Chris Passarello is a BJJ instructor and competitor that trains out of Pittsburgh, PA. Although Pittsburgh is not often represented in the BJJ scene, Chris promises that there will be stars emerging from that region in the next few years. 

It is difficult to not get inspired to hit the mats after listening to this episode. Chris highlights the struggles he had to overcome to get to where he is today. 

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 1:29 BJJ scene in Pittsburgh

7:38 McDojos

9:35 What makes his gym different

13:20 Introduction to BJJ

20:50 How BJJ humbled him and changed his life

22:54 End goal of becoming world champ

25:05 Biggest setbacks

32:07 Lessons learned from each setback

37:12 What pushed him through hard times

42:34 Black belt

47:56 True test of a person

55:02 Are people born with that drive?

1:00:15 What is it about BJJ that has that effect on people?

1:04:06 BJJ effect on mental health

1:08:04 Uncomfortableness

1:09:55 What BJJ meant to you throughout life

1:13:37 Advice to anyone who wants to be a blackbelt in life