In this episode, Miguel talks to Gonzalez Grappling Head Coaches Jason Gonzalez and his son Lil Jay about what makes the bond inside a jiu jitsu gym unlike anything else in sports. From the grind of training partners pushing each other through tough camps, to the pride of watching students and teammates shine on competition day, they get real about the highs and lows of the fight life. They laugh about how the closer you are, the more you mess with each other, why true teammates don’t care if you win or lose, and what separates watered-down martial arts from real fighting. Plus, they highlight Lil Jay’s viral baseball bat choke moment.

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In this episode, Miguel sits down with his wife Sonja Ramirez, who recently started training Jiu Jitsu and just experienced her first real injury—a knee tweak that opened the door to a much deeper conversation. They react to the video “Jiu Jitsu Saved My Life but Destroyed My Body” and unpack the hard truth: if you’re on the road to Black Belt, injuries are part of the deal. But with every comeback, your mind gets stronger—and that toughness starts showing up in every part of your life, ultimately leading to mastery of your life.

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In this episode, Miguel sits down with Darius “Humble Beast” Ryan, a rising Streetbeefs West Coast fighter known for smiling mid-fight and bringing heart to every round. From childhood dreams of WWE to real-life wrestling mats, Darius discovered his love for competition early. He opens up about finding Streetbeefs, what it feels like to get punched and still love it, and how fighting has become a positive outlet that keeps him grounded, joyful, and motivated. This one’s all energy, heart, and honesty.

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In this powerful episode, Miguel sits down with Caleb, Matt, Chris, and Phil at the 2025 Veterans Breakthrough Jiu Jitsu Retreat to talk about how this nonprofit is changing lives. Veterans Breakthrough is helping veterans find purpose and connection through all-inclusive retreats and Jiu Jitsu scholarships to local gyms. These retreats create a safe space where veterans open up about their experiences, build lasting bonds, and experience the physical and mental benefits that come with training Jiu Jitsu.

Veterans Breakthrough http://www.veteransbreakthrough.org

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In this episode, Miguel sits down with Martin “Tiny Tank” Rubio, one of the original driving forces behind Streetbeefs West Coast. From backyard brawls in high school to building a multi-state movement, Tiny Tank shares how fighting gave him purpose, discipline, and a whole new direction in life. He opens up about his journey to sobriety, losing over 60 pounds, and how Streetbeefs became the catalyst for a powerful personal transformation that’s still going strong today.

Follow Tiny Tank and Streetbeefs below: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tinytank__/ SBWC: https://www.youtube.com/@StreetbeefsWestCoast 

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Miguel sits down with "Naughty" Nate Smith, host of the Forever a White Belt Podcast and coach at Columbia River Jiu Jitsu and Reptilian Top Team, for a deep dive into the mindset that keeps martial artists growing. They break down the importance of staying curious and open to learning, no matter your rank. Nate shares how a fighter’s style reveals their personality and how he uses that insight to bring out the best in his students. They also explore the life lessons martial arts teach beyond the mats.

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Miguel sits down with Phil and Kyle from Veterans Breakthrough, along with Dave, a scholarship recipient whose life has been transformed by jiu jitsu. Veterans Breakthrough is helping military veterans find purpose and connection through jiu jitsu, covering gym memberships and hosting events to build a supportive community. They discuss why so many veterans are drawn to the sport, how it mirrors the brotherhood of the military, and the powerful impact training has on mental and physical well-being.

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In this episode, Miguel sits down with Rob "DOC" Gerson, an anesthesiologist and jiu jitsu black belt, to dive into the challenges of staying healthy on the mats. They discuss how to find the right doctor for jiu jitsu athletes, tips for managing common injuries, and knowing when surgery or medical attention is necessary. Rob shares advice on training through setbacks, preventing injuries, and the mindset it takes to keep coming back to the sport you love.

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In this episode, Miguel sits down with Somké, a Streetbeefs WestCoast fighter and referee, to explore his journey into the world of backyard fighting. They discuss how Somké’s love for cartoons and anime like Pokémon and DBZ influenced him, discovering his dad’s boxing background, and standing up to bullies. Somké shares how he found Streetbeefs, highlights from his fights, and his show MMA Underground with Buddy V.

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In this powerful episode, Miguel sits down with his friend and training partner Carl Richey to discuss the profound impact jiu jitsu has had on his life. Carl shares his experiences competing at the highest levels, including earning second place at the World Master Tournament. They explore how grappling can serve as a form of meditation and how training helped Carl navigate some of life’s most challenging moments, proving the resilience and community that jiu jitsu can offer.

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