Here it is, episode 23a. I know what you are thinking, why 23a? If you are an avid Better Than Average listener you will know why, two words…. Jay Swanston. This week we did catch up with our tame Mauy Thai Fighter but due to our lack of technical expertise we produced audio which is below even our relatively modest standards. Never fear, we’ll be back with Ross George next week but for this week its just me and Uncle Jay, a classic Chris and Jay adventure. So what’s in store? We recap Jay’s recent Jiujitsu Competition, we recap all the drama of UFC 290 and Jay recaps his time leading new recruits in the army. Guess what, there is always more and this week is no exception. We discuss Toxic Masculinity, bullying, Zuck’s shredded abs and the Billy Goats Gruff amongst a plethora of other topics. There are no half measures this week, we are going full send and the result isn’t perfection but it is Better Than Average.

Episode 22, two little ducks in a row. We join Chris and Jay for the 22nd round of the Better Than Average Podcast. It’s a rough one. Chris recaps his training session with Jiujitsu legend JT Torres, Jay tells us how he gave a competitor vertigo and Herc and his crew interrupt the podcast like a group of rowdy teenagers. This week is a real box of delights. We breakdown some of the best moments from UFC invitational 4, we talk Fion vs Dern, the return of the King and we burn our bridges with flowgrappling. Did I miss anything? Of course I did. We make our dream MMA match ups. We talk evolution and vagina scented candles. We even talk Politics like a couple of dorks. I know, it’s all over the place, but it’s Better Than Average.

Episode 21, it’s BTAs 21st and The Boys are back for another thrilling adventure. Chris is recovering from a stomach bug but it’s the verbal diarrhoea Jay is burdened with that causes the most discomfort. Episode 21 has it all. Jay gives us some health advice, Chris updates us on how he spent his time between toilet breaks and Herc, well, Herc doesn’t give a hoot. This week we talk MMA and one of UFCs most intriguing match ups - Zuck vs Musk. We consider what’s in store for Mike Chandler now that Connor McGregor has missed the USADA deadline and we talk about one of the biggest celebs in Jiujitsu. It’s a big one, our 21st and we are in the mood to celebrate. Rest assured, as we enter adulthood we do so with one pledge, we will continue to be Better Than Average.

Episode 20, twenty weeks in the making. It’s been a long and treacherous journey and it’s not over yet. So, what do we have for you on this, our twentieth instalment? Well, it has shades of the early days and just a hint of progress. Jay gets two unsolicited interruptions this week which he handles pretty terribly. He forgets the names of just about everyone in BJJ and he gushes over a recent encounter with one of his man crushes. Chris gives a quick recap on IBJJF worlds. He learns a little about how bad Jay is at driving lorries and Jay brings him up to date with the latest Connor McGregor incident. That’s it? God no. We have a religious encounter, we talk MMA and some of the biggest characters in the UFC and we discuss the future of a rising star in woman’s grappling. Episode 20, it’s a wild ride but it’s still Better Than Average.

Better Than Average 19, the one after the one before. A post-holiday Podcast. Chris and Super-tanned Jay settle right back into the BTA experiment with an express Podcast perfect for those of you lacking the vigorousity demanded by our normal BTA content. So, what can you expect from the leaned down version of the Chris and Jay podcasting experience? You can expect to learn a little about Greek Legends and the people of Cyprus. You’ll learn a little about what not to due during a live unedited podcast, and possibly most importantly, you’ll learn which Wizarding House Jay Swanston belongs in. Did I miss anything? Come on, of course I did. We talk JiuJitsu and the new aggressive style of Mckenzie Dern. We talk UFC 289 and Oliveira’s domination of Beneil Dariush and we talk Amanda Nunes and her legacy in MMA. Did I catch everything? Wait, there is more. We discuss life in the metaverse, life on deployment and Jay dishes out a life lesson. Sounds like a wild ride right? It really is, but its Better Than Average and if you’re here 19 episodes in we all know that’s the way you like it so settle down and let’s get nuts.

