JIU JITSU LOU

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast. 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. Real people. Real stories. Real Jiu Jitsu. Follow @jiujitsulou and join the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. E134: Steven Henshall - Black Belt

    6 days ago

    E134: Steven Henshall - Black Belt

    Ste Henshall is a Black Belt, Founder of Ikigai Submission Grappling and Henshall Brazilian jiu Jitsu. Ste started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career accidentally when he thought he was walking into a Thai Boxing Gym. Today he still enjoys teaching and coaching in martial arts and supports to aim for us all to find something we enjoy doing.   It was only when Ste was promoted to Purple Belt that he felt like he had achieved a level of knowledge in Jiu Jitsu, however his favourite colour is black, primarily because he is now a Black Belt! Ste shares some wise words and positive attitude towards how we progress through BJJ. Looking for new approaches to the sport is something Ste is interested in developing in his game.   With Ikigai 11 upcoming on 1st August 2026 Ste shares where it all started and why. His intent is always to do something different but he has set the standard for increasing prize pots on grass roots BJJ events.   Topics: Starting BJJEntrepreneurshipPurple Belt promotionEfficient Jiu JitsuIkigai Submission Grappling  GO FOLLOW Steven on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenhenshall/ Henshall Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henshall_brazilian_jiu_jitsu Ikigai Submission Grappling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikigai_submission_grappling/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  2. E133: Sean Brewer - Brown Belt

    13 Jun

    E133: Sean Brewer - Brown Belt

    Sean Brewer is the Owner and Coach of Resilience Jiu Jitsu in Liverpool, a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and lives and trains with a stoma bag. Sean talks about the way he approaches coaching and making Jiu Jitsu as accessible as possible for people in his area.   Sean's story involves being told he may never train BJJ again after surgery due to Crohn's Disease. He really does demonstrate such positivity and resilience whilst maintaining values that are a true inspiration in life, and in the Jiu Jitsu community. Sean is a dedicated coach with an intent to continue learning, as well as bringing his own research and growth to the sport and creating Resilience Jiu Jitsu to be the biggest No Gi BJJ school in Liverpool.   Topics: Good peopleCommunityTeaching StylesWhite Belt mindsetCoachingCrohn's Disease Stoma bagAdversityThe Third SpaceCoaching StylesDiffusing situations  GO FOLLOW Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sean.brew23/ Resilience jiu Jitsu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilience.jiujitsu/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  3. E132: Torrie O'neil-Strong - Brown Belt

    6 Jun

    E132: Torrie O'neil-Strong - Brown Belt

    Torrie O'neil-Strong is a Brown Belt, Founder of The Mighty Dames which is now almost a decade in existence. The Mighty Dames started as a Facebook group to be cheerleaders for supporting self-esteem and body confidence for women in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Torrie speaks of her BJJ journey and how she began to feel more comfortable in herself, travelling around the US and winning competitions.   Torrie knows that she can do good things, and trusts that her version of good is absolutely good enough. As The Mighty Dames approaches the ten year anniversary in 2027, this year Torrie is hosting an Invitational hosted at Gracie Apollo Beach in Florida on June 20. Anyone wishing to support and help with cash prizes of merchandise, please do get in touch with Torrie.   Topics: The Might DamesSpeaking upActive competitorThe Mighty Dames InvitationalMental HealthBipolar Type 2Prioritising selfHave funDon't take yourself to seriously  GO FOLLOW Torrie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torrieoneil/ The Mighty Dames on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themightydames/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  4. E131: Josh Aghdam - Blue Belt

