Open Mat Radio

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, we have Felipe Costa and Riccardo Ammendolia on the show. “The thing that I look for is not to get the gold medal. The thing I look for is to become, to reach my full potential. To become the more technical I can be, to improve my game and that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re gonna get a gold medal in the end to prove that.” “It’s the evolution of the sport and if the guys today have access to so many information it’s because guys like Comprido and the previous generation has made this path for them.” “I have realized nowadays that everytime I enter a tournament with an aggressive mind, my performance is not as good as when I’m relaxed.” How did Terrere, Leo Viera, Telles, Maia, Comprido and more legends form Brasa and what caused it to split Felipe describes how the ideas of loyalty and “Creonte” have evolved from the old school to today’s modern era How did Felipe evolve his mental game to go from never winning a tournment to becoming a multiple time world champion Felipe gives advice on how to overcome competition jitters, losses and injuries Felipe explains how to beat an opponent more skilled than you in competition Felipe contrasts the old generation with the new and explains who has the upper hand Catch up on all Felipe’s projects like his free iPhone App, Personal Training Program, Brazilian Blackbelt Experience in Rio and the famous Black Belt Camp in Cancun For more information on Felipe, visit FelipeCosta.com. Also, Riccardo Ammendolia joins us to give details on the upcoming ADCC North American Championships, changes in ADCC and find out how you can COMPETE FOR FREE!

Episode 37 - Felipe Costa and Riccardo Ammendolia

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, we wrap up our two-part series, “Cobra Kai Never Dies” with Simpson Go. “To say completely, ‘Don’t use your strength’ would be wrong. It’s like saying, ‘Don’t use your flexibility, don’t use your quickness.'” “Wrestling was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, just even mentally.” “You have to be a bit more creative (coaching MMA), you have to analyze more. I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for so long that if I coach a jiu-jitsu match it’s, you know, easy and I think there’s less variables. Now whereas you coach for MMA you have to come up with some gameplans.” “I think you really have to enjoy the process because that’s what’s gonna keep you coming back.” Sim discusses the benefits and challenges of being a lighter weight head coach, gym owner and fighter Sim compares and contrasts Marcelo Garcia’s philosophy on “arm in” chokes to Cobra Kai’s philosophy How did IBJJF politics impact Cobra Kai’s competition team and what supporting role did Gustavo Dantas play in this situation Sim’s tips on how to become a life long grappler and what people should avoid along the way Sim compares and contrasts the various rule sets he’s competed under (ADCC, FILA, Grappler’s Quest) Sim gives advice to people thinking about starting their own schools We discuss Sim’s goals for himself as a fighter, coach and business owner For more information on Simpson Go, visit ckjj.com

Episode 36 - Simpson Go Pt. 2

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, “Cobra Kai Never Dies,” we have Simpson Go on the show. For more details on this episode, click the “Read More” link below. “When I started, I think BJ Penn was training there (J-Sect). You got Tito coming down quite a bit, Chuck Liddell, Tony DeSouza and Marc (Laimon) started coming in about three months after I started training.” “They’d always look at me (as a teen) like, ‘You sure you want to do this? You want to be in the Men’s division? This is your last chance.’ See because I would weigh in and I would be like maybe 15 pounds underweight, I’d weigh in with my hoodie.” “I think the speed really comes from being able to anticipate the moves. If you know what the guy’s about to do, and you not mastered it, but if you have the technique down to where you can capitalize on it the moment you see it, it makes you look so much quicker.” What did Marc Laimon do to help make Sim, his first black belt, such a technical fighter and analytical coach? How did Cobra Kai go from training on the rocks in Marc Laimon’s backyard to an American Jiu-Jitsu mecca Sim gives advice to help smaller lighter grapplers succeed against larger stronger opponents Sim explains how sometimes slowing down in training can actually speed up your game What techniques are now signature techniques but gave Sim trouble when first learning them? How does Sim incorporate film study, notes and video into his instruction We discuss Robert Drysdale’s impact on the Las Vegas grappling scene Stay tuned for Part II where we discuss Marcelo Garcia’s style, wrestling’s impact on jiu-jitsu, the current state of competition, Sim’s future plans for Cobra Kai and much more. For more information on Simpson Go, visit ckjj.com

