Whats the 411?

Academy 411

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Official Academy 411 BJJ & General Topic Podcast

10/13/2025

#012 - Winston Hong & Jude Kean

In this episode of What’s the 411?, we sit down with Winston Hong — Australia’s most well-known Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu referee and the man behind Ace Academy BJJ in Leichhardt. Winston shares what it’s really like to officiate at some of the country’s biggest competitions, the challenges of staying sharp and fair in a fast-growing sport, and his perspective on how BJJ is evolving across Australia. We also dive into his journey from the mats to the referee’s chair, what inspired him to open his own gym, and his vision for building the next generation of grapplers. Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode gives you an inside look at the side of BJJ most people never see.
08/23/2025

#011 - Richard McGlinchey

In this episode of What’s the 411, we dive into the extraordinary life of a veteran saturation diver Richard McGlinchey who has spent years working in some of the most extreme and unforgiving environments on Earth—hundreds of meters below the ocean’s surface. He shares what it’s really like to live and work deep beneath the sea, the challenges and dangers of the job, and the mindset required to thrive in such high-pressure conditions. Beyond the depths, he’s also a longtime Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and we explore the surprising connections between training on the mat and working under immense pressure in saturation chambers. From discipline and resilience to the importance of teamwork, his story offers a rare look into a life lived on the edge. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to balance a career in one of the most dangerous professions in the world while pursuing the art of BJJ, this conversation is for you.
08/09/2025

#010 - Adamo De Nigris

Adamo De Nigris joins us to talk all things sport — from calling the action on SBS, Optus Sport and beIN Sport to diving deep into the world of Australian football, the A-League, NPL and VFL. We also explore his passion for combat sports, his love for BJJ and MMA, and his new training journey on the mats at Academy 411. This is a conversation where the beautiful game meets the gentle art.
07/28/2025

#009 - Sirena Guzman (Subversion Recap)

Choke first, Extinguish later: In this episode, we sit down with Sirena Allen de Guzman – the newly crowned Subversion Bantamweight Champion and M16 Open Lightweight Champion. As a professional firefighter and one of Australia’s top female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Sirena is no stranger to pressure, on or off the mats. We dive into her journey to the top, including her team switch, the mindset and grind behind becoming a champion, and what’s next in her competitive career. Beyond BJJ, we talk about life outside the gym, balancing firefighting with elite-level training, and other topics you won’t want to miss. We recap Subversion and the recent success of 411 on the mats.
07/17/2025

#008 - Peter "The 411 Accountant" Economos

Receipts & Rear-Nakeds: This week we chat with an accountant who knows the ATO like the back of his calculator and has helped everyone from small business battlers to big-name ballers stay on the right side of the taxman. But when he’s not knee-deep in spreadsheets, he’s mat side cheering on his kids in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We talk about why he thinks BJJ is one of the best things you can do for your kids (and maybe even your tax strategy?), the surprising crossover between business smarts and combat sports, and what it’s like explaining GST while watching a gi choke. It’s part finance, part parenting, part flying armbar and all good chat.
07/07/2025

#007 - Daniel "StreetX" Bradshaw

They Know: StreetX CEO: In this episode, the 411 team sits down with Dan Bradshaw — the founder and CEO of StreetX, one of Australia's most recognisable streetwear brands. Dan shares the raw truth behind building a globally respected label over the past decade, from early hustle to international growth. We dive into the recent StreetX Invitational, a groundbreaking BJJ competition that’s flipping the script with serious cash prizes and a fresh vibe. Dan talks about the importance of authenticity, working with Fortnite, the UFC, staying different in a saturated world, and how the culture behind StreetX is deeply connected to everything he does — on and off the mats. Whether you’re into fashion, fighting, or just forging your own path, this one’s for you.
07/02/2025

#006 - Elliot Taylor

More Than Muscles: S&C for Combat Athletes: In this episode, the 411 team sits down with a strength and conditioning coach who’s built athletes across every arena — from combat sports to field-based codes. We dive into the fundamentals of S&C for fighters, how to tailor training for different athlete types, and why conditioning is often the hidden weapon in competition. He shares stories from his coaching journey, how he approaches game planning for high-stakes performance, and what it really takes to prepare an athlete for the demands of sport.
06/25/2025

#005 - Kevin Lay

Tape, Ice & Takedowns: Today we sit down with Kevin Lay, head physiotherapist at SportsLab Alexandria and a trusted name in the world of combat sports rehab. Kevin shares insights from years of treating high-level athletes across UFC, BJJ, Olympic Wrestling, Muay Thai, and boxing — breaking down the worst injuries in jiu jitsu. He has recently enrolled his 3-year-old son into BJJ at Academy 411. Whether you're taped up or just trying to avoid it, this episode has something for every grappler.
06/17/2025

#004 - Redouane Cherif

Croissants to Kimuras: In this episode, the 411 team sits down with Red, a French BJJ athlete who made the move to Australia to chase higher-level training and competition. We dive into his transition into the Aussie jiu-jitsu scene, break down some of his recent matches, and chat about the cultural differences between life in France and Australia. From language mix-ups to gym culture shocks, we share plenty of laughs and stories along the way. A great listen for anyone interested in international BJJ journeys, adapting to new environments, and the lighter side of life on the mats.
06/06/2025

#003 - Coach Jed Gillespie

From the Sidelines to the Helm: Today the 411 team sat down with Coach Jed Gillespie, one of the head coachs at Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union FC, a beloved Rugby team in the heart of Sydneys' East. Jed talks about his unconventional journey from a challenging athletic career to the top ranks of elite coaching. He also shares raw insights into the lessons he learned through failure, how those setbacks shaped his leadership style. The 411 team and Jed discuss what it takes to build a winning culture from the ground up. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just someone navigating your own path. Jed also explored the similarities between Rugby Union and BJJ. With plenty of Banter in between topics. All around a top bloke and legend in Sydney.
05/27/2025

#002 - Jude Kean

From Trouble to Triumph: In this episode, we sit down with Jude Kean, a rising star in the Australian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu scene. Jude opens up about his early years caught up in crime and chaos as a teenager; and how BJJ became the turning point that gave his life purpose. Now one of the most promising talents in the country, Jude is not only known for his relentless work ethic and sharp technique, but also for his kindness, humour, and love for the mats. He teaches regularly at Academy 411 and brings both intensity and joy to every training session. Tune in for a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about transformation, discipline, and the power of finding your passion.
05/26/2025

#001 - David "Baby Dave" Stoilescu

Becoming the best at BJJ, fast. In this conversation, David discusses his journey transitioning from boxing to jiu-jitsu, emphasising the importance of camaraderie and mental toughness in training, as well as how injuries have impacted his performance. He explores strategies for competing in jiu-jitsu, reflects on how training methods have evolved, and talks about the role strength and conditioning play in his routine. David highlights defining moments in his jiu-jitsu career and looks ahead to future competitions and goals. He also delves into the world of jiu-jitsu by sharing his thoughts on the athleticism of competitors, the dynamics of training and competition preparation, and the value of studying match footage. He explores the differences between wrestling and judo in jiu-jitsu, considers how various rulesets affect competition, and reflects on the lifestyle of a jiu-jitsu athlete. The conversation also touches on the significance of coaching and David’s future aspirations in the sport.

12 Episodes

Official Academy 411 BJJ & General Topic Podcast

Creator

Academy 411
Years Active

2025
Episodes

12
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© All rights reserved.
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Whats the 411?