Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number

Conor Whelan
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Semimonthly

Jiu-jitsu isn’t just for the young — it’s for anyone willing to step on the mats. I’m Conor Whelan, and each week I talk with fellow BJJ practitioners about what it’s really like to train as adults. From dads discovering jiu-jitsu in their 40s to black belts competing at the highest level, we share stories of aches, breakthroughs, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance training, family, and life while still chasing growth on the mats, this podcast is for you.

  1. 5d ago

    Ten Competitions before Blue Belt with 49yo Johnny Cheng

    In this episode, I sit down with a 49-year-old three-stripe white belt who has packed a lot into just two years of training. Despite being relatively new to jiu-jitsu, he's already competed seven times and has set a personal goal of reaching double digits before earning his blue belt. We talk about what drives him to compete so often, his evolving game, and how he somehow seems to know the name of every guard—from octopus and rubber to williams and coyote. If you enjoy hearing a lot of white belt insight, this episode is packed!

  2. Jun 23

    Rolling Clean: The Fighter, The Cleaner, and the CLA with Scott Boehler

    In this episode, I sit down with a longtime practitioner whose jiu-jitsu journey has taken him all over the country. After beginning his martial arts career in Montana more than 15 years ago, he stepped into the cage for several MMA fights before ultimately deciding to focus exclusively on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Along the way, he took an unconventional path, spending a year living out of his van and traveling across the United States, visiting and training at gyms of all styles and affiliations. His journey has taken him from Montana to Arizona and eventually to San Diego, where he found the academy he now proudly calls home. Outside of training, he is also the owner of Combat Sports Cleaning, a specialized deep-cleaning company that serves martial arts academies and combat sports facilities. We discuss the realities of running a business within the martial arts community and how his experiences as both a practitioner and entrepreneur have shaped his perspective. We also take a deep dive into the increasingly popular Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to training, why he's become such a strong advocate for it, and how it differs from more traditional methods of instruction. We discuss the value of learning through experimentation, the evolution of coaching methods, and how different training environments can dramatically influence a practitioner's development. Whether you're interested in the evolution of jiu-jitsu training, the business side of martial arts, or hearing stories from someone who has spent more than 15 years immersed in the art, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

  3. May 28

    Never Too Late: Starting at 52 and Winning Gold with Mark Alexander

    In this episode, I sit down with 56-year-old blue belt Mark Alexander. Although Mark didn’t begin his journey until his early 50s, he has already made a serious impact on the competition scene. In a relatively short time, he’s gone on to win gold at multiple major competitions around the world, proving that it’s never too late to begin. Outside the gym, Mark is a father of six, with kids ranging in age from 9 to 30, and a former Marine who served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He brings that same discipline, resilience, and mindset into his jiu-jitsu journey. We talk about his approach to “big guy” jiu-jitsu, his experiences competing at a high level, and the mental side of training; especially when it comes to managing ego and staying focused. Mark also shares what drives his competitive edge and what it really means to have a winner’s mentality, regardless of when you start. I have to say this was one of my most inspirational episodes.  Hope you enjoy!

  4. Apr 30

    More Than Training: Building a BJJ Community Beyond the Gym with Vince Pacleb

    Welcome to Episode 24 of RO40 with Vince Pacleb. Vince is a 49-year-old brown belt who’s been in the martial arts world for over 20 years, works in the fitness industry, and runs his own (much more established) BJJ podcast called the Bizjitsu Podcast.  We got into: His journey through jiu-jitsu as an adult and what’s kept him training for decades The crossover between podcasting, business ownership, and jiu-jitsu Why he focuses on interviewing not just grapplers, but grapplers who run businesses His vision of building a real community within BJJ to help people connect, network, and grow outside the gym One of the coolest parts of the episode was hearing about a major “aha” moment he had as a blue belt that still shapes his game today as a brown belt, especially around patience and control when taking the back which he calls, “Going for a ride.”  If you’re into jiu-jitsu, business, or just trying to stay consistent on the mats long-term, there’s a lot in this one. Hope you enjoy!

