On this episode of The Gi Pot, Kaz and Rach sit down with the enigmatic Dean Lister — ADCC champion, leg lock pioneer, and the guy who made your knee pop before it was cool.

From his turbulent upbringing in Panama to the gritty proving grounds of early MMA, Dean walks us through a life shaped by struggle, sharpened by pressure, and sealed with ankle-breaking submissions. We dig into the old-school days of BJJ before Instagram fame and YouTube instructionals, his impact on modern leg game philosophy (hint: Danaher was listening), and what it means to coach in a culture obsessed with winning but allergic to suffering.

Raw, real, and unfiltered — this isn’t just a catch-up. It’s a reckoning with the man who taught the world to “why ignore 50% of the human body?

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach wrestle with one of those timeless martial arts paradoxes: “Never always, but always sometimes.” It’s the kind of cryptic wisdom from Rach’s coach that sounds like a riddle until you’ve rolled enough to realize it’s an unbreakable rule… until it isn’t.

They unpack how this idea shows up in training, competition, and life on and off the mats: why “rules” in Jiu Jitsu are often flexible, how exceptions keep the art alive, and why the only certainty is that nothing is absolute. With their usual mix of sharp wit, dark humor, and real insight, Kaz and Rach remind us that BJJ is less about black-and-white rules and more about rolling in the grey.

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach roll into one of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of Jiu Jitsu: training safety. From preventing injuries and managing intensity in the gym to setting boundaries with training partners, they cover the essentials of staying safe while pushing your limits.

The conversation dives into the culture of “toughing it out,” the hidden risks that come with ego-driven rolls, and the strategies that keep your body — and your BJJ journey — sustainable. Expect a mix of practical advice, raw honesty, and a few cautionary tales that prove safety isn’t just about protecting joints, it’s about protecting the passion for the sport itself.

Whether you’re a white belt just starting out or a seasoned competitor, this episode is about keeping you on the mats and off the sidelines.

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach get brutally honest about one of the most loaded topics in Jiu Jitsu: ego. It’s the thing every coach says to “leave at the door,” yet it sneaks onto the mats anyway — sometimes fueling growth, sometimes causing chaos.

They dive into the duality of ego in training and competition: how a healthy dose can sharpen your edge, drive discipline, and push performance, but unchecked ego can fracture teams, stunt progress, and turn rolls toxic. Along the way, Kaz and Rach unpack their own battles with ego, the lessons learned from watching it implode (or thrive) in others, and how mindfulness, humility, and perspective can keep the monster in check.

This isn’t a sermon — it’s a neon-lit, sharp-witted exploration of the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious ways ego shows up in BJJ.

On this episode of The Gi Spot, Kaz and Rach crack open a full debrief with Iconic Jiu Jitsu’s Nationals squad, fresh off their campaign at the 2025 IBJJF Australian Nationals. This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to prepare, perform, and recover at one of the biggest comps of the year.

Kaz flips the script and interviews Rach (Black Belt) alongside her Iconic teammates: Grant Bradshaw (Black Belt), Jayden Rutherford (Purple Belt), and Donovan Eyles (Blue Belt). Together, they peel back the curtain on the grind behind their Nationals run. Expect a deep dive into:

• Mindset under pressure — the mental tools that keep you calm when the lights are on.

• Training programs & structure — what a Nationals prep cycle really looks like day-to-day.

• Training goals & progression — how each belt level sets targets and evolves their approach.

• Mindfulness & recovery — the underrated habits that keep athletes sharp and balanced.

• Nutrition & supplementation — from cutting weight to fueling performance, the strategies that matter.

  
  

It’s more than just competition talk—it’s a study in discipline, resilience, and adaptation at every belt level. Whether you’re a hobbyist curious about high-level prep, a competitor looking for an edge, or just a fan of honest mat talk, this episode gives you the inside line on how the Iconic crew sharpened their swords for battle.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what it takes to chase gold—and maybe some inspiration to tweak your own game, both on and off the mats.

In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse duo behind Alpha Jiu Jitsu Academy — Professor Xavier Sales, a Machado black belt with more than two decades on the mats, and Marie Sales, program director, blue belt, and the heartbeat of Alpha’s community.

Xavier shares his journey from competitor to coach, including what it takes to win titles while raising the next generation of grapplers. Marie opens up about blending social work, motherhood, and martial arts to build programs that empower kids, women, and entire communities. Together, they prove Jiu Jitsu is more than submissions and medals — it’s a philosophy for resilience, confidence, and transformation.

Expect raw stories, sharp insights, and a glimpse at the real grind (and grace) behind Alpha Jiu Jitsu’s rise.

On this episode of The Gi Spot, Rach and Kaz are joined by Chris “Bones” Burns, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a mission that goes far beyond drilling sweeps and submissions—preserving the elegance and simplicity of jiu-jitsu’s original philosophy.

Chris shares his personal journey through the art, including the sacrifices he made—like selling personal valuables just to attend Rickson Gracie seminars—and the profound lessons he took from time spent with Rickson, his family, and other key figures in the lineage such as Chris Haueter and James Driskill. For Bones, jiu-jitsu isn’t just a martial art; it’s a living history, one that risks being diluted if its roots aren’t honoured.

With passion and clarity, he “geeks out” on the characters, traditions, and philosophies that shaped the foundation of the art, reminding us why simplicity, presence, and respect remain the cornerstones of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This conversation goes beyond techniques—it’s about culture, legacy, and carrying forward the soul of the gentle art.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s at stake when a martial art evolves—or why looking back is just as important as moving forward—Bones’ perspective will leave you rethinking the way you train, teach, and honour the mats.

This week on The Gi Spot, Rach and Kaz tackle a topic that’s been whispered about in locker rooms for too long—menopause—and what it means for women who live and breathe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From night sweats to joint pain, mood swings to the mystery of suddenly forgetting your go-to guard pass, they pull no punches (and throw a few jokes) in this candid conversation.

They share their own experiences, swap survival tips from the mats and beyond, and break down the physical, mental, and emotional curveballs menopause can throw at grapplers. Expect laughs, blunt honesty, and the kind of “no shame” real talk you wish happened more often in the gym.

Whether you’re going through it, seeing it on the horizon, or training alongside someone who is, this episode is a sweaty, relatable deep dive into rolling through life’s biggest transition with grit, grace, and maybe an extra towel.