In this episode of The Gi Spot, Kaz strips back the fluff and lays out 10 high‑impact ways to extract more from every training session — whether you’re showing up twice a week or chasing gold. From mindset shifts to behind‑the‑scenes tweaks, we cover how to turn time on the mat into genuine progress. Expect blunt truth, real‑life stories from the gym, a few laughs, and one or two uncomfortable insights (because growth doesn’t come from comfort zones).

We dive into things like: how to show up (not just physically), how to roll with purpose instead of going through the motions, how sleep + recovery matter more than you think, how to set micro‑goals between classes, how your non‑training life affects that 90 minutes on the mat — and a whole lot more.

Whether you’re a white belt still learning what the hell “kimura” means or a seasoned belt wondering why you’ve hit a plateau, this episode gives you actionable tools to get more out of your gi time. Lace up, warm up, roll on.

Kaz and Rach catch up with Kari Summers and Mendi Carlson, the unstoppable forces behind the Unbreakable Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Grappling Camp, landing in DFW on February 6, 2026.

This episode is a pulse-check on where women’s jiu-jitsu is right now — and where it’s going when women build the space themselves.

The crew dives into:

• The story behind Unbreakable: why they started it, who it’s for, and what it’s already changed.

• What to expect at the 2026 camp: the vibe, the training, the bonds, and the brutal honesty.

• Creating safety without softness: empowering women without watering down the grind.

• The shifting role of women in BJJ culture — from token roles to titleholders.

• How the camp fights burnout, gatekeeping, and toxic bro‑culture one roll at a time.

It’s inspiring, hilarious, a bit spicy, and full of the kind of insight you only get when women run the room. If you care about the future of jiu-jitsu, you’ll want to be part of this conversation.

To learn more about these two "Unbreakable" powerhouses, or to organise a camp in your area, reach out to the ladies here:

https://unbreakable-bjj.com/

@kari_genesisbjj

@mendicarlsonbjj

@unbreakable

In this episode, Kaz and Rach take a scalpel to one of jiu-jitsu’s most sacred — and absurdly inconsistent — rituals: the awarding of stripes. Are they meaningful milestones or psychological pacifiers? The debate is on.

They break down:

• The history of stripes: who started this, and why?

• Global inconsistency: why getting your 4th stripe in one gym is equal to a blue belt elsewhere.

• The emotional weight: how stripes boost ego, crush hope, or keep students from quitting.

• The dark side: favoritism, performative promotions, and the culty reward system.

• Kids vs. adults vs. competitors — are stripes just one-size-fits-all dopamine?

• When not getting a stripe becomes more powerful than getting one.

This one’s part roast, part real talk — and maybe, just maybe, part therapy session.