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In this episode, Dave shares the second half of his two-part series on longevity in sports, focusing on his final two "secret laws." He calls out the importance of diet that sees beyond simple terms like "processed" and "natural" , and offers practical guidance on what, how much, and when to eat, including insights on portion control, eating slowly, and intermittent fasting. He then turns to attitude, exploring how taming your ego, adapting your training as you age, and staying mentally youthful are essential for longevity in BJJ and beyond. Drawing on personal stories from decades on the mat, Dave closes with wisdom on building habits that create a "pull towards health," reminding listeners that small, consistent actions compound over time to shape a stronger, more resilient future self.
Topics & People Mentioned
2009 University of Oxford obesity study: Moderate obesity takes years off life expectancy
2023 Harvard meal-timing study: Late-Night Eating Impact – Harvard Medical Schoolhms.harvard
16:8 intermittent fasting protocol: Harvard Meal Timing Study detailshms.harvard
Dan Millman (author): Official website – The Peaceful Warrior's Wa
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
In this deep dive on how to stay strong, flexible, and injury-free as you age, I discuss the four essential laws for longevity in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports. Drawing from decades of BJJ training experience at nearly 64 years old, I break down why protecting your joints is the single most important factor in athletic longevity, and reveal the critical difference between flexibility and mobility. Learn practical strategies for injury prevention and recovery, including yoga techniques, massage therapy, and self-myofascial release tools. Whether you're a competitive grappler, martial artist, or anyone looking to age well and stay active for decades to come, this episode delivers actionable, real-world wisdom on joint health, mobility training, and building the kind of functional strength that keeps you moving pain-free for life. This is part one of a two-part series on longevity, with part two covering diet and mindset still to come.
Topic Links:
Foam Roller - https://www.trxtraining.com/products/foam-roller
Stick Roller - https://a.co/d/0764Fse6
Inversion Table - https://buyereviews.com/inversion-table
Massage Gun - https://hyperice.com/products/hypervolt-3-pro
Whale Therapeutic Back Bench - https://beanproducts.com/products/whale-therapeutic-back-bench
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
I've spent 36 years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — competing, winning world titles (and losing them), and learning from every moment on the mat. In this episode, I'm sharing 15 battle-tested strategies for achieving victory in grappling, business, and life.
Winning isn't about overpowering your opponent — it's about positioning, timing, adaptation, and psychology. Whether you're a competitor looking to sharpen your game or an entrepreneur trying to outmaneuver the competition, these principles have helped me build and sell businesses, lead a major nonprofit, and succeed across multiple arenas. If you're a grappler, you'll find direct application on the mat. If you're in business, I break down how to generalize these principles for success.
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Topics & People Mentioned:
Grace Hopper - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper
Wayne Gretzky - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Gretzky
Apple Inc. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.
Nokia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia
BlackBerry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry_Limited
Motorola - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola
Steve Jobs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs
Amazon Web Services (AWS) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services
IBM - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM
HP - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Inc.
Microsoft - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft
John Will - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Will_(martial_artist)
Rigan Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigan_Machado
Jean Jacques Machado - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Machado
George St-Pierre (GSP) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_St-Pierre
Gene LeBell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell
Southwest Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Airlines
United Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines
American Airlines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines
Delta Air Lines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines
Google - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google
Amazon Fresh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Fresh
Instacart - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instacart
Coors Brewing Company - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coors_Brewing_Company
Facebook - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook
Instagram - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram
WhatsApp - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp
X (formerly Twitter) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Corp.
Hershey's - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hershey_Company
SkinnyPop - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkinnyPop
Pirate's Booty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate%27s_Booty
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
In this in‑depth interview with Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu grandmaster Professor Rorion Gracie, eldest son of Hélio Gracie and co‑creator of the UFC, we explore the origins of Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu, the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and why BJJ is such an effective self‑defense system. Rorion shares how he brought Jiu‑Jitsu to America, the philosophy behind the Gracie Academy and Gracie University, and what separates sport BJJ from real‑world self‑defense. We also dive into the Gracie Diet, how BJJ can transform your life, and what makes a truly great instructor and student on and off the mats. If you’re interested in martial arts history, Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu fundamentals, or the evolution of UFC and modern MMA, this conversation is a must‑watch.
