletter, but I couldn't come up with a plausible connection. For now I'm just going to tell you that it's really good.
My favorite episode in that series is Episode 12 - Steppe Stories, which takes a look at the long and bloody history of the Scythians, Mongols, Huns, Turks and other peoples who came rampaging out of the Central Asian steppe
ONE MORE
Do yourself a favor and check out some TED Talks on a topic that interests you (they include science, arts and design, politics, education, culture, business, global issues, technology and development, and entertainment).
You can download TED Talks either in video or audio-only format.
YOUR TURN!
I'm interested in finding out what you guys are listening to - maybe I'll discover something new.
So if you have a favorite MMA, BJJ or submission grappling podcast then send me then link. I'll post reader favorites in a future newsletter.
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, podcasts
bookmark this! del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb | Google | StumbleUpon