Roy Dean is a martial artist, filmmaker, and creative storyteller whose work bridges the worlds of combat and art. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Roy Harris, Roy is known for his elegant approach to movement, mastery, and self-expression. Through his films, writings, and instruction, he reveals the artistry within discipline—showing how the resistance of training can refine both technique and character. His latest projects continue to explore the intersection of creativity, philosophy, and the martial path.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- Roy's origin story in martial arts and the philosophies that shaped him (00:03:23)
- Applying martial arts philosophy to everyday life (00:18:16)
- On letting go — acceptance, release, and personal evolution (00:34:38)
- Transforming stress into deeper empathy and expanded perspective (00:42:44)
- Men and masculinity — reflections on growth and identity (00:51:31)
- Mentorship — Roy on his teacher, Roy Harris (00:57:58)
- The duality of jiu jitsu: humbling yet deeply inspiring (01:06:05)
- The intersection of art and martial arts (01:11:38)
- Longevity in training — practical advice for recovery and staying in the game (01:18:44)
- Mastery and style — Roy speaks on mastery; Yoshino on artistic style (01:33:53)
- Refining fundamentals — patterns, basics, and the value of repetition (01:40:30)
- Value structures — understanding them and knowing when to transcend them (01:46:58)
- Embodiment and physicality in art (01:59:50)
- Roy Dean's upcoming jiu jitsu retreats (02:07:23)
artistdecoded.com
roydean.com
youtube.com/@roydean
instagram.com/roydean_
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.