Epi 351 Off the Mat Lessons in Feedback, Communications, & Driving Fire Trucks
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This week we relate some off the mat experiences to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gary talks about getting feedback at work and how that can help us be better teammates. Joe shares some behind the scenes examples for the BjjBrick Podcast, and how our communication could be better. Byron talks about driving fire trucks to emergencies and how lessons he has learned relate to learning BJJ.
We talk about:
- Dealing with feedback or a review off the mat
- Getting feedback from teammates
- Giving your gym feedback to improve
- How to help people get better with feedback
- How we schedule recording this podcast
- Driving fire trucks to emergencies
Links:
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
BjjBrick on Zoom #2
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Epi 350 Smart Training Jonathan Thomas
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This week we bring back a listener favorite Jonathan Thomas. We cover a wide range of topics from off the mat training to developing your own techniques. We had a fun conversation you will enjoy. Check out our other interviews with Jonathan Thomas here.

We talk about:
- Teaching positions instead of concepts
- Why specific sparing is the bedrock of improvement for BJJ
- Why it is important to borrow the ladder for established techniques
- Development of new techniques
- BJJ during Covid-19
- Having a cerebral approach to BJJ
- Using solo drills
- Flexibility and strength training
- Steroid use in bjj
- Indicators that someone may be using performancing enhancing drugs
Links:
- https://www.fightercentre.com/
- Jonathan on instagram https://www.instagram.com/jonthomasbjj/?hl=en
- Jonathan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBNsOFfO-TZDIpygfz5paaQ
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Quote of the week: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing you can do is keep your mind young.” Mark Twain
Article of the week: https://www.runtothefinish.com/18-things-i-wish-id-known-before-my-first-race/
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
Epi 349 We Talk About Blue Belts with Bjj Campaign
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This week we have a combined podcast with Bjj Campaign. We have a great discussion about BJJ blue belts and our personal stories.

We talk about:
- What it was like for us a white belts
- What it was like for us a blue belts
- Getting our blue belts
- Advice for competing
- Advice for blue belts
Links:
- Check out Bjj Campaign Podcast
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Quote of the week: “Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” Franklin P. Jones
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
Epi 348 David Aguzzi of Grappling Industries
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This week we have an interview with Grappling Industries CEO David Aguzzi. We talk BJJ, tournaments, business, & covid-19. Grappling Industries is the second biggest tournament company for BJJ in the world.
We talk about:
- Getting his Black Belt
- Starting Grappling Industries
- Shutting tournaments down due to Covid-19
- Having events with no fans
- BJJ tournaments in the future
- How long it will take for BJJ tournaments to come back
- 1 out of 5 gyms might close
Links:
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Quote of the week: “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Jim Ryun
Article of the week: The Basics of Photography – Introduction to Photography (Tutorials)
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
BjjBrick on Zoom 1
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Join Joe, Byron, and guest Eric as we hang out on zoom and talk about off the mat training, yoga, and chiropractors.
Check it out on the normal podcast feed or on
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
Epi 347 Taking Care of Business
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In this episode we bring you Jason Neef of Kicksite. Jason has a great background in helping BJJ schools run effectively as a business. During this time of covid19 Jason offers advice for owners of BJJ gyms.
We talk about:
- What to do and not do if you are low or out of money
- Closing the gym
- What to do with your employees
- How to treat your students
- Bringing value to your students
- Video content
Links:
- kicksite.com/
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
Epi 346 Off The Mat Training
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This week we discuss off the mat training. Sometimes life throws us a curveball and we spend some time off the mats, we need to make the most of this time.

We talk about:
- BJJ and Yoga, check out this article. Yoga & Jiu Jitsu: A Natural Symbiosis
- Group fitness, this article is helpful. 9 Things You Need to Know About Group Fitness
- Using kettlebells. Here is a great article. Kettlebells For BJJ – Become A Grappling Machine
- If you are lacking equipment or want to try something else try these body weight routines. Three Great Bodyweight Conditioning Routines for BJJ
Links:
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Quote of the week: “The secret of happiness is something to do” John Burroughs
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod
Epi 345 Defying the Odds Joshua Bacallao
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This week we have a interview with competitor, coach, and cancer survivor Joshua Bacallao. This interview was recorded 3-12-2020.

We talk about:
- His start to marital arts
- BJJ in Kirkland Washington
- Being diagnosed with a leiomyosarcoma
- Noticing signs of something being wrong after hard training sessions
- Training with wrestlers
- Teaching compared with competing
- Jiu-jitsu for everyone
- Learning a simple take down
Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/bacallao5000/?hl=en
- https://graciebarra.com/kirkland-wa/team/professor-joshua-bacallao-head-instructor/
- Gracie Barra Black Belt Competitor Joshua Bacallao Diagnosed with Rare And Aggressive Cancer
- BjjBrick Shop
- Your First Year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Six BJJ Training Games to Play While Rolling
- Your support is appreciated on Patreon
Quote of the week: “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation” Michael Jordan
Article of the week: Start Running 8 extremely useful running tips for beginners
Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, Stitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod