You-Jitsu
You-Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu podcast for adults who train with intention. Hosted by Kevin Pannell, a 52-year-old purple belt training at 7 AM before leading enterprise teams, this show breaks down the real problems grapplers face and approaches them with structure. Each episode follows a deliberate format: define the issue, outline a practical solution path, examine the outcome, and connect the lesson to life outside the academy. We cover fundamentals, escapes, pressure, guard retention, strength and recovery, training over 40, ego management, and long-term consistency. The focus is not on collecting techniques. It’s on refining the vital few that actually work when you’re tired, under pressure, and balancing real-world responsibilities. This is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for professionals, parents, and competitors playing the long game. Raise your survival floor. Refine the basics. Stay in the room. Breathe. Frame. Survive.
Episodes
What does leadership look like in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the purple belt level?
It’s not just better technique; it’s how you show up, how you train, and how you influence the people around you.
In this episode of You-Jitsu, I break down five practical ways leadership shows up on the mats:
- Setting the standard through consistency
- Controlling the pace instead of matching chaos
- Focusing on the details that actually matter
- Helping ...
A training partner recently caught me with a north-south choke I knew was coming.
That’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“My opponent is my teacher, my ego is my enemy.” — Renzo Gracie
I’m fortunate to train at Team Mannon BJJ in Blacksburg under Professor Tim Mannon, who earned his black belt directly from Renzo Gracie. The culture there reinforces a simple idea: your training partners help you improve.
Learning research calls this productive fa...
If you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond and think you missed your window to start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this episode is for you.
In Episode 003 of You-Jitsu, Kevin breaks down the real issue midlife men face: comfort disguised as responsibility. Backed by research on aging, adaptation, and resilience, he explains why your body and mind are still capable of growth, why consistent training beats intensity, and how five years of show...
Why do some grapplers improve faster while others stay stuck collecting techniques?
In this episode of You-Jitsu, we break down the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, and how it applies directly to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training.
At the highest levels of competition, a small handful of submissions account for most finishes. The greatest to ever compete are not magicians with endless techniques; they are masters of the fund...
It’s been a minute.
You-Jitsu started as a way to help white belts not quit. It grew into structured conversations about fundamentals, plateaus, and survival. That still matters.
But this version is different.
At 52 and now a purple belt, I’m less interested in collecting techniques and more interested in building a game that fits who I am right now. This episode resets the direction of the show around longevity, alignment, and the lo...
In The Seven Focus Areas for Every Older BJJ Grappler, I talk about how to keep our aging chassis running smoothly as we keep showing up to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) class. As midlife rollers, we can't just rely on class time anymore; we need to be proactive about fitness and recovery.
What to focus on:
- Strength training
- Mobility and flexibility
- Cardiovascular conditioning
- Nutrition and hydration
- Sleep optimization
- Active recovery
- Prof...
In These are the Top Three Escapes Every BJJ White Belt Should Learn, I share the importance of learning to escape from side control, mount, and back mount.
In this episode, These are the Ten Reasons You Will Quit Jiu-Jitsu, I’ll provide clarity on common pitfalls listeners will most likely experience and strategies I’ve found helpful over my five years of training to deal with them in hopes to help each of you stick with it if you truly want to.
10 Reasons:
- Cost
- Location
- Ego
- Stagnation
- White belt blues
- Blue belt blues
- Injury
- Time
- Support
- Life
On this episode, Breathe, Frame, Survive: A BJJ Beginner Mantra, we'll break down each element, starting with the often-overlooked importance of breathing, especially when you're under pressure. Then, we'll dive into the fundamental concept of "framing" and how it can be your lifeline when you're stuck in a bad position. Finally, we'll talk about the most crucial ingredient of all: survival. Because in BJJ, just showing up and embr...
This is episode is for the curious, the beginner, and the newer BJJ practitioner. You'll learn how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) came to be, what BJJ is, how you can get started, and I share inspirational and educational BJJ resources from the web and podcast land.
Get on the mats and stay there! Join 50-year-old BJJ Blue Belt Kevin Pannell on the You-Jitsu Podcast. This show is for anyone who loves Jiu-Jitsu – from young bucks to older grapplers and women building confidence. We'll cover everything from technique basics to BJJ mindset, helping you make the most of your Jiu-Jitsu journey.
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