The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

It’s been a long time, but we are back! I haven’t put up an episode since July, and there is so much to catch up on. Aside from shaking off the rust, I talk about my last couple of competitions for 2025, my current injury, BJJ drama, current events, and what is next for the podcast.
 
Please leave a review, subscribe, like, share, and comment if you can. It really helps to grow the show!

Check these videos out!
Prime Series BJJ Match: https://youtu.be/E6YedkW_2w8?si=5IMiPXdOEkQ1mVTT
Attacking From Seated Guard: https://youtu.be/1JNI43rn6Ls?si=KIidzuB86EaanQqN

Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeverydayjiujitsupodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
 
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
 
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21
 
The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Store: https://my-store-ee3230.creator-spring.com/
 
Make a donation to my PayPal account: matt@onguardbjj.com

As we all know, the sport of BJJ is always changing and evolving. Every competition is another opportunity to unleash a new move or attack, and the natural response that follows is, "How do we learn said attack and develop a solution for it?" I talk about trends in the sport, both old and new, kids’ BJJ, and staying ahead of the curve. I also discuss my most recent competition (Grappling Industries Vancouver) and some other current issues, such as Derek Moneyberg, Tim Kennedy's stolen valor, Ben Askren, Randy Couture, and antifascist freedom fighters, in the comments section.
 
Please leave a review, subscribe, like, share, and comment if you can. It really helps to grow the show!
 
Nicky Ryan Just "Invented" A New Submission (The Nickotine):
https://youtu.be/Fqp5kpoS2-I?feature=shared
 
Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeverydayjiujitsupodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
 
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
 
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21
 
The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Store: https://my-store-ee3230.creator-spring.com/
 
Make a donation to my PayPal account: matt@onguardbjj.com

Are you a Gi grappler looking to get better control of those slippery No Gi guys? This is the episode for you! I share my 11 tips to optimize your No Gi game. I also touch on my recent stem cell treatment in Spokane, Washington.
Please leave a review, subscribe, like, share, and comment if you can. It really helps to grow the show!
 
Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeverydayjiujitsupodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
 
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
 
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21
 
The Everyday Jiu Jitsu Podcast Store: https://my-store-ee3230.creator-spring.com/
 
Make a donation to my PayPal account: matt@onguardbjj.com

This week is all about front headlocks! Do you constantly get caught in annoying guillotines and kata gatames (what the hell is even that)? We take a deep dive into front headlocks from both an offensive and defensive perspective. Front headlocks are one of my absolute favourite submission systems. I can’t stress this enough- every single grappler must have these skills in their toolbox. I hope you enjoy the show! 

Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast 
TikTok: @ejjpod 
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com 
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy 
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21 

In this week's show, I discuss something we all deal with in everyday life: The ego. This episode will help you manage and benefit from your ego on the mats, in business, in relationships, and in everyday life. Enjoy the show!

Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast
TikTok: @ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21 

In this week’s episode, I discuss my findings from the last 3 months of using the ecological approach in my academy. I talk about optimizing the constraint-led approach, some big concepts that can help you become a better learner and teacher, developing a framework for building lessons using the ecological approach, and a whole lot more. If you want to start implementing this method into your lessons, this episode is for you. Enjoy the show!



Check out Greg Souders’ social media:
@gdsouders
@standardjiujitsu


Further Studies/Resources:
-Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning By Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
-How We Learn to Move By Rob Gray
-Learning to Optimize Movement By Rob Gray
-BJJ Mental Models Podcast- Ep. 203: Evidence-Based Coaching, feat. Greg Souders: https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/11295325
-Greg Souders- Ecological Approach To Teaching Jiu Jitsu (The Sonny Brown Breakdown): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32hjQdDYldk


Contact/Support The Show:
 
Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast
TikTok: @ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21

This week's episode is for the kids! Or, rather, the coaches and parents who support the kids. My goal for this episode is to help your young students prepare for success in the arena of competition. We discuss training, mindset, parents, tournament day preparations, post-competition reflections, and more. I hope you can takeaway something useful from this episode, and I wish your kids competition team the best of luck on the mats!



