Off the Mats Podcast

What's up, nerds? This week on the podcast, Maryland Phil joins me for a deep dive into Marvel’s Thunderbolts—or the New Avengers? We unpack our thoughts and feelings on the recent film, including our personal ratings out of 10 and what the name change might signal for the MCU’s future. We take a closer look at each character’s arc and background, drawing comparisons to Suicide Squad along the way.

Our conversation expands into a b...

What's going on, happy people? This week on the podcast, I sit down with Madeleine Avila, a fierce BJJ blue belt competitor from Crazy 88 MMA. Madeleine shares the story of how she got started in jiu-jitsu and what continues to drive her competitive fire. We explore the importance of team culture and support, and how she sharpens her mindset and technique.

Madeleine gives insight into her strategic approach to game planning, as wel...

What's up, party people? This week on the podcast, I'm joined by my good friend and neighbor, Dana Zornes, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends fight talk, kettlebell competition, parenting, and personal growth.

We kick things off with UFC chatter, diving into the rumors surrounding the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall matchup, follow-up conversation about UFC 314, and older UFC fights and how the sport has evolved over the years.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back! This week on the podcast, I sit down with Erin Herle—a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), and holder of a Master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology. Together, we explore how mental coaching can transform an athlete’s performance, how coaches can use psychology to lead more effectively, and why grapplers must train their minds just as diligently as...

What's up, y'all? This week on the podcast, I sit down with Coach Kevin Brewer, a U.S. Navy veteran turned Spartan athlete, mindset coach, and weight loss mentor with an inspiring story of resilience.

Kevin opens up about his battle with injuries and illness, and the long, winding journey to reclaim his health through discipline and mindset work. We dive into the challenges of navigating today’s overwhelming maze of health advice, ...

What's up, party people? This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Kris Pinkerton of Nerd Rage Radio and The Realm of Collectors for a fun conversation all about pro wrestling. We warm up by discussing how pro wrestling and BJJ intersect. We give examples of current wrestlers who train. After that we get into the current main event scene over in AEW. 

We then get into a conversation about WrestleMania 41. From Rey Mysterio taking on ...

Hiya, folks! This week on the podcast, I sit down with grappler and strength coach James Deirmendjian for a deep dive into his journey, both on and off the mats.

James opens up about his roots in wrestling and how being a middle child helped shape his competitive edge. He shares the moment that drew him into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how the sport quickly became more than just a hobby—it became a calling. We dig into the...

Greetings, friends! This week on the podcast, I sit down with Mike Ciochon, the recently promoted 10th Planet Portland black belt and owner of Asgard 503. We dive into a wide-ranging conversation that blends the technical and cultural evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the broader influence of modern media. We discuss social media's ever-changing algorithm and how it shapes what we see, especially within the jiu-jitsu community.

What's up, friends? This week on the podcast, I sit down with South River High School wrestler and Crazy 88 MMA grappler, Jameson Gerrity, a young athlete whose story is nothing short of inspiring. Jameson opens up about his transition from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to wrestling and the mental and physical challenges that came with it.

He talks about his recovery from a torn meniscus and how he’s learned to ba...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I catch up with Julia Bee, and wow—so much has changed since we last spoke! Julia and I last spoke in April of 2023 and since then, she has earned her Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a huge milestone in any grappler's journey. But that’s not all—she also got engaged, moved to Virginia, and opened her very own BJJ gym, Siren Jiu Jitsu. Julia shares the challenges and lessons she faced ...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I sit down with young entrepreneur, teammate and BJJ Blue Belt at Crazy 88 MMA, Shawn Gray. We take a deep dive into his jiu-jitsu journey. Shawn opens up about how he first got into jiu-jitsu and what drew him to train at Crazy 88 MMA.

We break down the differences between gi and no-gi, exploring how each style shapes a fighter’s strategy and mindset. Shawn also shares an insightful anal...

What's up, everybody?

For the milestone 250th episode of Off the Mats Podcast, we’re bringing together three longtime training partners—Kyle Prescott, Ronnie Masgay, and Mark Rollamas—for a deep dive into their unique journeys to the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt. Having started together at Ivey League MMA before transitioning to Crazy 88 MMA, their paths to this rank couldn’t be more different.

Kyle, a dedicated hobbyist, shares...

What's up, adventurers? This week on the podcast, I sit down with one of my teammates, Mr. Rich Christie of Crazy 88 MMA, to discuss his martial arts journey from Muay Thai to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his recent promotion to Blue Belt. Rich shares what led him to start training in the first place and then making the transition to grappling, the challenges he faced, and how BJJ has impacted his approach to training. We also dive into...

What's up, Nerds??? This week on the podcast, we nerd it up as I sit down with returning guest Mike Leng to dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of nerd culture. We kick things off with a discussion on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how its trajectory has shifted over the years before exploring James Gunn’s vision for the DC Cinematic Universe and what it could mean for longtime fans. Our conversation then takes a nostalgi...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I sit down with Andrew Quinn.

Andrew is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner from Limerick, Ireland, currently holding a purple belt. He actively competes in the no-gi division. Andrew shares his BJJ journey and experiences on his Instagram account, @the_limerick_globetrotter. He also hosts the HumanzeeJitzu Podcast," where he discusses various topics related to BJJ, including his training ...

Greetings, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with newly promoted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Matt Capuano to discuss his journey through the ranks. We start at the beginning, reflecting on his early days as a white belt and the lessons he learned on his way up. Matt opens up about the challenges and growth that came with switching gyms at Purple Belt and how that transition shaped his path to achieving his black belt. ...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I welcome David Riedman, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and the creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database, a critical tool in understanding and addressing school gun violence in the United States. David shares his journey in BJJ and how the discipline has shaped his approach to defensive training for educators. We dive into what measures should be taken to protect students in school ...

Welcome home, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Ohio's own Sean Daugherty. A veteran of UFC 2, Sean shares his origin story, from his beginnings in martial arts and what led him to step into the Octagon during one of the earliest UFC events. Sean opens up about his time in the Air Force, his experiences with mental health, and the transformative lessons martial arts have taught him. Together, we discuss the types of ...

What's up, folks? This week on the podcast, I sit down with BJJ Black Belt Eli Knight for a conversation that dives deep into the world of martial arts and modern challenges in the digital age.

We explore Eli’s unique teaching style and how he connects with students on and off the mats. We also discuss the power of social media in promoting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, balancing its benefits with the negativity that can come with online tr...