The Strenuous Life Podcast With Stephan Kesting / Grapplearts Radio

Dr Nicholas Tyau is an internal medicine specialist who was working at a hospital in the Bronx, the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic in North America, during the spring of 2020.     He's also a BJJ black belt, so he's no stranger to training and adversity!   In this podcast we talk about the chaos that the pandemic created in the NY hospitals, the controversy over death certificates, hydroxychloroquine, vaccines, dealing with the second wave, and what it was like when Nicholas himself got infected by a patient. We get pretty granular in this one, but I hope it's still accessible for most people.  Let me know what you think,   Stephan Kesting   P.S. The guidelines I published to help BJJ schools open (fairly) safely during the pandemic are available here: https://www.grapplearts.com/openingupbjj

Deliberate practice: if you try to get good at every aspect of your sport all at once then you’ll get good at nothing. Instead break it down into specific skills, then break those skills down into components, and then refine those components before putting it all back together again. Note: this was recorded outside in the wind, so the message is good but the audio is a bit fuzzy. Sorry about that - I'll pick a spot with less background noise in the future   

Medical doctor and famed BJJ competitor Dr Chris Moriarty is back on the podcast with a major update to the protocols for safe training during Covid-19.  The biggest changes include the addition of monogamous training pods and class cohorts, and are applicable to just about any form of martial arts training. Check out Dr Moriarty's updated guidelines in written form at https://www.grapplearts.com/openingupbjj And check out my video and article about BJJ training pods here: https://www.grapplearts.com/bjj-training-pods/  

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!

Jeff Shaw and I geeked out about Jiu-Jitsu history at first, but then at about the 27:00 minute mark we pivoted to his school's innovative outdoor classes with dedicated training partners during coronavirus and how we can get back to normal in the sport. I hope you enjoy this episode.  Please share it with your friends and training partners who are looking for ideas about how to continue training as safely as possible during the pandemic. Here are the recently updated guidelines for opening up BJJ academies in a time of Covid: grapplearts.com/openingupbjj Here's Jeff's series on the history of BJJ, from ancient times to today: bellinghambjj.com/2020/07/01/the-history-of-jiu-jitsu-from-ancient-times-to-today/ You can find out more about Jeff on Instagram @jeffmshaw Find out more about Bellingham BJJ at bellinghambjj.com or on Instagram @bellinghambjj Take care! Stephan Kesting

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 the difference between Jiu-Jitsu in competition and in the gym, his research on the early history of jiu-jitsu in Brazil, and his upcoming documentary called, “Closed Guard: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil.” Find out more about the complicated relationship between Jigoro Kano, Mitsuyo Maeda, Carlos and Helio Gracie, and Kimura. Check out The Open Guard System available in DVD and online streaming format https://www.grapplearts.com/the-open-guard-system/ and in app format https://www.grapplearts.com/open-guard-system-app-phone-tablet/ Cheers! Stephan Kesting

Adam Shoalts 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 hope you enjoy his tales of adventure as much as I did! More about Adam at https://adamshoalts.com/ and follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adam_shoalts/

Here's how to organize a BJJ training pod to keep yourself and, more importantly, other people safe during the coronavirus pandemic.   1:11 - What is a Training Pod 1:38 - Why Are Training Pods a Good Idea Right Now, and Reasons for Hope 7:51 - How Many People Should Be In Your Pod and Who Do You Choose? 12:20 - When is a Training Pod Appropriate? 14:20 - Where Can Your Train with Your Pod? Articles referenced include Guidelines for Opening Up BJJ Academies During the Covid-19 Pandemic with Dr Chris Moriarty: https://www.grapplearts.com/openingupbjj/ and The Cheapest Grappling Mat https://www.grapplearts.com/the-cheapest-grappling-mat/

I was recently featured on The Old Rollers Podcast hosted by Harrison Helterbrand and we dove deep into maintaining your longevity in the sport, skill development, learning styles and taking charge of your own learning process. Check out The Open Guard System with Jon Thomas at https://www.grapplearts.com/openguard Download The Grapplearts BJJ Master App for free at https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp Follow The Old Rollers Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoldrollers/    

Dominyka Obelenyte was born in Lithuania, emigrated to the United States at a very young age, and became a 4 time Pan-Am and World Championship gold medalist.   In this interview we talk technique, injury recovery, mindset, effective training, the use and misuse of 'loyalty' in the BJJ world, mental resilience and more.  I think you'll really like this one. Follow Dominyka on Instagram @domdabomburmom/ Also, check out the brand new Open Guard System that I just released in DVD and streaming format at https://www.grapplearts.com/openguard Cheers, Stephan

Did you know that there were 'anti mask leagues' in the USA to protest masks during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic?  Neither did I until I started listening to Mitch Lerner.  Mitch is a professor of history at Ohio State University who specialises in 20th century American History and in today's episode we look at the history and politics of pandemics in the United States. I learned a lot during this conversation and I hope you do too.   Stephan P.S.  Here's the article I reference in the podcast with guidelines for opening up BJJ academies during covid with Dr Chris Moriarty https://www.grapplearts.com/openingupbjj P.P.S. Here is one excellent summary (not written by me) about the status of the current science behind mask wearing and prevention of covid transmission: https://www.totalem.org/emergency-professionals/podcast-207-myths-on-masks-for-covid-19  

