Hosted by Lou Temlett, this is a podcast about the people behind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
From world champions, black belts and gym owners to white belts, community builders, coaches, entrepreneurs and everyday grapplers, these are honest conversations about the journeys, challenges and experiences that shape life on and off the mats.
The Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast explores the stories that don't always get told: resilience, confidence, mental health, motherhood, identity, business, belonging, personal growth and the communities that make Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so much more than a sport.
With over 130 episodes and guests from across the UK and around the world, Lou shines a light on the people, projects and ideas helping to grow the grappling community.
Whether you're preparing for your first class, chasing your next belt, running an academy, or simply fascinated by the human side of Jiu Jitsu, you'll find stories, insights and inspiration here.
Pete Greenlaw joins the JIU JITSU LOU Podcast as he prepares to open Trust The Process Jiu Jitsu, a new academy in Bath.
After spending much of his working life in corporate recruitment, being made redundant twice in 2024 and experiencing health challenges alongside his wife Katy became the catalyst for a complete change of direction. Together they left the UK and moved to Thailand, giving Pete the opportunity to turn something that had always provided an escape from everyday life into something much bigger.
Pete shares his experience of training across Southeast Asia before finding a home at PGA in Phuket, where the quality of the coaching was matched by the community around it. Training alongside professional fighters, world-class grapplers and people with very different mindsets also challenged Pete's own beliefs about who gets to coach, what it means to be good at Jiu Jitsu and whether he was capable of building something himself.
We talk about self-belief, negative self-talk and learning to replace “I can't” with the possibility that maybe you can. Pete reflects on what he learned from being surrounded by elite athletes and how their approach to training, learning and asking questions influenced both his own Jiu Jitsu and the coach he wants to become.
And then there's Trust The Process itself. Pete shares the story of spending weeks getting mounted while trying to learn Deep Half, resisting the temptation to abandon it and eventually turning something completely outside his game into an effective part of his Jiu Jitsu. It's a lesson in patience, resilience, quieting the ego and being prepared to get things wrong while we learn.
That philosophy now sits at the heart of Trust The Process Jiu Jitsu. Pete wants people to walk through the doors knowing that if they keep turning up, keep trying and actually practise what they're learning, they will improve.
We also talk about creating a welcoming academy culture, starting a business for the first time and the support Pete has received from the wider Jiu Jitsu community as he takes another step outside his comfort zone.
Trust The Process Jiu Jitsu opens in Bath as this episode drops. New mats, a new community and the beginning of another journey - now it's time to see what happens when Pete trusts the process himself.
This is a very different episode of JIU JITSU LOU.
My training buddy Zoë Lundy recently found herself in a situation where she had to act - and the skills, confidence and instincts she has developed through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu suddenly mattered far beyond the mats.
In this special episode, Zoe tells me what happened in her own words.
We talk about the decisions she made in those moments, how she stayed composed and took action, and why she only stepped in when she realised there was nobody else there who could help and that other people could be injured.
We also talk about staying safe, protecting others, knowing when to step in, and what it feels like afterwards to realise what you're actually capable of.
This isn't a conversation about looking for confrontation. It's about awareness, judgement and the confidence that can come from training BJJ - and what those skills can mean when they're suddenly needed in real life.
Because sometimes the things we practise on the mats become much more than Jiu Jitsu.
JIU JITSU LOU with Zoe Lundy
Follow @jiu.jitsu.lou for more conversations from across the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community.
Lou Temlett celebrates three years of the JIU JITSU LOU Podcast with a special solo episode looking back at 145 episodes, the conversations, Jiu Jitsu and community that have shaped the journey so far.
When Lou started the podcast in September 2023, she didn't really know what it would become. What began as an opportunity to showcase her podcast hosting and production skills quickly developed into conversations with people across the Jiu Jitsu community, and a platform for sharing their stories and experiences.
Over those three years, Lou's own Jiu Jitsu has evolved too. She started the podcast as a White Belt, became a Blue Belt, competed, won competitions and trained at a number of different academies. Through conversations with guests and experiences on the mats, she has continued to learn how to develop a game that works for her, whilst recognising how individual every person's Jiu Jitsu journey can be.
Lou reflects on community, belonging and the responsibility those already training have to welcome people onto the mats. She talks about navigating change and uncertainty, learning from different coaches and academies, and how competition has helped her become more comfortable with not knowing exactly what comes next.
