Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number

In this episode, I’m joined by former MMA fighter and current BJJ practitioner, Dale Corzine. Dale’s martial arts journey began with Tae Kwon Do and wrestling as a kid, before he dove headfirst into MMA as a teenager with dreams of going pro. By day he worked a demanding manual labor job, and by night he endured a brutal training schedule — all in pursuit of making his dream a reality. Dale takes us inside the highs and lows of his three unforgettable MMA fights, sharing the physical punishment, the mental battles, and the ultimate cost of chasing a career in combat sports. After a heartbreaking decision to step away from training for nearly a decade, Dale has found his way back — this time to the mats of Steez Jiu Jitsu Club in Tustin, where he now trains alongside his son and prepares to compete again this May. This is a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of rediscovering your passion.You will not want to miss Dale himself recounting his journey in this episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Mr. Chris Camia — a three-stripe white belt who’s been training for nearly two years and is now mentally preparing for his first official competition. We talk about the work our gym has been doing on takedowns and back takes from standing, and Chris shares why the arm triangle has become one of his favorite submissions. We also dig into the common mistakes we white belts still make, the lessons that come with them, and why the journey is so enjoyable despite the struggles. And here’s the twist — Chris actually had his very first “recreational” jiu-jitsu match almost twenty years ago, long before any formal training! This episode is a fun mix of technique, personal growth, and the unique stories that keep us hooked on the mats.Hear about all of this and more in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome my first female guest — and longtime training partner — Shelisa Diaz. Like me, she’s a one-stripe white belt, and while she may not look it, she’s proudly training BJJ well into her 40s. We dive into everything from cauliflower ear (yes, she thinks she might be getting it!) to the realities of injuries and why learning to tap is especially important for practitioners over 40. Shelisa also shares her go-to moves on the mats — from sweeps to submissions — and why taking the back might just be her specialty. Beyond the techniques, we explore the deeper rewards of training: the physical release, the mental resilience, and the therapeutic side of jiu-jitsu that keeps us coming back. This is a fun, insightful conversation that proves jiu-jitsu is for everyone — and it just might inspire you to start your own journey.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Cody Corzine, whose jiu-jitsu journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Cody’s path began as the “punching bag” for his older MMA-obsessed brother, continued with a stint in the no-gi world of 10th Planet, and eventually brought him to One Jiu Jitsu of Tustin — where he’s now one of the most dedicated students on the mats. Not only does Cody train three times a week, but he takes detailed notes after every class, studies hours of tutorials on sites like BJJ Fanatics, and constantly works to improve his game outside the gym. We also talk about his upcoming first competition in April, and what it means to put all that preparation to the test. Cody’s story is a perfect reminder that passion, discipline, and consistency can transform your jiu-jitsu journey.

Hear about all of this and more in this episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Houman Shahi — someone whose jiu-jitsu journey is unlike anyone else’s I know. Houman first discovered BJJ nearly twenty years ago, and his path has unfolded in three distinct chapters: beginning in Iran, continuing through Europe, and culminating in Southern California, where he trained under his longtime instructor, Giva Santana. We also dive into Houman’s most recent competition, where he broke his hand mid-match but still pushed through four grueling bouts. He shares not only how he fought physically, but also how he wrestled with the crushing sense of “mental defeat” despite achieving big wins along the way. This is a story of resilience, passion, and what it really means to stay committed to the mats over the long haul.

Follow the link below to see pictures of Houman‘s journey alongside Giva Santana!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nh7Satq2jMCFmmsvXrpTPVYoKkAq81cK

In this episode, I welcome my friend Jeremy Lee — my first guest from a different academy, Steez Jiu Jitsu Club. Jeremy shares what makes Steez unique, from how their classes are structured and how belts are earned, to the unexpected quirks of training there (yes, including a foosball table in the gym!). We dive into the big differences between white, blue, and purple belts — not just in skill, but in mindset and expectations on the mats. Jeremy also takes us through his first competition as a white belt, where nothing went according to plan: his warm-up was cut short, a triangle slipped away, and even his grip strength nearly gave out. But did he manage to pull off a victory? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, Mike Tang — a three-stripe white belt who began training jiu-jitsu in March 2023. Before stepping onto the mats, Mike spent years practicing Tae Kwon Do as a kid and playing football in high school, but now he’s found a deeper connection through BJJ. We talk about how training nourishes the “mind, body, and soul,” the satisfaction of steady progress, and the excitement of preparing for his very first competition. Mike also shares why drilling with a grappling dummy has helped his game, his love for the arm triangle, and the reasons he believes everyone should start jiu-jitsu right away. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, Mike’s journey will remind you why stepping on the mats can change everything.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Khoi Ho — a 3-stripe blue belt who’s been on the mats since 2018. Khoi shares wild stories from his competition days, including the time he got thrown into a younger bracket at the last minute, the day he was promoted to blue belt right before stepping on the mats, and even the match where he popped his arm in an armbar but refused to quit. We also dive into his experiences training at three different academies, what it really feels like to be a blue belt, and why he thinks smashing white belts is all part of the fun. Most importantly, Khoi lays out three powerful reasons why anyone should start training jiu-jitsu. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps us coming back to the mats, this conversation will get you fired up.

What’s it really like to start jiu-jitsu later in life? In this episode, I sit down with my friend and training partner, Mark Green — a one-stripe white belt who began training in the fall of 2023 at age 37. We dig into the doubts we had before stepping on the mats, the physical and mental challenges of training as adults, and the surprising rewards that keep us coming back. From sore joints and busy schedules to the joy of small breakthroughs, Mark and I share what the journey has been like so far. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to start jiu-jitsu, this conversation will give you both perspective and encouragement.