Jiu Jitsu Dummies

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

On this episode of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, we welcome jiu-jitsu legend Rigan Machado, a 9th-degree black belt, along with Larry Shealy, head of Rigan’s Mach5 Union. Rigan shares stories from the early days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, the evolution of the art from old-school tradition to today’s modern game, the Machado family’s lasting impact on the BJJ community, and how he is working to create positive change and make jiu-jitsu community better through Mach5 Union. He also discusses training and working with Hollywood stars, including Ashton Kutcher and the late Chadwick Boseman, known worldwide for his role as Black Panther. From jiu-jitsu history and personal stories to training, culture, and a few laughs along the way, this is a must-listen conversation for every grappler. Stay tuned until the end to find out the answer to a very important question: Does Rigan Machado wash his jiu-jitsu belt?

 

Instagram Handles:

@riganmachado

@larry_shealy

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

Episode 193 of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast features Black Belt Kevin Gallagher, the charismatic owner of Gracie Trinity Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Trinity, Florida, and one of the most entertaining voices in the modern Jiu-Jitsu conversation.

In this episode, we dive into all things Jiu-Jitsu, from the “cult” vibes and inside jokes to the life-changing friendships, mentorships, and relationships that keep us all coming back to the mats. Kevin breaks down what makes a healthy academy culture, his rise on social media, and what it’s like to build an audience as a Jiu-Jitsu coach, and why authenticity matters more than ever for coaches and students alike.

We also talk about safety and trust on the mats, including Kevin’s decision to become an accredited Academy Safe member and what that means for parents, students, and coaches training at his academy. From background checks and safety education to setting clear standards, we dig into how a safer training environment helps Jiu-Jitsu grow the right way.

If you love honest Jiu-Jitsu talk, real stories from the trenches, and a deeper look at where our culture is headed, this episode is for you!!

 

Instagram Handles:

@unclecoachkevinbjj

@gracie_trinity_bjj

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Wodify - $100 off per month, for life!

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

On this episode of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, we welcome back returning guest Officer John Thompson for a real conversation about Jiu-Jitsu for law enforcement and how grappling impacts the street. John shares updates on the academy he coaches at, Brazil-021 in Chicago, what’s new in the world of law enforcement training, and how officers are using Jiu-Jitsu to stay safer and more effective. We also dive into his work with Effective Fitness Combatives (EFC), talking about their approach to combatives, training curriculum, and why their programs have become so popular in the law enforcement community. As a law enforcement officer and host of the Man of the Law Podcast, John brings a unique perspective on training, policy, and culture. If you’re interested in Jiu-Jitsu, policing, or how combatives training is evolving, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

 

Instagram Handles:

@man_of_the_law_

@brazil021chicagohq

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

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FightTape.us - Get 10% OFF with code: JJD

 

Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

 

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

In Episode 191 of the @JiuJitsuDummies podcast, we sit down with Black Belt Chris Mierzwiak from @MeruBJJ and @WODIFY to dive deep into the business and lifestyle of Jiu-Jitsu. 

From the journey of starting an academy to building a sustainable and thriving student base, this episode is packed with real-world insight for academy owners and instructors alike.

We also explore how tools like @WODIFY can be leveraged as a powerful CRM to streamline operations, improve student retention, and ultimately help grow your academy. Chris shares practical strategies, lessons learned, and actionable advice for anyone looking to take their Jiu-Jitsu business to the next level.

Whether you’re already running an academy or thinking about opening one, this conversation covers what it really takes to succeed, on and off the mats. Plus, we mix in plenty of Jiu-Jitsu talk, mindset, and community perspectives that make this art so powerful.

 

Instagram handles:

@merubjj

@wodify

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

Wodify - $100 off per month, for life!

Flow N Roll - Get 20% OFF with Code: JJD

Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast Store - Get 15% OFF with code: JJD

FightTape.us - Get 10% OFF with code: JJD

Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

In episode 190 of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, we sit down with Javier “Showtime” Vazquez, 5th degree black belt, former professional MMA fighter, and author of The Master Plan: From Chaos to Clarity in Jiu-Jitsu, available on Amazon. Javier shares his journey from the MMA cage to building a complete Jiu-Jitsu operating system designed to bring structure, strategy, and calm to the chaos of grappling. We dive into his unique approach to Jiu-Jitsu, why so many students struggle under traditional curricula, and how The Master Plan helps practitioners see the art in a completely new way. If you love Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, or just the idea of turning chaos into clarity on and off the mats, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

 

Instagram handle:

@jvjiujitsu

@therealjaviervazquez

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

Wodify - $100 off per month, for life!

