In this episode, I sit down with Mr. Travis Sparks. Travis is a two-stripe purple belt who’s been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for eight years. Originally from Marble Falls, Texas, he grew up roughhousing with his brothers, playing football through high school and college, and spending weekends hunting and fishing. He first started bjj as a grad student at Texas Tech before continuing his journey in Midland, where he now works as a geologist and focuses on mastering the art of “big guy jiu-jitsu.”

We talk about what it’s like adapting technique for a larger frame, the lessons learned from competing — including the time he faced off against a Gracie — and how the mental side of BJJ continues to challenge him after nearly a decade on the mats. It’s a conversation full of grit, humility, and insight from a Texas grappler who proves that size might be an advantage, but mindset is everything.

There is something for everyone to enjoy in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I sit down with a friend whose jiu-jitsu journey thus far is unforgettable. Originally from Andrews, Texas, a Texas Tech grad now living in Midland, he works as an engineer in the oil business — but decided to give BJJ a try a little over a year ago. After just four classes, disaster struck: he broke his leg in three places during training. What followed was over a year of recovery, reflection, and a deeper appreciation for the mental side of the art. We talk about how jiu-jitsu is like chess — cerebral, uncomfortable, and yet deeply satisfying — and how the lessons of the mats go far beyond technique. Now, after a year and a half away, he’s finally ready to return to training. This is a story about resilience, mindset, and why sometimes the hardest battles are the ones fought in our own heads.

In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, the newly minted blue belt, Mark Tran! 🎉 We dive into what it’s really like making the jump to blue belt—how the game changes, the mindset shifts, and the surprising challenges that come with wearing that new belt color on the mat.

But Mark’s story doesn’t stop there. When he’s not rolling, he’s a globe-trotting software engineer whose journey began in Asia and stretched through Europe and Latin America over four unforgettable years. From Minnesota to New York, Vancouver to SoCal, we talk about how travel has shaped his perspective—and when exactly did jujitsu enter the picture?!

Oh, and did I mention he’s leveling up his takedown game with judo classes? 🥋 Whether you're deep into your own jujitsu journey or just love a good story about passion, travel, and personal growth, this episode has something for you.

Tune in and enjoy the roll!

In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I'm joined by my training partner, Jason Wei. Jason is a 3-stripe white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a diverse background in martial arts, including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Judo.

We dive into Jason’s life journey as he moved between China, Canada, and the U.S., exploring how his experiences shaped his approach to martial arts. Judo plays a major role in our conversation, as it's the primary discipline he practices outside of BJJ.

From ear guards to guard pulls, this episode offers insights, laughs, and something for every martial arts enthusiast to enjoy.

In this episode I am joined by another training partner of mine and fellow one-stripe white belt, Mr. Luis Cervantes, better known as Slim. Slim and I have been training together for over a year now and I have yet to make him tap, although he has made me tap many times!

Slim has one of the most unique training styles in that although he has a home gym, he makes a habit of exploring gyms not just locally, but all over the world. In fact, when he was in Spain recently to play a concert with his band, he trained at two different gyms!

You can find Slim performing at local, national, and international venues as a guitarist in FIVE different bands. Follow him on Instagram at lou_ferns!

In this episode I am joined by blue belt and former Jiu Jitsu practitioner Russell Melmed. Russell is a 4-stripe blue belt who no longer trains as a result of too many injuries which we get into in great detail in this episode. 

For the first part of the episode Russell and I spend a good deal of time getting to know each other since he is the first guest I have had that I have never actually spoken with before. We discuss a lot of our mutual interest in backcountry hiking. Russell is an avid backcountry hiker and even made sure his kids would have a love for it. 

After this, of course, we discuss Russell’s Jiu Jitsu career, the unique style of those who train at his gym, what its like training at multiple gyms, his thoughts on different belts, his injuries, and much more!

There is something for everyone to enjoy on this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I am joined by another training partner of mine at One Jiu Jitsu in Tustin California, Martin Delgado. Martin is currently a brown belt who has been training off and on for almost twenty years. We discuss Martin’s unique journey to brown belt which is marked by several different gyms, a few long breaks, major life events, and finally culminating with 8 years of consistent training since 2017. 

Part of Martin’s journey includes a period of time where he along with a few other white belt friends decided to try and learn jujitsu by themselves. They found a gym with some mat space and cheap admission and would try different moves on each other that they saw on youtube!

Martin has competed ten times and he tells us all of the details of some of his most memorable matches. We also discuss a lot about the mental side of jujitsu and how to overcome feelings of discouragement and defeat. 

Hope you enjoy this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Robert Kim, a black belt in jiu jitsu who is quite unique in that he not only has his own jiu jitsu academy, but he also owns his own dental practice!

Dr. Rob is one of the busiest people I know. A husband and father of two, he describes himself as having ADD, yet begins each day with meditation and exercise. He then heads to his dental practice, where he oversees all operations. After work, he shifts his focus to his jiu jitsu dojo, managing everything from belt promotions and student classes to his own training. On top of all that, Dr. Rob also teaches private jiu jitsu lessons, travels internationally to give dentistry lectures, and even finds time to record podcasts.

Rob and I also discuss all things jiu jitsu from his own personal journey which started in the 2000s, to the challenges of promoting students, to injuries and recovery. 

Please tune in to hear more about Dr. Rob!

You can find Dr. Rob at his dental office in Chino Hills, www.aviondental.com or on the mat at his One Jiu Jitsu Redlands, www.redlandsbjj.com.

In this episode I am thrilled to be joined by my cousin, Daniel Whelan. Daniel is a Sergeant in the New Hampshire Police Department, has a purple belt in jiu jitsu, and is a highly accomplished wrestler. 

Dan takes us through his career as a wrestler which started in the 4th grade and continued on through college. From grueling weight-cuts to intense college matches under the lights, Dan shares stories of victories, setbacks, and the life lessons learned along the way. 

Dan started training jiu jitsu in 2007 and was hooked from the start. He recounts his very first class led by the only black belt in the entire state of New Hampshire at the time. He details how shocked he was on that first night expecting to steamroll the competition with his wrestling prowess, but to his surprise, was repeatedly submitted by both blue and white belts. He has been training ever since. 

Dan believes jiu-jitsu should be a cornerstone of police training, emphasizing that the discipline teaches control, composure, and technique over brute force. In high-stress situations, he says jiu-jitsu equips officers with the skills to de-escalate confrontations safely, subdue suspects without excessive force, and protect both themselves and others. 

Hear about all of this and more in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode I sit down with a long time friend of mine, Mr. Al Reyes. I have known Al for almost 20 years although we have never trained together. Al is my first black belt guest and also my first guest over 60! Al trains at Cassio Werneck BJJ in Sacramento, CA, where he has been for 20 years. 

In this episode we discuss Al’s jujitsu journey which actually started in the 90s and continues today. Al discusses how jujitsu instruction has changed through the years, how his own personal style has evolved, how he has overcome injuries and learned to work through them, and also offers several highly beneficial black belt tips! 

We also discuss his own personal journey through belts and promotions and what it was like returning to the mat after a two year absence due to surgery! There is something for everyone to enjoy in the episode of Rolling Over 40!