The Ageless Warrior Lab

David Meyer
  • 5.0 (11)
  • 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. 11H AGO

    Toughness: How to Get Mentally and Physically Tougher | Ep 35

    In this episode, I break down what toughness really means—the ability to not give up or give in to something difficult while continuing to function effectively. I explore the different types of toughness: physical, mental, and psychological, and why developing toughness expands what's possible in your life. I then provide practical methods to develop both physical and mental toughness: hard training, challenging workouts, cold plunges, multi-day fasts, and putting yourself in psychologically difficult situations. I break these into three levels—daily discomfort, controlled adversity, and real stakes—because toughness isn't something you have, it's something you practice. Life will test you, and being tough means you'll be ready. Links for Show notes: "Mental Toughness and Individual Differences in Learning, ...A Systematic Review" (2017) in Frontiers for Psychology https://tinyurl.com/vmpwp2xv Adopt-a-Pet.com https://www.adoptapet.com/ Dave Kovar https://www.kovarsystems.com/articles-and-resources/who-is-dave-kovar Freakonomics "Upside of Quitting" https://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-upside-of-quitting-3/ David Mitchell  Find Dave Mitchell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en Royce Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie Rickson Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickson_Gracie Douglas Wong https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-masterwong.html Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ Jack Seki https://budoshin.com/about-bjj/budoshin-lineage/jack-seki/ Swiss Cadet Study "Systematic review- Mental toughness across domains" https://tinyurl.com/y9trs93v Iron Man Triathlon https://www.ironman.com/ Tabata App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tabata-pro-hiit-interval-timer/id346432063 Juice Fast https://a.co/d/0hdvWoPm Seishiro "Henry" Okazaki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seishiro_Okazaki Danzan Ryu Ju Jitsu https://www.danzan.com/ Sig Kufferath https://www.danzan.com/HTML/PEOPLE/kufferath.html Bernice Jay https://www.danzan.com/HTML/PEOPLE/bernicejay.html Toastmasters https://www.toastmasters.org/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4e 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.

    39 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Rikki Rocket: Poison's Drummer on Martial Arts and Music | Ep 34

    I sit down with Rikki Rockett, founding drummer of Poison (50+ million albums sold) and fourth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renato Magno at Street Sports BJJ. We explore parallels between drumming and BJJ—both demand mental strategy balanced with physical execution. Social Media Links: Instagram ► www.instagram.com/RikkiRockett Facebook ► www.facebook.com/TheRealRikkirockett Facebook Fan Page ► www.facebook.com/Rikkirockett TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@therealrikkirockett X►  https://x.com/RikkiRockett Threads► https://www.threads.net/@rikkirockett Poison - https://www.poisonofficial.com/ Rocket Mafia - https://rockettmafia.com/ Devil City Angels - http://devilcityangelsmusic.com/ Mark Dacascos - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001092/ Cass Magda/ Magda Institute - https://mijkd.com/school/who-is-cass-magda/ Dan Inosanto - https://inosanto.com/ Royce Gracie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Gracie John Machado - https://johnmachadobjj.com/ Jean Jacques Machado - https://www.jjmachado.com/ Rigan Machado - https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ Machado Brothers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machado_family Eddie Bravo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Bravo Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Mancini Bob Bass - https://www.facebook.com/robert.bass.520562 Felicia Oh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_Oh John Will - https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Dog Brothers - https://dogbrothers.com/ Clark Gracie - https://www.clarkgracie.com/ Steve Jordan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jordan_(drummer) Charlie Watts - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Watts John Bonham - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bonham Jason Bonham - https://www.jasonbonham.net/ Moores Cancer Center - https://moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja 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 12m

