Ivan joins the podcast to talk about how jiu-jitsu culture has changed, why big sponsors still keep their distance, and what combat sports can learn from skateboarding, branding, and authenticity. The conversation goes from current jiu-jitsu drama and professionalism to Ivan’s background in Barcelona skate culture, his time working at Nike, and what makes a brand actually connect with people. 

We get into:
• the current state of jiu-jitsu culture
• whether jiu-jitsu is a sport or a lifestyle
• why money changes underground communities
• why some athletes and brands last longer than others
• Ivan’s path from skateboarding to Nike
• what authenticity really means in branding and in life 

If you’re into jiu-jitsu, skateboarding, creativity, branding, or building something real over time, this one’s for you.


0:00 This Conversation Might Upset People
1:00 Meet Ivan (Why His Perspective Matters)
2:01 Jiu-Jitsu Drama Is Getting Out of Control
6:13 The Truth About ADCC Money
8:41 Jiu-Jitsu Isn’t Really a Sport
12:10 Nobody Is Actually In Charge
15:05 Money Changed Everything
18:42 Brands Want Nothing To Do With This
20:06 You Have to Pick a Lane
23:29 Building a Brand on Drama Fails
25:10 Say It With Your Chest
26:51 Social Media Is Warping People
29:23 Why There’s Still No Governing Body
33:32 One Mistake Can Cost Millions
38:02 From Skateboarding to Nike
42:08 How He Actually Got In
47:19 The Part of Nike Nobody Talks About
50:37 Did Nike Ruin Creativity?
55:15 The Qatar Story Is Crazy
58:39 This Would Blow Up Jiu-Jitsu
1:02:48 Why Skateboarding Took Over
1:06:23 Jiu-Jitsu Lost Its Edge

Mike Catherwood joins us for a wild, honest conversation about the road from addiction and early recovery to radio, TV, jiu-jitsu, and life on a farm in Texas.

We get into what actually makes people compelling on camera, why fighters are often the easiest people to talk to, how Mike went from Hollywood and entertainment media to raising animals in rural Texas, and the perspective shift that came with it. He also opens up about sobriety, losing friends to addiction, what finally got him clean, and the brutal reality of trying to help people who are still stuck in it. On top of that, we talk jiu-jitsu, Orlando Sanchez, live radio, the difference between podcasting and broadcasting, the state of media today, and Mike’s no-BS views on nutrition and fitness.   

If you like long-form conversations about mindset, culture, fighting, recovery, media, and becoming harder to fool, this one’s for you.

In this episode:
• why authenticity matters in media
• why fighters make great guests
• leaving LA for farm life in Texas
• addiction, recovery, and rock bottom
• jiu-jitsu stories and Orlando Sanchez
• how radio sharpened his on-air instincts
• podcasting vs radio
• Mike’s thoughts on diet, fitness, and social media health advice

Follow Mike Catherwood:
Instagram @mikecatherwood
Tiktok @mike.catherwood


0:00 Why Fake People Lose Online
3:06 Why Fighters Make the Best Guests
4:33 He Left LA for a Farm in Texas
8:46 The Ice Storm That Changed Him
12:59 The Ugly Truth About Politics
19:16 Nature Doesn’t Care About Your Feelings
21:10 Why You Should Do Good Anyway
25:50 20 Years of Jiu-Jitsu Lessons
32:01 Orlando Sanchez: Greatness and Tragedy
34:23 Addiction Doesn’t End Well
37:27 The Motel Room That Changed His Life
41:19 What Finally Got Him Sober
44:16 “If You’re Tough, Get Clean”
51:07 From Janitor to Radio Host
56:26 The Lucky Break That Changed Everything
1:00:55 Why Radio Makes You Sharp
1:06:47 How to Stop Being Nervous on Camera
1:19:11 Why Radio Is Dying
1:27:00 Social Media Fitness Advice Is Broken
1:38:35 His Take on Ozempic

In this episode of Game Plan the Pod, we sit down with newly minted black belt Grayson Henley to discuss his recent victory on the WNO stage and his 15 year journey to the rank. We kick things off with Grayson's roots in Kung Fu, martial arts movies and living in a "cafofo". Later, we hear about Grayson's recovery from a double spinal fracture and his future goals as a black belt.

Check out Grayson's Sponsor:
thetwistedrooster.com


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00:00 Kung Fu Panda
18:56 Insight BJJ
28:15 Caio Terra Association
37:02 Brazilian Cafofo
45:41 Fight Factory, Austin, Texas
54:56 Lumbar Fracture
1:06:00 Coaching, Competing, Creating Triad
1:15:11 Receiving Black Belt in BJJ
1:32:00 Roasting Juice’s BJJ Skills
1:38:25 Grayson’s Goals
1:47:00 Jiu Jitsu Norms

In this episode of Game Plan the Pod, we sit down with Paul Lewandowski from Combat Vet News to peel back the layers of some of the most complex geopolitical and sporting narratives today.

We kick off the conversation with a potential connection between ADCC founder Sheik Tahnoon and Jeffery Epstein. Paul then takes us onto the frontlines of his two trips to Ukraine, where he delivered critical equipment like drones to units like the 93rd Brigade and witnessed the reality of modern warfare first-hand.

We wrap up by discussing the concept of "sportswashing" (or "martial arts washing") how powerful entities use sports to shift public perception. Paul also shares his latest personal pivot into the grueling world of endurance athletics.

