Beauty and the Gi: Gripping Conversations about Jiu-Jitsu and Life
Beauty and the Gi is a podcast about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that explores the intersection of life on and off the mat. Whether you are a new white belt, or a seasoned grappler, this podcast offers a blend of personal experiences, challenges, and breakthroughs. In each episode, you get the perspectives of the ever-curious Blue Belt Jen Edds, along with Black Belt and coach AJ Clingerman. Episodes are usually 30 minutes or less because we would rather be rolling than talking about it.
Episodes
Are you taking time to celebrate your growth, milestones, and victories, whether big or small? It’s so easy to move on to the next thing without taking time to revel in the joy of your accomplishment. Slow down. Reflect. Celebrate.
We are doing just that in this episode. The podcast turned 5 years old and has reached the 100,000 downloads milestone.
Do you feel pressure to bring “value” when rolling with a higher rank?
From brand-new white belts to experienced black belts, we all bring unique value to the mat. Seeing the value we bring can be especially tricky when you’re new to grappling.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re learning a move for the first time, then you go to drill it, and your mind goes blank. We’ve been there and...
Rachel Casias makes a return visit to the show because she is coming back to teach at this year’s Roll Model Base Camp in July!
When Rachel joins us, we always have a multifaceted conversation about Jiu-Jitsu and life. We talk about her decision-making process regarding whether or not to compete in a recent Jiu-Jitsu tournament, the importance of continuous learning as a black belt, and how she’s navigat...
You're gearing up for a Jiu-Jitsu competition, and when you least expect it, your opponent slides into your DMs. Wait, what?!
We’ve pulled AJ’s soapbox out for this episode, inspired by a recent post in a women’s Jiu-Jitsu Facebook group.
Episode Highlights
(00:00) The “Should you contact your opponent?” debate
(09:52) The Power of Connections fro...
We’ve talked about the downward spiral in previous episodes. You know, that moment when you make a mistake, can’t get out of your own head, and then the wheels fall off. We’ve all been there.
What if you flipped that concept and started building on the little things you are doing right? This episode was inspired by a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett. He and his guest, Daniel Priestly, talked ab...
Have you watched the American Jiujiteira documentary? We watched it and have some thoughts to share with you in this episode.
(00:00) Episode Intro
(01:29) The American Jiujiteira Documentary
Explore the impact of the American Jiujiteira documentary and its significance in showcasing women’s experiences in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From personal training experiments to the represe...
From battling with self-doubt to finding inspiration in the daily struggles, we explore the multifaceted impact of Jiu-Jitsu and life on and off the mat. Life outside of Jiu-Jitsu can affect our performance on the mat. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, and mental well-being play a crucial role in how we show up and our ability to engage effectively.
Our time practicing Jiu-Jitsu shapes how we show up in life off the mat. How do we ...
BJJ Black Belt Sarah Chamberlain is the first instructor to be announced for Roll Model Grappling Camp 2024. Get to know Sarah as she talks with AJ, Jen, and Risser. We can’t wait to learn from her at camp this summer!
(00:00) Episode Intro
(01:18) Why Sarah Loves Warmups
(05:15) Sarah’s Advice to her younger self when starting BJJ
(14:03) The benefits of starting from bad positions
(14:42) The evolution of Sarah’s game as she prog...
As we roll into a new year, there's a sense of renewal and possibility. We are kicking off the new year by talking about intention, embracing a shift in perspective, and announcing the Roll Model Camp 2024 theme!
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Are you ready to roll into 2024 with a game plan to help get what you want out of life on and off the mat? This is not just another episode about goal setting. The time has come to sharpen our focus and develop a strategic game plan for success. You know Coach AJ loves a game plan!
Whether you want to improve your Jiu-Jitsu or make changes in other areas of your life, laying out clear, concise, and measurable milestones is part of...
Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like your Jiu-Jitsu was total garbage? How do you work through it?
This episode was recorded right after Jen had one of those days. Coach AJ shares her wisdom on how to work through it.
We also discuss finding your Zen while stuck in an uncomfortable spot on or off the mat.
This might be our new favorite episode. We hope you love it, too.
If you Love the Podcast, Sha...
Has wrestling with doubt and uncertainty ever kept you from registering for a Jiu-Jitsu tournament?
Normally, when it’s time to register for a tournament, AJ is all about the game plan, building up to the big day with intense training and focus. But this time, things were different. She found herself waffling on whether or not to register for the Nashville Open.
How did it turn out?
And will Jen ever compete again?
Turns out you can be obsessed with Jiu Jitsu and still have days when you've wanted to quit. You can even love Jiu Jitsu, but there will be days when you don’t like it. Have you ever wanted to quit Jiu Jitsu? How do you reignite the spark when this happens?
We’ve got a gameplan to help you find your way back to your love of Jiu Jitsu.
The Highlights
(01:13) You’re not alone
(09:37) Dealing with a bad training environment
(19:01) ...
Picture it: you're the only woman in your Jiu-Jitsu class. You’ve shown up consistently, you work hard, you’re training for your next tournament, but now there's a new twist. Your coach expects you always to be the one to train with every new woman who walks through the door. Your frustration builds, and you wonder, “Am I the jerk for feeling this way?”.
We have big thoughts on this topic because everyon...
What do you look for in a Jiu-Jitsu Coach and gym culture? Have you been intentional in finding a coach and gym that shares a similar moral compass and core values with you? Does it really matter that much?
It matters to us because we want you training, loving Jiu-Jitsu, and getting the most out of your time on the mat. Whether you are a practitioner or a coach...
What do you do when you feel like your family, friends, or spouse are not supportive of you doing Jiu-Jitsu?
From concerns about injuries to doubts about our abilities and choices, we've heard it all. Whether it’s a partner who doesn't appreciate your commitment, parents who don't understand why you do Jiu-Jitsu, or friends who think it's a waste of time, we’ve got some ideas to handle these situations with grace and confidence.
We...
We have BIG opinions on cross-training and whether or not it’s a good idea to attend Jiu Jitsu open mats.
Picture It: You love going to open mats, but your coach seems to have some reservations. This is the situation that one of our listeners found herself in.
Now, that got the gears turning in our jiu...
What does being coachable mean to you, and how does that impact your Jiu-Jitsu success? We are talking about being coachable from everyday training to how to focus on what your coach is telling you when you’re out there competing.
Remember in The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda was trying to drop some wisdom on Luke Skywalker, but he just wasn't having it? Well, let's just say we have some thoughts on Luke...
We are exploring how adopting the mindset of a beginner can unlock your potential and help you improve at every level, from white belt through black belt. You will even hear how we are using this mindset with the podcast recording process. This practice goes way beyond the mat.
Throughout the episode, we share insights from both the coach and student experience, along with practical ways to build confidence and skill while keeping ...
What do you do when team drama rears its ugly head at the gym or outside of it? Whether it’s the mean girls ganging up on you, or relationship drama between exes, we have some thoughts to share from both the coach and the student experience.
You might not want to hear this, but it starts with communication. It is the key to resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive training environment for everyone. Nothing changes if you don’...
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