Conversations From The Mat

A Jiujitsu Journey

5.0 (2)
Fitness
Updated Weekly

Martial arts is a journey that is different for every individual. Some look to compete professionally, some use it a means to exercise, while others use it as way to deal with the daily stressors of life. This podcast is intended to tell a brief part of their story.

8h ago

#11: The Doctor Is In

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Karl and talk about his experiences advocating as a board member of NAACP and his medical background. We also discussed how Brazilian Jiujitsu helped him during a difficult time in his life.
Jul 24

#10: Rewiring Old Habits

This week I had the chance to sit down with Parsa who is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. We discussed what led to him starting jiujitsu and how it became a major factor in changing behaviors that were detrimental to his well being.
Jul 16

#9: Respect For The Game

This week I had the chance to sit down with Alex Amaro who is currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. During the show, we discussed the nervousness she experiences she feels during training and competition. We also discuss the benefits jiujitsu provides as well as the importance of women creating a space for themselves in jiujitsu,
Jul 9

#8: Women Are Martial Artists Too

This week I had the opportunity to sit with Professor Mariana Scott who is a multiple IBJJF World Champion and the head Women's Self Defense Class Instructor at Gracie Barra Pearland. During the episode Professor Mariana discussed her Brazilian Jiujitsu journey as well as the importance of having healthy women spaces in Brazilian Jiujitsu.
Jul 2

#7: Don’t Quit

This week I had the chance to sit with Richard “Super” Mercado where we talked about his Brazilian Jiujitsu journey and our experience with mental health therapy.
Jun 25

#6: I Needed An Outlet

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with John Gonzales, a law enforcement officer and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu, During our conversation we discussed the idea of making Brazilian Jiujitsu mandatory for law enforcement and also his martial arts journey this far.
Jun 19

#5: Thirty Year Journey

Had a chance to sit down with Gabriel Vargas this morning in which we discussed his martial arts journey. Gabriel is a 5th degree black belt in Karate under founder Mike Tucker. Gabriel, along with his brother, serve as instructors at USA Karate. Gabriel also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu under Professor Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo.
Jun 11

#4: RollingwDave

This week I sit down with @RollingwDave who is a law enforcement officer who currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and has been training for 3 years at Renzo Gracie Pearland. During this episode, we discuss the importance of training as a police officer as well as the benefits he experiences from his training.
Jun 5

#3: Professor Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo

I had the honor of sitting down with my Professor and hearing some of his long martial journey that first began with capoeira, transitioning to jiujitsu, and mixed martial arts. Professor Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo is a 6th degree black belt under Master Draculino and owns, along with his wife Professor Mariana, Gracie Barra Pearland. Professor Marcelo is also a multiple Brazilian Jiujitsu World Champion and one of the early generations of jiujitsu.
May 28

#2: The Bully

During this episode I sat down with Peter Tran, AKA The Bully, before Memorial Day Open Mat at Gracie Barra Pearland. In the episode we get into why he joined Jiujitsu, his competition experience, and the one training partner who brings out his bully side.
May 22

#1: John Lowe

John Lowe is 55 years old and recently obtained his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu from Professor Marcelo Acevedo who is Black Belt under Master Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes. Professor John started training at the age of 28 at the original Gracie Barra Texas when it was known as "The El Dorado" location. Professor John talks about his martial journey and what it feels like to have the coveted Black Belt.

11 Episodes

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Martial arts is a journey that is different for every individual. Some look to compete professionally, some use it a means to exercise, while others use it as way to deal with the daily stressors of life. This podcast is intended to tell a brief part of their story.

Creator

A Jiujitsu Journey
Years Active

2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Martin Gonzalez
Show Website

Conversations From The Mat