BjjBrick Podcast- BJJ, no-gi and good times!

BjjBrick Epi 373 Value your teammates

·1 hr 10 min·5 clips

Joe Thomas explains why sharpening your jiu-jitsu doesn't always require training with 100% beasts.

Episode 373 of the BJJ Brick Podcast marks the return of hosts Byron, Joe Thomas, and Gary Hull after a long break. The episode opens with humorous banter about a fictional prison stint, setting a lighthearted tone. Byron introduces two key quotes: one from Joe about 'iron sharpens iron,' which Joe explains emphasizes that improvement in jiu-jitsu can come from various training intensities and partners, not solely from hard rounds with elite athletes. This leads to a discussion on adapting training as practitioners age, with Gary noting he has slowed down due to wear and tear. Byron then contrasts his jiu-jitsu style—slow, methodical, with few submission attempts—with Gary's aggressive, high-volume attacking style, despite training together for over 20 years. Gary reflects on how he modeled his game after a training partner who constantly attacked, highlighting the personalization of jiu-jitsu as an art form. The hosts shift to the core theme of valuing teammates, introducing the concept of plus, minus, and equals training partners. They debate how to grow when you're the best in your gym, with Joe suggesting intentionally putting yourself in bad positions. Joe adds that ideal teammates can fluidly switch between these roles, adapting to different partners' needs. Gary emphasizes the importance of welcoming new members to foster team growth, praising Byron's skill in making people feel comfortable. The conversation touches on coaching versus teaching, with examples from Byron's gym where the owner involves students in instruction to build community. Joe shares a strategy of connecting teammates with topic experts rather than pretending to know everything. The hosts explore the diverse reasons people train jiu-jitsu—from competition to fitness to social connection—and how understanding these 'whys' enhances teamwork. They critique grappling dummies as inadequate substitutes for human partners due to the lack of social and adaptive feedback. The episode concludes with reflections on listener relationships built through the podcast and an open-ended plan for future occasional episodes.

As heard by us

A funny, loose case for valuing the training partners who help a room work.

BJJ Brick Podcast episode 373 makes a loose, funny case for valuing training partners, with Joe Thomas, Byron Jabara, and Gary Hull talking through the different roles people can play on the mats.

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Why you'd press play

You want a reminder that the right training partners matter as much as the round itself.

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