The Ageless Warrior Lab

David Meyer
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BUSINESS

Dave Meyer | Host, Ageless Warrior Lab podcast | President & Co-founder of Food System Innovations and Humane American Animal Foundation  Join BJJ coral belt, Gang of Eight and Dirty Dozen member Dave Meyer as we draw wisdom from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the martial arts and explore how it applies to your life, success in business, and your long-term health. Dave Meyer is a pioneering American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, and accomplished non-profit founder and Philanthropist. He is an eleven-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is the current world champion in his age/weight division in the no-gi format. Dave co-founded and served as CEO of Adopt-a-Pet.com for two decades, turning it into the world's largest nonprofit homeless pet adoption website and helping save millions of animals, before its acquisition by Mars Inc. Today, Dave leads Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, working on farm animal welfare and a healthy and sustainable food system. He frequently advises U.S. lawmakers on these issues, and has raised and deployed over $160 million in philanthropic capital as part of his work in the nonprofit space. In his athletic career, Dave has risen to the highest ranks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He earned his black belt from Rigan Machado in 1996 and ranked among the first Americans ("the Dirty Dozen") to do so. He was the first American to medal at the black belt level at the BJJ World Championships in Brazil in 1998. Dave is one of just several Americans to achieve the rank of coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a group now referred to as the “Gang of Eight”. He continues to compete at the world championship level, winning world championship titles in his age division. As a martial artist and instructor, he taught at UCLA, Steven Seagal's Tenshin Dojo, and developed a globally used grappling curriculum with John Will, including customized material for Chuck Norris's UFAF association. He has written several books on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including "Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling". Meyer also played a critical role in post-Katrina animal rescue, co-authored books pet care, and co-founded a Haiti orphanage for children with HIV, exemplifying a lifetime of impactful leadership in both martial arts and philanthropy. Dave resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues to coach BJJ athletes and compete at the world championship level. He is the President & Co-Founder of Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, of which the Ageless Warrior Lab is a project.

  1. 7H AGO

    BJJ BONUS: Turning Chaos into Taps While Managing a Corporate Career - David Mitchell | Ep. 27

    In this episode, I sit down with David Mitchell, a BJJ black belt and one of the most dangerous submission artists in Masters competition today. David is ranked #1 in the world for Master 2 No-Gi by IBJJF, has won around 85% of his matches with a 90% submission rate, and recently released his instructional "Ankle Locks Don't Work, and Other Lies" with BJJ Fanatics. Beyond the mats, David spent a decade at Google in finance and learning development before launching his own venture, MMA Fight Advisor, which uses data analytics to provide sports betting insights for UFC fights. We discuss what makes teaching such a powerful tool for improving your own jujitsu, the differences between gi and no-gi training and why both matter, and David's philosophy of thriving in chaos by finding "hidden harmonies" in scrambles. David shares his approach to building a complete BJJ game, why you should never wait for the "perfect time" to compete, and how learning to learn might be more valuable than any specific technique. We also dive into the challenges of balancing elite-level competition with a demanding career and family life, navigating autoimmune disease and health issues while still performing at the highest level, and why jumping into the deep end—whether in jujitsu or business—accelerates skill acquisition. David opens up about his "few-shot learning" approach, the importance of leading with empathy as an instructor, and how the skills developed through martial arts—problem-solving, resilience, and incremental progress—translate directly to success in business, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner looking to sharpen your submission game, a competitor seeking insights on performance under pressure, or someone interested in how high achievers balance multiple demanding pursuits, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom, honest insights about overcoming obstacles, and inspiration to keep showing up even when conditions aren't perfect. Find Dave Mitchell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en Keep up to date with David and his wife, Lauren, through their link tree: https://linktr.ee/TeamChaosJiuJitsu MMA Fight Advisor YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MMAFightAdvisor MMA Fight Advisor on Instagram: nstagram.com/mmafightadvisor/ Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamChaosJiuJitsu Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teamchaosjiujitsu Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TeamChaosJiuJitsu Ankle Locks Don't Work (And Other Lies): https://bjjfanatics.com/products/ankle-locks-dont-work-and-other-lies-by-david-mitchell?srsltid=AfmBOorC7BBBoDc9LkkwKszcxou5z3iIb8oZScj5khGc8qaI-jpv1js1 Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    1h 26m

  2. 5D AGO

    Professor John Will: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Evolution, Real Self-Defense, and Building Safety Nets | EP. 26