Episode 35 - Simpson Go Pt. 1

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, we have Jon Thomas, founder of Tap Cancer Out, on the show. “I specifically wanted to start a non-profit that was in the jiu-jitsu space and got the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community united around a cause.” “I didn’t know what was coming, but I knew it would be good and that it would work out if my heart was in the right place and the community got behind it, which I knew they would, and they did. I knew it could be something pretty special.” “Just like on the mat. You can’t just THINK about what your next move is gonna be and sort of wait until it presents itself perfectly. You gotta just go for it. Just make it happen.” “It’s a lot of work. Nobody can do this as their fulltime job, so you have to be willing to accept that you’ll be doing this late at night and on weekends.” Where did the inspiration for Tap Cancer Out come from and why is the jiu-jitsu community the perfect group to create positive change Learn the MANY ways you can support the Tap Cancer Out cause Jon talks about the overwhelming support he got for the inaugural Tap Cancer Out tournament What steps has Jon taken to increase transparency and ensure Tap Cancer Out uses funds in the best way possible Learn about Jon’s plans for the future of Tap Cancer Out and how you can get involved! For more information on Tap Cancer Out, visit TapCancerOut.org, Facebook.com/TapCancerOut, or Twitter.com/TapCancerOut. Tap Cancer Out is supported by: The Handprint Store Predator BJJ Tatami Fightwear Meerkatsu LapelChoke.com Jiu-Jitsu style magazine Shoyoroll BJJHQ

Episode 34 - Jon Thomas

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, “The Abu Dhabi Experience,” we have Lauren Moreira, Supervisor for Palm Sports, on the show. “I think he (H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan) has seen what its done for his children that have trained and that currently train and he wants to give that to all of his people and he truly believes this. He loves his countrymen and children.” “There’s 80 plus black belts there right now. So on any given afternoon, evening, I’m training with anywhere from 8 to 20 different black belts.” “In the school program, we’re not just trying to teach jiu-jitsu, we’re trying to instill the core values into these children. We teach the core values of respect, discipline, commitment, determination and sportsmanship.” We discuss the differences between ADCC, World Pro Jiu-Jitsu and other jiu-jitsu projects in Abu Dhabi Hear first hand experience from the only American instructor to move to Abu Dhabi to teach BJJ Lauren describes what it was like to adapt to life and training in Abu Dhabi for her and her family Lauren addresses some of the criticism that the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup has received Lauren describes the experience World Pro trial winners get when they visit Abu Dhabi Lauren describes the school based jiu-jitsu curriculum and the impact it has had on student’s academics and behavior Lauren outlines the process of becoming a jiu-jitsu teacher in Abu Dhabi and explains some of the benefits involved For more information on UAE Jiu-Jitsu, visit UAEJJ.com 

Episode 33 - Lauren Moreira

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, “The Importance of Hygiene,” we have Cheri Heberling from SuperBodyCare on the show. For more details on this episode, click the “Read More” link below. Enjoy the show!  (more…)

Episode 32 - Cheri Heberling

Episode 31 - Bernardo Faria

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, we have Bernardo Faria on the show. “I think jiu-jitsu is like infinity, you have a lot of techniques to learn.” “On the mat, everybody is the same and we have to respect everybody.” “Now my goal is to have a school too, so I’m just waiting for the opportunity or right proposal to do it.” “Sometimes the training is harder than the competition, so you have to be ready everyday and with very good conditioning. If you’re eating well, your conditioning is better.” Bernardo breaks down the process behind becoming a grand slam and multiple time black belt champion Bernardo gives tips on how to deal with competition nerves What advice does Bernardo have for preparing for gi vs no-gi tournaments He talks about adapting his game in competition to defeat certain styles Bernardo discusses how he tailors seminars to student’s needs and the amount of time he has to teach Bernardo explains why he is as passionate about teaching as he is about competing What has Bernardo learned from teaching seminars to students all over the world including the USA, Europe and South America For more information on Bernardo Faria, visit BernardoFariaFans.com or Facebook.com/BernardoFariaBJJ

On this weeks episode of Open Mat Radio, we have Scotty Nelson from OTM on the show. “I was so lucky, I literally traveled from one end of Brazil to the other and got to experience all the different styles and training, and that got me in trouble!” “I’ve gotten some heat in the past for calling jiu-jitsu a club sport, but, if you’re really honest with yourself and you look at it, if you can’t be a professional competitor it’s a club.” “I love all submissions being legal. If you go back ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, the World’s back then to me were way more exciting than they are now.” “Nothing is black and white but they make it black and white that steroids are 100% bad and I don’t think they are. What caused Scotty to sell all of his life’s belongings and head to Brazil He talks discrimination, acceptance and what was it like being one of the first Americans to cover the jiu-jitsu scene, in Brazil Hear how Scotty’s internet reporting inadvertently got him in major trouble with Roger Gracie and the entire Gracie Barra team Hear how OTM and Lucky Gi got started Scotty passes on advice about life and jiu-jitsu from Dave Camarillo, Carlinhos and Carlson Sr. Scotty reveals the two things he looks for when sponsoring athletes Scotty takes us inside the legendary Master Paqueta’s jiu-jitsu vault Bonus: News on upcoming Lucky Gi and OTM products! For more information on Scotty, visit otmfightshops.com