The next instalment of the company series I sit down with Joanne Wellstead, the lady behind the new all female BJJ show on the block aptly named Enyo Grappling. Looking to celebrate the talent of the high level competitors and help support those on the come up, this show is shaping up to be a fantastic night of Jiu Jitsu. Joanne talks to me about the learning process of running a competition and what has driven her to take on her own Jiu Jitsu companies.

This episode is part of a mini series interviewing UK BJJ companies and sharing their story on how they got started. What motivated them to get started plus the trials and tribulations of running a brand. This episode I interview Roman and Anna behind the Brighton based brand One South. The environmentally friendly brand looking to be part of the growing movement of companies thinking about how to ethically produce BJJ apparel. We talk about their inspirations for design and how skateboarding culture has such an influence on design. 

For this episode I sat down with Rosa Walsh, after a number of standout performances a name that is becoming more and more well known. Rosa spoke to me all the way from Illinois whilst she is training with the Daisy Fresh team to discuss her moments that have helped shape her so far. 

Rosa's moments:

-Grapplefest/ AJP Birmingham

-Competing at Pans and then deciding to compete and train full time.

-Seeing and being along side Ffion for her redemption at worlds.

-Getting a puppy

-Costa Rica and a friend receiving their black belt

This episode I sat down with BJJ brown belt Stefano Sanna in the midst of preparing for his first appearance on Grapplefest. Stefano was first introduced to combat sports growing up in Sardinia but grew to focus on BJJ alone. He shares some of the trials and triumphs he has faced and gave me a good education on Sardinia's top delicacy.

Stefano's moments he picked:

- BJJ in Sardinia and how it compares to the UK

- A career as a nurse

- Leaving Italy to come to the UK

- Moving to London and Jiu Jitsu in London

- Appearing on Grapplefest

For this episode I sat down with MMA fighter and BJJ purple belt Melissa Dixon. Currently preparing for her first professional title fight I thought of no better moment to sit down and discuss her story and the moments that led to how she got here. For those who've seen Melissa fight I can assure you there is so much more to her than meets the eye. For those who haven't then this is a fantastic first introduction.

Melissa's moments she picked:

-Winning and it's importance 

-Going to Uni and lessons learned

-Father passing away and reflecting on my own life

- Marriage and the significance of having a partner

New episode comes with a whole new format. Each guest will pick out moments of their lives that have had shaped them as not just an athlete but as a person. As per usual this will probably lead to many tangents along the way.

This episode's guest is Tommy Yip, being awarded his black belt in 2020 he has gone on to take wins on shows such as Grapplefest. We digressed from his moments to delve into what makes a professional athlete in BJJ and why social media can be a toxic thing.

Tommy's Moments he picked:

-Taking up Jiu Jitsu full time (training and coaching)

-Reflections on losing a member of his family

Nia Blackman is the epitome of the phrase "they need no introduction" and there isn't enough room in this description to cover all her accomplishments to date. I had the pleasure of interviewing Nia discussing what does BJJ mean to her, her ability to take on challenges and most importantly how games of monopoly go down in the Blackman household.

Go follow Nia on Instagram @nia_bjj

Just before her upcoming fight on Polaris, I sit down with Ashley Bendle to talk about exploring her identity outside of being an athlete. The trials and tribulations competing at ADCC trials and why rice krispie squares are the best thing to eat post training.

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Everyone knows Junior Fernandes the competitor on the mats but who is he off them. I chatted with the man himself to delve into his story and find out what makes him tick, his personal hopes and ambitions and plenty more. 

The first episode of 2022 and I sit down with BJJ Brown Belt Sam Quinn, training out of Escapology BJJ. Sam most recently has taken Gold in the British Open and Multiple AJP competitions. We discuss his preparations for Euros, how the Escapology team are pushing him in new ways and his introduction to BJJ. 

Sam may also have said the best quote to grace this podcast "I'll have a cup of tea in your closed guard". So get a brew on and give it a listen.