Top 10 Jiu Jitsu Podcasts to Follow
Learn jiu jitsu even when you’re not training
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn’t learned on the mat alone. Many of the most thoughtful practitioners use podcasts to sharpen their understanding of strategy, mindset, culture, and long-term development.
Below are 10 standout jiu jitsu podcasts, each offering a different lens on the art + a few bonus episodes to dive into.
1. BJJ Mental Models – Steve Kwan
A conceptual approach to jiu jitsu
This podcast has become a cornerstone for practitioners who want to understand why techniques work, not just how to perform them.
Topics include:
Frames and wedges
Alignment and leverage
Decision-making under pressure
Strategy over memorization
It’s especially valuable for:
Smaller practitioners
Older grapplers
Coaches and analytical thinkers
🔗 Website: https://bjjmentalmodels.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pK9K5q7X8gQx0l9h8zvXx
2. Chewjitsu Podcast – Nick “Chewy” Albin
Practical advice for real-world practitioners
Chewy’s podcast focuses on:
Training smarter, not harder
Longevity in the sport
Dealing with plateaus
Balancing life, work, and jiu jitsu
It’s accessible, honest, and grounded in decades of mat time.
🔗 Website: https://www.chewjitsu.net
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Dqv3s4t8k1RzJ7Z0Lw9Qm
3. The Alberto Crane Show
Philosophy, movement, and martial arts culture
Alberto Crane blends:
Jiu jitsu
Yoga
Mindfulness
Martial arts philosophy
Episodes often go beyond technique, exploring how movement, breath, and awareness influence performance and life.
Ideal for practitioners interested in flow states and long-term health.
🔗 Website: https://albertocrane.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yR5B1p3n2QvF4MZ8kX6Lm
4. Grappling Rewind Podcast
Competition analysis and rule-set breakdowns
If you follow:
IBJJF
ADCC
Professional grappling events
This podcast provides detailed breakdowns of:
Matches
Scoring rules
Trends in competition
Great for competitors and fans who want to better understand how high-level jiu jitsu is evolving.
🔗 Website: https://grapplingrewind.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0m4JcX1A2bZ9R8T5H6kVQn
5. Bulletproof for BJJ Podcast
Strength, conditioning, and injury prevention
Hosted by physical therapists, this podcast focuses on:
Staying healthy
Reducing injuries
Improving mobility
Smart strength training for grapplers
It’s especially useful for practitioners over 30 or anyone returning from injury.
🔗 Website: https://bulletproofforbjj.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5y8m7pZ2nL4F9X6B1J3RkQ
6. Breaking the Guard Podcast
Conversations with athletes, coaches, and innovators
This podcast blends:
Interviews
Technique discussion
Culture and storytelling
It’s less instructional and more exploratory—great for understanding how different practitioners think about their journey.
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9X3DkP7FZ5n8M1JYQ2Wv
7. The Strenuous Life Podcast (BJJ Episodes)
Discipline, character, and martial mindset
While not exclusively BJJ, many episodes intersect with grappling through:
Discipline
Masculinity and responsibility
Training as character development
This podcast resonates with practitioners who view jiu jitsu as a practice of personal development, not just a sport.
🔗 Website: https://strenuouslife.co
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Zy8M7V2Jk6P1F9LQ0R4Xb
8. Tapped In Podcast
A fresh voice on jiu jitsu, community, and connection
Tapped In explores topics like culture, identity, women’s perspectives, and the lived experience of being part of the jiu jitsu community. It’s great for listeners who want both heart and insight in their grappling content.
🔗 Website: https://tappedinpodcast.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q0Dt1r8sLJuaFbS3FikbY
9. The Simple Man Podcast
Straightforward discussions on life, jiu jitsu, and fundamentals
The Simple Man Podcast keeps things practical and focused, breaking down big ideas into simple, applicable takeaways — perfect for practitioners who want clarity over complexity.
🔗 Website: https://thesimplemanpodcast.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aT4XwQ6k8dR3J0y8G7S9L
10. The B-Team Podcast
Stories, strategy, and the human side of jiu jitsu
Hosted by coaches and competitors who bridge the academy and the real world, The B-Team Podcast blends interviews with jiu jitsu thought leaders, discussions about training culture, and insights into how the sport impacts life off the mats. It’s a great balance of storytelling, strategy, and practical perspective.
🔗 Website: https://www.thebteamjiujitsu.com/podcast
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4x7YbbLzR2QmHvvK8Gw6Tt
Using Podcasts as a Training Tool
Listening alone won’t make you better—but active reflection will.
Many practitioners:
Take notes during episodes
Write down concepts to test in training
Reflect on mindset shifts
Pairing podcasts with a training journal helps turn passive listening into applied learning.
🔗 The Practitioner’s Journal:
https://www.thepractitionersjournal.com
Bonus Episodes:
1. Jocko Podcast – Jocko Willink
Discipline, leadership, and mental toughness
While Jocko’s podcast covers military, leadership, and life, many episodes speak directly to grapplers:
Episode #75 – “The Way of the Warrior”: Discusses consistent training, humility, and mental toughness, concepts directly applicable to BJJ.
Episode #152 – “Overcoming Adversity”: Highlights resilience under pressure, ideal for learning to stay calm during sparring.
🔗 Website: https://jockopodcast.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1p0p2yYq6bFXz9mGmMEl5h
2. The Joe Rogan Experience – Joe Rogan
Interviews with elite athletes, scientists, and fighters
Several episodes are valuable for grapplers looking at performance, recovery, or mindset:
#1203 – Eddie Bravo: Discusses BJJ philosophy, creativity in training, and mindset.
#1391 – Gordon Ryan: Elite grappler talks about training, nutrition, and mental approach to competition.
While Rogan’s show is long-form, these episodes provide direct insight from high-level practitioners.
🔗 Website: https://www.joerogan.com
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk
3. Lex Fridman Podcast – Lex Fridman
Deep dives into performance, philosophy, and human behavior
Lex frequently interviews martial artists, scientists, and thinkers. Grapplers can gain actionable lessons from these conversations:
Episode #305 – Gordon Ryan: Discussion on mindset, training philosophy, and grappling psychology.
Episode #178 – John Danaher: Danaher dives into technical jiu jitsu, teaching philosophy, and mental frameworks for mastery.
These episodes are particularly useful for advanced practitioners and coaches seeking conceptual understanding and applied mental models.
🔗 Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk
How to Make These Bonus Episodes Work for You
Pick 1–2 episodes per week: Focus on digestible takeaways.
Journal ideas: Use your training journal to capture mental strategies or drills inspired by the episode.
Apply to training: Whether it’s breath control, focus, or resilience, actively test ideas on the mat.
Pairing these bonus episodes with your regular BJJ podcasts can help you build both physical and mental edge, reinforcing consistent improvement.
Final Thoughts
Jiu jitsu is a thinking art. Podcasts offer:
New perspectives
Long-form discussions
Insight from experienced voices
Whether you’re commuting, recovering, or resting, these podcasts help you stay connected to the practice—and continue learning when you’re off the mat.
