In this episode of Get A Grip, Kendall sits down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete Sula-Mae Loewenthal to explore what it really means to have a grip on your life — on and off the mats.

From the early days of launching Get A Grip in an Austin Airbnb to navigating burnout after ADCC 2024, this conversation goes deeper than wins and losses. Kendall and Sula break down mental toughness, balance, and wellness basics for high achievers chasing big goals, while also unpacking why competition doesn’t always “change your life” the way people expect it to.

They discuss standout moments like beating Helena Crevar at Polaris, the pressure of elite competition, and how to stay grounded when you’re not winning everything — yet still becoming an influential, impactful athlete. This episode is especially for the driven person who may never be a “pro fighter,” but still wants to give their absolute best, grow through discomfort, and pursue something meaningful.

If you’ve ever felt burnt out, questioned the point of competing, or wondered whether your goals are big enough, this conversation will challenge how you define success — and why chasing something that feels just out of reach might be exactly the point.

🎙️ Topics include:

- What it really means to “have a grip” on your life

- Recovering from burnout and inconsistency

- Mental toughness beyond winning titles

- Competing for growth, not validation

- Why achievable goals aren’t always worth chasing

⭐️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review. It helps more people find the show — and helps us keep these conversations going.

🎧 Connect:

Follow Kendall Reusing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kendallreusingbjj

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/kendallreusing

Website: https://www.kendallreusing.com

Follow Sula-Mae Loewenthal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sula_mae_loewenthal

Episode Show Notes:

00:00 Launching Get A Grip in an Austin Airbnb

01:30 What does it mean to have a grip on your life?

02:45 The tightrope analogy: balancing life

06:25 Wellness basics when chasing big goals

07:04 Recovering from burnout after ADCC 2024

09:50 Why ADCC doesn’t really “change your life”

12:51 Beating Helena Crevar at Polaris

13:46 Sweet Sweat Ad – recovery, consistency, and showing up for your goals

15:17 Mental toughness without winning everything

17:11 Connecting through loss and struggle

19:51 What’s the point of competing?

22:41 Message to the high achiever

24:37 Why achievable goals aren’t worth chasing

Another special live episode recorded straight from my booth at Jiu Jitsu Con 2025. You on the mic again… 🎤

From competition nerves and confidence building to training mindset, life balance, and leveling up your game plan… this episode dives into all the real questions from athletes, coaches, and fans who stopped by to chat. Whether you’re brand new to Jiu Jitsu or chasing that next belt, this one’s packed with insight you can use today — on and off the mats. 🥋✨

If you love hearing convos, please subscribe wherever you’re listening + share this one with a teammate or training partner who’d appreciate it too.

Always cheering you on, Kendall 🤍

⸻ PS – Upcoming stuff you’ll love 👇🏼 * Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (currently closed, but this gets you first access to next cohort early 2026): https://kendallreusing.com *

JJA IRL Weekend – Dec 6–7, 2025 | Newport Beach, CA: https://kendallreusing.com/events

Hawaii Paradise BJJ Retreat – Feb 2026 with Kekoa Collective: https://kendallreusing.com/events

K Merch (Use code “Champion10”): https://kendallreusing.com/shop

0:00 Start

0:01 Intro

0:36 What's the Hardest Part of Your Training?

2:49 Who Was Your Hardest Match?

3:00 What is Your Fav Comp Technique?

4:44 Kendall-cana Details

6:48 What's The Most Challenging Part of The Journey?

9:00 How Do You Escape Bottom Mount?

10:15 How Do you Think Brought So Many Women To BJJ?

16:15 Would You Do UFCBJJ?

19:58 What's Your Fav Armbar?

20:40 What Do You Do After Comp?

22:38 Have You Wanted To Quit Mid Comp?

28:07 How Many Years Have You Been Training?

31:05 Will You Fight For The Crown?

32:33 IBJJF VS ADCC Ruleset?

36:45 What Was The Experience of JJCON?

In this live workshop recorded at Jiu-Jitsu Con, I sits down with my technical coach, 2nd degree black belt ( & WNO submission record holder!) Saul Viayra to break down one of the most powerful tools for your progress on (and off) the mats — Roadmapping. You’ll learn how to take the guesswork out of your training by organizing your strengths, exposing your weaknesses, and creating a clear 12-week plan that actually moves you toward your goals. Inside this episode: 🧭 What Road Mapping really is — and why every serious student needs one 🧠 How to do a full Brain Dump of your strengths & weaknesses 🔁 The art of Reverse Engineering your ideal game 🎯 How to identify 3–5 key focus areas and build your 12-Week Road Map 🗂 Structuring your order of progression for faster results 📈 Measuring progress over time and tracking your wins This is the episode to bookmark if you’re ready to train with intention, build a real system around your growth, and start seeing measurable progress on your path to black belt. ✨ For more free tools, training plans, and mentorship resources, visit kendallreusing.com 🏖️ To come to one of my events IRL (including Newport Beach in December and Hawaii next February), visit: kendallreusing.com/events 0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 1:01 What Road Mapping Is 2:20 Brain Dump - Strengths & Weaknesses 6:13 Reverse Engineering 11:03 Favorite Game Plan 15:56 Identify 3-5 Weaknesses in Game Plan 20:12 Twelve Week Road Map 21:32 Order Of Progression Mapped Out 27:00 Measuring Progress 32:00 Map Three To Six Months

In this special live episode of Get A Grip, I sit down with over 200 incredible women at the Alchemize Women’s Grappling Fest in Los Angeles, California for a powerful Q&A following my seminar.

