Probably the question I get most often these days is, "Is it safe to train BJJ during pandemic?" People ask me this question because I've been a black belt for a long time (got promoted in 2006), have been training in the martial arts for 40 years, acquired a Masters of Biology at the University of British Columbia, and have worked as a firefighter specialising in hazardous materials response … [Read more...]
Cults and Conspiracies in the Yoga, Wellness, and BJJ Communities, a Podcast with Derek Beres
I've been a fan of Yoga for a long time, starting in the late 90's as I started doing it to get an edge over my opponents on the mat in BJJ. In general I found Yoga useful and regenerative, although at times I really had to turn off my ears and ignore the quantum woo gobbledygook emanating from the mouth of some newly minted graduate of the latest teacher training program. But recently some … [Read more...]
The Psychology of BJJ, with Dr David Ley
I talk with clinical psychologist and BJJ black belt David Ley about the psychology of jiu-jitsu, recent advances in psychology, the neurochemicals released when grappling, recovered memories, the prevalence of conspiracy theories in the martial arts, and much more. Jump to the 45 minute mark if you just want to listen to the portion of the podcast that deals with the psychology of BJJ. How to … [Read more...]
Nonstop Jiu-Jitsu, the Number One Martial Arts Book on Amazon
I'm super stoked because I just found out that Nonstop Jiu-Jitsu is now the number one book in the Martial Arts AND the Wrestling category on Amazon.com!! And it seems to be creeping up the Exercise and Fitness section too. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT A COPY!! I appreciate your support immensely, because the risk to reward ratio of publishing a book is very high. Let me know … [Read more...]
Guidelines for Opening Up Jiu-Jitsu Academies During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Last Updated Sept 10, 2020)
Everyone is itching to train again, and for many jiu-jitsu school owners opening up is a matter of financial survival. But just to make things even more complicated, as we learn more about this virus it means that the science, policy and best practice need to keep on evolving That's why I talked to Dr Chris Moriarty who has published a 6 phase process for reopening schools and getting back … [Read more...]
Jessica Cox, The Armless Pilot Who Flies Planes with Her Feet
Jessica Cox was born without arms but she didn't let that stop her from becoming the first woman to get her pilot's license using her feet to fly the plane. And she has a couple of black belts as well. Check out this episode; I'm sure you'll come away super-inspired and ready to smash your own limits! You can listen to the conversation below in the Youtube video player, or as episode 282 of … [Read more...]
Do Masks and Face Coverings Work to Prevent Coronavirus Transmission?
I'm a jiu-jitsu black belt with a strong background in biology (BSc and MSc) who has been working in emergency response and hazmat for over 20 years (currently a captain in the fire department) and have been a strong advocate of taking COVID-19 seriously. Back in March I went on record saying that COVID was a huge concern for jiu-jitsu practioners. Since then I've published tips for training … [Read more...]
World Champ Robert Drysdale on the Early History of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil
Robert Drysdale is one of the most highly decorated American grapplers in history. He remains the only person not born in Brazil to win both the IBJJF World Championships with the gi and the ADCC Open Division without the gi. Today we talked about his research on the early history of jiu-jitsu in Brazil, his upcoming documentary called, “Closed Guard: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil”, and … [Read more...]
Mental Practice In BJJ
How to Use It to Boost Your Learning and Performance, by Itamar Shatz Have you ever gone over a certain BJJ move in your head, because you felt that doing so can help you learn it? If so, then you’ve engaged in something called “mental practice”, which is the act of visualizing actions in your head in order to improve your ability to perform them in reality. Research on the topic suggests that … [Read more...]
An Interview with Adam Shoalts, Canadian Explorer
Adam Shoalts, author of "Alone Against the North" and "Beyond the Trees" is a professional adventurer and explorer. He has completed a 4,000 km solo trip across the Canadian Arctic, explored unknown rivers in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and is a fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. I was thrilled to have him on my podcast, and I hope you enjoy his tales of adventure as much as … [Read more...]
