The Open GuardCast

Episode 16 of the Open GuardCast is an interview with Ana Lowry of Unity Jiu Jitsu. Ana is the mastermind behind one of the most well known competition academies in Jiu Jitsu. Topics covered in the episode include:

• Ana's start in Jiu Jitsu
• Her relationship with Murilo Santana
• Ana's time spent training in Brazil
• The beginnings of Unity Jiu Jitsu
• Many of the notable athletes training at Unity Jiu Jitsu
• And much more...

Follow Ana on Instagram @lowry207 to keep up to date with her training!

Episode 15 of the Open GuardCast is an interview with ADCC Open Class Bronze Medalist Lachlan Giles. Lachlan is a black belt under John Simon and is the head coach at Absolute MMA in St. Kilda, Australia. Topics discussed include:

• Lachlan's start in Jiu Jitsu
• His training with Craig Jones and Kit Dale
• How he developed his heel hook variations
• His ADCC match with Gordon Ryan
• What he's working on during the quarantine
• And much more...

Follow Lachlan on Instagram @lachlan_giles to keep up with his latest news!

Episode 14 of the Open GuardCast is an interview with one of the icons of Jiu Jitsu media, Riccardo "Baleia" Ammendolia. Ricardo is the first BJJ Black Belt under the Mendes brothers and is an instructor at Pura Jiu Jitsu in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is also a regular on FloGrappling's Who's #1 podcast. In this episode we discuss:

• The Jiu Jitsu scene in Canada
• Riccardo's new podcast
• Jiu Jitsu Pioneers and why it is important to honor them
• The evolution of Jiu Jitsu competition
• And much more..

Follow Riccardo on Instagram @riccardoammendoliabjj and tune in each week to FloGrappling's Who's #1 podcast!

Episode 13 of the Open GuardCast is an interview with black belt and head coach of ECBJJ, Darragh O'Conaill. Darragh is a No Gi European champion adn has competed with many topd names in the sport. Topics covered in this episode include:

• Covid-19 and it's impact on Jiu Jitsu
• Darragh's beginnings in Jiu Jitsu
• His major influences as a competitor and how he learned coming up through the ranks
• Some of Darragh's most accomplished students, including Ffion Davies and Ellis Younger
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Darragh on Instagram @darraghoconaill

Open GuardCast episode 12 features Australian Jiu Jitsu legend Kit Dale. Kit is a Jiu Jitsu instructor and an actor, among many other things. Topics discussed on this episode include:

• Covid-19 and how it has impacted Kit and the Jiu Jitsu community
• Kit's take on the most efficient way to learn Jiu Jitsu
• Why Jiu Jitsu is behind other sports in its training methods
• Kit's online training programs
• And much more...

Be sure to follow Kit on Instagram @kitdaleofficial to keep up with his latest antics!

The Open GuardCast Episode 11 is an interview with Conner DeAngelis. Conner is a brown belt under Andre Galvao and has won the Worlds, Pans, and No Gi Worlds and blue and purple belt. Topics covered in the episode include"

• How Conner is handling Covid-19
• Starting Jiu Jitsu and moving to San Diego to train at Atos HQ
• #Vanlife
• Optimal training environment for a high level competitor
• Conner's plans to move to Denver to train with Michael Lieira Jr.
• And much more...

Send us a message @openguardcast and let us know what you think!

The 10th episode of the Open GuardCast is an interview with Atos Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Nikki Sullivan. Nikki is coming off a submission win at the latest F2W Pro event in Denver. She is a Master's World Champion, A Pan American silver medalist, and has won countless other IBJJF tournaments. Topics discussed include:

• COVID-19 and it's impact on the Jiu Jitsu community
• Starting Jiu Jitsu in college
• Transitioning from a teaching career to full-time Jiu Jitsu
• The Atos HQ womens' team 
• Growth of the sport for women
• And much more!

Be sure to follow Nikki on her social media accounts and let her know if you'd like to see a panda guard instructional!

Open GuardCast episode 9 features Pedigo Submission Fighting Black Belt and star of the recent FloGrappling "Daisy Fresh" documentary, Andrew Wiltse. Andrew most recently won the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds at brown belt, among numerous other Pan and World titles throughout his career. Topics covered in this episode include:

• The FloGrappling "Daisy Fresh" documentary
• Andrew's coach, Heath Pedigo
• Training Jiu Jitsu full time and living in the gym
• Andrew's mentality towards drilling
• His MMA experience
• And much much more

Make sure to follow Andrew @andrew.wiltse46 on Instagram for the latest updates on his Jiu Jitsu career!

Episode 8 of the Open GuardCast feature an interview with co-host Jake Watson. Jake is a very accomplished black belt competitor and is also an instructor at Maracaba BJJ in Mesa, Arizona. Topics covered include:

• Jake's start in martial arts & MMA
• His decision to pursue BJJ full time
• Teaching and how it's influenced his game
• Andre Marcaba and his influence on Jake
• Tournaments vs super fights
• And much more!

Thanks for listening and let us know what you think of the episode!

Episode 7 of the Open GuardCast features Frontline Jiu Jitsu brown belt Tarik Hopstock! Tarik is another Norwegian competitor and has won medals at many major tournaments, including the open weight. Topics covered in this episode include:

• Tarik's start in Jiu Jitsu and the Norwegian scene
• Eduardo "Teta" Rios and Frontline Academy
• Tips for being creative in Jiu Jitsu
• PEDs in the sport 
• Tarik's plans for 2020

Thanks for listening and please send us a message letting us know what you think of the show!