The difference between improving every day and setting a personal best every day in sport, training, and martial arts... Notes and pictures from my 1000 mile solo arctic in 2019: https://www.grapplearts.com/solo My in-depth discussion with endurance athlete Mike McCastle: https://www.grapplearts.com/pain-is-a-universal-language-with-endurance-athlete-mike-mccastle/  

Dr Moriarty is a medical doctor and had a long fierce career as a BJJ competitor who previously published guidelines for reopening BJJ academies during the Covid-19 pandemic (grapplearts.com/openingupbjj). In this followup episode we look at the current state of the epidemic, implications for training, and how to figure out whether cases truly are going up or down in your area. 00:32 - Intro to Doctor Chris Moriarty, BJJ black belt. 02:43 - Where is the USA and the rest of the world at with Covid? 11:50 - Are cases going up just because of an increase in testing? 14:39 - Memorial day, protests, and other reasons that states may be experiencing a rise in Covid infections. 22:90 - Masks and prevention of coronavirus transmission. 25:46 - Is now safe to train BJJ? 33:18 - What about training BJJ with just one partner? 36:27 - On lighting campfires in dry grasslands and taking risks for other people. 38:09 - Signs of hope. 44:34 - The politicisation of mask wearing. 49:37 - Modes of transmission. 51:25 - Final wo

There are so many techniques to master and so many different areas in BJJ to get good at that jiu-jitsu can seem totally overwhelming.  Here's how to use an 80/20 approach to figuring out what to work on next. Also grab my detailed breakdown of the basic positions of BJJ for free here: https://www.grapplearts.com/book Good luck with everything! Stephan  

Today I'm joined by Thomas Nadelhoffer an associate professor in the philosophy department at the College of Charleston, an affiliate faculty member in psychology and neuroscience, and a BJJ brown belt.  We focus our conversation on the tribalism and rampant conspiracy theory acceptance in the BJJ community during this time of crisis.

I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome Oleg Taktarov to the podcast.  Oleg used his Sambo skills to win UFC 6, beat Dolph Lungren in a widely publicised boxing match, and fought at the infamous Pentagon Combat event which ended in a riot and got MMA banned in Rio de Janeiro.   Oleg is also a great teacher - I personally use techniques and concepts I learned from him more than 20 years ago almost every day that I step onto the mats. Today we cover dealing with fear in MMA matches, the path to mastering striking as well as grappling, training the Russian special forces, the advantages of leglocks, working in the movies, and the role he would most like to play. If you enjoy this episode then giving it a rating on your favorite podcast platform would be super-appreciated.  Stuff like that really helps! Stephan Kesting

Learn a technique and study all its aspects including set-ups, grips, body position, timing, balance, counters and recounters. Get help from your instructor, class-mates, the internet and instructional media. Repetition makes you smooth. Smooth makes you fast. Isolate the technique in sparring. Start with the smallest,least experienced person in the club. When the technique works consistently, move on and try it on the second smallest or second least experienced person. Repeat. In grappling, observe problems you encounter with the technique. Then take time to analyze, brainstorm and discuss with coaches and training partners. Test solutions with more live sparring. Stephan Kesting P.S. Grab my free app to learn BJJ on the go at https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp.  Lots of technique in there but also a podcast player so you can catch my mellifluous voice any time you want ;)

Chris Moriarty is a doctor, a competitor, and a BJJ black belt.  His 6 step procedure for reopening academies is available at https://www.grapplearts.com/openingupbjj 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:56 Chris Moriarty's Medical and BJJ Background 0:08:24 Is Covid a Fake Pandemic? 0:18:30 The whitehouse.gov/openingamerica Guidelines 0:26:43 Phase 1 0:06:09 Phase 2 0:46:17 Testing for the Virus and Antibodies 0:54:59 Phase 3 1:05:39 Phase 4 1:14:05 High Risk Groups 1:16:08 Phase 5 1:16:56 Phase 6

On March 1st, 1998 unknown Canadian fighter Joel Gerson defeated superstar Rumina Sato in Shooto, Japan's oldest MMA promotion.  Even more astounding was that this was basically Joel's first fight.  We go deep into that fight and the differences in MMA training between then and now.  I think you'll really like this one! Check out Joel's school at revmma.com and follow him on Instagram at @joelgerson. To learn BJJ on your phone download my free app, The Grapplearts BJJ Master App! iOS users click here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bjj-master-app-by-grapplearts/id1308072068 Android users click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grappleartcontainer Take care! Stephan    

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. 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! 00:44: Growing up in Brazil 03:07: Training self defense 05:38: On making BJJ your way of life 10:08: Judo and BJJ cross training 14:40: Yuri's match against Travis Stevens 17:30: On making the switch to no gi grappling 20:42: On coming to North America and training with Caio Terra 27:54: Is it OK to train at different schools? 31:06: New jiu-jitsu vs traditional jiu-jitsu 36:25: On switching from no gi to MMA 38:04: What made Yuri so stubborn? 42:25: Dealing with major injuries 49:50: Biggest adjustments in switching from jiu-jitsu to MMA 51:33: What's a typical week of MMA training? 59:59: Good days and bad days of training 1:02:56: Signing to fig