In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ examine the sweeping consequences of Trump’s newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” and how it threatens the future of Jiu-Jitsu in America.

This legislation is poised to eliminate healthcare for millions, deepen economic inequality, and significantly expand the power of ICE—all while cutting vital programs that support working-class families. For the Jiu-Jitsu community, the downstream effects will be substantial: rising medical costs, gym closures, reduced access to training, and increased barriers to international movement and competition.

This conversation explores how the bill will reshape the landscape of martial arts and what practitioners, gym owners, and supporters can do in response.

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👥 Featuring:

Steve Kwan @BJJMentalModels
Jeff Shaw @BellinghamBJJ

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🧠 Topics We Cover:

• Why rising healthcare costs endanger Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
• The economic pressures forcing students to leave the mats
• How this bill isolates American Jiu-Jitsu from the global community
• The collapse of public services and what it means for gym owners
• The dramatic expansion of ICE and its impact on international athletes
• How political instability is already affecting travel and tourism
• The risk of long-term damage to Jiu-Jitsu infrastructure
• What community leaders can do to prepare and respond

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📖 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: The Bill and Its Implications
04:10 Understanding the Scope of the Legislation
08:30 Healthcare Losses and Medical Debt in Jiu-Jitsu
12:55 Wealth Transfers and the Erosion of Social Support
18:20 Disposable Income and the Future of Gym Memberships
23:47 Impacts on Jiu-Jitsu Schools and Their Students
28:15 ICE Funding and Deportation Risks
33:05 Border Restrictions and Athlete Movement
38:10 The Broader Economic Downturn
41:00 Comparing U.S. and Canadian Healthcare Access
45:50 First-Hand Experiences with Medical Systems
48:30 Civil Liberties, Surveillance, and Detention Centers
52:15 “Alligator Alcatraz” and Escalating Immigration Policy
57:00 Practical Advice for the Jiu-Jitsu Community
01:03:00 Final Thoughts on Civic Responsibility and Solidarity