Chris Milton is a Brown Belt and a very significant part of the community that is Dragon's Academy. Chris shows up at many competitions and is a true competitor, unlike some of us hobbyists that occasionally show up at comps. He shares some incredible stories that will keep you engaged throughout the episode.

Chris has a skill of working out how to do things differently, especially if you have to tap out in training or a match. Asking your team mates and opponents for help, and equally supporting others is helping the community to grow.

Topics:

• Dragon's Academy
• Judo
• Jiu Jitsu
• Competition
• Hammer or Nail?
• Going to sleep
• Communication
• 40+ Open Mats
• British Open
• No Gi
• Community

GO FOLLOW

Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismilton9/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Dragon's Academy: https://www.instagram.com/dragonsacademy_/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E122: Yeliz Akwei - Blue Belt

Yeliz Akwei collaborated with her husband for holding her Muay Thai pads in exchange for starting Jiu Jitsu. After a confusing start in the sport, her interest was sparked by the Omoplata as it felt fun and intriguing. Continuing to do the hard thing that is learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is something parents do, and Yeliz is one of those people. Balancing the personal priority of parental wellbeing and prioritising the children is something many of us consider.

Yeliz role models the behaviour of choosing to do hard things, showing up at regular training and the occasional competition for her children and also inspires other women around her to start and continue in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Yeliz is now hosting London Women's Open Mats to support the community grow and thrive. Do get along to the next event.

Topics:

• Starting Jiu jitsu
• Omoplata
• 40+ Women
• Challenges
• Injuries
• Jiu Jitsu Camps
• Friendships
• London Women's Open Mat
• Cross Training
• Strength

Sponsor of this episode is:

London Women's Open Mat: https://www.instagram.com/londonwomensopenmat/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoë Swift is a White Belt training out of Parity Martial Arts and so far has lost every match to submission. She shows up with resilience and tenacity to keep going on her competitive journey despite the initial setbacks. Zoë really is a role model for any of us in the early part of our BJJ careers. She also shares challenges in decision making for her study and work life.

Training has given Zoë balance for her life now she has embarked on an HR Apprenticeship. She is inspired by her partner, his challenges and growth in MMA and BJJ. Supporting other women is really important, whether they are friends that haven't yet started training or fellow training partners. Shows like ENYO really highlight the female BJJ talent in the UK, their next event is Saturday 4th April 2026.

GO Topics:

• Losing
• Progress
• Apprenticeships
• Training
• BJJ Talk
• Women's Team
• ENYO
• Coastal Combat

GO FOLLOW

Zoë on InstagramF: https://www.instagram.com/zoe.bjj.04/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Parity Martial Arts: https://www.instagram.com/paritymartialarts/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellie Osborne began training in martial arts as a teenager and is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt and women’s coach at Ascend Jiu Jitsu. Now in her 40s, Ellie still brings the same rebellious spirit to her training — channeling it through sport, challenge, and the BJJ community she loves.

In this episode, we talk openly about what it’s like to train as women in our forties, including the physical and emotional challenges that can come with perimenopause. Ellie shares her honest journey through Jiu Jitsu, the importance of having a supportive husband and team around her, and why she continues to seek out difficult goals — from the mats to marathon running.

Ellie is passionate about encouraging more women to step onto the mats, proving that it’s never too late to start, grow, and find strength through Jiu Jitsu.

Topics:

• Kickboxing
• Karate
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Mindset
• Mum-Guilt
• Perimenopause
• Running
• Women's Coach

GO FOLLOW

Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellieozzie81/

Please donate - Ellie's running the 2026 London Marathon for Suicide&Co: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ellie-osborne-milesformike

Sponsor of this episode is:

Ascend Jiu Jitsu: https://www.instagram.com/ascend_jj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libby Genge faces the biggest match of her BJJ career against Sarah Galvo on Polaris 36 at Fairfield Halls Croydon on Saturday 7th March 2026. Having met Libby for KAIROS 3 she truly is already a winner, having walked away from that tournament with £2k back in 2025. Libby started her hobby life in dancing and quickly progressed to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with pink and purple Gi's.

Libby shares her personal journey starting out in jiu jitsu, challenges in the sport, the division between girls and boys, children and adults, and how to manage training with family members. Libby is now a full-time athlete and is looking to win many Grand Slams in 2026 and beyond.

Topics:

• POLARIS 36
• KAIROS 3
• Fundamentals
• Childhood Hobbies
• Kids classes
• Coaching
• Wrestling
• Full-time Athlete
• Family
• Learning Spanish

GO FOLLOW

Libby Genge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbygengebjj/

Stealth BJJ HQ Manchester on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stealthbjj/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Libby Genge - BJJ & Wrestling Coach: https://www.instagram.com/libbygengebjj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leo Coates is a four-stripe Blue Belt and started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu back in 2021, and comes from a Rugby background. Leo previously trained Judo as a child and that was his only introduction to martial arts. Due to injury Leo moved from his 20 years in Rugby to Jiu Jitsu, and wishes he started competing at White Belt.

