Hiya, folks! This week on the podcast, I sit down with grappler and strength coach James Deirmendjian for a deep dive into his journey, both on and off the mats.

James opens up about his roots in wrestling and how being a middle child helped shape his competitive edge. He shares the moment that drew him into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how the sport quickly became more than just a hobby—it became a calling. We dig into the emotional highs and lows of competing, his mental approach before stepping onto the mats, and the often-overlooked financial challenges of being a BJJ athlete.

James also talks about what inspired him to become a strength coach and how he now helps other athletes build their physical and mental toughness. Plus, we wrap things up with a fun round of "Rapid Fire" to get to know him even better.

This episode is packed with grit, growth, and great insight for anyone chasing excellence in the grappling world.

For more on James, head over to @fight_fit_training on Instagram and Threads or you can find him on Facebook at James Deirmendjian.

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

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Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

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