Contacts for interviewee:
RorionGracie.com
GracieMuseum.com
Books:
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu https://www.amazon.com/GRACIE-JIU-JITSU-Revised-Helio-Gracie/dp/0975941135/
The Gracie Diet https://www.amazon.com/Gracie-Diet-Revised-Rorion/dp/0975941100
Some clips used for commentary. Original sources linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_LpYdUAo4&t=32s
Topic Links:
Gracie University https://www.gracieuniversity.com/
Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Action (videotape) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_LpYdUAo4&t=1090s
Royce Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie
Hélio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie
Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie
Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/
John Milius https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milius
Cesar Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Gracie_Jiu-Jitsu
John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html
Gracie Diet https://gracieone.com/the-gracie-diet-the-complete-guide-to-understanding-and-applying-it-in-your-daily-life/
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
Big John McCarthy is one of the most influential figures in MMA history — not as a fighter, but as the man who helped write the rules that shaped the sport.
In this episode, we sit down with the legendary MMA referee, BJJ black belt, and founder of the COMMAND referee training program to talk about what it really takes to protect fighters inside the cage. Big John breaks down why fighters are wired to hide their pain, how referees decide when to stop a fight, and why getting a fighter out at the right moment can save their career — and their life.
We also go deep into the early days of the UFC, the creation of the Unified Rules of MMA, and what most fans fundamentally misunderstand about the referee's role. Plus, Big John reflects on his recent return to refereeing Netflix's first-ever live MMA event featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano — and what it felt like to be back in the cage.
Topics covered:
Contacts for John McCarthy
Instagram & X - @JohnMcCarthyMMA
COMMAND MMA Referee Training MMAreferee.com
Podcast: McCarthy Mondays with Josh Thomson on the Weighing In Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@WeighingIn/featured
Topic Links:
Felicia Oh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_Oh
PFC – Executive security training company with Chad Lyman https://pfctraining.com/chad-lyman/
Joao Baretto https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/joao-alberto-barreto
Helio Vigio https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/helio-vigio
Gerard Gordeau vs. Teila Tuli in UFC 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prcWJgfeuJg
Pat Smith vs. Scott Morris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IABbQrQXlVk&t=7s
Tank Abbott vs Oleg Taktarov – Fishhooking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LufiBRFE2Iw
CAMO (California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization) https://camomma.org/
ISKA https://www.iskaworldhq.com/
Unified Rules of MMA https://www.ufc.com/unified-rules-mixed-martial-arts
Zuffa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuffa
Tito Ortiz vs Evan Tanner UFC 30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s110EQz0Ohg
California State Athletic Commission https://www.dca.ca.gov/csac/
ARP (Association of Ringside Physicians) https://ringsidearp.org/
Big John giving pre-fight fighter instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HGpSp8aS30
Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley – Strikeforce San Diego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_vrF7N7Cu8&t=307s
Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDLz0THYPAs
Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIO4WKIHP0
Georges St-Pierre vs. Michael Bisping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOREpJ7ANPA
Brian Johnson vs. Reza Naseri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxtXLGR2h7Y&t=61s
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
GSP reveals he hated fighting — so why did he become the greatest MMA fighter of all time? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Georges St-Pierre breaks down the mindset, preparation, and mental tools that built a legend.
🥊 What we cover:
Whether you're a fighter, an entrepreneur, or anyone who struggles with self-doubt — this episode is a masterclass in mental performance and turning adversity into fuel.
Contacts for interviewee:
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@GSPPodcastOfficial
Website: https://www.gspofficial.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgesstpierre/
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsppodcastofficial/
GSP Foundation https://www.gspofficial.com/gsp-foundation
GSP Training tools
The Path: https://thepathbygsp.com/
RushFit: https://www.rushfit.com/
MMA Academy: https://mmaacademy.gspofficial.com/
"The Way of the Fight" book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-way-of-the-fight-georges-st-pierre/1114516179
Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org/
Marcelo Garcia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler)
Khamzat Chimaev https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khamzat_Chimaev
Sean Strickland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Strickland
Hurricane Katrina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
Dan Millman https://peacefulwarrior.com/
"Way of the Peaceful Warrior" — book by Dan Millman https://peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/
Tough Love Fitness https://www.tufflove.org/
Aleo Foundation https://fondationaleo.ca/en/
Jeremy Corbell https://www.youtube.com/JeremyCorbell
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
IIn this episode, I sit down with Peter Maguire — historian, war crimes investigator, Rickson Gracie black belt, and the co-author of two books with Rickson Gracie: the New York Times bestselling Breathe: A Life in Flow* and the follow-up Comfort in Darkness: The Invisible Power of Jiu Jitsu*.
Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy my interview with Peter Maguire.
Links to Find Peter Maguire:
Peter Maguire Website - http://www.faintingrobin.org/founder.html
Peter Maguire Substack (Sour Milk) - https://petermaguire.substack.com
Fainting Robin Foundation - http://www.faintingrobin.org
Books:
Breathe: A Life in Flow (Rickson Gracie & Peter Maguire) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063018985
Comfort in Darkness (Rickson Gracie & Peter Maguire) - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/200233523-comfort-in-darkness
Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade - https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Stick-Surfers-Scammers-Marijuana/dp/0231161352
Facing Death in Cambodia - https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Death-Cambodia-Peter-Maguire/dp/0231120524
Law and War: International Law and American History - https://www.amazon.com/Law-War-International-American-History/dp/0231120516
Thai Stick Documentary - https://petermaguire.substack.com/p/thai-stick
Topic Links:
Rickson Gracie Official Website - https://www.ricksongracie.com
Jean Jacques Machado BJJ Academy - https://www.jjmachado.com
Gene LeBell - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell
Gene LeBell vs. Milo Savage (First Televised MMA Fight, 1963) - https://mmahistory.org/cool_timeline/lebell-vs-savage/
Nuremberg Trials - https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nuremberg-trials
Khmer Rouge - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge
Cambodian Genocide - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_genocide
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) - https://tuolsleng.gov.kh/en/
Mayaguez Incident - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayaguez_incident
Pat Tillman - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
Host Dave Meyer sits down with Professor Robert Drysdale — IBJJF Black Belt Heavyweight World Champion (2005), ADCC Absolute Champion (2007), undefeated MMA fighter (7-0), and author of multiple books on the history of BJJ. They cover the decline of self-defense training, the warrior ethos of Carlson Gracie, competition vs. memorized moves, and how to keep training well into your 60s and beyond.
For all Robert Drysdale Books and Merchandise
https://zenithjiujitsushop.com/collections/all
Zenith Jiu Jitsu by Robert Drysdale, Las Vegas Academy
https://drysdalejiujitsu.com/
Robert Drysdale's TEDx Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_drysdale_what_is_the_point_of_winning
Topic Links:
Roberto Pedreira
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6997001.Roberto_Pedreira
Dr. Jose Tufy Cairus
https://wwwifc.academia.edu/JoseTufyCairus
Elton Silva
https://www.amazon.com/Long-Before-MMA-forerunners-1845-1934/dp/B0C6W1HCQM
Gracie Jiu Jitsu book
https://www.amazon.com/GRACIE-JIU-JITSU-Revised-Helio-Gracie/dp/0975941135
Jack Seki
https://budoshin.com/about-bjj/budoshin-lineage/jack-seki/
Mikey Musumeci
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikey_Musumeci
John Will
https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html
Rigan Machado
https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/
Willy Cahill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_Cahill
Neil Adams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Adams_(judoka)
Carlos Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie
Helio Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie
Carlson Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_Gracie
Carlos Gracie Jr.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie_Jr
Rolls Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls_Gracie
Rickson Gracie Books
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Rickson-Gracie/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARickson%2BGracie
Alberto Crane podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic93Ro9QLs0
Islam Makhachev
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabib_Nurmagomedov
Ze Carioca (Brazilian Disney character)
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%A9_Carioca
Rico Rodriguez
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricco_Rodriguez
Tito Ortiz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Ortiz
Jean Jacques Machado
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Jacques_Machado
Frank Trigg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Trigg
Eric Ries
https://leanstartup.co/about/team/eric-ries/
Incorruptible book by Eric Ries
https://www.incorruptible.co/
Adopt-a-Pet.com
https://www.adoptapet.com/
Matt Hughes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hughes_(fighter)
Landmark Forum
https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/
Chris Haueter
https://www.combatbase.com/
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
In this episode, I break down what strategy really is—and how it can help you go after goals that look like a long shot from where you are right now.
Back in the year 2000, I decided I wanted to stop millions of dogs and cats from being killed in animal shelters. I had no job, no money, and no obvious way to do it… so if you were betting on me, it would have been reasonable to bet against me. The only real advantage I had was that I understood a bit about strategy, largely because of my lifelong practice of jujitsu.