Contact/Support The Show:
 
Website: ejjp.show

Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast

TikTok: @ejjpod

Email: ejjpod@gmail.com

On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy

Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21

This week’s episode is the second installment of our miniseries “The History of BJJ.” We learn about more influential Japanese characters, the rise of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Royce Gracie, and how BJJ influenced the early stages of mixed martial arts. Enjoy the show! 

Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast
TikTok: @ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu!: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21 

In this week's episode, we take a look at the origins of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, starting with the history of feudal Japan and the development of Koryu Jujitsu. We discuss how the Bushi or Samurai warrior-class used Koryu Jujitsu on the battlefield, the rise of Jigoro Kano and Kodokan Judo, and the challenge matches of Mataemon Tanabe and Fusen-ryu Jujitsu. Sit back and enjoy this history lesson on the birth of our beloved art!

Further study/Resources:

-Mastering Jujitsu by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher

Contact/Support The Show:

Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast
TikTok: @ejjpod
Email: ejjpod@gmail.com
On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy
Online Academyonguardbjj.com
Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21 

This episode is for the beginners! Are you brand new to Jiu Jitsu? Here is a survival handbook just for you. Jiu Jitsu is a complex language, and you will be expected to have full conversations with others even before you can understand any phrases. The consequence of not being able to carry the conversation is you getting pinned and strangled! If you are a newbie to the gentle art, I hope this episode helps you navigate through the beginning of your grappling journey. Enjoy the show!



Picking a gym

-Be honest with your goals and expectations in Jiu Jitsu

-Shop around in your area and take some free trials (assess cost, commute, culture)

-Understand the culture of the gym before joining (recreational, competitive, family)

-Research the instructors and competitors

-Be aware of cult behaviour

-Network yourself in the local BJJ community

What to learn first?

-Understand the basic history of Jiu Jitsu

-Understand how BJJ fits into an actual fight/MMA

-Try both Gi and No Gi

-Emphasize defense; pin and submission escapes

-Develop the core movements

-Understand the rules of Jiu Jitsu

-Learn how to be a good uke

-Study outside of class time

-Ask questions and listen to others

-Learn from higher ranks at the academy

-Identify your weaknesses

Think in systems

Systems are defined as:

1) A set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network

2) A set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized framework or method.

-Identify your learning style

-Some systems will come more naturally than others based on body type and preference; develop a tokui waza (favourite technique/system)

-Think of how systems fit together in Jiu Jitsu

-Learn each system's critical control points

-Identify common mistakes when learning a system

-Take notes


YOUR FIRST CLASS

Etiquette:

-Be on time 

-Always be clean for training, trim nails, clean gear (date)

-Be polite and fun to be around

-Work hard and don't complain

What to do:

-Good hygiene

-Be friendly

-Don’t take losing personally

-Train safe; always be in control of your movements

-Embrace discomfort

-Pace yourself

-Ask questions

-Try to use new techniques

-Contribute to your gym

What NOT to do:

-Train to win

-Be spazzy or uncontrolled

-Go 100%

-Rely on strength

-Become the “what if” guy

-Leave a mess behind

-Train with skin infections; staph or ringworm

Let your body acclimatize to training

-Prioritize longevity and recovery

-Listen to your body

-Pace yourself

-Gradually increase training volume

-Create a routine

-Good diet and sleep

-Don’t overdo it

-Stretch

Don’t get discouraged

-It’s supposed to be hard

-Reflect on class afterward

-Try to recall the previous lesson before the next class

-Appreciate difficult training and skilled training partners

-Be grateful for finishing training uninjured

Contact/Support The Show:
 
Website: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theessentialjiujitsupodcast

Email: ejjpod@gmail.com

On Guard Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy

Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000253392052/Matt-Kwan-Zara-Can-Do-Jiu-Jitsu%21