Episode 60, the last one of the year.

We didn’t predict this year, not even close. Illness, treatment fog, big life changes, training gaps, and still… the foundation didn’t break.

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to keep moving when life gets weird, how jiu-jitsu exposes your nervous system, and why “self-rescue” is a skill, not a slogan. We also explore the differences between homeostasis and allostasis, building safety in the face of change, and the quiet power of being surrounded by solid people.

What we cover:

• The weird year nobody could’ve predicted
• Getting sick, ear pain, sinus “Q-tip exorcisms,” and why Danny hates airplane air
• Why jiu-jitsu is mental health, not a hobby
• Coming back after health issues and realizing the room leveled up without you
• Jealousy, pecking order, and staying in a growth mindset
• Homeostasis vs. allostasis, and learning to be safe in change
• “Self-rescue” and why anger isn’t leadership
• How training becomes regulation for dads and sons
• The medical cloud: nausea meds, ATRA, arsenic, and losing your clarity
• Gratitude, community, and the people who showed up when it mattered
• Retirement uncertainty, identity shifts, and learning to celebrate yourself
• Why we’re switching release days to Tuesdays in 2026

Takeaway:

Life isn’t predictable. You don’t need certainty. You need a foundation that holds, people who don’t disappear, and the ability to adapt midstream.

If this episode hit you: share it with a friend who’s quietly carrying a heavy year.