In this video, I use that story as a through line to talk about strategy and how you can use it for your own life. I ask you to think about a personal or professional goal that really matters to you—something that feels hard, unlikely, and not at all obvious you can achieve. The kind of goal where most people, if they had to place a bet, would probably bet you won’t pull it off.
You’ll learn:
If you care about doing something that actually matters—whether in your career, your training, or your life—this episode will help you think more clearly about strategy and your long‑shot goals.
Show Links:
Adopt-a-Pet.com
https://www.adoptapet.com/
The Four Hour Work Week (book)
https://a.co/d/0cqAnf0H
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
Adam Treanor is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable voices at the intersection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and law enforcement. Adam is 25-year veteran of Southern California law enforcement, serving as both a police officer and deputy sheriff. In this conversation, Adam and I get into the training gap that has cost lives and dollars, why a BJJ blue belt may be the most important credential a police officer can earn, and how departments like Orange County Sheriff are finally making it happen.
Contacts for interviewee:
Orange County Sheriff Regional Training Academy (Tustin)
https://sac.edu/division/hst/cja/academy_building
Topic Links:
Renato Magno
https://www.streetsportsbjj.com/renato-magno
Magda Institute / Cass Magda
https://mijkd.com/school/who-is-cass-magda/
Dan Inosanto
https://inosanto.com/
Steve Copping
https://hwchronicle.com/5628/news/former-ju-jitsu-coach-had-a%C2%80%C2%98profound-impacta%C2%80%C2%99-on-past-students/
Eric Paulson
https://erikpaulson.com/
Chris Haueter
https://www.combatbase.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEyBrWtVrgl-VQ4vWIOpBu63RV1O_5Lg5jQFKtRM2EmpZAZm6T
Yori Nakamura
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorinaga_Nakamura
Machado Brothers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machado_family
Gracie family
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracie_family
Bob Wall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wall
Marietta PD (Georgia) — 18-month BJJ study
https://www.santamonica.gov/media/CMO/PSROC/MARIETTA_PD_BJJ_DATA.pdf
Kosen Judo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosen_judo
Geoff Thompson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Thompson_(writer)
Lee Morrison
https://urbancombatives.com/the-founder/
Fabio Santos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A1bio_Santos_(grappler)
Marc Denny — Dog Brothers
https://dogbrothers.com/guro-marc-crafty-dog-denny/
Robert Drysdale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Drysdale
Justin Flores (J-Flo)
https://jfloacademy.com/
Kenny Bond
https://www.streetsportssimivalley.com/sssvbjjcoaches
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
Get in touch!
This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.
From the publisher's feed
Dave Meyer | Host, Ageless Warrior Lab podcast | President & Co-founder of Food System Innovations and Humane American Animal Foundation
Join BJJ coral belt, Gang…
Dave Meyer is a pioneering American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, and accomplished non-profit founder and Philanthropist. He is an eleven-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is the current world champion in his age/weight division in the no-gi format.
Dave co-founded and served as CEO of Adopt-a-Pet.com for two decades, turning it into the world's largest nonprofit homeless pet adoption website and helping save millions of animals, before its acquisition by Mars Inc.
Today, Dave leads Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, working on farm animal welfare and a healthy and sustainable food system. He frequently advises U.S. lawmakers on these issues, and has raised and deployed over $160 million in philanthropic capital as part of his work in the nonprofit space.
In his athletic career, Dave has risen to the highest ranks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He earned his black belt from Rigan Machado in 1996 and ranked among the first Americans ("the Dirty Dozen") to do so. He was the first American to medal at the black belt level at the BJJ World Championships in Brazil in 1998. Dave is one of just several Americans to achieve the rank of coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a group now referred to as the “Gang of Eight”. He continues to compete at the world championship level, winning world championship titles in his age division.
As a martial artist and instructor, he taught at UCLA, Steven Seagal's Tenshin Dojo, and developed a globally used grappling curriculum with John Will, including customized material for Chuck Norris's UFAF association. He has written several books on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including "Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling".
Meyer also played a critical role in post-Katrina animal rescue, co-authored books pet care, and co-founded a Haiti orphanage for children with HIV, exemplifying a lifetime of impactful leadership in both martial arts and philanthropy.
Dave resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues to coach BJJ athletes and compete at the world championship level. He is the President & Co-Founder of Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, of which the Ageless Warrior Lab is a project.