The Fighters Drinking Coffee Podcast

Scott and Mike
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Fitness

Scott and Mike share their journey through Jiu-Jitsu with the listeners. With nearly 40 years of grappling experience between them, they look to save others time and streamline your training through their experiences, discoveries, and personal struggles. They cover such topics as training, gym culture, competition, Jiu-Jitsu concepts, and more!  Their combined decades of experience in the Jiu-jitsu space, along with expert guests, leads to strong debates and conversations with the goal of assisting the listener in their jiu-jitsu journey. Enjoy the show and streamline your training!

  1. 4d ago

    Don't Rush the Grind: Sustainable Training for New Grapplers (Episode 86)

    Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland break down why new jiu‑jitsu students often end up injured and what coaches and training partners can do to prevent it. They discuss common beginner profiles, from former athletes returning after years off to folks coming straight off the couch, and the physical and mental gaps that create risk. The episode covers practical strategies: expectation‑setting, curated intro classes, managing training cadence (start slow, 2–3 classes/week, plan sustainable goals), pairing novices with experienced partners, and focused strength work to build resilient bodies. The hosts emphasize quality reps over quantity and reframing goals for long‑term progression instead of short bursts that lead to burnout and injury. Scott and Michael also talk coach and community responsibilities: spotting risky behavior, intervening when needed, teaching safe exploration, and staying connected to injured students so they return. They weigh the value of small, teachable bumps versus catastrophic injuries and highlight liability and negligence awareness. To close, the episode’s combat confession is a humorous look at people trying to manufacture cauliflower ear, rounding out an episode that’s equal parts practical coaching advice and candid gym stories. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  2. Oct 20

    Playing the Game Within the Game: How New Students Can "Win" at Jiu-Jitsu (Episode 85)

    Hosts Scott and Mike discuss how students can get the most from a jiu‑jitsu curriculum, especially when joining classes with mixed skill levels. They cover expectation management for white belts, practical survival goals (e.g., keeping hands out from between hips and armpits), and how to transition from defense to offense. The episode also explores coach and academy responsibilities: onboarding new students, building consistent terminology, class design, retention strategies, and simple customer‑service protocols that improve student experience. Scott and Mike share coach tips for pairing new students, handling missed curriculum segments, and using surveys and staff routines to measure program success. Listeners will walk away with concrete advice for students (ask questions, set micro‑goals, be patient) and for coaches/owners (structured intro classes, staff protocols, handoffs, and small touches that increase retention). The episode closes with listener combat confessions about eye contact while rolling and light banter throughout. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  3. Oct 13

    Coaching the Heart: Managing Athlete Expectations After a Loss (Episode 84)

    Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland break down how coaches should manage athlete expectations at tournaments, from the immediate emotional reaction to the mental and physical follow‑ups. They discuss real coaching examples, trust and communication between coach and athlete, and when to push for the next competition.  We discuss some friends such as Big John (double gold at a recent event) and reference Bernardo Faria’s thoughts on the right age to start competing. Key points cover containment strategies (the ‘long lonely walk’), when to give technical feedback, handling overconfident or dismissive responses, and converting losses into productive learning. The episode closes with a combat confession segment and practical takeaways: pre‑manage expectations, tailor feedback to each athlete, use competition as practice, and keep team culture constructive so everyone can grow. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  4. Oct 6

    From Prestige to Paychecks: How Pro Grappling Is Changing Fast (Episode 83)

    In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we dig into the shifting landscape of no‑gi jiu‑jitsu events: from ADCC’s surprising lack of hype to the disruptive rise of UFC BJJ, PGF and CJI. Hosts discuss athlete invites, dropouts and exclusivity, streaming and paywalls, and how marketing choices (time zones, regional pushes, and platform partnerships) shape who actually watches. We examine the money side: purses versus long‑term monetization through seminars, academies and tutorials, plus what athletes must do to turn competition prestige into a sustainable career. Guests and examples discussed include Gordon, Vagner, Craig, Wojcik and other top competitors and teams, and we compare event formats (the pit/open scored rounds) and organizational strategies. Topics covered: event promotion failures, the influx of new pro leagues, athlete contracts and exclusivity, how competitions function as marketing for coaches and academies, and the practical business advice for grapplers who want to monetize their careers. Expect candid takes, real examples, and the hosts’ usual humor and combat confessions. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  5. Sep 29

