Forever White Belt

In this episode, I sit down with one of the most brilliant minds in the world of Jiu Jitsu—Malachy Friedman. Widely respected as a true scientist of the art, Malachy is a black belt whose innovative approach to coaching, technique, and strategy has earned him admiration across the global Jiu Jitsu community. Many of us have looked up to him for years, not just for his depth of knowledge, but also for the generous, passionate, and authentic energy he brings to everything he does. Malachy shares insights into his evolution as both a martial artist and a coach, detailing his journey through the worlds of MMA and Jiu Jitsu. We dive into the challenges of content creation, the unique demands of coaching in both sports, and his ongoing work to develop a comprehensive MMA instructional library. We also explore the leg control meta and the importance of personalized coaching that truly resonates with students. Malachy unpacks the nuances of performance, creativity, and the ever-evolving strategies of grappling, highlighting the balance between control and expression, between specialization and adaptability. From studying legends like Fedor to the role of seminars and sharing knowledge with the next generation, I hope this conversation captures some of what makes Malachy Friedman so respected, not just as a coach, but as an artist, a thinker, and just a great guy. Links: https://www.instagram.com/malachyfriedman/ [https://www.instagram.com/malachyfriedman/] https://www.madlabbjj.com/ [https://www.madlabbjj.com/] https://www.skool.com/mmamastermind [https://www.skool.com/mmamastermind] Salt Electrolytes use code FWB for 15% off. https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb [https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb] Become a VIP member for only .99 a month, get ad-free, uncensored, early episodes https://is.gd/GytgXM [https://is.gd/GytgXM] Instagram @foreverwhitebeltshow [https://www.instagram.com/foreverwhitebeltshow/]. Go buy your Forever White Belt swag at teespring.com/forever-white-belt [http://teespring.com/forever-white-belt]. Linktree https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt [https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt]

In this episode, I'm joined by a true innovator in the Jiu Jitsu world—Nelson Puentes, the co-founder of Inverted Gear and a third-degree black belt who has spent years traveling the globe, training, teaching, and building community. Nelson and his wife, Hillary, launched Inverted Gear in 2012 with a mission to create high-quality Jiu Jitsu gear that reflected both personality and performance. What started as a small brand with a sleepy panda logo has since become one of the most popular companies in the BJJ scene, known for its thoughtful design, ethical manufacturing, and strong connection to the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. But Nelson’s journey goes far beyond the GI. He’s also the head instructor at Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he’s built a culture rooted in play, accessibility, and deep conceptual learning. In this conversation, Nelson and I explore his early days in Jiu Jitsu, his philosophy on teaching, how traveling shaped his approach to training, his love of German food, and the challenges and lessons that came with creating businesses from the ground up. Links: https://www.invertedgearacademy.com/ [https://www.invertedgearacademy.com/] https://www.invertedgear.com/ [https://www.invertedgear.com/] https://www.instagram.com/invertedgearnelson/ [https://www.instagram.com/invertedgearnelson/] Salt Electrolytes use code FWB for 15% off. https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb [https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb] Become a VIP member for only .99 a month, get ad-free, uncensored, early episodes https://is.gd/GytgXM [https://is.gd/GytgXM] Instagram @foreverwhitebeltshow [https://www.instagram.com/foreverwhitebeltshow/]. Go buy your Forever White Belt swag at teespring.com/forever-white-belt [http://teespring.com/forever-white-belt]. Linktree https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt [https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt] #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #grappling #bjj #bjjglobetrotters

I’m incredibly honored to share a conversation with someone whose work has had a massive influence on my own jiu-jitsu journey, from the earliest stages right up to today—Rob Biernacki. Rob is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head instructor at Island Top Team in Nanaimo, British Columbia. He’s also the mastermind behind BJJ Concepts, the groundbreaking instructional platform that redefined the way so many of us—me included—think about learning jiu-jitsu. Rob’s approach is rooted in logic, structure, and conceptual clarity. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by technique after technique, his material gives you a framework to understand jiu-jitsu. His teachings on alignment, structure, and posture-based control completely changed how I see the art, and I know I’m not alone. In this episode, Rob and I discuss his evolution as a coach, The Roadhouse Choke, and how to develop a game built on principles, not memorization. We get into his thoughts on the direction of the sport, the pitfalls of conventional training, and what keeps him excited to keep exploring and teaching. Rob’s one of the few voices in the BJJ world that consistently advocates smarter, more efficient learning. I can't overstate how much his content has shaped how I train and communicate about Jiu-Jitsu to others. Links: https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam [https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam]https://islandtopteam.com/ [https://islandtopteam.com/]https://bjjconcepts.net/ [https://bjjconcepts.net/] Become a VIP member for only .99 a month, get ad-free, uncensored, early episodes https://is.gd/GytgXM [https://is.gd/GytgXM] Instagram @foreverwhitebeltshow [https://www.instagram.com/foreverwhitebeltshow/]. Go buy your Forever White Belt merchandise at teespring.com/forever-white-belt [http://teespring.com/forever-white-belt]. Linktree https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt [https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt] Buy Salt Electrolytes  @SaltElectrolytes  use code FWB for 15% off. https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb [https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb] #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #grappling #bjj