    30 May

    E131: Josh Aghdam - Blue Belt

    Josh Aghdam is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and started his love for the sport with a dream to be a professional wrestler. It turns out that his Dad was a high level freestyle wrestler. Unpicking the wrestling game to develop became a priority for Josh, however being able to sweep people from the upper body rather than from the legs became part of his advantage in BJJ.   Josh and his business partner Simon Price have been running a Jiu Jitsu school since 2017 having started and run successful businesses. Being a Personal Trainer on the side of full time role gave Josh and in into running his own businesses and appreciating the networking and growth. Josh has observed that business owners in Jiu Jitsu community really do have great values and a hard working attitude.   Topics: Freestyle WrestlingKids ProgrammeAmateur FightsPersian backgroundEntrepreneur Building a BJJ ClubPersonal TrainingCollaborationBusiness OwnersSales Hero UKPositive Values  GO FOLLOW Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshaghdam/ Sales Hero on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salesherouk/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  5. E130: Amy Derwanz - Brown Belt

    23 May

    E130: Amy Derwanz - Brown Belt

    Amy Derwanz is a Brown Belt and was obsessed with Spong Bob, Sandy the Squirrel and Kara-te back when she was 4 years old, which started her martial arts dream. Amy now runs a Jiu Jitsu gym in Yorkshire that has respect for men and women in the area.   Amy has created a women's only camp that is affordable for women who are new or experienced in Jiu Jitsu, and is supported by a team around her to keep making the space grow. As part of the camps Amy teaches a relaxed Yoga session that is accessible for any shape or size.   Amy talks of the strategy and team dynamic of Team North from the recent ENYO 8 and her preparation for the upcoming Gorilla Invitational.   Topics: Spong BobKarateKick BoxingRhonda RouseyGeorges St PierreRoller's Jiu JitsuQueen Roller's CampENYO 8 SquadsYoga TeacherGorilla InvitationalClinch Coffee  GO FOLLOW Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyderwanz/   Queen Roller's Camp: https://www.instagram.com/queenrollersjiujitsu/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  6. E129: Amber Whitston - Yellow/Black Belt

    16 May

    E129: Amber Whitston - Yellow/Black Belt

    Amber Whitston is a newly promoted Yellow and Black Belt training out of Southern Quarter Jiu Jitsu. Amber started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when she saw members of her family training and she particularly likes training and competing in a blue Gi!   Amber trains BJJ every day after school, coaching, training and cleaning mats after classes, and has a dream to travel and continue training and competing for the rest of her life. She talks about her time, and privilege to be on ENYO Grappling, more than once. Listen to the end and find out why Amber appears on high level highlight reels with Title Belts.   Topics: The British OpenFamilyGi Jiu JitsuBelt PromotionsENYO GrapplingFriendsCompetitionCollision InvitationalSQ Super SeriesCoachesSelf-BeliefTitle Belts  GO FOLLOW Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberbjj_/   Matrix Plug choke: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTgQ2H2DGSe/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  7. E127: Jake Dante - Blue Belt

    2 May

    E127: Jake Dante - Blue Belt

    Jake Dante is a fellow podcaster, curator of BJJ Wiki and a Blue Belt learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on and off the mats. Jake shares his journey of showcasing great BJJ content and crediting the original content creators. Whilst he started training 11 years ago with one class a week, has increased his commitment over time together with consideration of his family. He truly has fun on the mats, and can be found singing at his Saturday morning class, sometimes to overcome the anxiety that is felt in the moment.   Feeling insecure when training Jiu Jitsu is something many of us feel and to overcome those feeling we may use humour. Jake shares his long term fear of Wrist Locks having recently, and repeatedly being caught in this submission. We wrap up the episode talking about the positive aspects of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community.   Topics: BJJ WikiContent CuratorRoutinesBJJ BuddiesPanic AttacksHumour & FunWrist LocksCommunity  GO FOLLOW Jake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjj.wiki/   Official Partners of the podcast SoulTaker Fightwear: https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/   Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou Clips on TikTok and Instagram TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.lou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou   A UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett @jiu.jitsu.lou   PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource MUSIC CREDIT: ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast. 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. Real people. Real stories. Real Jiu Jitsu. Follow @jiujitsulou and join the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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