This week on Better Than Average, we dive into a review of American Beauty and try to answer the question: does it still deserve its reputation as one of the greatest films ever made, or has time changed the way we see it?

We also celebrate a huge milestone as Circle of Vigour BJJ turns one year old. We look back at everything that’s been achieved, the community that’s been built, and what the future holds for the club, starting with the big one year birthday celebration.

Throw in the usual BJJ chat, a few questionable takes, and the inevitable tangents, and you’ve got another classic episode.

As always, it’s grappling, movies, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week, Chris and Jay take the Better Than Average Podcast to the Houses of Parliament to catch up with friend of the show, Will Stone MP.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like as an MP, from representing constituents to navigating Westminster, as Will shares the work he’s doing to bring drone manufacturing and high-skilled jobs to Swindon.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Better Than Average conversation without Jay taking a few spectacular detours. Somehow we end up discussing the best way to fight a bear, politics in the Philippines, medical malpractice, TRT, and what it actually means to be “whipped” in Parliament (it’s probably not what you’re thinking).

We also catch up on Will’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu progress, squeeze in plenty of movie chat, and get Will’s thoughts on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House before wrapping up another episode that’s equal parts insightful and completely unhinged.

If you’ve ever wondered what connects Parliament, BJJ, blockbuster films, bear attacks, medical malpractice and TRT… you’re about to find out.

It’s a special episode recorded in the heart of government and, as always, it’s Better Than Average.

After a six-week disappearance, Better Than Average is finally back.

Chris finally gets to review The Hunger Games, sparking a surprisingly heated debate as Jay somehow manages to completely miss the point. Is it a modern classic, or are they watching two entirely different films?

We also hear all about Jay’s trip to Los Angeles, from the highlights to the inevitable stories that only seem to happen when he’s abroad.

To round things off, the lads break down UFC’s Freedom 250, discussing the biggest moments, standout performances, and everything else that caught their attention.

As always, it’s grappling, movies, questionable takes, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Jay bags gold at Grappling Industries—but there’s a twist… very little focus on the podium pic for this one. We get into the importance (or lack of it) of the classic medal shot and what it says about the moment and the local competition scene.

Chris, meanwhile, finds himself under fire after getting caught pulling a questionable “dick move” on Northern Jonny during a live Primo shoot—expect some justification… and very little remorse.

On the film front, we review Role Models and clash over whether it deserves the label of a true 00s classic or if nostalgia is doing the heavy lifting.

Finally, the odds swing in Chris’ favour as he lands a long-debated movie recommendation on Jay—one that’s been a source of debate for some time.

As always, it’s grappling stories, film debates, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay recap the recent BJJ Seminar with Junior Silva Atleta & Luciano Araujo sharing key takeaways, standout moments, and why getting on the mats with high-level grapplers never gets old.

We also dive into a review of American Pie — a film that, for better or worse, hits a little too close to home. What starts as a nostalgic look back quickly turns into a series of uncomfortable parallels with our own teenage years, questionable decisions, and the realisation that maybe some things were better left in the early 2000s.

Seminars, nostalgia, and stories that probably shouldn’t be told.

It’s better than warm apple pie and it’s always Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we dive straight into a review of Rules of Attraction… a film that leaves Chris completely conflicted. Is it underrated? Over the top? A mess? A hidden gem? We genuinely can’t decide—but that doesn’t stop us from trying to bring some sense to the chaos.

From there, Jay breaks down his first competition as a black belt at AJP Barcelona. From the pressure of competing at a new level to the lessons learned (especially regarding toe hold orientation), it’s an honest look at what that jump really feels like.

Finally, we chat about the recent visit from James Lancaster, Mayor of Milton Keynes, and what that was like behind the scenes.

As always, it’s a mix of grappling insight, questionable film analysis, and a little carnage. But, as always, it’s Better Than Average.

#betterthanaveragepod #bjjpodcast #moviepodcast

After disappearing for six weeks, Chris and Jay are back — and the rust is barely noticeable.

This week, we attempt to catch up on everything we’ve missed, including Jay’s bold attempt to get the Mayor of Milton Keynes into a gi, and a visit from comedian, podcaster, and BJJ blue belt Chris Ramsey.

We also look ahead to Netflix’s big MMA event and dive into a review of Remember the Titans — revisiting the speeches, the team dynamics, and why this might be one of the our favourite sports films ever.

There’s rust, there’s rambling, and plenty of “what were we talking about again?” energy — but it’s good to be back.

Unstructured, unpredictable, and slightly unhinged — but still Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay take on the hard-hitting American History X, reflecting on its themes, performances, and why it remains such a powerful — and uncomfortable — watch.

We also get a full update on the Plymouth BJJ interclub competition, covering standout moments, team performances, and the ever-present lessons learned on the mats.

And in a truly unforgettable training moment, Jay attempts to take Chris out mid-workout… by coughing all over him, raising serious questions about gym etiquette, survival instincts, and whether training partners should come with hazard warnings.

Heavy topics, hard rounds, and questionable hygiene — it’s unmistakably Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay tackle one of the all-time great sequels: Terminator 2: Judgment Day. We revisit the action, the effects, the surprisingly emotional moments — and the creeping realization that some of those apocalyptic future scenes might not be as far off as we’d like to think.

We debate whether Skynet is currently on schedule, why T2 manages to outshine the original, and what makes it such a landmark in sci-fi cinema. Naturally, we also weave in the usual MMA and BJJ chat, with training talk, fight breakdowns, and the standard conversational detours that keep things… unpredictable.

Robots, doomsday forecasts, and martial arts musings — just another week of Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive headfirst into Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 sci-fi classic Total Recall. We break down the film’s unforgettable action, practical effects, mutant side characters, and the eternal question: was it all real… or wasn’t it?

Along the way, we also squeeze in the usual MMA and BJJ chat, covering training updates, fight talk, and whatever else is rattling around in our heads before inevitably circling back to Mars.

From Schwarzenegger one-liners to Martian politics, implanted memories, and explosive set pieces, we revisit why this film still holds up — and where it goes completely off the rails in the best possible way.

Strap in, grab some oxygen, and get ready for a nostalgia-fuelled deep dive — it’s Better Than Average.