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

Conor Whelan
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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. 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.

    1h 37m

  2. 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.

    1h 16m

  3. 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!

    1h 14m

  4. 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.

    1h 9m

  5. 07/10/2025

    Leveling Up – Blue Belts, Takedowns, and World Travels with Mark Tran

    In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I’m joined by my friend and training partner, the newly minted blue belt, Mark Tran! 🎉 We dive into what it’s really like making the jump to blue belt—how the game changes, the mindset shifts, and the surprising challenges that come with wearing that new belt color on the mat. But Mark’s story doesn’t stop there. When he’s not rolling, he’s a globe-trotting software engineer whose journey began in Asia and stretched through Europe and Latin America over four unforgettable years. From Minnesota to New York, Vancouver to SoCal, we talk about how travel has shaped his perspective—and when exactly did jujitsu enter the picture?! Oh, and did I mention he’s leveling up his takedown game with judo classes? 🥋 Whether you're deep into your own jujitsu journey or just love a good story about passion, travel, and personal growth, this episode has something for you. Tune in and enjoy the roll!

    1h 17m

  6. 06/26/2025

    Grip, Trip, and Submit: A Judoka’s Journey into Jujitsu with Jason Wei

    In this episode of Rolling Over 40, I'm joined by my training partner, Jason Wei. Jason is a 3-stripe white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a diverse background in martial arts, including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Judo. We dive into Jason’s life journey as he moved between China, Canada, and the U.S., exploring how his experiences shaped his approach to martial arts. Judo plays a major role in our conversation, as it's the primary discipline he practices outside of BJJ. From ear guards to guard pulls, this episode offers insights, laughs, and something for every martial arts enthusiast to enjoy.

    1h 19m

  7. 06/12/2025

    Riffs and Rolling: A Musician’s Jiu Jitsu Journey with Luis “Slim” Cervantes

    In this episode I am joined by another training partner of mine and fellow one-stripe white belt, Mr. Luis Cervantes, better known as Slim. Slim and I have been training together for over a year now and I have yet to make him tap, although he has made me tap many times! Slim has one of the most unique training styles in that although he has a home gym, he makes a habit of exploring gyms not just locally, but all over the world. In fact, when he was in Spain recently to play a concert with his band, he trained at two different gyms! You can find Slim performing at local, national, and international venues as a guitarist in FIVE different bands. Follow him on Instagram at lou_ferns!

    1h 10m

  8. 05/29/2025

    Rolling until it Hurt Too Much with Blue Belt Russell Melmed

    In this episode I am joined by blue belt and former Jiu Jitsu practitioner Russell Melmed. Russell is a 4-stripe blue belt who no longer trains as a result of too many injuries which we get into in great detail in this episode.  For the first part of the episode Russell and I spend a good deal of time getting to know each other since he is the first guest I have had that I have never actually spoken with before. We discuss a lot of our mutual interest in backcountry hiking. Russell is an avid backcountry hiker and even made sure his kids would have a love for it.  After this, of course, we discuss Russell’s Jiu Jitsu career, the unique style of those who train at his gym, what its like training at multiple gyms, his thoughts on different belts, his injuries, and much more! There is something for everyone to enjoy on this episode of Rolling Over 40!

    1h 28m
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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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