We dive deep into some of the most important topics every Jiu Jitsu athlete faces… from competition mindset and daily routines, to developing confidence after a new belt promotion, training with intention to improve faster, and how to stay mentally strong through injuries.

I also open up about working with other mindset coaches, what it really takes to train like a champion, and the importance of community in women’s Jiu Jitsu.

Whether you’re a white belt just starting out or a seasoned black belt chasing your next goal, this conversation will help you refocus, and reignite your belief in yourself. 

Connect with me: Instagram — @kendallreusing TikTok — @kendallreusing Coaching & Camps — kendallreusing.com

📣 PS: don’t miss out on 2 very special events coming up!! 👇

🌺🥋✨🌈 Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) tickets are already 30% sold out at the time of this posting – https://kendallreusing.com/events

🏖️🥋 Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events

0:00 Start

0:06 Developing your mental game for competition

8:40 Getting injured while getting ready for a competition

14:07 Difference between brown/black belts and lower belts

12:47 Your Experience with Mindset Mike Coaching experience

Guyssss I’m obsessed with this interview! 🤩 I grabbed these two legends for a Q&A — live at Jiu-Jitsu Con, and it’s one of my favorites of all time.

This episode of Get A Grip brings together Rafael Lovato Jr. and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (two of the most accomplished and respected athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history)…

for a rare, open conversation about what it really takes to perform at the highest level.

We dive into everything from competition-day rituals to the mindset behind chasing greatness over decades on the mats.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

⚔️ How Lovato and Buchecha mentally and physically prepare for competition day

🧠 The toughest matches they’ve ever faced — and how they handled the pressure

💪🏼 Their advice for handling fatigue, adrenaline, and recovery

🏆 What it actually feels like to achieve your championship dream again and again

☕️ Their top coffee picks (yes, this is crucial intel 😂)

🕰 Tips for longevity and thriving in Jiu-Jitsu well into your 50s and beyond

It’s a rare look into the minds of two champions who’ve not only built legacy, but continue to redefine it.

If you love hearing the why and how behind greatness, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and tag us with your biggest takeaway. Connect with me on Instagram @kendallreusing & the pod page @getagripwithk.

💫 PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼

🌺🥋✨🌈 Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) tickets are already 30% sold out at the time of this posting – https://kendallreusing.com/events

Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening in a couple months, my waitlist gets first access to spots): – https://kendallreusing.com

Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events

K Merch (Discount Code “Champion10” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop

0:00 Start 0:01 Intro 0:22 How Do You Prepare On Comp Day? 7:28 What Was The Toughest Match To Prepare For Mentally & Physically? 12:47 How to Prepare Outside Comp For Physical Fatigue & The Adrenaline? 20:21 What Is It Like Achieving Your Championship Dream Multiple Times? 28:27 What's The Best Coffee You've Had? 28:54 What Advice For 54 Yo With Longevity In BJJ?

Episode 40 is another fun one, because it was recorded on site at my Jiu-Jitsu Con booth with questions from YOU! 😍 I'd never done this before, but I had folks from all walks of life come by the booth and hop on the mic (including some really high level youth competitors 🕺)... and we went deep into allll things (especially mindset).

I hope you enjoy this live q&a with the extra special guests. Please share this episode with a friend who might like it, too.

Always cheering you on, Kendall

PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼

Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening in a couple months, my waitlist gets first access to spots): – https://kendallreusing.com

Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/events

Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) – https://kendallreusing.com/events

K Merch (Discount Code “Champion” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop

0:00 Start

0:01 Intro

0:45 How does it feel being here in your femininity?

3:26 Hardest competition moment?

6:35 How was transitioning from kids to adult divisions?

10:17 How do you manage competition stress?

14:07 What do you do right before stepping on the mats?

17:27 What inspired you to train BJJ?

19:51 What do you think as you step on to compete?

22:41 How to control feelings before competing?

29:38 Has anyone made you doubt yourself in BJJ?

37:27 What make you start BJJ?

39:56 What is your match mindset?

43:00 Outro

In this episode of Get A Grip, I sit down with Rose Miller — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Galvao, nutritionist, 1:1 coach for folks all over the world, and an incredible voice for authenticity in our sport.

We dive deep into topics like: navigating body image, the challenges (and ridiculousness 😂) of ADHD, the prevalence of weight cuts in combat sports, and the darker seasons of life that every athlete (and human) faces.

Rosie shares her personal journey with honesty and strength, reminding us that even in the hardest moments, there’s space to grow and find purpose. Whether you’re an athlete chasing gold medals or someone working through your own battles outside the gym, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that resilience is built one choice, one comeback, one moment of courage at a time.