    In this episode, I sit down with Professor John Will, one of Australia's most legendary martial artists and the person who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the continent. John is now a coral belt in BJJ, was the first Australian to earn a black belt in the art, and has over 45 years of teaching experience with everyone from beginners to elite military units, including the Australian Defense Forces, US Marine Corps, and FBI. We discuss what makes a truly great martial arts school, the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a simple fighting system to a global sport, and why what gets you in the door isn't what keeps you there for decades. John shares his powerful "5% improvement" philosophy for making progress in martial arts and life, the critical importance of building safety nets before taking risks, and why learning how to learn might be more valuable than any technique. We also dive into practical self-defense concepts, including "the fence" for situational awareness and conflict prevention, the Four D's of street attacks, and why most self-defense classes miss the mark. John opens up about fear, anxiety, mental toughness, and how the skills developed on the mat—problem-solving, incremental progress, and resilience—translate directly to success in business, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner, martial artist from another discipline, or someone interested in personal development through physical training, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom, honest insights about the realities of combat training, and inspiration to keep showing up for the long game. Links: Contact for John Will: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.b.will.7 Previous John Will Episode: https://youtu.be/ZxPifNLKTUo?si=fzFuPAmz_H7KhSTg Redcat Academy https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/ Jeff Thompson's book “Watch My Back” https://a.co/d/aWTTcp7 BJJ Essential Tactics: Volume 1 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum)  https://a.co/d/5bqB4ki BJJ - Level Up Your Game: Volume 2 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum)  https://a.co/d/00Ca5wn  Sifu Douglas Wong https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-masterwong.html White Lotus King Fu https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/ Robert Strong, Comedy Magician https://www.strongentertainment.com/ Marcello Garcia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler) Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    1h 8m

  3. JAN 21

    Frank Shamrock: From Prison to UFC Champion, The Mindset That Built a Legend | Ep. 25

    Frank Shamrock joins Dave Meyer for a deep, honest conversation about martial arts, MMA, mindset, and the life experiences that shaped one of the most well-rounded fighters of his era. Frank shares his path from a difficult childhood and time in the system to discovering martial arts, training in Japan, and ultimately becoming a UFC champion. This episode goes beyond fight stories, Frank breaks down how biomechanics, discipline, curiosity, and personal responsibility helped him evolve as a fighter and as a human. He also opens up about mental health, the emotional aftermath of winning, and the hard lessons that came from losses. Plus, Frank explains how he now applies martial arts principles to leadership and executive coaching, including work with major organizations. If you’re into MMA history, UFC legends, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, performance psychology, leadership training, and personal transformation, this interview is packed with insights. Topics covered: Frank Shamrock’s origin story: childhood, crime, prison, and turning his life aroundEarly MMA and training in Japan (Pancrase era)Why “beginner’s mind” matters in martial arts and businessBiomechanics, systems, and learning how to learnMental health, trauma, and why a big win felt depressingConfidence, discipline, honesty, and performing under pressureHow martial arts principles translate to leadership and team performanceShow Notes Links: Website: https://frankshamrock.com/ Documentary: https://frankshamrock.com/doc Uncaged by Frank Shamrock: https://frankshamrock.com/books/uncaged-my-life-as-a-champion-mma-fighter-zgpgx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankshamrock/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frankshamrock X: https://x.com/frankshamrock?lang=en Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    1h 16m

  4. JAN 17

    BJJ BONUS: Krissa Hjartar: Mastering Leg Attacks, Training with Men & Building Confidence | Ep. 24

    In this episode, I sit down with Coach Krissa Hjartar, a 5-time Icelandic National Judo Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, and American National Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Krissa shares her incredible journey from training in a small Icelandic town to competing at the highest levels of grappling. We discuss her expertise in leg locks and takedowns, the unique challenges and advantages women face in martial arts, training with elite coaches like Josh Clopton, Dan Marks, Gil Melendez and John Danaher, and the importance of strength training for longevity in the sport. Krissa also opens up about balancing her athletic side with her artistic pursuits and offers invaluable advice for anyone looking to improve their grappling game. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned practitioner, man or woman, this conversation is packed with technical insights, competition wisdom, and inspiration to keep showing up on the mat. Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    47 min

  5. JAN 13

    The Ego Trap: What 35 Years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Taught Me About Success | Ep. 23