  3. FEB 25

    Burton Richardson - Combat Wisdom & Training Philosophy - Ep 33

    Burton Richardson is a Black Belt Hall of Fame martial artist with over four decades of training. He's an instructor under Dan Inosanto in Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali, trained in Zulu stick fighting in South Africa, an original Dog Brothers member, and has coached top MMA fighters. We discuss his evolution from teaching everything to focusing only on pressure-tested techniques. Burton shares why his students carry training weapons during grappling to build constant awareness, how to adapt sport training for street reality, and his philosophy of martial arts as "the art of overcoming obstacles"—a mindset that applies to fighting and life. Contact Burton Richardson: Website: www.jkdunlimited.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurtonRichardson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BurtonRichardson Instagram: @jkd_unlimited Online Instructionals from Burton: BJJ for the Street https://bjjfanatics.com/products/bjj-for-the-street-by-burton-richardson Clinch For The Street https://bjjfanatics.com/products/clinch-for-the-street-by-burton-richardson Books by Burton: My Jeet Kune Do Unlimited Adventure https://a.co/d/085kJ2HB Silat for the Street https://a.co/d/032no1z3 Dan Inosanto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Inosanto Bruce Lee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee Inosanto Academy https://inosanto.com/ Egan Inoue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egan_Inoue Enson Inoue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enson_Inoue Chris Leben https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Leben Douglas Wong https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-masterwong.html Carrie Ogawa Wong https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-instructors.html Inside Kung Fu Magazine https://insidekung-fu.com/ Bernice Jay https://www.danzan.com/HTML/PEOPLE/bernicejay.html Wally Jay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Mike Belzer https://www.danzan.com/HTML/PEOPLE/mbelzer.html Dog Brothers https://dogbrothers.com/ Augusto Barocco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyjrABjV2wA Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo https://mandirigma.org/?p=82 Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs4 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 14m

  4. FEB 20

    Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry: Star Trek, Martial Arts & Finding Your Own Path | Ep 32

    In this episode, I sit down with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment. Rod is an executive producer on many current Star Trek iterations and founder of the Roddenberry Foundation, which supports causes advancing humanity. We discuss Rod's formative years training Jiujitsu under my good friend Sensei Steve Copping in Los Angeles during the 1980s, earning his black belt as a teenager. Rod shares how the dojo became a second family where respect, vulnerability, and strength coexisted—lessons that shaped his approach to leadership and life. We explore the philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations), a core Star Trek principle about appreciating different perspectives, and how it mirrors the martial arts values of learning from everyone regardless of rank. We dive into Rod's journey stepping out of his father's shadow to forge his own identity while honoring Gene's vision, the responsibility of being guardian to a cultural phenomenon that's more than entertainment, and why Star Trek's optimistic future—where humanity has solved scarcity and values ideas over possessions—remains relevant today. Rod reflects on the challenges of maintaining that hopeful vision across ten different Star Trek shows, why we need inspirational storytelling now more than ever, and how shows like The Orville and Ted Lasso carry forward that same spirit of humanity at its best. Whether you're a Star Trek fan interested in its philosophical foundations, a martial artist exploring how training shapes character beyond the mat, or someone seeking perspective on leadership, ethics, and building a better future in tumultuous times, this conversation delivers wisdom on finding your own path while honoring what came before. Roddenberry Entertainment https://www.roddenberry.com/ Rod Instagram: @eugeneroddenberry  http://www.instagram.com/eugeneroddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment Instagram @roddenberryofficial https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry/ Roddenberry Foundation https://roddenberryfoundation.org/ Roddenberry Foundation’s IG @theroddenberryfoundation http://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   Trek Nation documentary https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529666/ Steve Copping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbq6Wpb1DVk George Kirby https://budoshin.com/about-bjj/budoshin-lineage/george-kirby/ Gene Roddenberry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Roddenberry Star Trek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek Gracie Jiu Jitsu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu Paul O'Connor https://www.paulryanoconnor.com/about Air Protein https://www.airprotein.com/ The Orville https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5691552/ Ted Lasso https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy Jeremy Corbell https://www.weaponizedpodcast.com/ 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 2m