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

On this episode of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, Black Belts Milton Campis and Ben Stark sit down for a real conversation about some tough topics in the Jiu-Jitsu community. We talk about dating at your academy, background checks for coaches and academy owners, and the Melqui Galvão incident involving his arrest in Brazil. This one is all about boundaries, accountability, and keeping Jiu-Jitsu academies safe for everyone.

Instagram handle:

@mmacoachben

@jiujitsudummies

@academysafe

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

Episode 188 of the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast features entrepreneur, speaker, business coach, and fellow podcast host Dan 'Big D' Sachkowsky as we dive deep into the mindset and mechanics of building a successful life and business. We talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, sales, and communication, and how to turn hard lessons into practical strategies you can use right now to level up your career or company. From staying motivated when things get tough to creating opportunities through relationships and consistency, we get to know Big Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky and unpack the principles that have driven his success.

 

Instagram handle:

@_big_dan_official

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

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Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

Flow N Roll - Get 20% OFF with Code: JJD

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

On episode 187, Milton Campis and Ben Stark go from the mats to the boardroom and everywhere in between as they sit down for a real, unfiltered conversation about jiu-jitsu, martial arts, and the lives we build around them. In this episode they riff on training, team culture, the state of the world, and how lessons from the academy bleed into business, family, and everyday life. Most of the talk is about being a better training partner and human being, with a few detours into business and academy ownership for the listeners who are building something of their own. When Milton and Ben go unplugged, you get stories, hard-earned perspectives, and plenty of laughs from two black belts who have been around the block on and off the mats.

Instagram handles:

@jiujitsudummies

@mmacoachben

@academysafe

@blackbeltdigitalmarketing

@attpbg

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

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Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

In this episode, we sit down with Steven Chin, a law enforcement officer and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with decades of experience on the mats. Steven brings a unique perspective as a defensive tactics expert who has spent his career bridging the gap between traditional martial arts and real-world application. We spend time talking about his deep roots in knife training, which remains one of his longest-running disciplines and a core part of his tactical foundation. From the technical nuances of being a long-time black belt to the practical realities of life in uniform, Steven shares the insights he has gained from his years of dedicated training and service.

 

Instagram handle:

@directactiontraining

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

Flow N Roll - Get 20% OFF with Code: JJD

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Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast, presented by Black Belt Digital Marketing and AcademySafe.org

In this episode, Milton and Ben dive into the heavy headlines currently surfacing across the Jiu-Jitsu landscape. This week is a "solo session" where we address the mounting allegations and controversies involving major names and camps, including Atos, Kingsway, and Checkmat.

As black belts and academy leaders, we discuss the critical need for better boundaries and professional standards within our schools. We address the serious issues of misconduct and inappropriate behavior that have recently come to light, and we explore how the community can move toward a more transparent future.

Central to this conversation is the mission of Academy Safe. We discuss how formal accreditation and safety standards are no longer just an option; they are a requirement for protecting our students and the integrity of the sport.

Topics discussed:

• Recent community allegations and their impact on the culture.

• Holding owners and coaches to a higher standard of accountability.

• The role of Academy Safe in creating a secure environment for all practitioners.

Instagram handles:

@jiujitsudummies

@mmacoachben

@academysafe

@attpbg

 

Thank you to Episode Sponsors: 

Black Belt Digital Marketing - Request a FREE Review of your company's online presence today!

Academy Safe - Join or Donate now 

Flow N Roll - Get 20% OFF with Code: JJD

Leao Optics - Get 10% OFF with Code: JJD

Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast Store - Get 15% OFF with code: JJD

FightTape.us - Get 10% OFF with code: JJD

 

Contact the Dummies @JiuJitsuDummies on Instagram, Facebook, and X or at milton@jiujitsudummies.com to submit questions for consideration on the show. You can now also find us on TikTok @JiuJitsuDummiesPodcast

Visit Jiu Jitsu Dummies for more details about the show, becoming a Sponsor, and a list of sites and apps to download or view the podcast.