    Many years ago, I sat across from a martial arts "master" who claimed his punch could burst someone's aorta. That moment taught me everything I needed to know about unchecked ego, and it's a lesson that extends far beyond the dojo. In this episode, I share 35+ years of martial arts wisdom about ego: what it is, why it's dangerous, when it's useful, and most importantly, how to tame it. From getting destroyed by a secret Brazilian national champion to taking private lessons from a brown belt as a black belt, these stories reveal how ego can either drive excellence or block growth entirely. What You'll Learn: The difference between healthy ambition and toxic ego • Why ego stops you from learning and improving How to recognize when your ego is blinding you The 7-step framework for taming your ego Real stories from BJJ that illustrate ego's impact Bruce Lee's "lengthen your line" philosophy Why Jonas Salk refused to patent the polio vaccineWhether you're in martial arts, business, or just trying to grow as a person, understanding ego is critical. It can drive you to achieve greatness or trap you in delusion. The key is learning to use it as a tool, not let it define you. Links for Show notes: Bruce Lees “one inch punch” https://youtu.be/kXwOU5HzTZQ?si=iZ2Rdp6ZLqhXCre2 Way of the Peaceful Warrior book https://www.peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/ “Their pain, our pleasure: stereotype content and schadenfreude” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4472308/ Professor Wally Jay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Small Circle Ju Jitsu https://smallcirclejujitsu.com/ Eddie Bravo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Bravo 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu https://www.10thplanetjj.com/ Carlos Machado https://machadomethod.com/ Dr. Jonas Salk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Salk Landmark Forum https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/the-landmark-forum The Four Agreements book https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements/ Zen in the Martial Arts book https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/424340.Zen_in_the_Martial_Arts Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    43 min

  6. JAN 6

    Adapt and Prevail: The #1 Skill That Can Help You Win When There's No Win in Sight. | Ep. 22

    Many people don't fail because they're mentally weak, they fail because they're mentally rigid. In this episode, I explore one of the most powerful skills I've learned from decades of martial arts training: the power of adapting. Whether you're in a BJJ match, running a business, or facing life's unexpected challenges, your ability to adapt determines your success. Key insights covered: • Why rigidity defines your boundaries, but adaptability is boundless • The difference between discipline and stubbornness • How to know when to stay the course vs. when to pivot • Viktor Frankl's philosophy on adapting your attitude when you can't change circumstances • Practical examples of adaptation from BJJ, music, and disaster response As Bruce Lee wrote: "Absorb what is useful, discard what's not, and add what's uniquely your own." Links for Show notes: Tom Skeeter, Sound City https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_City_Studios Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie Helio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie Mitsuyo Maeda https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuyo_Maeda UFC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship https://www.ufc.com/ Mapquest https://www.mapquest.com/ Hurricane Katrina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina Viktor Frankl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl Auschwitz Concentration Camp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp Eric Ries, The Lean Startup https://theleanstartup.com/ Bruce Lee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee Dan Inosanto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Inosanto https://inosanto.com/ James DeMile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeMile Professor Wally Jay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Small Circle Jujitsu https://smallcirclejujitsu.com/ Winston Churchill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill Professor David Mitchell https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en Professor John Will https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Will_(fighter) https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A 🔔 Subscribe for weekly lessons from the Ageless Warrior Lab 💬 Share your adaptation stories in the comments!📺 Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    31 min

  7. JAN 2

    BJJ BONUS: Bob Bass - 2nd US BJJ Black Belt, Stories of the Gracie & Machado Early Days | Ep. 21