    Constructing a Curriculum Pt 2: Designing Jiu-Jitsu Training Blocks (Episode 82)

    Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland unpack how they design jiu-jitsu training blocks and single competition practices, using a takedowns block as the main example. They discuss how curricula map from grand yearly goals down to weekly and individual plans, and how coaches balance planned progression with in-the-moment triage. The episode covers differences between competitor-focused and general classes, how to adapt drills for beginners, the 50/50 split of planned versus flexible content, weekly structure, private lessons/office hours for individualization, and business and culture considerations for gym owners and coaches. They close with a lighthearted "combat confession": an Instagram post from a white belt claiming lots of taps and the community reactions that followed—showing how gym culture and humility play into training environments. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  6. Sep 22

    Constructing a Curriculum Pt 1: How Coaches Build Winning Jiu-Jitsu Drills (Episode 81)

    Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland break down a 90-minute competition-oriented jiu-jitsu class, explaining the curriculum design and coaching intent behind each segment: a cascading warm-up, skill-based games, guard work, pin-to-submit progressions and a final "king of the hill" endurance/competitive block. The episode covers specific drills (takedown grit, scramble-to-top rules, standing-guard exchanges, knee‑pass pocket work, side-control finishing), teaching principles (simplified win conditions, offense-first mindset, situational practice, stress inoculation) and how to make the most of limited mat time with large groups. Listeners also get coaching tips for competitors, guidance for students adapting unfamiliar drills to their style, and a closing "Combat Confession" news story for a lighter wrap-up. This is Part 1 of a deeper look into class construction and training strategy. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  7. Sep 15

    ADCC Brawl: A Discussion on Sportsmanship and Grappling (Episode 80)

    Our Hosts replay and break down shocking ADCC footage, focusing on the heated match between Dorian Olivarez (with Gordon and his coaching group) and Kapushov of Team Kazakhstan. They review the on-mat incidents (eye poke, headbutt, intentional bite, slap), the decision to pause and resume the match, and the chaotic brawl that ensued involving corner teams and audience members. The episode covers key moments caught on multiple Flow Grappling angles, the referees’ calls and later reversals, the resulting double DQ and suspensions (including a ban for a coach who shoved officials), and the broader implications for athlete safety, event governance, and fan/corner behavior. Takeaways: a discussion on sportsmanship and escalation such as don’t bite, don’t headbutt or slap, coaches should not attack officials or spectators, and promoters must choose between embracing chaos or enforcing consistent professionalism. The hosts also touch on how controversial moments affect viewership, competition integrity, and future ADCC trials. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

  8. Sep 8

    When the Jiu-Jitsu Galaxy Turns Dark: Scandals, Steroids & Sith Lords (Episode 79)

    Join hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland on Fighters Drinking Coffee as they revisit their Star Wars-themed map of the grappling world and try to make sense of recent twists: team splits, resurfacing allegations, and shifting alliances that have muddied their original castings. Topics include allegations of steroid distribution (including to minors) tied to the Mendez circle, accusations and conduct questions within prominent teams (Craig, Donaher, Gordon, J‑Rod and others), the fallout inside B‑Team/Simple Man, and how all of this plays into the upcoming ADCC brackets and competitor narratives. Key takeaways: the hosts re-evaluate who’s a villain or hero, discuss the cultural problems in modern jiu‑jitsu, and urge listeners to keep training, be decent humans, and submit their own theories at fdcpodcast.com. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear:  https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY

See All (87)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Scott and Mike share their journey through Jiu-Jitsu with the listeners. With nearly 40 years of grappling experience between them, they look to save others time and streamline your training through their experiences, discoveries, and personal struggles. They cover such topics as training, gym culture, competition, Jiu-Jitsu concepts, and more!  Their combined decades of experience in the Jiu-jitsu space, along with expert guests, leads to strong debates and conversations with the goal of assisting the listener in their jiu-jitsu journey. Enjoy the show and streamline your training!

Information

You Might Also Like