Chokeholds and Chill Podcast
Welcome to Chokeholds and Chill - the podcast where life meets the mats! Join Jenn and Mallory, two women balancing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and real life, as they share laughs, lessons, and inspiring stories. Each episode features candid chats with training - and non-training - partners, explores the ups and downs of life on and off the mats. Whether you’re a seasoned grappler, a curious beginner, or just love a good story, time to chill, roll, and enjoy!
Episodes
Randy Rae’s journey to the mats wasn’t easy—but it’s one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless grit.
In this episode, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Randy to talk through his story—from growing up with no supervision, battling addiction from a young age, and cycling through the juvenile justice system—to building a life rooted in purpose, fatherhood, and Jiu Jitsu.
Richmond’s own Seph Smith joins Jenn and Mal for an episode that’s equal parts Jiu Jitsu and comedy. A decorated black belt under Ryan Hall with years of IBJJF competition experience, Seph has built a legacy as both a tough competitor and a beloved coach.
We dig into:
• His journey through grappling and competition
• The crossover between comedy, creativity, ...
This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Scott Miller — a 3rd-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former collegiate wrestler, owner of Evergreen Jiu Jitsu, and world-class coach who’s spent decades refining the art of grappling. With a foundation in wrestling that began at just six years old, Scott has gone on to become a respected mentor to both everyday practitioners and UFC fighters competing at the highest levels.
This week, we sit down with TJ and Abe, the founders of Lee’s Heart—a nonprofit built on grit, healing, and the power of adventure. As combat veterans and flight paramedics, these two saw the impact of trauma up close. But they also discovered something unexpected: Jiu Jitsu and it's community as a lifeline.
What started as a coping tool has become a powerful retreat experience for first ...
What do behavioral science and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode, Jenn and Mal sit down with Alexis Stevenson—BCBA, purple belt, and passionate researcher—whose work explores the intersection between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Jiu Jitsu.
From her recent presentation in Iceland to her experiences training around the world, Lex s...
Today, we remember and honor our dear friend Shirley.
We’re re-releasing her episode so her voice, her laugh, and her wisdom can be heard again. Shirley, you touched our lives more than words can say. Thank you for every moment. You will be missed, but never forgotten.
🕊️ Rest Easy, Babe.
In this powerful and deeply human episode, Mallory and J...
You’ve seen the memes. You’ve heard the invites. But why do jiu-jitsu people always want you to train? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal read a heartfelt post by Tara Thornton (@tara_thornton_)—a love letter to the sport—and break down why we keep coming back to the mats.
This isn’t about recruiting bodies. It’s about sharing something life-changing.
...
When Jenn first signed up for Eli Coffey’s nutrition and training program, she wasn’t prepared for how much it would challenge her—or change her. From learning to fuel her body with intention to navigating insecurities and mindset shifts, it wasn’t just about macros and muscle—it was about trust, growth, and coming back stronger after setbacks (including surgery).
In this episode, Jenn si...
In this weeks episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with our friend and teammate, Victoria—a white belt who brings quiet strength, open-hearted energy, and unwavering dedication to the mats and beyond.
Victoria began training jiu-jitsu in January, and in just a short time, she’s become a powerful presence in our gym community. But her story stretches far beyond the mats.
What does it mean to be part of the Jiu Jitsu community—even when you’re not on the mat every day? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Dante, the voice behind @bjj.wiki and the host of the heartfelt and hilarious @offthematspodcast.
Dante is a blue belt who’s been training on and off for over a decade. His journey isn’t defined by medals or mats, but ...
Season Two of Chokeholds & Chill pulled no punches—emotionally or otherwise.
In this recap, Jenn and Mallory reflect on a season that wasn’t afraid to get real. We dove into stories of personal transformation, healing from the inside out, and what it actually means to find your way back to the mats—over and over again.
We covered topics that don’t usually...
In this special main episode, Mallory sits down with Jenn to unravel the rollercoaster journey from white belt to brown. From fumbling through early rolls to finding her footing as a higher belt, Jenn reflects on the lessons, losses, and laughs along the way.
But purple belt? That one hit different.
Physically and emotionally, it was the hardest season of her Jiu Jitsu life—and it just so h...
In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Maria Ruffatto, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Gustavo Bessa and Ighor Horta. Maria has taken the BJJ world by storm, securing multiple IBJJF titles and dominating the South American ADCC Trials in 2024. We’ll delve into her journey from Brazil to the United States, her rapid ascent through the ranks, and her experiences training in Oregon.
In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Dr. Meagan Jimenez—orthopedic surgeon, U.S. Army Major, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. Known as “Doctor Jiu Jitsu,” Dr. Jimenez brings a unique blend of medical expertise and martial arts mastery to the conversation.
From her early days balancing orthopedic surgery residency with Jiu Jitsu training, to her firs...
In this episode, Mal sat down with Michael Karam, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and owner of MK Martial Arts in Marcy, NY. Michael shares his journey through martial arts — from doing in TKD as a kid, to wrestling in high school, to finding jiu-jitsu in his twenties and earning his black belt ten years later.
We talk about what it takes to build a gym, the influence of his Lebanese immigrant father, and the importance of disciplin...
In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Blu—purple belt competitor and the voice behind Neurodivergent Grappler—for a deep and refreshingly honest conversation about what it’s really like to train, compete, and thrive in Jiu Jitsu as a neurodivergent athlete.
The three of us will unpack the realities and misconceptions of neurodivergence in the gym. Spoil...
In this episode, we sit down with Rafael, a dedicated purple belt, world competitor, and striking coach based in Atlanta. Rafa takes us through his Jiu-Jitsu journey, his love for traveling, and how training around the world has shaped his game. We also dive into his latest venture, The Rafa Effect—a passion project designed to elevate athletes in and out of the gym.
Tune in for insight, inspiration, an...
Rest in love, Queen <3
In this powerful and deeply human episode, Mallory and Jenn sit down with Shirley—a white belt from San Diego with a black belt in resilience. We learned of her passing just months after recording.
Shirley’s story isn’t just about Jiu Jitsu. It’s about surviving cancer, overcoming a brain tumor, navigating neurodivergence, and choosing sobriety ev...
Maddy Jones has lived a life of movement—both on the mats and across state lines. From growing up with a passion for dance to discovering Jiu-Jitsu, managing a gym, and navigating major life shifts, she’s always found a way to adapt and evolve.
In this episode, we sit down with Maddy to talk about her journey from blue belt party days to brown belt discipline, the highs and lows of traini...
Maddy Jones has lived a life of movement—both on the mats and across state lines. From growing up with a passion for dance to discovering Jiu-Jitsu, managing a gym, and navigating major life shifts, she’s always found a way to adapt and evolve.
In this episode, we sit down with Maddy to talk about her journey from blue belt party days to brown belt discipline, the highs and lows of traini...
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