Off the Mats Podcast

Home
Off the Mats Podcast

Off the Mats is a podcast that originates from BJJ.wiki with Brazilian Jiu JItsu and general conversation as the base, but no topic is off limits.

06/08/2025

Link in bio and instastory

Today marks 5 years since I launched the Off the Mats Podcast. What started during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic as a way to stay connected with friends has turned into something bigger than I ever expected.

To every guest who’s come on to share their story, and to every listener who’s tuned in, shared an episode, or reached out—thank you. You’ve helped build a space that’s about more than jiu-jitsu. It’s about people, growth, and community.

Joining me on this week's episode is returning guest, teammate, and friend of the show, Mark Rollamas, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends BJJ, life, and a little pop culture.

We kick things off by catching up on what Mark’s been up to lately—especially his focus on helping newer grapplers develop effective ankle lock attacks. We get into the grind of intense practices and how age and injuries impact training. We also talk about whether YouTube and Instagram techniques actually hold up in live rolls.

Then, of course, we veer into movie talk—sharing thoughts on the new Fantastic Four, our favorite time travel flicks, and some horror film themes (plus a quick nod to the So, You Like Horror? podcast). We wrap it all up by talking about the future of Off the Mats and where my personal jiu-jitsu journey is headed next.

This show has kept me grounded, introduced me to amazing people, and reminded me why these conversations matter.

Here’s to 5 years of stories, lessons, laughs, and everything in between—and to whatever comes next.

🖤 Thank you for rolling with me.

06/08/2025

Reposted from

30/07/2025

Link in bio and instastory

Greetings, all. This week on the podcast, I sit down with BJJ purple belt, John Ramos, to hear how his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with a Google search about Married with Children star Ed O’Neill and led him from Florida International University to Carlos Gracie Miami and eventually to Crazy 88 MMA.

John reflects on his early days as a white belt competitor, the importance of training safely, and how the world of BJJ intersects with his experiences in the military. He opens up about the emotional challenges of transitioning between gyms and how the mats became a lifeline during tough moments in his personal life.

John also shares what he looks for in a new training environment and offers valuable advice for fellow service members who might feel hesitant to try BJJ. We close out the episode with a fun round of rapid-fire questions to get to know him even better—on and off the mats.

We want to shout out

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

Go check out . The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest .

Go give a follow and listen to on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify.

https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj

The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook.com/offthematspodcast

Instagram

TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd

WRITE INTO THE SHOW

Email: [email protected]

28/07/2025

Reposted from Shut up, Meg.

22/07/2025

Link in bio and instastory

Welcome back, folks. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt Navarro Chamberlain, training out of Crazy 88 MMA. Known for his tireless work ethic, technical precision, and dedication to the craft, Navarro shares the story of how he first discovered Jiu-Jitsu and the early struggles that shaped his journey. He reflects on what it’s like to train in one of the most competitive gyms in the region, learning from elite coaches and training partners who constantly push him to evolve.

Navarro discusses the mental and technical transitions that come with advancing in rank, reveals his favorite positions and submissions, and offers valuable advice for lower belts aspiring to progress. We also talk about his long-term goals in the sport, including thoughts on coaching, reaching black belt, and staying motivated through the grind.

To close out, Navarro takes on our Rapid Fire segment, answering questions about his toughest rolls, go-to submissions, and how the art has influenced life beyond the mats.

You can keep up with Navarro's journey and accomplishments by following him on Instagram at

We want to shout out

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Go check out . The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest .

Go give a follow and listen to on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify.

https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj

The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook.com/offthematspodcast

Instagram

TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd

WRITE INTO THE SHOW

Email: [email protected]

22/07/2025

Reposted from I couldn’t stand working with “method actors” this one chick in a scene where I’m choking her asked me “Choke me harder so I can work off it. Like as hard as you can.” So I choked her a bit, she turned blue, passed out, came to and shouted “Oh my god, i haven’t climaxed that hard in years.” Entirely different movie there’s a scene where a dude attacks me with a bat and beats me up in my own backyard. This guy tells me before the first take “Yo I’m method, so I’m actually gonna hit and beat the crap out of you!” Told him “You can try.” I didn’t think he was being serious till I heard “Action!” And he kicked me in the chest, he’s winding up a bat swing and I scooped up some gravel and threw it in face like pocket sand and popped him. His nose starts bleeding he’s yelling “What the hell, man! I’m supposed win the fight!”
Coming to theater near you

16/07/2025

Link in bio and instastory

Welcome back, friends. This week on the podcast, I sit down with , co-founder of Guardian Gym, a nonprofit martial arts academy with locations in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Ethiopia, and more, with a mission to empower youth through free access to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mentorship.

Ben shares the personal experiences that ignited his passion for community work and the story behind the gym’s inception. From securing funding for their first location to building a culture rooted in connection rather than competition, Ben walks us through how Guardian Gym challenges the stereotypes surrounding combat sports. We explore the emotional, psychological, and social benefits that martial arts can offer, especially for at-risk youth, and discuss why BJJ is far more than a sport—it’s a transformative tool for growth, self-respect, and community healing.

To keep up with Ben and what Guardian is up to, you can follow on Instagram at and guardiangym.org

We want to shout out

Head over and use promo code Mad10, and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI."

Go check out . The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest .

Go give a follow and listen to on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify.

https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj

The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook.com/offthematspodcast

Instagram

TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd

WRITE INTO THE SHOW

Email: [email protected]

08/07/2025

Link in bio and instastory

What's up, nerds? This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and passionate collector . Sam shares the story of how he began his BJJ journey, the hard-earned lessons he's learned while climbing the ranks, and how he prepares mentally and physically for major competitions. We also dive into the challenges that come with training—nerves, injuries, and plateaus—and how he overcomes them.

But Sam isn’t just a grappler—he’s also a serious Marvel Legends collector. He breaks down how his collecting passion began, shares his favorite releases, talks about the hunt for rare figures, and reflects on the highs and lows of building an epic collection.

To wrap up, we explore the unexpected ways the BJJ and collector communities overlap, from shared camaraderie to the thrill of the chase. Whether you’re on the mats or on the hunt for your holy grail, this episode’s got something for you.

Thank you all for listening to and supporting the podcast. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media.

Go give a follow and listen to on Instagram and listen to the new episode on Spotify

https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj

The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook.com/offthematspodcast

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd

WRITE IN TO THE SHOW

Email: [email protected]

Address

Website

https://offthematspodcast.podbean.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Off the Mats Podcast posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Off the Mats Podcast:

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Contact The Business
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City:

06/08/2025

06/08/2025

30/07/2025

28/07/2025

22/07/2025

22/07/2025

16/07/2025

08/07/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share