Off the Mats Podcast

Hello, again. This week on the podcast, I sit down with John Harris, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and founder of TapInRoll.com, a platform designed to connect traveling grapplers with open gyms around the world. John shares his BJJ journey, what inspired him to create the site, and how Tap In Roll is streamlining drop-in bookings, digital waivers, and gym visibility.

Whether you're a competitor constantly on the road or a hobbyist just looking to train while traveling, this episode unpacks the future of BJJ accessibility and community building—one drop-in at a time.

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. 

Happy Monday, folks! This week on the podcast, I sit down with white belt Devin Coley to dive into his experiences of being at the very start of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey. Devin shares what it felt like stepping onto the mats for the first time, the nerves of his first roll, and the challenges he’s faced early on as a beginner. From those “aha” moments where techniques finally start to click, to lessons in patience, humility, and resilience, Devin offers a glimpse into the mindset of a new grappler navigating the ups and downs of training.

We also explore how BJJ has impacted his life outside the gym, the importance of supportive mentors and training partners, and the goals that keep him motivated. Whether you’re just tying your first belt or years into your practice, Devin’s story is a reminder of where we all started and the growth that comes from embracing the grind.

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.

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. 

Welcome back, happy people. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Michael Pereira, the founder of The Autism Voyage, to explore his journey from corporate finance to becoming a dedicated advocate for families navigating autism. Michael opens up about the life-changing moment when his son’s autism diagnosis shifted his priorities from career to family. We discuss the real challenges parents face beyond the diagnosis, from daily routines and communication barriers to managing diet, hygiene, and emotional burnout.

Michael shares practical strategies for self-advocacy, including how to approach IEP meetings, build a reliable care team, and avoid common financial pitfalls when planning for long-term care. We also talk about the unexpected role Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has played in his son’s growth, helping with focus, body awareness, and confidence, while strengthening their bond as a family.

Wrapping up, Michael dives into why entrepreneurship can be a lifeline for parents of special needs children, and how turning personal experience into purpose can change not just your life, but the lives of others.

To keep up with Michael and their voyage or for more information, you can follow on Instagram at

@theautismvoyage

https://theautismvoyage.com/

https://theautismvoyage.com/newsletter/

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mad10, and you'll get 10% off.

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.

Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and guest @bjjmomma. 

Today marks 5 years since I launched Off the Mats Podcast. What started during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic as a way to stay connected with friends has turned into something bigger than I ever expected.

To every guest who’s come on to share their story, and to every listener who’s tuned in, shared an episode, or reached out—thank you. You’ve helped build a space that’s about more than jiu-jitsu. It’s about people, growth, and community.

Joining me on this week's episode is returning guest, teammate, and friend of the show, Mark Rollamas, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends BJJ, life, and a little pop culture.

We kick things off by catching up on what Mark’s been up to lately—especially his focus on helping newer grapplers develop effective ankle lock attacks. We get into the grind of intense practices and how age and injuries impact training. We also talk about whether YouTube and Instagram techniques actually hold up in live rolls.

Then, of course, we veer into movie talk—sharing thoughts on the new Fantastic Four, our favorite time travel flicks, and some horror film themes (plus a quick nod to the So, You Like Horror? podcast). We wrap it all up by talking about the future of Off the Mats and where my personal jiu-jitsu journey is headed next. 

This show has kept me grounded, introduced me to amazing people, and reminded me why these conversations matter.

Here’s to 5 years of stories, lessons, laughs, and everything in between—and to whatever comes next.

🖤 Thank you for rolling with me.

#OffTheMatsPodcast #BJJCommunity #BrazilianJiuJitsu #PodcastAnniversary #GrapplingLife #BJJFamily #5YearsStrong #ThankYou

Greetings, all. This week on the podcast, I sit down with BJJ purple belt, John Ramos, to hear how his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with a Google search about Married with Children star Ed O’Neill and led him from Florida International University to Carlos Gracie Miami and eventually to Crazy 88 MMA.

John reflects on his early days as a white belt competitor, the importance of training safely, and how the world of BJJ intersects with his experiences in the military. He opens up about the emotional challenges of transitioning between gyms and how the mats became a lifeline during tough moments in his personal life.

John also shares what he looks for in a new training environment and offers valuable advice for fellow service members who might feel hesitant to try BJJ. We close out the episode with a fun round of rapid-fire questions to get to know him even better—on and off the mats.