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Randy William, who is quickly becoming a powerful and refreshing voice in the Jiu-Jitsu community.Randy is a BJJ black belt, competitor, and passionate content creator known for his sharp technical insights, detailed instructionals, and thought-provoking breakdowns that reach thousands across Instagram, YouTube, and beyond. His ability to clearly articulate complex techniques while keeping things real, relatable, and approachable has made him a favorite among students and practitioners looking for smarter, more effective ways to evolve their games.What stands out about Randy isn’t just his skill on the mat—it's his dedication to sharing practical, no-fluff jiu-jitsu knowledge and creating accessible pathways for grapplers at all stages of their journey. In this conversation, we get into Randy’s personal evolution in jiu-jitsu, his teaching philosophy, what inspires his content creation, and how he approaches growth both as a practitioner and a coach. We also dive into the importance of training environments, how to handle setbacks, and his broader vision for the sport’s future.Links:https://www.instagram.com/black_belt_randy/https://www.instagram.com/gracie_gulf_coast_bjj/?hl=enhttp://graciegc.com/Salt Electrolytes use code FWB for 15% off. https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb Become a VIP member for only .99 a month, get ad free, uncensored, early episodes https://is.gd/GytgXMInstagram @foreverwhitebeltshow.Go buy your Forever White Belt swag at teespring.com/forever-white-belt.Linktree https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt04:28Randy's Jiu Jitsu Journey06:36Teaching Philosophy and Experience09:28The Evolution of Teaching Methods11:45What Makes a Great Student14:41The Role of Strength and Conditioning16:58Life Lessons from Jiu Jitsu20:40Building a Unique Teaching Style26:21The Importance of Strength Training in Jiu-Jitsu28:45Injury Prevention and Tapping Out30:23Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu32:37Techniques and Personal Style34:42Training Philosophy and Principles36:21Aggression vs. Control in Jiu-Jitsu38:33Mastering the Armbar41:44Teaching Self-Defense and Armbar Techniques44:22Creating a Positive Training Culture49:03Criteria for Belting in Jiu-Jitsu50:39Teaching the Teachers51:10Pros and Cons of Different Academies53:34Online Offerings and Instructionals57:47Consistency and Simplicity in Learning01:00:28Aha Moments and Learning Experiences01:02:14Never Quitting: A Lifelong Commitment01:03:32Conceptualizing Difficulty in Jiu-Jitsu01:07:43The Importance of Fundamentals#brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #grappling #bjj

In this episode, Nathan Haddad shares his extensive journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, starting from his early days as a child practitioner to becoming a black belt and esteemed instructor. He discusses his experiences in competition, the evolution of his techniques, and the importance of mindset in grappling. Nathan also delves into his teaching philosophy, the significance of belts in Jiu-Jitsu, and what makes a great student and instructor. He emphasizes the value of consistency in training and shares insights on his future plans and online offerings. Links: https://corelouisville.com/ [https://corelouisville.com/] https://coreprobjj.com/catalog [https://coreprobjj.com/catalog] Salt Electrolytes use code FWB for 15% off. https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb [https://saltelectrolytes.com/?fwb] Become a VIP member for only .99 a month and get ad-free, uncensored, early episodes https://is.gd/GytgXM [https://is.gd/GytgXM] Instagram @foreverwhitebeltshow [https://www.instagram.com/foreverwhitebeltshow/]. Go buy your Forever White Belt swag at teespring.com/forever-white-belt [http://teespring.com/forever-white-belt]. Linktree https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt [https://linktr.ee/foreverwhitebelt] 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Haddad's Journey 04:32 Core Combat Sports and Family Legacy 05:26 The Impact of PGF on Nathan's Career 07:54 Adapting Strategies in Competition 09:55 Self-Critique and Growth in Jiu-Jitsu 11:36 Competing in Different Environments 12:59 Mindset in High-Stakes Matches 14:11 Balancing Coaching and Competing 15:24 The Art of Teaching Jiu-Jitsu 18:25 Teaching Jiu-Jitsu: Challenges and Growth 20:42 What Makes a Great Student? 22:56 The Evolving Meaning of Belts in Jiu-Jitsu 25:32 Aha Moments in Jiu-Jitsu 26:46 The Importance of Consistency in Training 28:17 Core Pro BJJ: Building a Jiu-Jitsu Library 30:47 Future Goals and Aspirations 31:24 The Debate on Training Approaches 32:26 Qualities of a Great Instructor 33:32 Fond Childhood Memories 33:38 Where to Find Nathan Haddad