We’ll Take it From Here with Joe

This week we bring another JitZone special and sit down with returning guest Phil McEntee. Phil's debut to the show occurred on episode 55 in which we learned about his personal story and also spoke about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (please listen to that episode to learn about Phil). Today Phil and I chop it up strictly about BJJ. We speak about his journey as a Brown Belt, how becoming an instructor has impacted his game, and his plans for the sport in the future. Love chatting with Phil because he's very knowledgeable and humble; but rest assured, he can be deadly. Sit back and enjoy the show!

I really enjoy expressing my thoughts and opinions via solo episodes, which is what I bring this week. Another conversation at the gym sparked an idea for a topic about the importance of being grateful while also exploring your true purpose in life. For those who know my situation regarding my career, you know how it brought me confusion. However, recently, my outlook has changed to a positive one and I delve into this idea during the show. In addition, I touch on the importance of doing what YOU want based on a story that was told to me while working out. If you believe that there is more to life than what you are currently doing, this is your sign. Enjoy!

This week I speak about my trip to Washington State where I attended Guns & Gis class 009. This was my second time attending the camp (the first time was class 007 in Louisiana in March 2023) and there is a reason why I, along with six other friends from 007, came back. Guns & Gis is a three-day immersion camp in which you learn tactical pistol shooting and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.... sign me up! However, it's more than that; what really stood out to me is the camaraderie you build with complete strangers in one weekend. The vibes are awesome, and everyone shares one goal: become a better version of themselves. I DO NOT go into the minutiae of the training however; I do share what occurs and why it is important in the current climate. Please enjoy and see below if you are interested in attending.

Website - Guns & Gis Camp - Vida Jiu-Jitsu (vidabjj.com)

Instagram - @gunsandgisofficial

This week I sat down with my boy and Rapper, Kieran Stewart. Kieran was born in Barnegat, New Jersey and since his youth, has aspired to be a rapper. Eleven years later, he has produced and is producing songs, while also performing live (usually at the Love Lounge in Plainfield, NJ). What is truly admirable is Kieran's discipline, passion, and resilience. He is determined to improve with each performance and is confident that he will perform on the big stage. Kieran's story is truly inspiring for those who may be currently grinding or thinking of doing something on their own; if this is the case, he has one message for you "don't chase, just do". You can find Kieran's music on Spotify at KiERAN and follow his progress on Instagram @kierangram_. Please enjoy!

We are back with another JitZone episode for all you Jiu Jitsu fanatics! Today, I piggyback off of the theme of last week's episode about letting go because I believe it has a profound impact toward one's progress in the sport. I talk about my personal experiences of having more fun, working on my weaknesses, and focusing less on the outcome of each round. The result? My game has improved. I talk about sparring with people better than you, putting yourself into uncomfortable positions, working your weaknesses, and just having fun on the mats. Once I stopped focusing on the submissions, they came more easily. Jiu Jitsu contains a lot of life lessons and with the right approach will help you grow both on and off the mats. Enjoy!

This week, we start a new chapter of the show of having one host! As mentioned on the previous episode, Jon had to leave due to personal circumstances, however we are grateful for his hard work and contribution to the show! That being said, I give my opinion about two specific areas that I am currently working on in my life: 1) Knowing Your Worth and 2) Letting Go. I hope you get something out of this. Sit back and enjoy the show!

This week we say goodbye to cameraman/co-host Jon. Jon was with the show for 23 weeks and did a phenomenal job in increasing the video quality and brought some interesting viewpoints to each conversation. Jon's decision to leave stemmed from personal priorities which we respect in the fullest. We are grateful for his hard work and dedication to the show and wish him the best in his future endeavors. Jon is a friend for life. Please enjoy the show.

This week we were joined by another member of the Pure MMA family, Trevor Patterson. The one thing we have learned from the start of the show is that the Pure Community is filled with amazing people whose stories are truly inspirational and today is no different. Trevor recounted his journey of forty years in Martial Arts and how it's shaped him to be the man he is today. Trevor is a true student of the arts, and his passion for self-improvement has allowed him to learn a plethora of disciplines, which are the following: Taekwondo, Shotokan/Goshin Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu. Trevor's attitude toward martial arts at 46 years of age is no different than when he started; his goal is to keep learning and re-falling in love with the arts and hopes his story will cause others to do the same. He also shares cool stories of hardcore training sessions with fighters such as: Dan and Jim Miller, Frankie Edgar, Amanda Nunez, Andy Main, and many more savages. Sit back and enjoy!

This week we speak about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, which stemmed from an encounter Joe had earlier in the day. We share our view on why growth comes from discomfort and also share some examples from our lives. Getting uncomfortable is never easy but is essential and there are different levels to it. Essentially, we are always striving to be better. The conversation flowed nicely and we shared some great insight. Finally, this episode was combined with the Q&A segment that we posted on our Instagram. Enjoy the show!

This week we had an awesome conversation with Ryder Clemmo. Ryder is a Father, firefighter in Pennsylvania, former Recon Marine, former wrestler, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. Ryder had a tough childhood, which included: a rough home life, getting bullied, arrests, and more. Then one fateful day, everything changed after receiving a beating from a Senior wrestling "teammate", which left him battered. Ryder decided that he would learn how to defend himself and change his life. However, at 18 he was given an ultimatum by a Judge: either 1) enlist in the Marine Corps. or 2) go to jail. Needless, to say Ryder joined the Marines and it changed his life. Ryder recounts many funny and badass stories about his time in the Corps, while simultaneously describing the lessons learned. His message is simple, you are not the only one going through rough times. You too can overcome any obstacle; you're not alone. We also have great BJJ conversations as well. Please sit back and enjoy Ryder's story as much as we did.