In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, host Hunter Patterson interviews Jake Fristoe, a seasoned paintball player and entrepreneur. They discuss Jake's journey from a passionate player to a professional in the industry, his experiences with various teams, and the evolution of paintball as a sport. Jake shares insights on the importance of teamwork, the challenges of transitioning to professional play, and his new venture, Heavy Handed Combat Apparel, which aims to merge the worlds of jiu-jitsu and paintball gear. The conversation highlights the parallels between the two sports and the significance of community and shared experiences in both.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:50 Jake's Journey in Martial Arts and Gym Ownership

04:29 Early Paintball Experiences and First Tournament

07:53 Joining Competitive Teams and Early Rivalries

08:36 The Rise of XSF and Competitive Success

15:42 Transition to Trauma and Team Dynamics

20:18 Reflections on Team Changes and Paintball Evolution

21:06 From Paintball to California Dreams

25:25 The Journey into Jiu-Jitsu

29:36 Launching Heavy Handed: A New Venture

37:51 The Future of Heavy Handed in Paintball

41:40 Parallels Between Paintball and Jiu-Jitsu

45:00 From Gun Tech to R&D: Jake's Journey at Dye

51:24 The Impact of Experience: Lessons Learned and Applied

01:01:47 Introduction to Planet Paintball Podcast