Episode 141 is a full BJJ Balance chaos session. Kenny and Matt talk purple belt promotions, what separates purple belts from brown belts, how to slow your game down, surviving huge training partners, tournament horror stories, pressure passing, half guard, and why jiu-jitsu always makes you feel better even on a bad day. Plus NBA referee rants, podcast growth talk, sponsor jokes, and Matt explaining why some sports are sports and some are just skills.Sponsored by Optiva Wellness

Use code BJJBalance10 at checkout.Follow BJJ Balance everywhere: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, and Discord.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesdBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week on BJJ Balance, we dive into something bigger than jiu-jitsu.

Mat opens up about hitting a point in life where being comfortable isn't enough anymore. With a great family, a successful career, and a growing podcast, why does the desire for more keep getting louder?

We talk about taking calculated risks, building something meaningful, finding the right people to grow with, and why chasing your potential becomes harder to ignore as you get older.

We also answer listener questions on:

When to move on from techniques that aren't working

Letting your blue belts "eat"

Why wrestlers often progress faster than hobbyists

Common mistakes that stall jiu-jitsu growth

Injuries at purple belt

TRT, recovery, and supplements

Social media drama in the BJJ world

Why giving your training partners credit matters

Plus, Kenny gets roasted once again.

If you've ever felt like you're capable of more, this episode is for you.
Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week on After The Roll, absolutely nothing is safe.

The conversation starts with a completely normal debate about whether there are more one-eyed creatures or one-legged creatures in the world before immediately taking a hard left turn into lube preferences, hot sauce disasters, and why some products should never make it into the bedroom. From there, Matt delivers what might be the most outrageous story ever told on the podcast—a hot wax experience that somehow became a relationship-defining moment.

The guys also dive into school pickup politics, sizing up every room you walk into, why a few kickboxing classes can create dangerous levels of confidence, and the reality gap between knowing how to fight and actually being able to fight.

Things eventually take a surprisingly wholesome turn as Matt reflects on watching his wife endure nearly 40 hours of labor without an epidural and why it remains one of the most impressive things he’s ever witnessed.

Somehow this episode manages to be hilarious, ridiculous, inappropriate, and heartfelt all at the same time. Exactly what After The Roll was made for.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week the boys break down a wild IBJJF competition experience, lessons learned from taking an L, why the pressure of competing is addictive, belt promotions, gym culture, patches on gis, building leaders through jiu-jitsu, and the future of the sport.

They also dive into Craig Jones speculation, CJI talk, UFC BJJ, promotion standards, and why blue belt is just the beginning. Plus: steroid jokes, giant ultra-heavies, rash guards, music playlists, and the usual chaos.

This episode of After The Roll goes completely off the rails.

The boys break down the rise of UFC BJJ, whether the promotion is actually good for jiu-jitsu, and why fighters are chasing the UFC name. They also dive deep into Mikey Musumeci’s role as the face of UFC BJJ, why some fans love him, and why others think the “cringe” factor is hurting the sport.Then things spiral into:

A2 gi slander

tournament prep

Bloodsport appreciation

belt tying etiquette

bathroom horror stories

Taco Bell debates

jiu-jitsu gym culture

and some of the wildest analogies ever said on this podcast

Classic BJJ Balance: equal parts jiu-jitsu discussion, comedy, chaos, and absolute nonsense.

Topics include:

UFC BJJ & the future of grappling

Mikey Musumeci controversy

PGF vs UFC BJJ

Bloodsport & martial arts movies

Tournament mindset

A2 gi jokes

Belt promotion etiquette

Grapple App discussion

Jiu-jitsu culture

Bathroom & Taco Bell stories

#BJJBalance #UFCBJJ #MikeyMusumeci #JiuJitsu #BJJPodcast #AfterTheRoll #PGF #CraigJones #Grappling #BloodsportPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Shawn Melanson joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern jiu-jitsu. We dive deep into the PGF season, the Phenom team controversy, social media strategy in BJJ, building a personal brand, BJJ Fanatics instructionals, competition culture, gym ownership, training philosophies, and why Sean believes most athletes are leaving money and opportunities on the table.