Life is Short – Use Your Hours Well!
I lost two of my four brothers by the time I was 24 years old. I've sat beside both my mother and my grandmother as they drew their last breaths. One minute they were alive, the next they were dead. As a firefighter I've seen and worked on hundreds of dead people. Some went peacefully into that good night, and others went kicking and screaming. Each one of those deaths was a tragedy, but … [Read more...]
Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life, with Jamie Kilstein
Jamie Kilstein is a BJJ brown belt and Joe Rogan approved professional comic who has been making a stir (and ruffling some feathers) in BJJ circles with his satirical videos on Instagram recently (follow him at @thejamiekilstein, on the JamieKilstein podcast, on Rear Naked Radio and on his Youtube channel). We got to know each other because we've both been vocal about the BJJ and Coronavirus … [Read more...]
Sports Psychology for Dummies, with Dr Leif H Smith
Dr Leif H Smith has worked with NBA teams, NFL players, and athletes from almost every sport. He's also the author of "Sports Psychology for Dummies," the best-selling book on optimising your performance in training in competition. I was thrilled to have Dr Smith on my podcast recently and get deep into the weeds about the mental components of optimal performance recently. We discussed … [Read more...]
COVID 19 and BJJ
I've been getting a lot of questions about COVID 19 (coronavirus) and BJJ, so let's have some straight talk... My approach to this comes from three perspectives... I've trained in the martial arts for 40 years and got my BJJ black belt 14 years ago... I have both a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in biology and have been following the science around this virus fairly carefully... I'm also a first … [Read more...]
Stephan Kesting and Grapplearts Free Instructional Giveaway
Hey guys, I'm super-concerned about the coronavirus AND the effect of the coronavirus on the art of BJJ. There's just no better way to transmit this friggin virus that rolling around on the ground with other people, so we have to stop training and quarantine for a while. View this post on Instagram THANK YOU to everyone who had taken a leadership position in this crisis and … [Read more...]
No Gi Leglocks in App Format for Apple and Android
BRAND NEW INSTRUCTIONAL!! People have been asking me if they can get the bestseller instructional No Gi Leglocks with Oliver Taza in app form, and the answer is now YES! In No Gi Leglocks Oliver Taza shares the innermost details of his leglocking system honed sparring the monsters of the Danaher Death Squad and competing against the best grapplers in the world. I worked with him one-on-one … [Read more...]
My First Martial Arts Teacher
When I was 8 years old I presented my mother with an ultimatum. I handed her a crayon-written note, "I want to go Judo. It is not fighting. I want to go NOW or I will go on strike." I was pretty serious about this, but Mama Kesting wasn't going to be that easily bullied. Needless to say I didn't get to go to Judo that year. In fact it took another 3 years of campaigning before I was … [Read more...]
Green Beret Selection and Training, with Zack Hughes (Podcast)
In this episode of The Strenuous Life Podcast I talk to Green Beret Zach Hughes about Special Forces selection and training. Find out why incredible athletes like Olympians, NFL players, and Division 1 college athletes mostly fail Special Forces selection. And how the real distinguishing feature between people who make it and those who don’t is actually mental, not physical. Related to … [Read more...]
The Guard Retention Formula in iOS and Android App Form
On Sale Right Now - $69 for the Entire Instructional in App format People have been asking me if they can get the bestseller instructional The Guard Retention Formula with Rory Van Vliet and Stephan Kesting in app form, and the answer is now YES! This instructional is a step-by-step system for frustrating and shutting down your opponent's guard pass attempts. Once you have a strong defense … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Lapel Guard
It's 2020, and the game has evolved. If you don't add this lapel variation to your game IMMEDIATELY then you're destined to be left irretrievably behind, choking on the dust cloud of the sport. Check it out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeRn8mPAmeI P.S. As I mention in the final seconds of the video above, there is only one gi guaranteed by it's manufacturer to be immune to the … [Read more...]