  5. FEB 17

    BJJ BONUS: Cesar Gracie on Early Days of BJJ & Building a Fight Team | Ep 31

    In this episode, I sit down with Cesar Gracie, one of the most influential figures in bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. Cesar is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, founder of the Gracie system, and built the legendary Gracie Fighter Team in Northern California, coaching UFC stars including Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields, Dave Terrell, and BJ Penn. We discuss how BJJ actually got started in America and Cesar's role opening the first academy with the Machados, the early days training out of Royce Gracie's garage in Torrance and teaching Chuck Norris at his Encino home, and why Cesar moved to Northern California in 1992 to build his own school. Cesar shares his eclectic training philosophy that mixed gi and no-gi from day one, welcomed wrestlers and sambo practitioners when other schools were insular, and created an environment where students had to prove they were tough enough to belong. We dive into the reality of coaching elite fighters through the early UFC era when purses were $7,000 and tournaments meant three fights in one night, why Cesar stepped away from managing professional fighters as the sport became corporate, and the strain when business relationships replace friendships at the highest levels. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner interested in the sport's origins, a coach balancing competition with sustainability, or fascinated by how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exploded from backyard garages to a global phenomenon, this conversation delivers raw history and hard-earned wisdom on longevity in the sport. Cesar Gracie contacts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cesargraciebjj/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cesar.gracie/ Cesar Gracie Academy: https://www.graciefighter.com/ Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie Rickson Gracie https://www.ricksongracie.com/ricksongracie/about Carlson Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_Gracie Nick Diaz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Diaz Nate Diaz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Diaz Jake Shields https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Shields Gilbert Melendez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Melendez BJ Penn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.J._Penn John Danaher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Danaher_(martial_artist) Gordon Ryan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Ryan 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.

    51 min

  6. FEB 12

    Real Street Self Defense | What Many Martial Arts Don't Prepare You For | Ep.30

    What really works in what's called "the street"? After decades of martial arts training, I can tell you this: most people who think they're prepared for a real fight may be mistaken. In this episode, I break down the truth about street fighting versus sport training. This isn't about forms or point sparring—it's about the six critical variables that can shape a fight: the physical environment you're in, weapons (theirs or yours), multiple attackers, bystanders, what you're wearing, and your physical state when violence finds you. I walk through what I call the "circle of training"—seven essential areas you must develop if you want real self-defense capability: physical attributes (strength, speed, toughness), punching and elbow work, kicking and knee strikes, takedowns and throws, ground fighting, weapons defense, and scenario training under adrenal stress. Then I explain how to modify your current training to prepare for reality. From why your BJJ might get you trouble on concrete, to how a chair becomes a weapon, to why training in jeans and shoes changes everything—these are hard-won lessons most martial arts schools won't teach you. I also get specific: why you need to practice grappling with strikes allowed, how to train knife defense that actually works (hint: wooden knives don't cut it), and why breaking the social contract with the first strike might save your life. This episode is twice as long as usual because there's too much at stake to leave anything out. Whether you train in martial arts or not, if you want to protect yourself and your family, understanding these principles could be the difference between going home safe and becoming a statistic. If you found this valuable, please like, share, and subscribe. Drop a comment on YouTube with your thoughts—I read and respond to every one. Krissa Hjartar Instagram: @krissa.jiujitsu YouTube: @krissajiujitsu Art: www.krissa.art Rogue Black Belt Books https://www.goodreads.com/series/82393-rogue-black-belt Dog Brothers https://dogbrothers.com/ Dan Inosanto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Inosanto Dan Inosanto Knife vs. Gun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BNkOTTRW9o Cesar Gracie https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/cesar-gracie Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/  Model Mugging https://modelmugging.org/ John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Jeff Thompson book https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/651654.Watch_My_Back Special thanks to Jamie MacMillan for his assistance with photos 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