The podcast itself has grown beyond anything Lou originally imagined. From a vision of creating 10 Jiu Jitsu podcasts by 2028, to being close to achieving that goal two years early, the journey now includes Community Spotlights, event podcasts, international guests, Apple Video Podcasts, a partnership with SoulTaker Fightwear and more opportunities to showcase athletes, coaches, academies, brands and the wider Jiu Jitsu community.
And ultimately, Jiu Jitsu has become a golden thread running through Lou's life. Three years and 145 episodes later, the mission remains to encourage more people onto the mats, give more women a voice within the sport and continue sharing the stories that make the Jiu Jitsu community what it is.
E144: Ju Livesey - Black Belt
Épisode 144
samedi 29 août 2026 • Durée 47:10
Ju Livesey returns to the podcast 90 episodes after we first spoke on Episode 54, this time from Thailand as a Black Belt and co-owner of Carlson Gracie Fight Club Phuket.
When Ju, Owen and their son Thiago moved from the UK to Thailand, opening another gym wasn't part of the plan. They wanted more time together as a family and an opportunity to build a different life, but after recognising something was missing, curiosity and spontaneity took over and another Jiu Jitsu community began to grow.
Ju shares the journey of building the gym, creating opportunities for more women to train and continuing to develop the Chaos Camps she originally started because she wanted more women to train together. What began from her own experience moving from Judo into BJJ has developed into a community of women who continue to come back, train together and support each other.
We also talk about Ju's Black Belt promotion and what the belt means after a lifetime in martial arts. Having already been a Judo Black Belt and regularly competed against higher belts throughout her BJJ journey, the biggest change isn't necessarily the belt itself, but the confidence she now has in her ability and what she can achieve.
Ju talks openly about the challenges of being an athlete, parent and business owner whilst continually putting herself into situations where she is learning something new. We explore how failure can knock our confidence, the importance of doing difficult things and how deliberately making ourselves uncomfortable can build resilience that reaches far beyond the mats.
And now Ju is focusing on her own goals. With title fights, Polaris and the European Championships ahead, she wants to win and believes she has put in the work to do it. Ultimately, it comes down to graft, stubbornness, putting yourself in uncomfortable positions and continuing to show up.
Topics:
• Moving to Thailand
E143: Andy Harris - Black Belt
Épisode 143
samedi 22 août 2026 • Durée 45:41
Andy Harris returns to the podcast almost 100 episodes after we first spoke on Episode 47, this time as a Black Belt and Head Coach of Hybrid BJJ in Plymouth. Andy has been training Jiu Jitsu for over eight years and is a two-time British Open Champion at Brown Belt.
Andy shares how his own Jiu Jitsu has developed, from understanding and playing to his strengths in competition to the importance of building solid fundamentals throughout the belt journey. We talk about the hours he continues to put on the mats and why coaching and teaching are also an important part of his own learning and progression.
With a background in Sports Science, coaching and Strength & Conditioning, Andy explains what sport-specific training actually means and how we can train our bodies for the movements we use in Jiu Jitsu. From pushing, pulling, hinging, squatting and carrying to bridging, framing and unilateral movements, we talk about training with purpose rather than simply getting stronger.
Andy also shares the story of his surprise Black Belt promotion, on the same day that Hybrid BJJ officially became affiliated with ZR. After more than eight years of training, competing and coaching, the promotion brought an emotional recognition of the work he had put in and the people who had helped him along the way.
Becoming a Black Belt has also given Andy a new sense of freedom in his own Jiu Jitsu. We talk about owning your ability, expressing yourself on the mats and the additional responsibility that comes with being both a Black Belt and Head Coach.
And ultimately, community is at the heart of what Andy wants to build at Hybrid BJJ. Jiu Jitsu is for everyone, every person is on their own journey and gyms don't need to exist in isolation. Come in, tap hands, roll, learn from each other and leave the egos behind.
Topics:
• Black Belt
E142: Elisabeth Clay - Black Belt
Épisode 142
samedi 15 août 2026 • Durée 50:41
Elisabeth Clay is a Black Belt and one of the most accomplished competitors in Jiu Jitsu, having competed at the highest level of the sport from an incredibly young age. Her journey has taken her from winning ADCC Trials at just 16 years old to continuing to chase World titles today.
Elisabeth shares the story behind those early years of competition and the expectations she has always placed on herself. We talk about her journey through the belts, why blue belt remains one of her favourites and how her Jiu Jitsu has continued to evolve as the level of competition, and her own experience, has grown.
