David Cronenwett is the owner of Helena Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a third-degree black belt under American Jiu-Jitsu legend Rafael Lovato Jr. David started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in Seattle in 1996, back when finding a place to train was like stumbling upon a secret society. Over the years, he’s not only refined his own game but has shared this art with hundreds of students in Montana’s capital city since opening his academy in 2016.
But David’s path to Jiu-Jitsu wasn’t exactly a straight shot. He grew up in New Jersey, made his way west to study classical guitar at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle right as the grunge scene was taking over, and eventually found himself in Montana, drawn by the wilderness and a deep-rooted need for something more. That “something more” turned out to be a mix of conservation work, backcountry living, and, of course, Jiu-Jitsu—an art that would come to define much of his life.
In this conversation, we go deep into the philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu: why it grabs certain people and won’t let go, how it humbles you, how it teaches you to remain calm under pressure, and how it can serve as a vehicle for self-improvement. But beyond that, we explore how Jiu-Jitsu teaches lessons that stretch far beyond the mats—lessons about patience, resilience, adaptability, and how to wisely face challenges in life. We also talk about the importance of culture in an academy, how a good training environment can shape people beyond the gym, and how the shared purpose and community of Jiu-Jitsu has a way of bringing together folks from all walks of life.
And for those of you who might be on the fence about trying Jiu-Jitsu, David has plenty to say about why it’s never too late to start and how it can change not just how you move, but how you see the world.
So whether you’re a seasoned grappler or just curious about what makes this martial art so addictive, there’s a lot to learn from this conversation. Enjoy!
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- Helena Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/david-cronenwett/
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TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- 2:15 - Getting to know David
- 4:30 - Seattle to Montana
- 6:30 - And from music to conservation
- 7:45 - Early outdoor interests
- 10:00 - First Jiu-Jitsu memories
- 12:30 - Getting into Jiu-Jitsu
- 16:30 - What is it about Jiu-Jitsu?
- 21:00 - Community on the mat
- 26:45 - Importance of having new trainees
- 29:45 - Where the growth happens
- 31:30 - Maintaining culture
- 35:30 - Lessons from practicing and teaching
- 42:30 - Obsessive types
- 45:15 - Not for the bullies
- 47:30 - Maintaining the practice as life goes on
- 53:30 - Self-defense as an insurance policy
- 1:01:00 - What Jiu-Jitsu gives you
- 1:04:45 - Losing ego
- 1:08:45 - Peaks and valleys
- 1:12:30 - Not about the belts
- 1:14:45 - Book recs
- 1:21:30 - Thoughts on therapy
- 1:23:45 - Parting words
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