Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu

Joe Motes
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training, Mindset, Competition & Community Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for grapplers who want to improve their game on and off the mats. Whether you're a brand-new white belt, a seasoned competitor, or a lifelong student of BJJ, this show delivers practical insights, mindset strategies, and real conversations from the Jiu Jitsu community. Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu explores: BJJ training tips and technical developmentCompetition preparation and tournament strategyInjury recovery and longevity in Jiu JitsuBelt progression and skill plateausGym culture, leadership, and academy growthMental toughness, discipline, and motivationThe lifestyle of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Each episode blends interviews with coaches, competitors, gym owners, and everyday grapplers, alongside solo deep dives on performance, identity, and personal growth through Jiu Jitsu. If you're searching for a BJJ podcast that covers training, mindset, community, and the realities of the grind  this is your spot. This isn’t just about tapping people out.It’s about building resilience, sharpening your thinking, and staying consistent when motivation fades. Welcome to Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu.

  1. Art From The Mats: The Story of Rubber Bones Rash Guards with Maria Schweitzer

    2d ago

    Art From The Mats: The Story of Rubber Bones Rash Guards with Maria Schweitzer

    Send us Fan Mail A Kickstarter launch days before the world shut down sounds like a disaster, but it also reveals what a brand is really made of. We’re joined by Maria Schweitzer, the founder and owner of Rubber Bones Rash Guard, to tell the full story of building a standout BJJ apparel company with a comic-inspired style, obsessive quality control, and a surprisingly grounded approach to marketing and community.  We talk about how Maria started drawing jiu-jitsu before she ever trained, why the fine art scene did not connect with that work, and how stepping onto the mats changed her creative engine. From 10th Planet no-gi to returning to the gi, she shares what it feels like to develop a game over years, how creativity shows up at brown belt, and why the details matter when you’re designing gear for grapplers who love to critique everything.  We also get into the business side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear: consistent sizing, testing prints, dialing in color, fixing manufacturing issues, and making product decisions that protect customers, like ditching velcro. Maria breaks down how she thinks about branding without chasing trends, what makes a collaboration worth doing, and why Rubber Bones stays focused on fun, confidence, and bringing people together.  If you’re into BJJ rash guards, grappling apparel, small business lessons, or the intersection of art and jiu-jitsu, this one is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a training partner, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. visit Rubber Bones Rash Guards https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/  Follow on Instagram @rubberbonesrashguards Use code Caffeinated10 to grab 10% discount on purchases. Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    1h 12m
  2. Keep Jiu Jitsu Fun

    Jun 29

    Keep Jiu Jitsu Fun

    Send us Fan Mail If jiu jitsu has started to feel heavy, this one is for you. We’re chasing a sport we chose, we pay for, and we love, yet a lot of us walk into the academy carrying an invisible pressure to prove we belong. That pressure shows up as tension in every roll, frustration when things don’t work, and a running “scoreboard” in our heads that tracks taps, guard passes, and who we think we should be beating by now. We talk through how to keep Brazilian jiu jitsu fun without pretending it’s easy. I dig into the mindset shift that happens after the honeymoon phase: when curiosity gets replaced by comparison, and training turns into a performance test. You’ll hear why two people can wear the same belt and still run completely different races, how goals can change over time (competitor or hobbyist), and why progress often looks like staying calm under pressure, breathing instead of panicking, or simply showing up when life is demanding. Then we get practical: how to build playful, experimental rounds on purpose, how to give yourself small “missions” that redefine success, and how to notice when the fun disappearing is a sign you need recovery, a change in intensity, or a conversation about the training environment. If you want better BJJ training, more motivation, and a healthier relationship with the mats, start here. Subscribe to Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu, share this with a teammate who’s been feeling burned out, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What would make jiu jitsu fun for you today? Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    42 min
  3. Under Pressure: How First Responders Train Composure