  5. Jan 7

    BJJ, Bands, and Bangkok: The Journey of Blas Carrasco

    In this episode, I sit down Brown Belt Blas Carrasco. Blas has been immersed in martial arts, self-defense, and jiu-jitsu for nearly 30 years — and at almost 50 years old, he brings a level of perspective that only time on the mats can produce. We first met over a decade ago at a mutual friend’s wedding, but this conversation dives far deeper. He shares the story of buying a one-way ticket to Thailand, spending six months training Muay Thai, and how that experience shaped his understanding of discipline, culture, and violence. We talk about his fascination with human behavior — how he studies the psychological cues that signal danger, and how he teaches self-defense starting with awareness long before technique. He also tells the wild story of opening his own BJJ academy as a blue belt almost 20 years ago, long before jiu-jitsu exploded in popularity. And outside the martial arts world, we explore his creative passions in music and art, including the bands he’s been part of and the new one he recently launched. This conversation is packed with wisdom, stories, philosophy, and humor — the kind of insight that only comes from decades of learning, teaching, and living fully both on and off the mats.

  6. 12/10/2025

    Do I Need a Reset? Coming back Stronger after a 2-Month Break with Cole Dungca

    In this episode, I’m joined by my youngest guest yet — a 25-year-old jiu-jitsu practitioner whose journey began after a real-life confrontation inspired him to learn self-defense. What started as a way to feel safer quickly grew into a passion that led him all the way to the podium, earning gold at a recent JJWL competition. We dive into his biggest aha moments on the mats, his evolving takedown strategy, and how cross-training in Muay Thai has reshaped the way he approaches grappling. But it hasn’t all been smooth rolling — he also opens up about hitting burnout, taking a two-month break, and what ultimately pulled him back to training with renewed focus. This is a story about growth, discipline, and rediscovering your drive — both on and off the mats. Whether you’re brand new to BJJ or years into your journey, this episode will remind you why we keep showing up.

  7. 11/19/2025

    Big Guy Jiu-Jitsu: The Journey of a Texas Purple Belt with Travis Sparks

    In this episode, I sit down with Mr. Travis Sparks. Travis is a two-stripe purple belt who’s been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for eight years. Originally from Marble Falls, Texas, he grew up roughhousing with his brothers, playing football through high school and college, and spending weekends hunting and fishing. He first started bjj as a grad student at Texas Tech before continuing his journey in Midland, where he now works as a geologist and focuses on mastering the art of “big guy jiu-jitsu.” We talk about what it’s like adapting technique for a larger frame, the lessons learned from competing — including the time he faced off against a Gracie — and how the mental side of BJJ continues to challenge him after nearly a decade on the mats. It’s a conversation full of grit, humility, and insight from a Texas grappler who proves that size might be an advantage, but mindset is everything. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this episode of Rolling Over 40!

  8. 09/30/2025

    Oilfield Grit Meets the Mats: Breaking a Leg in Class #4

    In this episode, I sit down with a friend whose jiu-jitsu journey thus far is unforgettable. Originally from Andrews, Texas, a Texas Tech grad now living in Midland, he works as an engineer in the oil business — but decided to give BJJ a try a little over a year ago. After just four classes, disaster struck: he broke his leg in three places during training. What followed was over a year of recovery, reflection, and a deeper appreciation for the mental side of the art. We talk about how jiu-jitsu is like chess — cerebral, uncomfortable, and yet deeply satisfying — and how the lessons of the mats go far beyond technique. Now, after a year and a half away, he’s finally ready to return to training. This is a story about resilience, mindset, and why sometimes the hardest battles are the ones fought in our own heads.

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About

Jiu-jitsu isn’t just for the young — it’s for anyone willing to step on the mats. I’m Conor Whelan, and each week I talk with fellow BJJ practitioners about what it’s really like to train as adults. From dads discovering jiu-jitsu in their 40s to black belts competing at the highest level, we share stories of aches, breakthroughs, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance training, family, and life while still chasing growth on the mats, this podcast is for you.

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