Open Mat Podcast

Tim Nelson & Adam
  • 5.0 (7)
  • WRESTLING

A deep dive into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where coaches Adam and Tim cut through cliches to uncover practical insights on training, coaching, competing and jiu jitsu culture.

  1. DEC 23

    Episode 27: The year in Jiu Jitsu | Reflecting on 2025 | How to prepare for the next year's Jiu Jitsu

    Tim and Adam take an episode to discuss their Jiu Jitsu journeys throughout the past year - the ups, the downs, the changes and the progress. They discuss what they've focused on and what they've discovered, and also offer practical advice to beginner, intermediate, and advanced Jiu Jitsu athletes on how to reflect on Jiu Jitsu in a way that will help you make quicker and greater progress as you return to the mats.

    1 hr

  2. DEC 18

    Episode 26: How to deal with losing to junior belts | Becoming more comfortable training for tougher rolls

    At some point in the journey of everyone who makes it past white belt, we deal with "losing" to someone we don't think we should lose to. Whether that loss is being tapped, having our guard passed, or anything in between, this fear costs us training opportunities at open mats, other gyms, and sometimes within our own home gyms. Adam and Tim discuss how to overcome these fears, opening the doors to more enjoyable training and more opportunities to get better.

    42 min

  3. DEC 4

    Episode 25: How to build a suffocating mount | How to stop losing control for mount | Consistently submitting opponents from the mount

    Tim and Adam discuss what is considered by some to be the most devastating position in Jiu Jitsu, but for many practitioners is a challenge both to control and attack. Tim discusses the keys to avoid being thrown or rolled off from top position, and the one objective that will shut down all other attacks. Adam describes how he flipped the switch from consistently losing the mounted position to consistently submitting from there, and the two talk about the role patience plays in success.

    39 min

  4. NOV 26

    Episode 24: Only one thing matters in Jiu Jitsu | How do we define Jiu Jitsu | How to focus your learning

    In this episode Tim and Adam discuss submissions - and specifically, why Tim believes that submission is the only thing that even matters in Jiu Jitsu. They briefly define Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for any listeners unfamiliar, but focus then on what it means to focus on submission before anything else and how that impacts our training. Finally, they discuss what things like passing the guard, pinning and taking the back mean if submission is the only thing that truly matters If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget we have an instagram at open.matpodcast!

    26 min

  5. NOV 19

    Episode 23: Guaranteeing submissions through pins | How pinning works differently in Jiu Jitsu | Why pinning is so important

    Pinning is an important part of all grappling sports, but is much less important in Jiu Jitsu compared to other similar sports. Or is it? In this episode Tim and Adam discuss how pinning serves a different purpose, and why it remains an absolutely critical skill in a sport that rewards it so little. They discuss how to define pinning, how to use it strategically, and how to progress pins toward submissions while maintaining control. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget to follow us on Instagram at open.matpodcast!

    32 min

  6. NOV 12

    Episode 22: How do we develop specialized skills in Jiu Jitsu | Specialties | What to do against knowledgeable resistance

    As we get better at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we tend to develop certain areas of our game we're better at than others. But how do we take those skills and turn them into true specialties? In this episode Tim and Adam discuss how to develop specialties in Jiu Jitsu, the two ways they tend to develop, and Tim shares his thoughts on the most critical part of developing specialized skills which we often overlook. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget we have an Instagram! We are always happy to engage with questions, comments, or even disagreements at open.matpodcast.

    49 min

  7. NOV 5

    Episode 21: How to actually control from the back | How to dominate back control for extended periods | The three lines of control

    Back Control is one of the most powerful positions in Jiu Jitsu, but behind closed doors most hobbyists have to admit they struggle to control from the back long enough to submit. In this episode Tim and Adam discuss how to be consistently successful in exposing and attacking the back, and also how to build the skills needed to maintain control for extended periods of time. If you find this podcast helpful, don't forget we have an instagram at open.matpodcast! We frequently engage with listeners.

    44 min

  8. OCT 28

    Episode 20: How to get better when you're getting smashed | Rolling with people much more skilled than you | How to win when you know you'll lose

    At some point in our Jiu Jitsu career, we run into one or more training partners we're completely helpless against. In this episode, Tim and Adam discuss what to do when the skill gap between you and your partner is too great for rounds to be competitive, and how to still improve in those rounds. They discuss how to approach them differently, why focusing on survival is never the answer, and even what you can gain from these rounds that you can't gain from others. If you like what you hear, don't forget we have an Instagram page at open.matpodcast! We would love to hear your questions, comments, disagreements or requests.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A deep dive into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where coaches Adam and Tim cut through cliches to uncover practical insights on training, coaching, competing and jiu jitsu culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Nelson & Adam
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Open Mat Podcast
  • Show Website
    Open Mat Podcast

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