Shawn talks about being underestimated during the PGF draft, using controversy to build storylines, the realities of sponsorships in jiu-jitsu, why social media matters more than titles for most athletes, and how he built a loyal following by being authentic online.

We also get into old-school pressure passing, knee slice passing, route drags, competition training, hobbyist gyms vs competition gyms, coaching women in jiu-jitsu, seminars, building a gym culture, and the future of the PGF.

If you’re into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no-gi grappling, BJJ culture, PGF, CJI, ADCC, gym ownership, instructionals, or social media growth for athletes — this episode is packed.

#BJJ #JiuJitsu #NoGi #PGF #shawnmelanson #BJJFanatics #Grappling #BrazilianJiuJitsu #ADCC #CJI #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuLife #BJJTraining #MMA #SubmissionGrappling

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:

IG: @BJJBalance

Discord: discord.gg/bjjbalance

Tik Tok: @BJJBalance

YouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalance

Kenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJ

Matt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This episode of BJJ Balance After The Roll gets HEATED

.Matt returns from Vegas with stories about Morgan Wallen, gambling losses, and expensive concerts before the conversation completely shifts into one of the most passionate jiu-jitsu debates we’ve had yet.

The guys dive deep into:

Are jiu-jitsu belts getting watered down?

Should “gym belts” be held to the same standard as competitors?

Attendance-based promotions in BJJ

Old-school gauntlets & shark tanks

Fake belts and gym politics

Why difficult training creates stronger teams

Sean Strickland vs Khamzat predictions

Open mats, competition mentality & proving yourself

This episode is funny, chaotic, brutally honest, and packed with strong opinions about the current state of jiu-jitsu culture. If you love raw BJJ conversations and uncensored gym talk, this one is for you.Subscribe for weekly episodes covering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, UFC, grappling culture, competition mindset, gym stories, and listener questions.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MMA #UFC #SeanStrickland #KhamzatChimaev #BJJPodcast #NoGi #Grappling #IBJJF #BJJBalancePlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In this solo episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny goes off-script and lets the audience run the show.From belt progression and imposter syndrome to dealing with wrestlers, shark tanks, and the realities of training—this episode is raw, honest, and unfiltered.This is one of the most real conversations about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—covering the struggles, mindset, and lessons that every grappler goes through.Whether you're a white belt, blue belt, or beyond… this one will hit.🔥 Topics Covered:Kenny’s journey into jiu-jitsuThe truth about the BJJ belt systemImposter syndrome at blue beltHow to deal with wrestlers in classGuard development & weaknessesShark tank & belt testing cultureMusic, lifestyle & training mindsetPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This episode of BJJ Balance starts off completely unfiltered… and somehow turns into one of our most relatable conversations yet.

We kick things off with a hilarious (and chaotic) debate about “White Boy of the Year,” dive into nostalgia from the 90s and early 2000s, and eventually bring it back to what really matters—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training, and growth on the mats.

From old-school iPods to childhood music memories, to real talk about injuries, training progression, and how long it actually takes to reach black belt… this episode covers it all.💬 We also want YOUR input:

What’s the one song that defines your childhood?🥋

In this episode:

Ranking “White Boy of the Year” candidates 😂

Nostalgia: iPods, music, and growing up

Training updates + evolving your jiu-jitsu game

How long it REALLY takes to earn a black belt

Injuries, consistency, and staying on the mats

Should you follow your coach if they leave?

📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes on:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu • Training • Culture • Real Life👇

Comment below:

What’s YOUR “song of your childhood”? We might use it in a clip 👀Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, things go completely off the rails early… but somehow circle back into real, valuable jiu-jitsu insight.

We talk about gym culture, early morning training sessions, competition prep, and what it really means to grow in jiu-jitsu—both as a student and as a coach. Along the way, we get into some wild side tangents, old-school nostalgia, and the kind of conversations you only have with your training partners.

If you’ve ever trained at 6AM, struggled to stay consistent, or wondered how to level up without burning out—this one’s for you.

Topics include:

The reality of early morning classes (4AM/6AM grind)How to keep students from falling through the cracks

Competition mindset & why signing up changes everything

Training intensity vs. learning as a white/blue belt

Gym culture, coaching responsibility, and retention

Why wrestling builds a different kind of toughness

Plus… a LOT of chaos in betweenPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj