Episode 20: The 10th anniversary of BJJ Globetrotters!

It’s been 10 years since I sketched out a logo for a patch idea and BJJ Globetrotters came into existence. We celebrate that with a special episode where community members are “calling in” from many corners of the earth to leave a message or story for the podcast.

Episode 19: How David from Canada used Matsurfing to go on an epic trip through Europe

Matsurfing is couchsurfing style network for Jiu Jitsu travelers and it is—unknown to many—actually how the idea of BJJ Globetrotters started out in the very beginning. It’s a little corner of our community that is less exposed but widely used. David Bruun from Canada tells his story about how he used the network to travel through Europe on an epic adventure.

Episode 18: A talk in the forest with Chris Haueter on tribalism, hierarchy, personal relationships and status symbols in Jiu Jitsu

Chris Haueter has had a big influence on my Jiu Jitsu and even on the creation and philosophy of BJJ Globetrotters. I sat with him in the forest at our camp in Maine and had a little chat about random things that came to mind.

Episode 17: Bobby and Amanda started BJJ program in Moldavian village, now run a pay-what-you-can academy/campsite/community in North Carolina

In this episode I’m talking with Bobby and Amanda McMasters who I met in Romania during my trip around the world back in 2011. They had volunteered through the Peace Corps and Bobby had been setting up a small Jiu Jitsu project in a village in the middle of nowhere with population of just 2000 people. Later, they’ve moved back home to the United States, where they’re running a membership-free Jiu Jitsu academy and campsite with various self-built accommodation options.

Episode 16: Heather quit her office job, bought an old VW bus, drove it across the US and lived in it so she could train Jiu Jitsu full time

In this episode, I talk with Heather Raftery about how she quit her office job to become a Jiu Jitsu Gypsy, living in a 50 year old Volkswagen bus and training Jiu Jitsu full time. We also talk about how you can use changing your voice for getting out of dangerous situations.

Episode 15: Ordering pizza online for Valerie who got stuck in Kazakstan’s pandemic quarantine after taking up a controversial offer to go teach Jiu Jitsu there

Valerie Jean took up a much controversial offer on the Members of BJJ Globetrotters Facebook group to fly to Kazakstan and teach Jiu Jitsu, all inclusive. Those who were nervous for her to get stuck there indefinitely, had probably not imagined that would actually happen because of a world wide pandemic. After many unsuccessful attempts at catching a flight out of Kazakstan to get home to Canada, we managed to call her during the quarantine and hear her story. [Quarantine special]