Not only is Robert Drysdale a BJJ and ADCC World Champion, he has also conducted extensive research into the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this interview, he reveals some of what he’s discovered, including…

01:54 – The first wave of jiu-jitsu in Brazil – Helio Gracie and Carlos Gracie
04:35 – Exhibition and carnival fighting in Brazil
06:55 – Traditional jiu-jitsu style vs modified judo
12:14 – Training methods of the Gracie Academy in the ’30s, 40s and ’50s
18:43 – The second wave practitioners
19:47 – Waldemar Santana
22:49 – Carlson Gracie and the Rua Figueiredo Magalhães school
33:19 – How BJJ rule changes changed the sport
42:31 – Rolls Gracie
48:51 – Self-defense and Vale Tudo training
55:28 – Rolls Gracie death
1:00:55 – The Carlson Gracie tragedy
1:13:54 – Carlos Gracie Jr.
1:21:03 – Future rule changes, luta livre, and the sportification of jiu-jitsu
1:35:10 – The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the book

You can grab Robert’s book, the Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which goes into MUCH more detail on these topics at https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Evolution-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-Democratization/dp/B0C1JCNQ1P

Note that today’s episode was also published in my audio podcast, The Strenuous Life Podcast, as episode 387. Please find it at the links below:

The Strenuous Life on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

The Strenuous Life on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=

The Strenuous Life on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

The Strenuous Life on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

0:00 Why layoffs are inevitable
0:51 Loss of endurance
2:58 Loss of sport-specific strength
5:08 Loss of timing
6:42 How to minimize the loss
7:00 How long does it take to come back

Also look for this as episode 372 of The Strenuous Life Podcast , available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts from!

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

By limiting what you do during training and drilling you become much more precise and will improve much faster in jiu-jitsu. Today’s video was also released in audio-only format on The Strenuous Life Podcast. If you’d like to subscribe to audio-only form this podcast please find it at the links below:

The Strenuous Life on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

The Strenuous Life on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=

The Strenuous Life on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

The Strenuous Life on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

Today I talk with Matt Kirtley, better known to many as ‘Aesopian’, about recent changes to jiu-jitsu culture, crazy martial arts cults, channeling of ancient spirits, how we can get more out of drilling, red flags that you’re in a jiu-jitsu cult, and much more

I met Matt ages ago when he published step-by-step breakdowns for the reverse omoplata and the rolling crucifix attack on a forum which I then republished (with permission) on Grapplearts. He’s good people!

He is a jiu-jitsu black  belt who has been heavily involved in online jiu-jitsu culture for 15 years.   He writes extensively at Inverted Gear, has helped answer hundreds of BJJ questions for White Belt Wednesdays, and is a Functional Range Conditioning coach.  

If you enjoyed this episode then check out

~ Episode 290 with Steve Kwan about BJJ Cults and Conspiracies,

~ Episode 291 with Derek Beres from the Conspirituality Pod about Cults and Conspiracies in the Yoga, Wellness and BJJ Community

~ Episode 297 with Mathew Remski about Cults, Prophecies and Deprogramming Your Friends.

(Yes, I know there’s a theme, but in my opinion focussing on this stuff is more important than ever nowadays.)

If you would like listen to the audio-only form this podcast please find it at the links below:

The Strenuous Life on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

The Strenuous Life on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=

The Strenuous Life on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

The Strenuous Life on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

If you get the chance, please feel free to share this episode with someone you think would enjoy it.  Word of mouth is how podcasts like this grow!

Multiple time world champion Robert Drysdale came onto my podcast (The Strenuous Life Podcast) to share the discoveries he’s made about the history of BJJ. Here’s just some of what we talked about…

00:52 – Opening Closed Guard, the Book
06:16 – The first japanese martial artists in Brazil
16:51 – Who was Mitsyuo Maeda?
19:27 – The role of the circus in the development of BJJ
23:20 – Early lineages of jiu-jitsu in Brazil
31:02 – The development and role of Vale Tudo fighting
33:08 – Why jiu-jitsu became so ground oriented
43:41 – George Gracie
45:47 – Helio’s early fights
47:58 – The period of decline in jiu-jitsu
52:36 – BJJ andmarks between the 1950’s and 1990’s
1:02:26 – The role of jiu-jitsu federations
1:09:07 – Effects of legalizing heel hooks
1:15:16 – BJJ in the Olympics

You can find this interview in audio-only format by looking for episode 296 of The Strenuous Life Podcast on any of the podcasting platforms, including the ones below…

The Strenuous Life on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

The Strenuous Life on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=

The Strenuous Life on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

The Strenuous Life on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

Yuri Simoes is a two time ADCC World Championship, a two-time IBJJF black belt Absolute No-Gi World Champion, and a two-time Pan American Champion. https://www.grapplearts.com/interview-with-yuri-simoes-2-x-adcc-world-champion/ for podcast in audio form

In our chat we go deep into developing the motivation required to train at such a high level, the importance of self defense, how he took down a Olympic Judo champion in competition, and much more.

