Fighters Drinking Coffee

Welcome to another insightful episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee. Today, we delve into the intricate world of competitive jiu-jitsu, exploring how rule sets and personal goals shape the martial artist's journey. Join us as we discuss the motivations behind competing, from the thrill of the fight to the pursuit of mastery. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just starting out, this episode offers valuable perspectives on traini...

Welcome to an engaging episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, where hosts Michael Sutherland and Scott take you on a retrospective journey through the origins and evolution of their podcast. From their humble beginnings in 2015, recording around a coffee table in a sparse condo, to the well-structured platform it is today, the duo shares anecdotes of their grassroots podcasting journey.

Discover how their love for martial arts and c...

Welcome back to Fighters Drinking Coffee, where we are joined by Adaptive BJJ athlete and sports journalist, RJ Nealon. Join us as we delve into the art of developing your style in jiu-jitsu, focusing on competition and adaptation. Discover how different rule sets and environments shape the competitive journey, and the psychological nuances of facing adversity. From the importance of having a game plan to the resilience needed to e...

Welcome to "Fighters Drinking Coffee" where today's episode brings together the dynamic hosts of the "Strong AF Club" podcast, Nate Craig and Asim Faez. Listen in as we explore this exciting collaboration set in the lively environment of the Nova Barbell Club, amidst the clang of weights and the hustle of workout enthusiasts.

Discover firsthand accounts of fighting sprees, training strategies, and the rigorous dedication required t...

Welcome to another episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee where today we sit down with the remarkable RJ Nealon, a world silver medalist in Jiu-Jitsu and a sports journalist for Special Olympics North America. RJ shares his inspiring journey from being captivated by the UFC to pursuing competitive Jiu-Jitsu despite his cerebral palsy. Through dedication and strategic adaptability, RJ discusses his competition experiences, training str...

Welcome to another episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee! Join hosts Michael Sutherland and Scott Dance as they delve into the intriguing world of Jiu-Jitsu competition, focusing on the age-old question: Gi or No Gi? Explore when and how often to compete, while considering what fits best with your personal goals and lifestyle. The hosts discuss listener questions, debunk common misconceptions, and share insights on consulting coaches...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, we dive deep into the transition from student to teacher in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our hosts kick off the discussion with a listener question about this significant transition. They share personal stories of how they moved from just being practitioners to taking on coaching roles at NOVAMMA and beyond, and how that affected their personal growth

Listeners will gain insights in...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, hosts Mike and Scott sit down with Khaldon Roukie, an MMA fighter, coach, and the son of a butcher; based out of District Martial Arts in Arlington, Virginia. Khaldon shares his inspiring transformation journey, highlighting his entry into the world of mixed martial arts in 2018, dropping 40 pounds, and becoming a dedicated athlete. He talks about his experience of being motivated by the...

Join us for an engaging episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, where we sit down with Andrea Tang, a renowned author, passionate BJJ competitor, and host of the BJJ Today podcast for BJJ Mental Models. Andrea shares insights from her bustling year in the competition scene, discussing potential matchups, her ambitions in the IBJJF Nogi season, and her experiences with ADCC events.

Away from the mats, Andrea excels as a young adult nov...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee! Today, we delve into the dynamic world of cross-training in Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the experiences and benefits that arise from training with diverse groups. From expanding one's skill set to facing different competition styles, we uncover the value of stepping out of your comfort zone. Join us as we explore how cross-training can enhance both the mindset and abiliti...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, join us as we sit down with Dallas Ducote, the dynamic owner of Rising Tide in Montgomery County. We discuss his business goals, fighting journey, and how he went from engineer to gym owner.

He opens up about the challenges of starting a gym, the importance of creating a welcoming community, and his commitment to personal freedom and authenticity in both his business and personal life.

On this episode, we highlight the ups and downs of competition. Mike shares his experience with a super fight at Copa Elite 4 and participation in the Virginia Open for IBJJF.  We reflect on returning to competition after a long hiatus, knocking off the rust, overcoming unexpected illnesses and injuries, the benefits of confidence, and the idea of growing from a loss. 

Scott breaks down his lead up and competition at the IBJJF Chicago open. We discuss takeaways, changes from prior competitions, as well as his focuses and how he approached competition day.

 Scott and Mike also delve into the nuances of competition mentalities, sharing advice on managing nerves, the importance of preparation, and strategies to maintain peak performance.

On this episode, Scott and Mike go over an ever present aspect of competing in BJJ: weight classes and weight cuts.

Join us as we discuss the rigors of cutting weight safely, highlight the brutal reality of weight cuts, and offer strategic advice on optimizing performance come competition day. With anecdotes from our experiences and tips on diet management, this episode is packed with valuable information for both seasoned competit...

We sit down with owner of NoVa Barbell Club, Asim Fayyaz.

Asim, known for his expertise in training high-level grappling athletes, shares his journey from starting a garage gym to building a thriving community focused on strength conditioning and resilience.

In this episode, Asim delves into the unique strength training techniques he employs for grapplers and MMA fighters, emphasizing the importance of building resilience and preve...

Scott and Mike sit down with Shane "The Night Train" Marshall, a national champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and accomplished mixed martial artist. Join us as Shane shares his unique journey from growing up in Dubois, Pennsylvania to serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually finding his passion for mixed martial arts and Jiu-Jitsu.

Shane opens up about his colorful experiences, including intense training sessions, grappling champion...

Listen in as Scott and Mike explore various recovery techniques, including strength training, diet, and mental breaks, and how these contribute to longevity in the sport. Learn how to maintain peak performance by adopting a holistic approach that considers life outside the gym, and hear personal anecdotes about overcoming injuries and avoiding burnout.

Whether you're just starting your jiu-jitsu journey or are a veteran on the mats...

In this episode, Scott and Mike delve into the intricacies of balancing competitive jiu-jitsu training with the demands of everyday life. As they reflect on their evolution from full-time fighters to seasoned practitioners, they emphasize the importance of intentional training, recovery, and injury prevention for long-term success on the mat. Through candid conversations about personal experiences and lessons learned, listeners gai...