Shintaro Higashi returns from the Junior Nationals in Chicago and shares a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at this major youth judo event. Joined by co-host David Kim, the two discuss standout matches, rising talent, and the evolving landscape of competitive judo in the U.S.

00:00 Intro & Trip to Junior Nationals01:30 Event Overview & Youth Pipeline

03:00 Event Scale & Social Aspect05:00 Smoothcomp & Tech Evolution

08:30 Coaching Rules & Professionalism11:00 Spotlight on Rising Talent

14:00 Second-Generation Judoka & Top Dojos

16:00 Challenges in Athlete Retention

18:30 Developmental Athletes' Takeaways

21:30 Next Steps Post-Nationals

24:30 Organizational Structure & Gaps

26:00 Funding, Politics & Solutions

29:00 Building Judo's Future

Many thanks to our patrons: Jason (Red Belt), Drew (Coral Belt), and Levon (Coral Belt) and all our Black Belt members. Your support makes this podcast possible!Join my Patreon for:✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns✅ Direct Q&A access✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/David Kim YT/Instagram:  ⁨@midjitsu⁩ 

In this episode, Shintaro Higashi and Dave dive into the nuanced distinction between being an instructor and a coach in martial arts. They explore the expectations, responsibilities, and personal dynamics involved in both roles, drawing from their own experiences in judo, jiu-jitsu, and even ballet. Whether you're a student or teacher, this conversation sheds light on what it truly means to coach — and be coachable.

Marcus Johnson joins the show to talk about the launch of Heritage Jiu Jitsu, a premium new BJJ studio in Morganville, NJ. Shintaro and Marcus dive into the design philosophy, his coaching background, running elite gyms like Essential BJJ and Marcelo Garcia Academy, and what it really takes to build a high-end academy from the ground up.From coaching at ADCC to navigating business systems like billing, merch, and buildouts—Marcus shares a detailed behind-the-scenes look into launching a modern BJJ academy in 2025.Join my Patreon for:✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns✅ Direct Q&A access✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/David Kim YT/Instagram:  ⁨@midjitsu⁩ 

In this episode of The Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro sits down with co-host David Kim to share stories of their respective surgeries—Shintaro's recent knee operation and David’s disc replacement in his neck. They dive deep into the importance of medical self-advocacy, navigating conflicting diagnoses, and what recovery looks like for active martial artists.Join my Patreon for:✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns✅ Direct Q&A access✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/David Kim YT/Insta:  @midjitsu ​

Shintaro Higashi returns from a seminar tour through North and South Dakota and shares highlights from his teaching experience with co-host David Kim. They dive deep into the nuances of judo grip fighting, seminar structure, and how to make training safer and more productive for all levels. This episode is packed with practical teaching philosophy, funny travel anecdotes, and martial arts insight.Join my Patreon for:✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns✅ Direct Q&A access✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/David Kim Instagram/YT:  @midjitsu ​

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro and David Kim break down the unique judo techniques of Natsumi Tsunoda, a gold medalist at the Paris Olympics. The discussion highlights Tsunoda's mastery of the straight back tomoe nage, her innovative use of the secondary leg, and how she seamlessly blends tachiwaza and newaza.

Join my Patreon for:

✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching

✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns

✅ Direct Q&A access

✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage

🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show

Links:

🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule

🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com

📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/

David Kim Instagram/YT:  @midjitsu ​

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro and guest David Kim discuss the revival of the Judo program at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), the challenges of maintaining high-level training, and the collaboration between Shintaro, Colton Brown, and other top athletes to restore the program's energy and excellence.The NYAC is a historic private club in NYC, known for supporting top-level athletes across various Olympic sports. The Judo program, which once thrived, has seen a decline in participation and local involvement, prompting efforts to revitalize it.Join my Patreon for:✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns✅ Direct Q&A access✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show Links:🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/David Kim Instagram: @midjitsu David Kim YouTube: / @midjitsu

David Kim is coming onboard to help with the podcast! He discusses balancing family life with martial arts training, his jiu-jitsu journey as a middle-aged practitioner, and his "midjitsu" persona focused on helping older grapplers. David shares insights on marriage, training philosophy, and how he manages to train consistently while raising four children. David will be a recurring special guest on the show.

Join my Patreon for:

✅ 1-on-1 video call coaching

✅ Exclusive technique breakdowns

✅ Direct Q&A access

✅ Behind-the-scenes training footage

🔗 Subscribe & Support Here: https://www.patreon.com/shintaro_higashi_show

Links:

🇯🇵 Kokushi Budo Institute (The Dojo) Class Schedule in New York, NY 🗽: https://www.kokushibudo.com/schedule

🇯🇵 Higashi Brand Merch & Instructionals: https://www.higashibrand.com

📚 Shintari Higashi x BJJ Fanatics Judo Courses & Instructionals Collection: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shintaro-higashi/

David Kim Instagram: @midjitsu

David Kim YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@midjitsu

In this episode of The Shintaro Higashi Show, you’re riding shotgun as Shintaro drives to the dojo and dives deep into what goes through his mind before training. From setting the right intentions to managing fatigue, fear, and skill development, this off-the-cuff episode covers how to make every session count, whether you’re a competitor, hobbyist, or somewhere in between.Shintaro shares personal stories from his days at the Olympic Training Center, how injuries have shaped his approach, and how being intentional with every workout is key to long-term progress. This is the episode to listen to on your own drive to the dojo.

Do big deadlifts = better judo?In this episode, Shintaro sits down with wrestling coach and grappling veteran Vinnie Mancuso to talk about lifting for combat sports, what actually helps on the mat, and what’s just ego. They share training insights, injury prevention strategies, and how to structure your back day to support grappling performance, not break you down.