What ignites a passion for martial arts at an age when most people are thinking about retirement? Join us for an enlightening conversation with John Mandato, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who embarked on his journey at 44. John’s transition from skepticism to a deep-seated love for BJJ is a fascinating tale of personal transformation. We walk through his initial challenges, doubts, and how the sport eventually became an integral part of his life, offering both physical vitality and mental resilience.
From earning his blue belt on Halloween to clinching the Masters World Championship at Brown Belt, John’s story is a testament to relentless perseverance and dedication. We delve into the highs and lows of his progression through the ranks - dealing with injuries, overcoming competition anxieties, and achieving the ultimate goal of a black belt. John’s journey illustrates that success in jiu-jitsu, like in life, is a marathon, not a sprint. His experiences offer invaluable insights into the mindset required to triumph on and off the mats.
Balancing personal and professional life while staying committed to jiu-jitsu is no small feat, and John’s approach emphasizes the importance of "paying yourself first." Learn how he manages his morning workouts to reset mentally before facing daily responsibilities. John also shares his illustrious career in video production and graphic design, including his Emmy-winning work for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Finally, we celebrate the tight-knit community and lasting friendships forged through jiu-jitsu, wrapping up with gratitude and an invitation to our listeners to join this remarkable journey. Oss.
Check out John's The Point of the Journey - A Black Belt Story
https://www.johnmandato.com/video-production/the-point-of-the-journey-a-black-belt-story
Connect with John
@johnmandato68
https://www.johnmandato.com/
Be sure to join the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu IG Community
@caffeinated_jiujitsu
Proud Affiliate of GenXRefined BJJ Gear
Caffeinated_Jiujitsu/GR
Join the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu Community on IG @caffeinated_jiujitsu
Got Questions? Want to be a guest? Let's connect
caffeinatedjiujitsu@gmail.com
Need new BJJ gear? Check out GenXRefined.com use code Caffeinated_Jiujitsu/GR for 15% off all purchases.
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
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!