    🥋 In this episode, Dave Meyer sits down with Professor Bob Bass—the SECOND non-Brazilian to ever receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1995) making him one of the BJJ Dirty Dozen, and one of the first non-Brazilians to be awarded the prestigious Coral Belt (7th degree black belt) (2024), making him one of the elite “BJJ Gang of Eight”. Bob shares stories from the earliest days of BJJ in America, including: • His first encounter with Rickson Gracie and Royce Gracie in a garage in 1985 • How he convinced Rigan Machado to stay in America and open a school • Building the legendary training platform in Rigan's backyard with garage doors • The historic 1995 Pan-American match against Marcio Feitosa • Training wars with Craig Kukuk, the first American BJJ black belt • Gene LeBell showing up on a motorcycle doing wheelies • The politics and referee controversies of early BJJ tournaments • Why he's still rolling at 63 and plans to train until 70 Bob Bass was consistently the top fighter out of the Machado Academy and helped prove that Americans could compete with—and beat—the best Brazilians. This interview is essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the roots of BJJ in the United States. Links from the show: To contact Bob Bass for seminars, BobBassJJ @ Gmail.com (no spaces) Rickson Gracie https://www.ricksongracie.com/ Rorion Gracie https://www.roriongracie.com/ Royler Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royler_Gracie Carlos Gracie Junior https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie_Jr. IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) https://ibjjf.com/ 1995 IBJJF Pan American Games- Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UauuTMMsJL4 1996 Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa https://youtu.be/7Kii9qrQ7KE?si=gMaJVInvJID1UsA0 Black Belt Legacy https://blackbeltlegacy.com/ Follow Your Heart restaurant https://www.theheartmarketcafe.com/ Atama Kimonos https://atamausa.com/collections/mens-jiu-jitsu-kimonos Kickskin http://www.kikskinmartialarts.com/main.asp The Compound MMA https://www.thecompoundmma.com/ Gene LeBell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Bart Vale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Vale Dan Inosanto https://inosanto.com/ Erik Paulson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Paulson Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    1h 28m

  8. 12/30/2025

    The Psychology of Competition: Why Winning Shouldn't Be Your Goal | BJJ & Life Lessons | Ep. 20

    Are you thinking about entering your first competition? Or struggling with competition anxiety? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of competition, why you should compete, how to prepare mentally and physically, and why winning shouldn't be your primary goal. Drawing from decades of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition experience, this episode covers: ✅ The TRUE reasons to compete (hint: it's not about the gold medal)  ✅ How to manage pre-competition anxiety and stress  ✅ The "bracket" concept—understanding what's actually in your control ✅ Why caring LESS about winning can help you win MORE  ✅ Practical preparation tips for your training camp  ✅ The role of a corner coach and what they should (and shouldn't) say  ✅ How to learn from both wins AND losses  ✅ Mental strategies for stepping onto the mat with confidence Whether you're into BJJ, grappling, MMA, or any competitive sport, these principles apply universally. Competition is a path of self-discovery that reveals who you truly are under pressure. Links for Show notes: “Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling” book https://a.co/d/dOweTaX Gene LeBell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Don Jacob https://purple-dragon.com/founder-don-jacob/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

    56 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Dave Meyer | Host, Ageless Warrior Lab podcast | President & Co-founder of Food System Innovations and Humane American Animal Foundation  Join BJJ coral belt, Gang of Eight and Dirty Dozen member Dave Meyer as we draw wisdom from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the martial arts and explore how it applies to your life, success in business, and your long-term health. Dave Meyer is a pioneering American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, and accomplished non-profit founder and Philanthropist. He is an eleven-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is the current world champion in his age/weight division in the no-gi format. Dave co-founded and served as CEO of Adopt-a-Pet.com for two decades, turning it into the world's largest nonprofit homeless pet adoption website and helping save millions of animals, before its acquisition by Mars Inc. Today, Dave leads Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, working on farm animal welfare and a healthy and sustainable food system. He frequently advises U.S. lawmakers on these issues, and has raised and deployed over $160 million in philanthropic capital as part of his work in the nonprofit space. In his athletic career, Dave has risen to the highest ranks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He earned his black belt from Rigan Machado in 1996 and ranked among the first Americans ("the Dirty Dozen") to do so. He was the first American to medal at the black belt level at the BJJ World Championships in Brazil in 1998. Dave is one of just several Americans to achieve the rank of coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a group now referred to as the “Gang of Eight”. He continues to compete at the world championship level, winning world championship titles in his age division. As a martial artist and instructor, he taught at UCLA, Steven Seagal's Tenshin Dojo, and developed a globally used grappling curriculum with John Will, including customized material for Chuck Norris's UFAF association. He has written several books on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including "Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling". Meyer also played a critical role in post-Katrina animal rescue, co-authored books pet care, and co-founded a Haiti orphanage for children with HIV, exemplifying a lifetime of impactful leadership in both martial arts and philanthropy. Dave resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues to coach BJJ athletes and compete at the world championship level. He is the President & Co-Founder of Humane America Animal Foundation and Food System Innovations, of which the Ageless Warrior Lab is a project.

Information

  • Creator
    David Meyer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ageless Warrior Lab | A Dave Meyer Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ageless Warrior Lab

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