Greetings, all. This week on the podcast, I sit down with BJJ purple belt, John Ramos, to hear how his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with a Google search about Married with Children star Ed O’Neill and led him from Florida International University to Carlos Gracie Miami and eventually to Crazy 88 MMA.

John reflects on his early days as a white belt competitor, the importance of training safely, and how the world of BJJ intersects with his experiences in the military. He opens up about the emotional challenges of transitioning between gyms and how the mats became a lifeline during tough moments in his personal life.

John also shares what he looks for in a new training environment and offers valuable advice for fellow service members who might feel hesitant to try BJJ. We close out the episode with a fun round of rapid-fire questions to get to know him even better—on and off the mats.

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI." Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify. https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com

Welcome back, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt Navarro Chamberlain, training out of Crazy 88 MMA. Known for his tireless work ethic, technical precision, and dedication to the craft, Navarro shares the story of how he first discovered Jiu-Jitsu and the early struggles that shaped his journey. He reflects on what it’s like to train in one of the most competitive gyms in the region, learning from elite coaches and training partners who constantly push him to evolve.

Navarro discusses the mental and technical transitions that come with advancing in rank, reveals his favorite positions and submissions, and offers valuable advice for lower belts aspiring to progress. We also talk about his long-term goals in the sport, including thoughts on coaching, reaching black belt, and staying motivated through the grind.

To close out, Navarro takes on our Rapid Fire segment, answering questions about his toughest rolls, go-to submissions, and how the art has influenced life beyond the mats.

You can keep up with Navarro's journey and accomplishments by following him on Instagram at @frankenstein_bjj

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI." Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify. https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com

Welcome back, friends. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Ben Kovacs, co-founder of Guardian Gym, a nonprofit martial arts academy with locations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Ethiopia, and more, with a mission to empower youth through free access to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mentorship.

Ben shares the personal experiences that ignited his passion for community work and the story behind the gym’s inception. From securing funding for their first location to building a culture rooted in connection rather than competition, Ben walks us through how Guardian Gym challenges the stereotypes surrounding combat sports. We explore the emotional, psychological, and social benefits that martial arts can offer, especially for at-risk youth, and discuss why BJJ is far more than a sport—it’s a transformative tool for growth, self-respect, and community healing.

To keep up with Ben and what Guardian is up to, you can follow on Instagram at @guardiangym and guardiangym.org

We want to shout out @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mad10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI." Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify. https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com