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

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.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

Welcome back, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt Navarro Chamberlain, training out of Crazy 88 MMA. Known for his tireless work ethic, technical precision, and dedication to the craft, Navarro shares the story of how he first discovered Jiu-Jitsu and the early struggles that shaped his journey. He reflects on what it’s like to train in one of the most competitive gyms in the region, learning from elite coaches and training partners who constantly push him to evolve.

Navarro discusses the mental and technical transitions that come with advancing in rank, reveals his favorite positions and submissions, and offers valuable advice for lower belts aspiring to progress. We also talk about his long-term goals in the sport, including thoughts on coaching, reaching black belt, and staying motivated through the grind.

To close out, Navarro takes on our Rapid Fire segment, answering questions about his toughest rolls, go-to submissions, and how the art has influenced life beyond the mats.

You can keep up with Navarro's journey and accomplishments by following him on Instagram at @frankenstein_bjj 

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

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.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

Welcome back, friends. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Ben Kovacs, co-founder of Guardian Gym, a nonprofit martial arts academy with locations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Ethiopia, and more, with a mission to empower youth through free access to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mentorship.

Ben shares the personal experiences that ignited his passion for community work and the story behind the gym’s inception. From securing funding for their first location to building a culture rooted in connection rather than competition, Ben walks us through how Guardian Gym challenges the stereotypes surrounding combat sports. We explore the emotional, psychological, and social benefits that martial arts can offer, especially for at-risk youth, and discuss why BJJ is far more than a sport—it’s a transformative tool for growth, self-respect, and community healing.

To keep up with Ben and what Guardian is up to, you can follow on Instagram at @guardiangym and guardiangym.org

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mad10, and you'll get 10% off.

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.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

What's up, nerds? This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and passionate collector Sam Bracamonte. Sam shares the story of how he began his BJJ journey, the hard-earned lessons he's learned while climbing the ranks, and how he prepares mentally and physically for major competitions. We also dive into the challenges that come with training—nerves, injuries, and plateaus—and how he overcomes them.

But Sam isn’t just a grappler—he’s also a serious Marvel Legends collector. He breaks down how his collecting passion began, shares his favorite releases, talks about the hunt for rare figures, and reflects on the highs and lows of building an epic collection.

To wrap up, we explore the unexpected ways the BJJ and collector communities overlap, from shared camaraderie to the thrill of the chase. Whether you’re on the mats or on the hunt for your holy grail, this episode’s got something for you.

Thank you all for listening to and supporting the podcast. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media.

Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episode on Spotify

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Well, hello, again. This week on the podcast, I sit down with grappler Phille Eriksson, whose journey on and off the mats is nothing short of inspiring. After facing severe health challenges that led to an ileostomy, Phille refused to let his circumstances define him—or stop him from returning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

From his first day on the mats to the emotional rollercoaster of surgery and recovery, Phille shares how he is adapting to life with a stoma and how this will effect his game, modifying his gear, and finding strength in the support of his family and team.

Together, we dive deep into the physical and mental toll of living and training with an ostomy, confronting misconceptions and redefining what resilience looks like in the grappling community. Phille opens up about the importance of representation, the role BJJ plays in healing, and how he is working his way back—not just as a grappler, but as a symbol of what’s possible.

Whether you're a fellow practitioner, someone facing health battles, or simply a fan of stories that challenge limits, this episode is a testament to the power of grit, adaptation, and community.

To keep up with Phille, you can follow him on Instagram at @gymnecessity

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mad10, and you'll get 10% off.

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.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

What's up, friends? This week on the podcast, I welcome back David Riedman—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, writer, and creator of the Rules of BJJ Substack. In this episode, David breaks down key topics from his articles, including what every grappler should know before stepping onto the mats for the first time.

We explore the dangers of mindless drilling and the difference between volume and intentionality in training.

David also unpacks how analytics and data can shape the future of Jiu-Jitsu performance, offering a look at how elite teams already apply metrics (whether consciously or not). Plus, we dive into the parallels between surfing and BJJ, and how his time on the waves helped him better understand flow, pressure, and presence on the mats.

Whether you're a white belt or a black belt, this episode delivers practical advice, nuanced discussion, and thoughtful reflections that will sharpen your training and deepen your appreciation for the art.

For more information on David's work, please follow the links below where you will find his Rules of BJJ and School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports Substacks.

k12ssdb.substack.com

We want to give a shout out to @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Again, thank you 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.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."