BJJ Charleston Podcast
The BJJ Charleston Podcast explores the people, stories, and experiences that shape the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community in Charleston, South Carolina and beyond. Hosted by David McWilliams, each episode features conversations with athletes, coaches, academy owners, competitors, and everyday practitioners from across the Carolinas and around the world. While Jiu-Jitsu is the common thread, the discussions go far beyond the mats. Guests share stories of success, failure, adversity, resilience, entrepreneurship, family, recovery, personal growth, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're a lifelong grappler, a casual fan, or simply interested in hearing compelling human stories, you'll find something here. Real people. Real conversations. Real stories. New episodes released regularly. Follow us on Instagram at @bjjcharleston. Email bjjchspod@gmail.com to submit your suggestion for our next guest.
Episodes
Sean McSwain is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, founder & senior pastor of Church 242 in Hanahan, SC, and owner & head instructor at Hanahan Jiu-Jitsu. He's a former Naval officer and member of Water Mission; a North Charleston–based Christian engineering nonprofit that designs and installs safe-water, sanitation and hygiene systems in developing countries, refugee communities and disaster areas.
Pedro "Pepe" Lacerda is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, competitor, and coach at Gracie Barra Charleston & Gracie Barra West Ashley. He frequently cross-trains at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Charleston and is a fixture in the competition scene, including wins at Scrap Super Fights.
Instagram: @pepelacerda
Miyo Strong is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the Program Director of Smart Defense for the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. She helps lead a trauma-informed self-defense program designed to give woman and girls practical tools to recognize danger, establish boundaries, defend themselves, and build confidence. She has helped develop the Smart Defense curriculum, which incorporates elements of BJJ, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai.
Jeff Robertson is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, head instructor at Folly Jiu Jitsu, and a retired Charleston Police Department law enforcement officer. A life long martial artist, he served 26 years and retired as a Sergeant and the lead defensive tactics instructor. He still serves as peer support staff for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SCLEAP).
Instagram: @follyjiujitsu
Henrique Carepa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the owner, operator, & instructor at Gracie Barra Charleston & Gracie Barra West Ashley. He is also a former director of IBJJF & AJP USA. Originally from Brazil, Henrique has built a career that has taken him from working behind the scenes at some of the biggest stages in Jiu-Jitsu around the world to competing and coaching on the mats, as well as opening multiple ...
Raf Esparza is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, the creator and host of The Grappling Hour; the only weekly grappling variety show, a commentator for Subversiv BJJ, and the former host of The Verbal Tap Podcast. Through years of interviews, live coverage, commentary, and conversations with some of the biggest names in Jiu-Jitsu, Raf has developed a unique perspective on both the evolution of the sport and the community surroundin...
Charleston Men's Clinic is a local men's health and wellness practice focused on helping men improve their health, confidence, and quality of life. Through personalized care and treatment options, Charleston Men's Clinic addresses issues ranging from hormone optimization and sexual health to overall performance and well-being.
https://www.charlestonmensclinic.com
Instagram: @charleston_mensclinic
*** WARNING: NOT FOR CHILDREN ***
Chris " Bones" Burns is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, the Owner & Head Instructor of Zero Point Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Sydney, Australia, and an instructor for The BJJ Project; an online instructional and training community. He is also a private student of Master Rickson Gracie and a professionally trained instructor by the Gracie family themselves.
Robert Drysdale is a Brazilian-American Jiu-Jitsu black belt, ADCC Absolute Champion, IBJJF World Champion, coach, author, and historian of the sport. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished American grapplers of his generation, Drysdale captured the 2007 ADCC Absolute title and has coached some of combat sports’ biggest names, including UFC champions Forrest Griffin and Frank Mir. He is the co-founder of Zenith Jiu-J...
Andrew Wooten is a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Joshua Miller and has been training and competing for over 14 years. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Andrew started his BJJ journey in Augusta, Georgia in 2009. Over the next decade, he was fortunate to train with and learn from some of the best BJJ and UFC/MMA competitors and professors in grappling. He is now the owner and head instructor of Gracie Bar...
Paige Ivette Clymer is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and elite - level competitor based in San Diego, California. A standout on the professional grappling scene, Paige has competed against some of the best women in the sport and recently signed with ONE Championship. She is currently training for the upcoming ADCC World Championships taking place September 12th-13th in Kraków, Poland.
Instagram: @paige.ivette
Steph Cruz is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, software engineer, tutor, cyber security analyst, and instructor at Park West BJJ. She is also the owner/operator of the new business, The Chaos Coordinator; a virtual-assistance and business - support service that helps entrepreneurs and small businesses stay organized, manage administrative tasks, and streamline day-to-day operations.
https://chaoscoordinatorchs.com/
IG: @steph.cruuz ...
Drew Littlejohn is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and instructor at Gracie Barra Charleston. He received his black belt from the late Jacob "Tick Tock" McClintock at Tick Tock BJJ and began teaching Jiu-Jitsu at blue belt. Drew brings a cerebral, scientific method based approach to training and problem solving.
IG: @handwrittenjello
Josh Williams is a two-stripe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a foundation in wrestling and an instructor at Daniel Island Jiu-Jitsu. He started his journey on the mat as a high school wrestler, later transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA in 2010. Since then, he’s competed extensively — both in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and professional MMA bouts — testing his skills across multiple organizations.
Noah Oliver is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Jocko Willink and Dean Lister, a husband, father, surfer, and owner/operator of Flowhold; a Jiu-Jitsu & MMA supply company.
After finishing a bachelor’s in History from Florida State University, Noah enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for six years in naval special operations as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. After separating from the mili...
Joseph Snyder is a BJJ purple belt, kickboxing black belt, former youth MMA competitor, two time IBJJF Pan champion, and founder of Scrap Superfights. Joseph hosted the first Scrap event at the age of 18 years old with a vision to create a stage where athletes feel respected, supported, and treated like professionals. His mission is to grow Scrap into one of the premier Jiu-Jitsu promotions in the world - putting athletes on the fr...
Tom Sheehan is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Scott Devine. Together, Tom and Scott served as instructors for the United States Secret Service, where they developed the agency’s ground fighting program for agents and officers nationwide.
With over 25 years of combined service in the Secret Service and Federal Air Marshal Service, Tom has dedicated much of his career to teaching defensive tactics and fir...
Dennis Iler is the Director of Manufacturing at Origin USA, where he helps lead American-made production for one of the most respected brands in the grappling industry. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Dennis is also the owner and head instructor of Heritage Jiu-Jitsu in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
Instagram: @heritage_jiujitsu / @dennis_origin
Established in 2022 by members of the Charleston community, the Charleston Boxing Foundation (CBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting organizations across the South Carolina Lowcountry through meaningful philanthropic partnerships. Since 2023, the CBF has proudly contributed over $450,000 to charitable causes throughout the region. These funds are raised primarily through its signature fundraising event, Battle on the...
Anna Kelley, along with her husband, Joshua & their son, Cooper, are the founders and operators of Ginger-Jitsu. Ginger-Jitsu campaigns against bullying by empowering children through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and their Student & Patch Programs.
Instagram: @officialgingerjitsu
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