BTA’s eightieth birthday, the moment it gets real. What’s the order of business for number 18? This is Better Than Average recorded under pressure. Chris attempts to keep Jay in the light while we discuss post-apocalyptic protocol. Jay relives the moment he nearly gets caught in one of Jiujitsu’s snazziest submissions and we discuss how you train that crushing top pressure without crushing the relationships you have in the gym. Is that everything? God no. Jay becomes Fabricio and tells us what its like to be approaching 40. Chris learns about Jay’s favourite Malaysian Martial Arts movie and we discuss one of the many upcoming UFC events, 289. We talk weight cutting, the rise of woman’s Jiujitsu and the birds and the bees. I know, it’s a hot mess, that’s ok its Better Than Average.

Episode 17, BTA XVII, the 17th leg in the journey that is the Better Than Average Podcast. We join Chris and the newly crowned interim champ of the old man division, Jason Swanston. What eclectic mix of delights do we have in store you on the 17th week? Jay loses all sense of time, Chris shares a guilty pleasure and we talk the important subject of man crushes. Jay tells us all about the British Open, the man behind that infamous triangle and treats our listens to another ’flex’. We talk about one of Jiujitsu’s most taboo submissions with a special shout out to our friends at The Wrist Lock Club. We discuss the merits of ADCC and WNO over the traditional IBJJF competition and get a special visit from an Akido Legend. Any else? Come on, you know there is something else. We try a new feature, experiment with AI image generation and Jay teaches us how to get that killer cardio. Is BTA XVII going to blow your mind? Its possible, but 100%, its Better Than Average.

Episode 16. The 16th instalment of Chris and Jays epic series. The one after the one before. The first week back after our legendary transatlantic edition. What’s in store for chapter 16? Jay gets his first tap via ‘Benitez Fingers’, Chris talks gym fails and we look forward to Jays rematch with Pythagoras. Is there more to episode 16? Naturally, there is is so much more. Chris invents a new tagline, Jay invents a new medieval weapon and together we attempt to invent a new feature for the pod. This week we talk Kron Gracie and his MMA return, Salvador Dalí and his messed up portraits and look forward to UFC 191 King of Hot Sauce vs the Human Highlight. It’s raw and unedited, it’s both brilliant and terrible, it’s Better Than

Episode 15, the big one, the pinnacle of the Chris and Jay podcasting experiment. This week Chris and Jay go transatlantic and speak to New Jersey’s answer to Jason Mamoa, Prof Miguel Benitez. What do we talk about? Oh, there is so much to talk about. We talk about Miguel’s role as ADCC Head referee for NA and his approach to refereeing grappling matches. We talk about Miguel’s thoughts on running a BJJ School, lawsuits in BJJ and we talk about what it is like training under Tom Deblass. Was there anything else? Hell yeah there was. Miguel fills us in on his day job and his deep love of trains, he tells us what the Goat himself was like as a 14 year old and we learn a new submission to try out on the local competition circuit. Father, Black Belt, Podcaster, School Owner, ADCC Ref and Train Guy. A legit dude. Did we do the magnitude of the event justice? Its probably not the best zoom interview ever conducted, but as always, its Better Than Average.

Chapter 14, the 14th instalment, a full fortnight of podcasting pleasure. We join Chris and Jay post lifting session, Jay’s pumped and Chris is exhausted.

What’s on the agenda for the 14th? As always it’s a assortment of items. We talk post exercise recovery and cupping. We talk modern art and Jay’s surprisingly artistic background. We talk bare knuckle boxing and plan a Dojo storm. Sounds like a lot? Well, there’s more of course. Chris expresses an unpopular opinion on the subject of solo drilling, Jay educates us all on one of the more curious parts of the Geneva Convention and Herc makes a run the the exit. It’s bold, it’s unfiltered, it’s 2 bloody hours but that’s ok, it’s Better Than Average.