Check out Paul's Channel!
@CombatVeteranNews

Strike Gum
https://strikegum.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopbcCSObGA65kNpMMxLKp76uzwVC1ReCT4FYA15z04YsKuXKm-L

Ukraine Aid Ops
https://ukraineaidops.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor4s4f2NZlo_qxCD6GlrKUWRNXngtluTZDLSrV1ykFkYt0169_Y

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00:00 ADCC Sheik in Epstein Files
6:45 Unofficial Government Officials
17:50 Ukrainian Frontlines
38:17 Drone Skynet
1:01:00 Nations Learning from Russia Ukraine Drone Warfare
1:12:28 Casualties
1:15:02 Combat Vet Paul
1:25:53 Men’s Olympic Skeleton
1:37:50 Doping and Sport Washing
1:46:20 ADCC Public Relations
1:48:39 Transitioning from Martial Arts to Marathons
1:58:00 Like, Subscribe and Comment!

Destiny McCubbin competes in the Flyweight Division of Dana White's Power Slap and holds a record of 2-0. Coming from a boxing and MMA background, McCubbin made her Power Slap debut in 2025 and has her eyes set on the Flyweight Championship in 2026.

In this episode, we hear about Destiny's journey from boxing and MMA to Power Slap and her recent endeavors as an interviewer and podcaster.

Please note: Due to a last-minute travel schedule, this episode was recorded on the road in a hotel room rather than our usual studio. The audio quality is a bit lower than our norm, but Destiny's story was too powerful to wait. Thank you for your patience and for sticking with us!

Check out Destiny's Podcast @InTheCornerwithDestiny

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00:00 Powerslap Combine and Debut
10:23 Boxing, MMA and Move to Las Vegas
14:25 Back-to-Back Surgeries
26:08 In The Corner with Destiny McCubbin
39:23 UFC Performance Institute & BJJ
42:30 Female Athletes using PEDs
45:30 Syndicate MMA
56:06 Las Vegas Tourism Going Down
59:40 Cracking the Algorithm
1:10:00 Making Bad Fight Predictions
1:17:30 Like, Comment, Subscribe!

SKIP TO 30:00 FOR OUR DEEP DIVE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN BJJ.

In this episode of Game Plan, Davis and Juico start with the lighter side of life, recounting the chaotic saga of Juico’s dog, Pete, getting sprayed by a skunk—before diving into the grueling reality of weight cutting in combat sports.

At the thirty-minute mark, the tone shifts as we address the systemic issue of sexual misconduct within grappling. Davis shares his own personal experiences encountering predators on the mats and provides a concise timeline of the major scandals that have rocked the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.

We discuss the "hero worship" culture that places coaches and athletes on pedestals, often allowing them to exploit and abuse their positions for decades. It is time to purge the sport of these individuals and instead elevate those who lead with integrity, such as Lachlan Giles. The "fear" that the sport will crumble without its "icons" is a myth—there will be plenty of high-level talent left once the predators are ousted. We conclude with a call for mandatory safeguarding training for gym owners and coaches to ensure the next generation is protected.

Please Like, Subscribe and Comment down below to support Game Plan the Pod!

Follow Juico and Davis on Instagram:
@colejiujitsu
@juico.skilltree.matspace
________________

Check out academysafe.org to find or become an accredited, background checked gym! Follow @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Check out @trainangrymma or Instagram @trainangrymma_ for Breaking News!

Hunter Reehoon is a Sous Chef at Barley Swine, a highly acclaimed, 1-Michelin starred, farm-to-table restaurant in Austin Texas. Hunter's focus is in sustainability within the farm-to-table sphere and his specialties lie in fermentation and seasonal items. Hunter also recently received his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Professor Rodrigo Cabral at Fight Factory in Austin, Texas.

Check out Hunters Instagram:
@always.salty.af
@salty.as.always

Barley Swine:
https://www.barleyswine.com/

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00:00 Intro
1:27 Knee Braces and Netlflix
4:30 Barley Swine Tasting Menu
11:17 Broadmoor Colorado Springs and Substitutions
14:55 Tipping Culture
18:40 Culinary School in Boulder, Colorado
23:40 Fingers in a Deli Slicer
27:29 The Path to Fine Dining
38:00 Creating Menu Items R&D
42:39 Farm-to-Table
57:51 Seasonal Dishes and Ethical Protein
1:14:28 Why Americans are Obese
1:24:08 Fermented Foods
1:34:24 Hunter beats World Famous White Belt
1:44:34 Like, Subscribe and Comment Down below!

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Marshall, a former U.S. Army Ranger, lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business and a dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and event promoter. We dive into his journey from military service to teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs as well as his work as a writer for The Prof Z Project.

Check out Zach's Substack here:
https://substack.com/@UCKAeKT2bVc8qVnHsQguXFtw

Subscribe to Game Plan the Pod for Weekly Episodes!
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-plan/id1848708585
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AejDQrKYSmjdw2hOlzhWK

________________

00:00 Introduction
1:32 9/11 and West Point
3:58 US Army Ranger School
12:01 Creator's Courage
21:49 Ice Baths, Grit and Discipline
27:00 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming the Fear of Rejection
33:10 Third Coast Grappling Royal Rumble
47:00 Overcoming the Fear of Rejection Part 2
50:55 Jiu Jitsu Ego Paradox
54:13 Vision, Mission, Goals and Values
58:09 Imposter Syndrome and High Pressure Situations
1:12:38 Jiu Jitsu Belts Don't Matter
1:15:00 Becoming a Professor Without a Phd
1:23:09 Valley of Despair
1:27:30 Jake Paul Vs Anthony Joshua
1:38:45 Follow Us for Weekly Episodes