In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Lou Temlett, host of the Jiu-Jitsu Lou Podcast, for a conversation about what it really means to grow in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while documenting the journey in real time.

Lou didn’t wait until she felt like an expert to share her voice; she built her platform as she progressed through the ranks. We talk about starting jiu-jitsu, the mental and physical challenges of the early days, and the reality of reaching blue belt, where expectations rise and confidence doesn’t always follow.

We also get into balancing training with real life, including parenting, time management, and staying consistent when motivation fades. Lou shares what she’s learned from interviewing grapplers across all levels, why everyday stories matter in a sport often dominated by high-level voices, and how podcasting has shaped her perspective on jiu-jitsu.

This episode isn’t about techniques or highlight reels, it’s about discipline, identity, and the process of becoming better over time.

If you’ve ever questioned your progress, struggled with consistency, or wondered if you belong on the mats, this conversation will hit.

Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is where expectations shift, and the margin for error gets smaller.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Crazy 88 MMA teammates Jeremy Collins, Danny Mahoney, Navarro Chamberlain, and Andrew Carter following their performances at the IBJJF Pan Championship. This isn’t a beginner conversation; it’s a look at what changes when you reach one of the highest levels in the sport.

We break down what the brown belt level actually demands, what gets exposed in high-level competition, and how IBJJF Pans tests your technique, conditioning, and decision making under pressure. The group also shares insight into the mental side of competing, including managing expectations, dealing with losses, and refining your game as you move closer to black belt.

This episode focuses on progression, accountability, and the reality of leveling up in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, on and off the mats.

This week on Off the Mats Podcast, we welcome back one of our early guests and a good friend of mine, Jenn Brooke, for a powerful and honest conversation about her journey to 397 days of sobriety.

Jenn was a guest during the early days of the podcast, and this episode captures a full-circle moment comparing who she was then to who she is now. We dive into what led to her decision to get sober, what those first difficult days looked like, and how her life has changed since.

This isn’t just a conversation about quitting alcohol. It’s about discipline, identity, and learning how to show up for yourself when it matters most. Jenn opens up about the mental battles, the lifestyle changes, and the unexpected truths that come with choosing sobriety one day at a time.

We also explore how consistency, structure, and mindset, concepts familiar to anyone training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, play a major role in long term change outside the gym.

If you’ve ever considered making a major life change, struggled with consistency, or wondered what it really takes to rebuild your life from the ground up, this episode offers a real and relatable perspective.