  7. FEB 10

    BJJ BONUS: Caio Terra on Technique, Champions & Training Smart | Ep. 29

    In this episode, I sit down with Professor Caio Terra, a BJJ black belt and one of the most accomplished competitors and coaches in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history. Caio is a multiple-time world champion who competed at rooster weight—the smallest division—yet regularly defeated opponents in the absolute (open weight) division, sometimes facing competitors literally twice his size. He received his black belt in 2006 and has since built the Caio Terra Academy in San Jose, California, and the Caio Terra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association (CTA), producing numerous world champions and helping students worldwide through Caio Online. We discuss what separates understanding from mimicking in jiu-jitsu and why the students who struggle most at first often become the best, the evolution of BJJ training culture from the brutal 1990s to today's more technical approach, and Caio's unique teaching philosophy that encourages every student to develop their own distinct style rather than copying a template. Caio shares why he was initially the "worst student" his teacher ever had, how he learned to translate techniques to his own body rather than just replicate movements, and why counter-attacking based on what your opponent gives you is more effective than forcing positions. We also dive into the challenges of adapting your game as you age and lose physical attributes you once relied on, the price of training too hard and the injuries that come from years of elite competition, and why technique will always matter more than strength or cardio. Caio opens up about his car accident and ongoing shoulder issues, the regret of not doing more joint rehab earlier in his career, and how the lessons learned on the mat—problem-solving, adaptation, and resilience—translate directly to navigating life's challenges off the mat. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner looking to develop your own game, a coach seeking insights on how to build champions without creating clones, or someone interested in how world-class athletes balance competitive success with long-term health and teaching, this conversation delivers hard-earned wisdom, honest reflections on the cost of greatness, and inspiration to train smarter while staying true to your own path. Caio Terra Academy https://bjjsanjose.com/ Caio Terra Online https://caioterra.com/ Ricardo Vieira https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Vieira Rodrigo 'Comprido' Medeiros https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Medeiros Roger Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Gracie David Mitchell https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442 Woolf Barnato, Black Sheep BJJ https://www.blacksheepjiujitsu.com/ Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Ribeiro Bruno Malfacine https://www.brunomalfacine.com/academy/ Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1 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

  8. FEB 6

    BJJ Bonus: How to Minimize Injuries - EP 28

    After 30+ years as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I recently received my coral belt (7th degree). People keep asking me the same question: How have I stayed in the sport this long without getting sidelined? The answer isn't luck—it's strategy. In this episode, I break down the exact framework I've used to train for decades while minimizing injury. This isn't about avoiding all damage—if you're gonna drive your Cadillac down the highway of life, you're gonna take some dings. But there's a massive difference between expected wear and preventable damage that ends careers. I walk through the three types of injuries every martial artist faces: tweaks you can train through, injuries that take you off the mat temporarily, and the ones that end your training permanently. Then I share my five-rule system for staying safe: choosing the right instructor and school culture, selecting training partners wisely, creating a safe physical environment, bringing the right attitude to every roll, and maintaining your body as a high-performance machine. From managing space on the mat to understanding why leg attacks increase injury risk, from the "tap early, tap often" philosophy to why cold showers matter more than you think—these are battle-tested principles that have kept me training when others had to quit. I also get into the specifics: why training near walls is safer, how to warm up joints (not just stretch muscles), and why leaving your ego at the door might be the most important injury prevention tool you have. Whether you're in martial arts, CrossFit, or any physical pursuit, understanding injury prevention is the difference between a lifetime practice and a short-lived hobby. If this helps you stay in the game longer, please like, share, and subscribe. Drop a comment with your own injury prevention strategies—I'd love to hear what's worked for you. Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ Coral belt https://bjjfanatics.com/blogs/news/coral-belt-bjj?srsltid=AfmBOoqyqtCPanHwuoQtjRXUMB4HSyFBCRGmh3kfv0Ee60irimLYoI6k El Niño Training Center https://elninomma.com/ Gil Melendez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Melendez IBJJF Rules https://ibjjf.com/books-videos Tabata https://www.verywellfit.com/tabata-training-definition-1230982 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.

    38 min
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5
out of 5
11 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
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ageless Warrior Lab | A Dave Meyer Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ageless Warrior Lab

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