Leo has a whole career based in the coffee industry and decided in 2025 to combine his love of Jiu Jitsu with his coffee experience, and now through sales gives back to the BJJ community supporting young people starting out and competing. Inviting families that haven't yet embarked on their Jiu Jitsu journey and serving Clinch Coffee to the adults whilst the kids, and even the parents train is something any BJJ club could try, especially to continue to build the positive community.

Topics:

• Judo
• Rugby
• James Smith & Ffion Davies
• Relocation
• Quality Coffee
• Small Hold Farms
• Young Role Models
• Community Day
• Open Mats
• Donations for Kids Programmes
• The Future of Clinch Coffee
• Collaborations

GO FOLLOW

Leo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clinchcoffee

Impulse BJJ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impulsebjj/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Clinch Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/clinchcoffee

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Barlow is a Black Belt and co-author of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - The Ultimate Illustrated Guidebook with Seymour Yang. Graham talks about the collaboration for the beautiful illustrated book specifically aimed at White Belts in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, however we all love our copies, regardless of rank.

Graham talks about his background as a tech journalist, and his transition from years in Chinese martial arts to the ways of learning and progressing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has found a way to appreciate investing in loss through his experience, as well as enjoying the process. This is an incredible in-depth conversation to deeper understand your own game and progress.

Topics:

• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - The Ultimate Illustrated Guidebook
• Collaboration
• Tech Journalism
• Coaching
• Tai Chi
• Ways of learning
• New challenges
• Open mindedness
• Making mistakes
• Awareness
• Priorities

GO FOLLOW

Graham on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbarl2/

Slouching Tigert Tai Chi: https://bath-taichi.weebly.com/

Meerkatsu website: https://www.meerkatsu.com/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Moda Jiu Jitsu: https://www.instagram.com/modajiujitsuacademy/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Mensah is a Brown Belt and founder of The Grapple League. Supported by an incredible team they host events with a similar format to Grappling Industries with Round Robins. Josh explains some of the terminology and rules for competitions, especially for those of us that don't fully understand what goes on.

Josh started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2014. and shares some of the challenging times in his life where he now feels like he owes Jiu Jitsu for his progress and success. Listen to this episode to watch and hear the infamous 'Uncle Josh' talk of his incredible experience.

Topics:

• The Grapple League
• Grappling Industries
• Round Robin
• Absolutes
• Bad Decisions
• Jiu Jitsu saves lives
• Interviews
• Hard work
• David Aguzzi
• Medals vs Mat time

GO FOLLOW

Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jitsiah/

Sponsor of this episode is:

The Grapple League: https://www.instagram.com/thegrappleleagueuk/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich Harding is a Purple Belt fighting out of Parity Martial Arts in Southampton, and is up on Coastal Combat Festival on Saturday 7th February in Dorchester Prison. Rich is a long-time martial artist, and a 20 year MMA coach. He is also a multi-title holding martial artist in K1, Thai Boxing and Unlicensed Boxing.

Rich is a left-handed striker, has an exciting style and talks of his successes and the benefits of being left-handed in martial arts. He has some great tips for all of us that feel like we know very little at Blue Belt, and shares a mindful approach to striking. We also talk about supporting the upcoming fighters in the UK, which is really important to so many of us in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, especially for ENYO, with the upcoming event on Saturday 4th April.

Topics:

• Coastal Combat Festival
• Japanese Jiu Jitsu
• Cage Warriors
• Thai Boxing
• Striking
• Ground game
• MMA
• Left-Handed fighting
• Training Camps
• UFC
• Coaching
• ENYO Grappling
• Cornering

GO FOLLOW

Rich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richstogram/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Parity Martial Arts: https://www.instagram.com/paritymartialarts/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leigh Ibberson has recently been promoted to Purple Belt and his BJJ career is looking at a very exciting over the coming year. Leigh is the owner and founder of Shaftesbury Submission Grappling based in a small town in Dorset, UK. Leigh was inspired by the Joe Rogan Experience to start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu some years ago, and continues to listen to great podcasts, including the Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast.

Facing the fear and doing it anyway is a life philosophy of Leigh's. This includes climbing Snowdon, in bare foot shoes with a 50kg backpack. Leigh speaks about his competition experience at White Belt and goes on to speak about the Super Fights he has coming up in 2026.

Topics:

• Purple Belt Promotion
• Shaftesbury Submission Grappling
• Helping others
• Joe Rogan Experience
• Big Challenges
• Fear vs Failure
• Competing at White Belt
• Competitive Spirit
• Ultra Athlete
• Friday Night Training
• Coastal Combat League
• ADCC Denmark
• GrappleFest Prelims

GO FOLLOW

Leigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leigh_ibberson/

Sponsor of this episode is:

Fortitude Official: https://www.instagram.com/official.fortitude.bjj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Clips on TikTok and Instagram

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.