In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models sits down with Mike Mahaffey of Old Bastard BJJ and Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ for a raw conversation about why it matters—now more than ever—for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to speak out.

Why do so many people say “keep politics out of the gym”? What does it really mean to use your platform responsibly? And how can community, not conflict, be the most powerful form of resistance?

From running inclusive gyms to dealing with trolls, threats, and the myth of “virtue signaling,” this episode is a call to action for anyone who believes that Jiu-Jitsu should stand for something more than just fighting.

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👥 Featuring:

Mike Mahaffey – ‪@oldbastardbjj‬
Jesse Walker – ‪@roughhandsbjj‬
Steve Kwan – ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬

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🧠 Topics We Cover:

• Why speaking out doesn’t hurt your business—sometimes it builds it
• How to use privilege as a force for good
• What “virtue signaling” really means (and why it’s a lazy critique)
• How to build a gym that welcomes everyone
• Why moderating your community isn’t censorship—it’s care
• What to do if you’re “just a white belt” but still want to help

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📖 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Fighting Matters and the Hosts
01:02 Addressing Criticism in Martial Arts Advocacy
05:07 Personal Experiences and Advocacy in BJJ
11:06 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Martial Arts
15:39 The Impact of Speaking Up on Business and Community
20:47 Countering Virtue Signaling Criticism
26:32 The Importance of Resistance and Community Building
32:48 Finding Your Voice in the Community
38:14 The Importance of Intention
52:02 Courage to Speak Up
56:24 Building Connections and Community