    Jun 22

    Under Pressure: How First Responders Train Composure

    Send us Fan Mail Pressure does not always look like flames and sirens. Sometimes it looks like a tight collar grip, a failing escape, and the moment you realize your first plan is gone. For our 50th episode, we sit down with Justin Meyer and Vinny Mercadonte, two firefighters and training partners, to talk about why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu makes sense for people who already live in demanding environments. It is not about pretending the mats equal an emergency scene, it is about learning what happens inside us when comfort disappears and someone still needs us to be useful.  We swap origin stories from the fire service and from BJJ: chasing brotherhood after the military, switching careers into EMS, and starting jiu jitsu later in life through family and good coaching at Ironwolf Academy. Justin shares the white belt experience of feeling overwhelmed and trying to muscle everything, then finally hitting a sweep on purpose. Vinny explains the blue belt shift, where chaos becomes a chess game, lower belts come harder, and patience matters more than winning rounds.  We also get practical about what training does for first responders and anyone with a high stress job: unmatched grappling cardio, learning to move with intention, adjusting workouts for longevity, and using jiu jitsu as a mental health reset. If you care about self-defense, humility, composure under pressure, and the power of community, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share it with a training partner, and leave a review so more people find the show. Check out Justin's custom knives by connect @jmforged Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    1h 5m
  4. The Real Slim Sadie: Jiu Jitsu, Motherhood, and Rebuilding

    Jun 11

    The Real Slim Sadie: Jiu Jitsu, Motherhood, and Rebuilding

    Send us Fan Mail Anxiety doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it looks like waking up in the middle of the night with your heart racing, convinced something is wrong, then trying to hold it together for your kids and your job the next morning. That’s where Sadie Durio story hits hardest and why we wanted her on Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu. Sadie (aka “Slim Sadie” on Instagram) is a first grade teacher, a single mom of two boys, and a highly active blue belt competitor who keeps stepping onto the mats for Gi and No-Gi tournaments, including major IBJJF events. We talk about how she found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through her son, why her first class became a core memory, and how training helped shift her mental health when she was dealing with serious anxiety, depression, and the long shadow of an eating disorder. We also get into the real moments where grappling matters off the mat, including what it feels like to be responsible for a classroom and how control, calm, and awareness translate to everyday safety. Then we go deep on jiu-jitsu competition: the adrenaline, the tears, the “blackout” feeling of early matches, and the mindset change that turns losing into something useful instead of something shameful. Sadie shares why she refuses to compare herself to athletes with totally different lives, what she wants her journey to represent, and why kindness in the gym is not optional. If you’re searching for motivation, a healthier relationship with your body, or proof that you can do hard things, this conversation delivers. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a training partner, and leave a review so more people can find stories like Sadie’s. What part of your life are you trying to get stronger for right now? Connect with Sadie on Instagram @slim_sadie If you are int he Temecula, CA area and looking for a place to train check out Dedicated Jiu Jitsu https://dedicatedjiujitsu.com/ Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    1h 29m
  5. Building An A Game That Still Grows: with Dr. Colin Smith

    Apr 30

    Building An A Game That Still Grows: with Dr. Colin Smith

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu, I sit down with Dr. Colin Smith to discuss the balance between building a dependable jiu jitsu game and avoiding the trap of becoming too comfortable. Developing a clear style is important. Every grappler needs positions, reactions, and attacks they can trust. But over time, comfort can quietly become a limitation. If you always return to the same patterns, your training partners may start to read you, your growth may slow down, and your game may become easier to shut down. Together we explore what it really means to “have a game,” how comfort zones show up in training, why predictability can become a problem, and how to expand your options without abandoning your strengths. This conversation is for anyone trying to build a more complete, adaptable, and honest version of their jiu jitsu. Connect with Colin on Instagram @turtlekingbjj Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    1h 19m
  6. The Skill Of Being Coachable On A Frustrating Day

    Apr 16

    The Skill Of Being Coachable On A Frustrating Day

    Send us Fan Mail Some days on the mats, a simple correction lands like a punch to the ego. You’re tired, your timing is off, you keep getting stuck, and suddenly the exact feedback you need is the hardest thing to hear. I’m talking about that specific BJJ problem almost everyone feels but few people say out loud: staying coachable when you’re frustrated.  In this episode I walk through why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu feedback changes meaning on rough training days and how emotion quietly rewrites your “filter.” When frustration narrows attention, a coach’s adjustment can sound like criticism, and you can start treating advice as evidence that you’re behind. I also dig into what’s usually underneath “not coachable” behavior: vulnerable ego, embarrassment, fatigue, and emotional overload, especially once you care about looking competent in sparring.  Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    34 min
  7. Why Technique Vanishes During Live Rounds In Jiu Jitsu

    Apr 9

    Why Technique Vanishes During Live Rounds In Jiu Jitsu

    Send us Fan Mail You know the feeling: a technique looks simple, you drill it clean, you can almost see yourself hitting it and then the round starts and it is gone. Not sloppy. Not close. Just inaccessible. I dig into why that happens in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and why it usually is not a sign you are “bad at BJJ,” but a sign your skill has not converted from understanding to access under pressure. We walk through the big failure points that make moves disappear during live rolling: missing the cue that opens the technique, losing posture or structure before you even start, being a second early or late on timing, and getting stuck in crowded decision making. I also share a hard learned lesson from overconsuming BJJ instructionals: more options can create more noise, and noise creates hesitation. Building a smaller set of reliable go to sweeps, escapes, and submissions can make your sparring feel calmer and your execution faster. Then we add the layer most people ignore: the nervous system. Pressure changes breathing, tension, vision, and patience, which can wreck recognition, posture, and timing all at once. The most useful habit is a quick post round diagnosis instead of self criticism: what broke first? Once you can answer that, training becomes simple and targeted again. If this hits home, subscribe to Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu, share it with a teammate who looks defeated after rounds, and leave a review so more grapplers can find the show. Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    35 min
  8. The Difference Between A Tough Room And A Toxic Room

    Mar 24

    The Difference Between A Tough Room And A Toxic Room

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of jiu-jitsu athletes get told the same thing: if training feels harsh, scary, and out of control, that must mean the room is “serious.” I don’t buy that. A hard academy can be intense, honest, and exhausting while still being a safe place to train. The difference is whether the room has boundaries, emotional maturity, and leadership that values training partners more than Tuesday-night wins.  I dig into the line between intensity and recklessness, because they can look similar until you’ve been on the receiving end. Intensity is pace and pressure with control. Recklessness is ripping submissions, slamming transitions, and treating rolling like a personal fight. I also explain why trust is the best signal of a healthy BJJ gym: you can open up, take smart risks, and improve faster when your nervous system isn’t spending the whole round waiting for someone to do something stupid.  If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a teammate, and leave a review so more people can find Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu.  What’s the clearest sign you’ve seen of a tough room versus a toxic one? Rubber Bones has bold, unique designs that collide with the grit and grind of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every design blends BJJ with pop culture, and storytelling to create apparel that empowers the uniqueness in every grappler. Rubber Bones supplies all your BJJ apparel needs: Rash Guards, Gi’s, Street Wear, Hats, and more.  Check out Rubber Bones at the website link in the show notes, and remember to use the discount code Caffeinated10 when ordering.  Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast focused on BJJ training, competition preparation, mindset development, belt progression, and the lifestyle of grappling. If you’re looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, stay motivated during plateaus, recover from injuries, or sharpen your mental game on and off the mats, this podcast is for you. New episodes explore: • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training strategies • BJJ competition insights • Mental toughness and discipline • Gym culture and academy growth • Injury recovery and longevity in grappling Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your training partners. Connect with the Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu community: Instagram: @caffeinated_jiujitsu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Caffeinated_JiuJitsu Website: https://caffeinatedjiujitsu.buzzsprout.com GRAB SOME AWESOME GEAR!! Rubber Bones Rash Guards: https://rubberbonesrashguards.com/ Discount code: Caffeinated10 Grapple Or Die: https://grappleordie.com/ Discount code: CaffeinatedJJ

    29 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training, Mindset, Competition & Community Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for grapplers who want to improve their game on and off the mats. Whether you're a brand-new white belt, a seasoned competitor, or a lifelong student of BJJ, this show delivers practical insights, mindset strategies, and real conversations from the Jiu Jitsu community. Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu explores: BJJ training tips and technical developmentCompetition preparation and tournament strategyInjury recovery and longevity in Jiu JitsuBelt progression and skill plateausGym culture, leadership, and academy growthMental toughness, discipline, and motivationThe lifestyle of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Each episode blends interviews with coaches, competitors, gym owners, and everyday grapplers, alongside solo deep dives on performance, identity, and personal growth through Jiu Jitsu. If you're searching for a BJJ podcast that covers training, mindset, community, and the realities of the grind  this is your spot. This isn’t just about tapping people out.It’s about building resilience, sharpening your thinking, and staying consistent when motivation fades. Welcome to Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Motes
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu
  • Show Website
    Caffeinated Jiu Jitsu

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