Old Man On The Mat

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Is This the Future of BJJ? The Tap In App Explained

 🥋 Could technology change the way Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms grow and connect with their students?

Drew Wills joins Tony Jones to talk about Tap In, a specialized app designed for the BJJ community.

Tap In focuses on gym discovery, training tracking, student retention, community building, and martial arts school growth—bringi...

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Getting older isn't the problem. Giving up is.

In this hard-hitting episode of Old Man On The Mat, Tony Jones sits down with Tonya Starman to talk about fitness, nutrition, supplements, mindset, motivation, portion control, and taking responsibility for your health at any age.

This isn't about chasing quick fixes or waiting for Monday.

It's about showing up, making better choices, stayin...

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Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu do more than teach self-defense?

In this powerful episode of Old Man On The Mat, Tony Jones sits down with Steve Hordinski, founder of Forge of Unity, to discuss how martial arts, military discipline, and mindset helped him overcome adversity and dedicate his life to supporting other men.

Steve shares his journey from military service to becoming a successful Jiu...

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Want to grow your martial arts school without working longer hours?

In this episode of Old Man On The Mat, Tony Jones sits down with Michael Spyrou to discuss how AI, automation, and proven business systems are transforming the way martial arts schools attract students, improve retention, and build thriving communities.

If you're a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, karate school owner, ta...

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Train Smarter After 40 | Nathan Ng on Injury Recovery, Mobility & Martial Arts Longevity

🔥 The new episode of Old Man On The Mat is LIVE!

In this episode, Tony Jones sits down with Nathan Ng to explore what it really takes to keep training for life.

Nathan shares his journey through Muay Thai, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and strength & conditioning, along with the less...

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Old But Not Dead... Just More Dangerous | Shane Close

What if getting older actually made you a better martial artist?

In this inspiring conversation, Shane Close of Graybeard Grapplers shares why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn't just a sport—it's a lifestyle that keeps you moving, learning, and growing for life.

From mobility and nutrition to injuries, mindset, and building a welcoming c...

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For Brandon Ryan, martial arts isn't about belts, trophies, or proving people wrong.

It's about helping others discover what they're truly capable of.

Despite living with cerebral palsy, Brandon found his purpose in teaching, inspiring, and creating opportunities for people who thought martial arts wasn't for them.

His passion for helping students build confidence, overcome obstacles, an...

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In this episode of Old Man On The Mat, Tony Jones reconnects with Daniel Nunez of Grapple Cove to discuss the journey of building a community-focused Jiu-Jitsu academy in Melbourne, Florida.

We dive into faith, perseverance, business growth, overcoming struggles, and how staying true to your core values can help build something meaningful both on and off the mats.

This conversation is p...

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In this powerful interview, Tiffany Trixtr shares how she transformed her life from depression into strength through martial arts, dog training, and firearms.

From learning how to protect herself to empowering other women, her journey is about more than skills—it’s about confidence, mindset, and refusing to stay stuck.

“I built my parachute on the way down.”

If yo...

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On this episode of Old Man On The Mat, we sit down with Damian Bunting—whose journey from military and law enforcement into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shows exactly what it means to start over after 40.

This isn’t about being the best in the room.
It’s about refusing to stay the same man.

We break down:

• What it’s like starting BJJ later in life
• The mental toughness...

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 Strong body means nothing without a strong mindset. 

Coach Cal on Mental Toughness, Faith & Building Winners | Wrestling & Jiu Jitsu Mindset 

In this powerful conversation, Coach Cal shares his journey of overcoming challenges, building a successful wrestling program, and helping others grow through discipline and relationships.

From Wrestling to Brazilian Jiu-Jit...

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In this engaging interview, Nakapan Phungephorn shares his journey through martial arts, from overcoming childhood health challenges to becoming a multi-disciplinary martial artist and school owner. Discover his philosophies on training, community, and the evolution of martial arts in modern society. In this engaging interview, Nakapan Phungephorn shares his journey from martial arts ...

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Join us as Christopher Ryan shares his inspiring story of overcoming homelessness, addiction, and life challenges to becoming a skilled martial artist, gym owner, and sobriety advocate. Discover the power of resilience, discipline, and giving back through fitness and self-defense.

00:00 - Introduction and shout-out to North Bay Cigar Company
02:00 - Christopher's martial arts backgr...

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In this engaging conversation, Tony Jones interviews Kung Fu Kendra, a martial artist and author, who shares her journey into the world of Kung Fu, the philosophy behind Wing Chun, and her experiences as a female instructor in a male-dominated field. Kendra discusses her personal motivations for starting martial arts, the importance of self-defense, and the legacy of her lineage from ...

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In this episode of 'Old Man On The Mat', host Tony Jones dedicates the show to his late mother, who had a deep love for wrestling. He interviews Angel Medina, a professional wrestler, who shares his journey from being a fan to becoming a wrestler. They discuss the culture of wrestling, the injuries wrestlers face, and how training and recovery have evolved over the years. Angel emphas...

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In this episode, Tony Jones interviews Ryan Hurst, co-owner and head coach at GMB Fitness, who shares his extensive journey in martial arts, including his experiences living in Japan for nearly 30 years. Ryan discusses his early beginnings in martial arts, the cultural differences in training, and the importance of mental toughness in practice. He emphasizes the philosophy behind his ...

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In this episode of Old Man on the Mat, host Tony Jones engages with Isaac Wilson, a young martial artist from Florida, discussing his journey through various martial arts disciplines including Muay Thai, karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and more. They explore the influence of martial arts movies, the evolution of training styles, the importance of blending different martial arts, and the ...

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In this episode, Cole Stanley shares his journey in martial arts, starting from his early days in judo to becoming a dojo owner and instructor. He discusses the evolution of martial arts in small towns, the challenges of starting a martial arts school, and the importance of community support. Cole emphasizes the significance of teaching philosophy focused on understanding and growth, ...

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In this episode of Old Man on the Mat, host Tony Jones welcomes Jerry Coleman, a dynamic individual who balances a career as a prosecuting attorney with his passions for photography, storytelling, and martial arts. Jerry shares his journey into martial arts, starting with judo in high school and later transitioning to taekwondo to support his son. After a long hiatus, he found his way...