I hope you enjoy it!

00:34: Growing up in Brazil
02:57: Training self defense
05:30: On making BJJ your way of life
8:48: Judo and BJJ cross training
13:23: Yuri’s match against Travis Stevens
16:13: On making the switch to no gi grappling
19:34: On coming to North America and training with Caio Terra
26:54: Is it OK to train at different schools?
30:08: New jiu-jitsu vs traditional jiu-jitsu
35:28: On switching from no gi to MMA
37:09: What made Yuri so stubborn?
41:28: Dealing with major injuries
49:00: Biggest adjustments in switching from jiu-jitsu to MMA
50:45: What’s a typical week of MMA training?
59:19: Good days and bad days of training
1:02:20: Signing to fight with One FC
1:04:25: Where to follow Yuri

If you get the chance, check out my Grapplearts BJJ Master App.  There’s a TON of free high level content in that app, giving you the opportunity to learn BJJ on your phone.

Download the Grapplearts BJJ Master App for free at https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp

Thanks!

Stephan Kesting

Tristan was fresh off of his underdog win against Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver when he came into the studio to record an episode of The Strenuous Life Podcast with me (coming soon). I got him to share one of favorite guillotine choke setups with me, and MAN, was it TIGHT!!! Enjoy.

Should you train everyday if your goal is to get really good at jiu-jitsu or another martial art? Also available in podcast form on The Strenuous Life Podcast https://www.grapplearts.com/podcast

British Special Forces operator and world Base Jumping champion Jamie Flynn on the Strenuous Life Podcast – full episode here: https://www.grapplearts.com/jamie-flynn-from-special-forces-to-world-basejumping-champion/

Today on The Strenuous Life Podcast (https://www.grapplearts.com/podcasts) I talk with Kathy Hubble who is a professional Stuntwoman and multiple time Canadian National Judo Champion.  She shares how she got started in stunts, how she got injured on set in a Jacky Chan action movie, and how Judo helped her stuntwork.  We also delved into the differences in between Judo and BJJ energies, transitioning from throws directly into submissions, and the funny dynamic of battling people on the mat but then being best friends afterwards.  This was a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy it!

Stephan Kesting from The Strenuous Life Podcast talks with with Jamie Flynn. Jamie is an ex British Special Forces operator who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was also the World Base Jumping Champion and continues to pilot wingsuits off of high objects whenever he gets the chance despite having come back from an absolutely horrifying parachuting accident. He has also protected ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden, works as a professional bodyguard in LA, and practices BJJ.

This is a fascinating deep dive into what makes an adrenaline junkie tick, the specific steps he takes to reduce risk, and how he prepares physically and mentally for his adventures.

The audio-only podcast version of this conversation is available here: https://www.grapplearts.com/jamie-flynn-from-special-forces-to-world-basejumping-champion/

Follow Jamie Flynn @jamieflynnbase on Instagram

And check out previous episodes of Stephan’s The Strenuous Life Podcast at https://www.grapplearts.com/podcast

This podcast is also available on the following platforms:

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iTunes Podcasts

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

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Google Podcasts

https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D

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Spotify Podcasts

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Stitcher

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

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Soundcloud

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Google Play Podcasts

https://play.google.com/music/listen?authuser&u=0#/ps/I3qvbtkdb74xrpv6ozbzie2ca4e

Daniel Bohigian (@Philosograppler) with a technique for shutting down and passing the underhook from half guard. Our podcast episode is here: https://www.grapplearts.com/bjj-philosophy-and-sport-with-the-philosograppler/

Or you can subscribe to The Strenuous Life Podcast on a variety of podcasting platforms including

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Thank you and good luck with your training!

Full contact jousting with Shane Adams and the Knights of Valour. This was episode 162 of The Strenuous Life Podcast, free on your iPhone at https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2, or on your Android device at https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D

Click here to see previous Strenuous Life Podcast episodes on my website: https://www.grapplearts.com/tag/podcasts/

Thanks to Shane for taking the time to do this interview in the middle of a very busy schedule at the PNE! Check him and his knights out at http://www.extremejousting.com

Please do use the code “JITSEASY” for your order at bit.ly/BJJFanatics to get 10% off (and help my channel out)! Thanks for the support 🙂
Join our Private Facebook Group – bit.ly/JitseasyFBGroup

Traditional Japanese jujutsu stylist Alex Kask and I discuss training environmental awareness and ‘dirty fighting’ techniques. Our previous podcast is available here https://www.grapplearts.com/japanese-jiujitsu-vs-bjj/ as episode 108 of The Strenuous Life Podcast