Get A Grip with Kendall Reusing

A new era! 🫶🏼 Welcome to the very first episode of Ask Kendall — a new series where we dive into your questions about confidence, self image, jiu jitsu, business, social media, mindset, and life.

In this episode, we talk about:

Thank you guys for being here during this new chapter. Feels like a big transitional season in the best way ❤️‍🔥

♡ KEEP IN TOUCH

Website: kendallreusing.com

Instagram: @kendallreusing

TikTok: @kendallreusing

YouTube: @kendallreusingbjj

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a rating/review — it helps more than you know 🫶🏼

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 A new era: upgraded mic/camera quality

01:33 Welcome to Ask Kendall

02:17 What would you do differently if starting over?

06:14 Online hate, magnetism & stopping hiding

09:56 Small business owners: go hard

11:15 Happiness, faith, water, sweat & shadow work lol

11:32 Do we live in a disconnected world?

11:40 Managing social media addiction

13:51 How I got started in jiu jitsu

14:30 When I knew I was good at jiu jitsu

15:02 How to feel like a winner

16:03 Defining your self image

16:55 Service vs self-obsession

18:03 How to get better at jiu jitsu

19:13 If I could time travel…

20:44 Thank yous & this transitional season

In this solo episode of Get A Grip, Kendall shares a raw life update and opens up about what has quietly been one of the hardest seasons of her life.

From questioning competition after ADCC 2022 to navigating burnout, existentialism, identity shifts, and faith… this conversation explores what happens when the thing you built your life around no longer feels the same.

🎙️ Kendall talks about:

• Why her word of the year is “relax” … but in the heart

• The difference between the “pre-conscious” vs. “post-conscious” athlete (term comes from a podcast ep. where Huberman interviews Joshua Waitzkin – that episode linked here for those interested: https://open.spotify.com/episode/06nvqDXdnYJiJd16MSod8K?si=P0YCXcoPR7ObCzQ5lInycg

• Coming back to Polaris on her own terms

• Why she may not compete again • Learning to stop hiding and tell the truth

• What to do when you don’t know what your mission is anymore

• How changing your mind can actually be healing

• The real reason she started a 30-day talking-on-camera challenge

• Praying for God to change her heart during difficult seasons

This episode is a permission slip for anyone in transition… the athlete, entrepreneur, creator, or high achiever trying to figure out who they are outside of performance, pressure, or expectations (often their OWN).

Sometimes growth doesn’t look like becoming “more accomplished.” Sometimes it looks like becoming more honest.

⭐️ Support the Show If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It makes a big difference.

🎧  Connect with Kendall

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

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

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

Website: https://www.kendallreusing.com

Episode Show Notes:

00:00 Time for a life update!!

01:53 Why my word of the year is relax… but in the heart

03:50 Getting desperate enough to truly change

04:59 2025 being the hardest year ever

05:27 I didn’t really “love it” during ADCC 2024

06:44 The “pre vs post conscious” athlete + existentialism

09:14 Coming back to Polaris on my terms

10:20 Why idk if I’m going to compete again

12:08 My permission slip to you to change your mind

13:37 Sweet Sweat Ad Read

14:59 Praying for God to change my heart

16:50 30 day talking on camera challenge

17:56 What do you do when you don’t know what the “mission” is?

19:42 Why I’m working with a fitness coach

20:54 My real current daily focus to help others be more of who they are

22:19 How I plan to stop hiding and how you can, too

24:30 To “love” and to tell the truth is my mission

26:36 Permission slip for you

In this episode of Get A Grip, Kendall sits down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete Sula-Mae Loewenthal for a conversation about identity, mental toughness, self-trust, and how life’s hardest seasons often shape who we become.

This episode explores the moments that build true resilience… from periods of darkness that eventually led to the most growth, to heartbreak, life transitions, and learning how to keep moving forward when everything familiar changes.

This conversation is for anyone building something meaningful — whether on the mats, in business, or in life — and learning how to trust themselves through uncertain seasons. Sometimes the most transformative chapters come from the messiest data, the hardest transitions, and the willingness to keep showing up before the outcome makes sense.

⭐️ Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It helps more people find the show and keeps these conversations going.

🎧 Connect with Kendall

Instagram: @kendallreusing

YouTube: @kendallreusingbjj

TikTok: @kendallreusing

Website: kendallreusing.com

🎙️ Connect with Sula-Mae

Instagram: @sula_mae_loewenthal

Timestamps

00:00 Using your uniqueness in career, goals, and life

01:30 Dark seasons that led to the most growth

02:40 Sula’s origin story + going full time in jiu-jitsu

03:59 Heartbreak after leaving her academy, team, and old life

05:50 How to keep winning during major life transitions

07:40 Intentionally creating chaos to grow

11:00 Why becoming your own best coach changes everything

16:10 How to help people support AND push you

19:08 The power of collecting messy data as a beginner

22:00 Building autonomy and mental toughness in jiu-jitsu

23:03 Sweet Sweat ad – recovery, consistency, and showing up

24:44 Showing up authentically online

26:00 Creating impact beyond medals and shaping how life feels

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