The No Natural Talent Podcast

Shanti Johnson
  • 1.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Stories of people’s struggles and transformations through the art of jiujitsu.

  1. 8h ago

    No Natural Talent Ep. 64 - Kory

    Food scientist blue belt with a sweet spirit but don’t let that fool you. She’s strong, driven, curious, and not afraid to make bold moves, try new things, or completely change direction when life calls for it. We talk jiu-jitsu, Chobani yogurt, taking chances, pushing yourself, making bold moves, and what it looks like to build a life you’re actually excited about. This is Kory.

  2. Aug 28

    No Natural Talent Ep. 63 - "Derrick"

    A blue belt who helps coach kids class, and is the kind of guy who likes to deep dive, literally. We talk about everything from jiu-jitsu and staying fit to finances, philosophy, struggle, self-control, knowing yourself, and his ability to hold his breath for FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES. It's a conversation about challenging yourself, getting comfortable with discomfort, and the different ways we learn what we're actually capable of. This is Derrick.

  3. Aug 14

    No Natural Talent Ep. 62 Rest Round - "August and Rusty"

    Rest Round with August and Rusty. This time we're talking jiu-jitsu etiquette...the written rules, the unwritten rules, and the stuff you usually learn by accidentally doing it wrong. We get into being a good training partner, hygiene, training while injured, going slow on submissions, keeping your coaching to yourself, checking your ego, visiting other gyms, navigating different gym cultures, and why sometimes the best advice really is: shut up and be nice. Some things are universal. Some depend entirely on the gym. And some we definitely don't all agree on.

  4. Jul 31

    No Natural Talent Ep. 61 - Codi

    Join us for a story built on resilience, after suffering an injury as a teenager that would have been the end of the road for many people, he walks a different path. Today, he trains jiujitsu with intention, sports many tattoos,  and isn't afraid to be brutally honest about the mistakes and shortcomings in his past. Rather than letting them define him, he's committed to becoming a better man and holding himself to a higher standard every day. We talk about moving from California to Idaho, embracing hard work, personal growth, and why showing up with purpose matters both on and off the mats.It's an honest conversation about resilience, accountability, and the kind of person we choose to become. This is Codi.

  5. Jul 17

    No Natural Talent Ep. 60 - "Zach" part 2

    He joins the podcast again, this time to talk about one of the hardest parts of any sport: injury. From the physical recovery to the emotional and mental battle that comes with being sidelined, we dive into what it means to heal, stay connected, and find your way back. Honest, relatable, and a reminder that sometimes the toughest fight happens off the mats. This is Zack.

  6. Jul 10

    No Natural Talent Ep. 59 - "Jason T"

    He has a passion for storytelling, filmmaking, and challenging himself. This led him to the mats, but his curiosity reaches far beyond. We talk about the movie he's creating, the documentaries he's made, power, growth, algorithms, success, and, somewhere along the way, a little jiu-jitsu too. It's a conversation about chasing meaningful work, staying curious, and what happens when you're willing to keep learning. This is Jason.

  7. Jul 3

    No Natural Talent Ep. 58 - Gorilla Squad

    The Gorilla Squad isn't just a nickname... it's a necessity. Being one of the biggest people in the gym comes with challenges most people never think about. Finding training partners your size, learning to use your strength without relying on it, and balancing intensity with control. That's where the Gorilla Squad comes in. They are a group of heavyweights who can push each other, train at full speed, and make each other better. In this episode, we talk about the unique challenges of being a big guy in jiu-jitsu, why they need each other, and why the biggest people on the mats are often some of the friendliest. This is Chris, Bryndan, Rusty and Rick.

  8. Jun 26

    No Natural Talent Ep. 57 Rest Round - "Jeremy and Jacen"

    Jeremy and Jacen are back! In this Rest Round, we dive into the differences between competitors and hobbyists, whether coaches should train students differently based on their goals or talent, why belt systems exist (and whether they should), how the words we use shape the culture of jiu-jitsu, keeping an open mind to different approaches, checking your ego, and what winning and losing really teach us. This is Jeremy and Jacen.

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About

Stories of people’s struggles and transformations through the art of jiujitsu.

Information

  • Creator
    Shanti Johnson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The No Natural Talent Podcast

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