The conversation explores mindset and Elisabeth's approach to doing difficult things. Whether something takes five minutes or five years, the time is going to pass regardless. We talk about pushing through those moments when you want to stop, trusting the work you've already done and recognising that sometimes you simply have to do it anyway.
Elisabeth also shares the reality behind winning ADCC Trials at 16, including being told beforehand that there was little point in entering. What followed became a defining moment in her career, but also demonstrates the determination and self-belief that have continued throughout her journey.
We talk about family and motherhood, and how Elisabeth's partner and son have become part of her life in Jiu Jitsu and a source of support around competition. Elisabeth shares her experiences of pregnancy, returning to the mats and finding the balance between being an athlete and being a mum.
And ultimately, Elisabeth talks about having high expectations of ourselves whilst also giving ourselves grace. Being hard on yourself can drive progress, whether as an athlete, parent or hobbyist, but there also has to be space to recognise where you are and what you're already doing.
Topics:
• Starting Jiu Jitsu
E141: Angie Vogel - Black Belt
Épisode 141
samedi 8 août 2026 • Durée 51:28
Angie Vogel is a second degree Black Belt who has been training Jiu Jitsu for around 15 years. Alongside her husband Josh, Angie co-owns The Jiu Jitsu Company in Philadelphia and is also the creative force behind much of The Jiu Jitsu Company Fightwear.
Angie spent years watching Jiu Jitsu from the sidelines before eventually stepping onto the mats herself. What followed became much more than training, developing into a lifestyle, business and community. A significant injury during her journey also changed the way Angie approached Jiu Jitsu, moving her focus towards longevity, teaching and creating space for people to experience the sport in their own way.
The conversation explores belonging and the responsibility we have within our academies to bring people into the community, alongside the trust that exists between training partners, coaches and students. Angie shares her approach to coaching people through different stages of life, meeting them where they are rather than expecting everyone to train towards the same goal.
Angie also shares some brilliant thoughts around communication, learning to impose our own game on the mats and giving ourselves permission to want to win. Angie challenges the idea of leaving your ego completely at the door, instead making the distinction between the ego that prevents us from failing and the ego that drives us to learn, problem solve and become better.
And ultimately, Jiu Jitsu should be fun. That philosophy extends into Angie's creativity with The Jiu Jitsu Company Fightwear, from gummy bears and Bearoids to reversible rash guards and trying ideas simply to see what happens.
Topics:
• Jiu Jitsu longevity
• Injury
• Belonging
• Gym culture
• Leadership
E140: Andrew Hardwick - Black Belt
Épisode 140
samedi 1 août 2026 • Durée 40:59
Andy 'Hardy' Hardwick is Black Belt and has been competitive throughout his life. Taking part in every extracurricular sporting activity during childhood have given Andy his edge when it comes to getting to it and being the best he can be.
Owning and running a Jiu Jitsu gym with his best mate from school has been a way for Andy to direct his passion and commitment to sport and performance. He talks about the benefit of approaching performance from many different angles, for competition and longevity in training BJJ. Andy's drive to be the best he could be at every belt level and continues to advocate doing something that challenges each and every one of us.
Mat Lane has a health & performance business and has brought his connection Frankie Ratford - Travelling Interior Designer, (BBC Interior Design Masters Season 7) in to support the continuation of Impact MMA, now known as Impact Martial Arts based in Salisbury.
Impact MMA has struggled making ends meet and the whole community are now pulling together to make a difference for the people that really need the support. Starting with a visual refresh both in the gym and online has been the first actions.
Hosting Royce Gracie in a recent seminar did great things for bringing exceptional self-defence and martial arts to the people in the community. Please keep supporting your local martial arts gyms to make sure they can continue supporting the wider community.
Chelsea Leah has been a Black Belt for 12 years and has stepped up to be outside of her comfort zone to become the Chair of the Women's Committee for the UKBJJA. Chelsea has thrived in other similar roles in her life and brings a significant level of all round Jiu Jitsu experience and knowledge to the role.
Chelsea started BJJ at age 12 in 1999, and was one of the only females on the mats. She found ways to become resilient and confidence which now plays into all areas of her life as a Mother. Coach, Club Owner and Referee.
The discussion moves onto developing more a robust safeguarding within Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where the Safeguarding Code is mentioned, link below. Growing and developing a coaching style is important for every coach in the sport, as is having open discussions around belt progression.
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