✨ Connect with Rosie on Instagram —> @rosierollz. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs it, leave a rating / review. 

Connect with me here: Instagram (@kendallreusing), TikTok (@kendallreusing), or join my JJA Waitlist ( 1:1 coaching apps re-open Sept. 23!! —> kendallreusing.com )

***PS — In case you missed it, tickets to my All Inclusive Jiu Jitsu Vacay in HAWAII just launched 🌈 only 14 spots left at the time of this posting :) come hang with us next Feb. —> https://kekoacollective.com/pages/kendall-reusing-hawaii-jiu-jitsu-camp 

0:00 Start

0:01 Intro

3:26 Body Image, Beauty Standards, & Weight Cutting

17:09 GAG Question

22:11 Insecurity Complex

30:09 Not Being Present

32:16 Dark Period That Shaped You

40:20 ADHD

50:25 GAG Question Again

Episode 38 is suuuper special because it was recorded on site at my Jiu-Jitsu Con booth (which was a crazy experience, by the way 😂).

I’ve been a long-time fan of both Romulo and Xande, and lucky enough to train with each of them as well.

No matter where you are in your journey, this is the episode for you. These guys drop insight after insight… with a big dose of humor, too. :)

I hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did. Please share this episode with a friend who might like it, too.

Always cheering you on, Kendall

PS… here are a few upcoming things to check out. 🤍👇🏼 Join the JJA 1:1 Mentorship Waitlist (re-opening end of Sept): – https://kendallreusing.com/jiu-jitsu-accelerator

Come to JJA IRL Dec. 6 + 7 – Newport Beach, CA – https://kendallreusing.com/jja-irl-jjcon

Come to Hawaii with me (aka PARADISE — my all-inclusive BJJ vacation with Kekoa Collective in Feb. 2026) – https://kekoacollective.com/pages/kendall-reusing-hawaii-jiu-jitsu-camp

K Merch (Discount Code “Champion” for podcast listeners) – https://kendallreusing.com/shop

0:00 Start

0:12 With Out JJ Who Would You Be?

3:19 How To Deal With Imposter Syndrome?

7:56 How To Compete While Running Business?

13:08 Were You Ever Close To Walking Away?

19:27 Drilling Or Rolling For Competition?

On today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Emily Hayden — IFBB Pro, personal coach, motivational speaker, and host of the Evolve With Emily podcast — for a conversation on realignment, healing, and intentionally designing your life.

We talk about how our darkest seasons can shape us, the 8/8 Lions Gate Portal, meditation, and manifestation (yes, Joe Dispenza too 👀).

Emily brings a grounded and inspiring perspective, and by the end of this episode my hope is that you feel both encouraged and challenged to ask yourself: What shaped me? What am I focusing on now? And how can I realign to create the life I want? ✨

You can connect more with Emily on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhayden , and through her podcast, Evolve With Emily.

And if you want to hear the tables turned—check out Get A Grip Episode 27, where my interview on Emily’s show was repurposed on this feed.

If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend, drop a rating, and connect with me on Instagram + TikTok (both @kendallreusing), and kendallreusing.com.

Always in your corner, Kendall

0:00 Start

0:01 Intro 

6:00 GAG Questions

8:00 How Do You Realign?

16:00 How We Are Designing Our Lives

23:30 What Darkness Shaped You?

30:20 Do You Pull From That Experience? 

35:00 8/8 Lions Gate Portal

42:26 How Do You Focus In Manifesting? 

47:00 Joe Dispenza & Meditation 

50:23 Outtro 

In this episode, I sit down with my personal technical coach since blue belt, WNO competitor, school owner, and great friend, Saul Viayra!

Saul is a 2nd degree black belt, and a BIG part of my competitive journey and success. He manages the teams of 4 academies, still teaches full time, and also works with my clients inside Jiu Jitsu Accelerator.

I’m really excited about this episode, because Saul and I got to deep dive into a few topics I know will bring y’all lots of value.

We discuss how he has excelled professionally in jiu jitsu while maintaining multiple full time jobs,

some of the “taboo” topics in jiu jitsu around ego and big name gyms,

finding purpose in what you do — and using that as your guiding light,

the keys to writing your competition camp (for athletes and coaches),

and the pros and cons of big teams versus more personalized coaching.

Whether you’re a big BJJ person or not, this is an incredible episode focused on finding your purpose and chasing your dreams, even when things get really, really hard.

Make sure to follow him on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/saulviayra?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

And join the JJA waitlist if you’re interested in working with either of us more closely in the future: Kendallreusing.com

(Or come to our JJA IRL training event in Newport Beach, CA on 8/16!! See my recent IG post for details: https://www.instagram.com/kendallreusing?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==)

Thanks for listening to another episode, please subscribe / rate / share if you enjoy, and I’ll see you soon for the next. 🤍

0:00 Start

0:16 Intro

1:42 GAG Question

6:21 Excelling Professionally in BJJ

17:38 How Did You Find Purpose Along The Way?

27:15 What Are The Keys To Writing a Competition Camp?

42:15 Big Teams VS 1on1 Coaching

52:47 Outro