The Open GuardCast

Episode 45 if OGC is an interview with Adam Ferrara. Adam is a black belt under AJ Sousa and won the No-gi Pan Ams at brown belt, among many other titles. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• ADCC Trials
• Competing while holding down a full time job
• Coaching high school wrestling
• Wrestling training vs. Jiu Jitsu training
• And much more...

Follow Adam @admferrarabjj on Instagram!

Open GuardCast Episode 44 is an interview with Kody Steele of Brazilian Fight Factory. Kody is coming off big wins at Who's #1 and Fight to Win, so we had to have him on the show! Topics covered in this episode include:

• Kody's recent super fight matches
• Transitioning from a wrestling base to Jiu Jitsu
• Training with the Tackett brothers
• ADCC
• And much more

Follow Kody on Instagram @kody_steelebjj

Episode 43 of the Open GuardCast is an interview with multiple time World and ADCC champion Andre Galvao. In addition to being one of the most accomplished Jiu Jitsu competitors of all time, Andre is also the head of Atos HQ, an academy that has produced countless champions. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Being a well rounded competitor
• Coaching athletes to their strengths
• How his faith has impacted his life and the Atos association
• Building great leaders
• Plans for the future
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Andre and Atos Jiu Jitsu on Instagram!

Episode 42 of OGC is an interview with Andrew Wiltse & Jordan Peitzman. Andrew is competing on BJJ Woodstock this Saturday! We discuss:

• The BJJ Woodstock tournament
• Andrew's recent super fights
• And much more...

Be sure to catch BJJ Woodstock this Saturday live on YouTube!

Episode 41 of OGC is an interview with Lucas Valente of Gracie Barra. Lucas is the 2019 IBJJF Worlds Silver medalist and has won many other titles throughout his career. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Lucas's start in Jiu Jitsu
• How his faith has helped guide him through his career
• Lucas's mentors in Jiu Jitsu, including Draculino and Romulo Barral
• Tips for developing a world class open guard
• Trash talking in Jiu Jitsu
• And much more...

Follow Lucas @lucasvalentebjj!

Episode 40 of OGC is an interview with Elisabeth Clay of Ares BJJ. Elisabeth has been on a tear recently in the Fight 2 Win promotion. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Winning the ADCC trials at age 16
• Overcoming injuries and how they led to her developing her style
• Strength & conditioning and recovery methods
• Future competition plans
• And much more

Follow Elisabeth @elisabethclaybjj on Instagram!

Episode 39 of OGC is an interview with Connor Donaldson of Gracie Barra. Connor is a world class competitor, having medaled at the Pan Ams at multiple belt ranks. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Connor's background in gymnastics
• What he's taken from gymnastics into his Jiu Jitsu training
• Training at multiple Gracie Barra gyms
• Getting a business degree
• His new academy in Santa Rosa, California

Follow Connor @connorbjj707!

Episode 38 of OGC is a Q&A with Alex Sterner of Electrum Performance. Alex is our first repeat guest because of his wealth of knowledge of S&C and how to apply it to Jiu Jitsu athletes. This was a Q&A format and covered the following topics:

• Isometric training
• Multi-planar movements
• Specificity in the weight room
• Flexibility vs. mobility
• HIIT and cardio training
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Alex @alex.sterner and Electrum @electrum_performance!

Episode 37 of OGC is an interview with Keven Carrasco. Keven is a brown belt under Queixinho and won the IBJJF Worlds at purple belt, among many other achievements. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• His start in Jiu Jitsu
• Training under Queixinho
• Winning the Worlds as a purple belt
• Spyder Korea's Road to Black Belt tournament
• How Keven and his team has adapted during covid
• And much more...

Follow Keven @kevencarrascobjj to keep up to date with everything going on in his career!

OGC episode 36 is an interview with AJ Sousa. AJ has been a black belt since 2014 and is the owner and head instructor of GF Team Ft. Lauderdale. Topics discussed in this episode include:

• How AJ became an academy owner
• Commentary in Jiu Jitsu
• Current shift to more professional no gi competition
• Optimal rule sets
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Aj @aj_sousa. We plan to have him back on soon so send us a message if you have any questions for AJ!