Newaza Podcast

Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with @danielfredell about: strength and conditioningconsiderations for the Jiu-Jitsu athlete; jiu-jitsu training; and diet and recovery considerations. Daniel has studied many different disciplines and have trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt Under KarelPravec), Krav Maga (Currently Tan Shirt under Caroline Kone at Warriors KravMaga), and Muay Thai. Daniel has an associate degree from Gaston College in the Health and Fitness Science Program. There he wasawarded the Leadership Award, Excellence Award, and Outstanding Graduate Award. Daniel also completed a two-semester dual internship with Hickory Cardiologyand the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department at Frye Regional Medical Center. Daniel was hired as a Rehab Tech II at Frye shortly after his internship ended. Daniel is a Certified Fitness Professional through ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) and ACE(American Council on Exercise). While Daniel has moved away from the medical facility, he still works closely with local Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, MassageTherapist, and Rehabilitation Therapists through their referrals for patients in need of building functional strength and mobility. Daniel is the author of two books which are books are available in paper-back on Amazon at: Jits-Fit: The Grappler's Guide toFitness: Fredell, Mr. Daniel Ray: 9781536980851: Amazon.com: Books Simple to Savage Kettlebell:Taking You from Beginner to Advanced - Kindle edition by Fredell, Daniel.Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Daniel can be reached at:  Instagram  @danielfredell Facebook:  DanielFredell Website:  www.danielfredell.com

Steve McKinney has been in the fitness industry for nearly 34 years. He is the owner of Fitness and More, Inc. and is a 1st Class Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. In 1990 he won the Mr. Southern Illinois Body Building title and was a top 5 finisher in the Mr. Midwest competition. He is the innovator of the 3-W Approach to Fitness and has personally supervised over 4000 workouts per year for the past twenty plus years! Steve specializes in private 1-2-1 High Intensity Training sessions. Steve is a 2 time pan-am silver medalist in blue and purple belt and currently holds a Black Belt in BJJ under Kyle Watson. Go to www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com to get a download of Steve’s video instructional titled “Efficient BJJ Strength in 15 minutes”. Steve’s book, “The Gospel of Fitness” will be released on January 31, 2025 on Amazon.com. Make sure you go to Amazon and pick up a copy!

Jason Scully is a 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 25 + years of experience. Jason is the Owner & Coach of Revel Jiu-Jitsu in East Brunswick New Jersey. Jason teaches both adults and kids Coach. Jason is also the creator of The Grappler’s Guide (one of most popular online learning sites in the world for grappling). Jason is an ADCC trials bronze medalist; Brown Belt World Championship Bronze Medalist; Black Belt No-Gi Pans Bronze Medalist; Multiple IBJJF Open Medalist; Advanced and Expert Division Champion (NAGA, Grapplers Quest, etc..). Jason was inducted In the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and has a YouTube channel (The Grapplers Guide) dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu with 163,000 Subscribers. Jason can be reached at @the_grapplers_guide in Instagram.

Robert Donofrio is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rob Khan, who is a black belt under Royce Gracie. Robert is the owner of Gracie Brandon in Riverview, Florida, which is a mixed martial arts facility specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Robert has competed both in the highest level in sport BJJ as well as professional MMA. Robert can be contacted on Instagram at: @robbydjitsu83 @graciebrandonbjj

ATHAN SIAMAS: Athan Siamas is a brown belt under Mike Jaramillo and a co-founder/instructor at Renzo Gracie East Side Martial Arts. His experience as a teacher includes Renzo Gracie Middletown, Renzo Gracie Union Square, and in the famous “blue basement” at Renzo Gracie Academy HQ, in New York City. Through his ambassadorship with We Defy Foundation, Athan participates in seminars around the country, raising funds to provide combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities a long term means to overcome their challenges through the art of jiu jitsu. Athan is also co-founder of The Happy Pill Project, a social media outlet that promotes the healthy and positive aspects of the jiu jitsu lifestyle with the goal of growing a larger and stronger community. In addition to being the engine behind its YouTube and social media posts, Athan is perhaps best known for his role in front of the camera as Mike’s main uke (the person who helps with the technique demonstration). Although Athan is the first to say that he does not always enjoy competing, he continues to challenge himself by entering competitions ranging from local tournaments to world championships. He believes the process of competition exposes him to different elements of jiu jitsu making him a more effective practitioner and instructor. CYNTHIA YANG: Cynthia Yang is also a co-founder and instructor at RGES. Recognizable on the mats by the orange notebook she writes in during lessons, she is the person behind the free flowcharts & illustrated glossary on The Happy Pill Project’s Linktree. Cynthia received her brown belt from Mike Jaramillo and continues to train at Renzo Gracie Academy HQ. Athan can be contacted on Instagram at: @athanjj Cynthia can be contacted on Instagram at: @cyy.bjj