Roles reverse as Westen takes the mic and interviews Shanti about her journey through blue belt — the doubts, the growth, and how far she believes she still has to go. What she didn’t know at the time is that this conversation was recorded just hours before her promotion to purple belt. That unknowing honesty gives the episode depth, capturing a moment of reflection right before everything changed. This is Shanti.

Jiujitsu moms. They may not train...yet, but they see the impact on their children every day. They share stories of watching their sons grow through Jiujitsu. The struggles, the confidence, the discipline, and the friendships that form along the way. Supportive from the sidelines, they witness how the mats shape character, community, and kids becoming good humans.

This is Jana and Natalie. 

He shows up with bold opinions, ready to rock, but always willing to listen and learn. A white belt with a wrestling base and a genuinely big heart, he bring energy and passion to the mat. This is Grayson.

A black belt known for his calm, meticulous rolls and deadly butterfly hooks, he is an introspective and thoughtful person who brings the same quiet precision to Jiujitsu and poker alike. Calm in spirit, dangerous on the mats...this is Pedro.

Noisy and chaotic, emotions run high at tournaments. Catch a glimpse of the competitive energy that jiujitsu brings. Pre-match nerves. Post-match reflections, coaches, competitors, and gyms come together at Grappling Industries, Boise.

This is competition, this is community, this is jiujitsu.

Our special 30th episode guest, he is a blackbelt and SIBJJ's former head coach, whose experience runs deep. He's trained with the greats and has been shaped by years on the mats. He brings a rare presence to his teaching, offering patience and insight to every student he works with. Calm, yet passionate about his jiujitsu and his people, he is grounded and caries an unmistakable island vibe. This is Westen. 

He is a purple belt and part of the morning OG crew, a leg locker with a sharp, no bullshit gauge. He trains through every chapter of life as a family man, business owner and seriously talented artist. Honest, creative and unapologetically real This is Tattoo Chris. 

After years of supporting her kids as a jiujitsu gym mom, she stepped on the mats herself. Between motherhood, night shifts and endless responsibilities, she still shows up to train with kindness, grit and a beautiful heart. This is Medina. 

A Rest Round with Jiu Jitsu couples-We dive into what it's like when your partner is on the mats too: support, struggle, ego checks, and growing together. Along the way, Dom and Almine share how their own jiu jitsu journey began together, setting the tone for what it means to train, grow and evolve together. Same sport, same team...sometimes different rolls. This is life and love on the mats.

A blackbelt of 31 years, hailing from from the Boise area and one of the head honchos at System Jiu Jitsu, his passion for the art is unmatched. Equal parts serious technician and lighthearted training partner, he's a leader, a lifer and someone who lives and breathes Jiu Jitsu. This is Jacen.