Inside the Wave

What can an ancient philosophy teach you about Jiu-Jitsu—and life?

In this episode of Inside the Wave, Perry sits down once again with Jon Friedland—BJJ black belt, longtime instructor, and founder of Neutral Ground—to explore the connection between Stoicism and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

They dive deep into how Stoic principles like emotional control, resilience, and perspective show up on the mats—and why training can become one of the...

Ever feel like something’s holding your body back—but you can’t quite pinpoint what it is? In this episode of Inside the Wave, Perry sits down with Keith Shimon, co-founder of Body Activation and a specialist in performance training, injury recovery, and human adaptation.

Keith’s been in the game for decades—working with NFL athletes, MLB players, and everyday folks chasing better movement. He shares how to actually figure out what...

How do you handle frustration when BJJ gets tough? 

In this episode of Inside the Wave, I had the honor of sitting down with Chandler Lewis, a Personal Trainer, Competitive Swim Coach, and Master’s graduate in Sports Psychology.

We discussed the mental side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—dealing with frustration, plateaus, and performance anxiety. Chandler broke down real strategies for managing pressure from teammates or family, preparing...

In this episode of Inside the Wave, I catch up with Ava, one of the most dedicated members of our Utopia community. From her first day on the mats as a nervous teenager to becoming a key leader in our programs, we've watched her transform into an inspiring role model. We’ve seen her push through challenges, support new students, and truly embody what Utopia stands for. She started out as a student, worked her way through the challe...

What separates a fixed mindset from a growth mindset? In this episode of Inside the Wave, I chat with Coach Vern, Utopia’s Director of Martial Arts, fresh off an intense cage grappling match! We dive into overcoming fear, building resilience, and the small mental shifts that create big life changes. Coach Vern shares powerful stories and practical tools to help you face challenges head-on and grow, both on and off the mats.

This ep...

In this episode of Inside the Wave, I sat down with Aaron Rindt—jiu-jitsu practitioner, coach, and longtime member of Utopia. Aaron’s journey is one of resilience and transformation, offering a candid glimpse into how martial arts shaped his life.

We explored Aaron’s path from UFC-inspired curiosity to becoming a dedicated jiu-jitsu coach. Key themes include the struggle of balancing family life with training, the mental challenges...

In this episode of Inside the Wave, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Joby Phillip, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and Doctor of Physical Therapy. With a wrestling background and years of experience in physical therapy, Dr. Joby shared his journey and insights into keeping the body healthy and strong for Jiu-Jitsu. We talked about how Dr. Joby transitioned from working in hospitals to starting his own practice, Fort...

In this episode of Inside the Wave, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Dan LaSavage, the founder of Combat Corner, a company that has grown significantly since its inception in 2007. We delved into the fascinating journey of Combat Corner, from its humble beginnings in a small shop next to an Indian restaurant to its current status as a major player in the combat sports equipment industry, operating out of a 30,000 s...

In this episode of the Inside the Wave podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bob Duffy, a longtime friend and a significant figure in both the jiu-jitsu and law enforcement communities. Bob is not only a gym owner but also a seasoned law enforcement officer (LEO) and a dedicated trainer for other officers. Our conversation delved deep into his journey, the integration of martial arts into law enforcement training, and th...

In this episode of "Inside the Wave," I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark England, a communication and mindset coach from Enlifted Coaching. Mark shared his journey from being a former fighter with a victim mentality to becoming a coach who helps others transform their mindset through language and breath control.

Mark discussed the importance of mindset and how it is the story we tell ourselves every day. He emphasized the imp...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Inside the Wave podcast! In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my favorite students at Utopia Martial Arts, Steve and Audrey. Steve, a dedicated member of the community for 13 years, and Audrey, who started training at the young age of 7, shared their journey in the world of grappling.

We delved into their motivations for starting jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and judo, ...

Welcome to episode three of Inside the Wave! Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of my dedicated students, Tanner Brooks. Tanner, who owns a tree cutting service, shared his journey into Jiu Jitsu and how it has impacted his life.

Tanner recounted how he stumbled upon Jiu Jitsu through a Facebook ad offering a two-week free trial. Intrigued by the idea of trying something new and getting back into shape, Tanner decid...

In this episode of Inside the Wave podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing my BJJ coach and mentor, Jon Friedland. Jon shared his journey into the world of Jiu-Jitsu, starting in the late 90s after being inspired by the performances of Royce Gracie in the early UFCs. He discussed how the perception of martial arts shifted after witnessing the effectiveness of BJJ in real combat situations.

Jon also shared a humorous anecdote ...

Welcome to the first episode of Inside the Wave with Perry Wirth, brought to you by Utopia. Today, we're delving into the heart of our mission at Utopia and exploring why our vision, coupled with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is vital for our community.

Join us as we share the inspiring journey of Coach Vern - a military veteran turned technologist, now the passionate Jiu-Jitsu head coach at Utopia. Vern shares his transformative experience...