The Ageless Warrior Lab

David Meyer

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. 1D AGO

    BJJ Bonus: Justin Flores on Connecting Judo, Wrestling & Jiujitsu | EP 38

    Justin Flores is a coach's coach — a University of Nebraska wrestler, elite judoka, and lifelong grappler who has spent decades blending judo, wrestling, and Brazilian jiujitsu. He's coached UFC champions, judged at CJI, and built J Flow Academy to help instructors integrate takedowns into their jiujitsu curriculums. In this conversation, we cover what makes grappling disciplines different and where they overlap, his path from competitor to educator, and much more. Contacts for interviewee: J. Flo Grappling Academy www.jfloacademy.com  Instagram @jflojudo YouTube channel jflojudo Topic Links: John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Fabio Santos https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/fabio-santos Nate Keeve https://www.ijf.org/judoka/41398 Woolf Barnato https://www.blacksheepjiujitsu.com/#academy-overview Beau Keeve https://www.instagram.com/beau_keeve/ Willie Cahill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_Cahill Wally Jay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Rigan Machado https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/instructors/rigan-machado/ Neil Adams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Adams_(judoka) Gokor Chivichyan https://www.gokor.com/about-us/ Karo Parisyan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karo_Parisyan Manny Gamburyan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manny_Gamburyan Ronda Rousey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda_Rousey Mikey Musumeci https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikey_Musumeci CJI (Craig Jones Invitational) https://www.cji2.com/ Lachlan Giles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachlan_Giles Chris Haueter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Haueter Paddy "the Baddy” Pimblett https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Pimblett Dominick Cruz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominick_Cruz Keenan Cornelius https://legionsandiego.com/instructors/keenan-cornelius/ Tom Callos https://www.tomcallos.com/printmaking/martialarts Felix Will https://www.instagram.com/felixwillbjj/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja ht 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 9m
  2. MAR 18

    BJJ Bonus: Lachlan Giles on Leg Locks, ADCC & the Future of BJJ | Ep 37

    In this episode, we sit down with Lachlan Giles — ADCC veteran, leg lock specialist, physiotherapist, and head coach at Absolute MMA St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia. With decades in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a PhD in physiotherapy, Lachlan brings a uniquely thoughtful approach to both competition and coaching. Instagram lachlan_giles Absolute MMA St. Kilda https://absolutemma.com.au/locations/absolute-st-kilda/ SUBMETA https://submeta.io/ John Will https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/john_will.html Hangar 4 https://www.industrialstrengthandfitness.com.au/ Rick Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyI57BwiQGY Egan Inoue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egan_Inoue Gordon Ryan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Ryan Eoghan Oflanagan https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/eoghan-oflanagan Gene LeBell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell ADCC https://adcc-official.com/ Marcelo Garcia  https://marcelogarciajj.com/mgjj/marcelogarcia/ Eddie Bravo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Bravo Craig Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Jones_(grappler) IBJJF https://ibjjf.com/ UFC BJJ https://www.ufc.com/ufcbjj Bob Bass https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048928735141 Kade Ruotolo  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kade_Ruotolo The Ruotolo Brothers https://ruotolobrothersjiujitsu.com/ Rico Rodriguez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricco_Rodriguez The Machado Brothers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machado_family Black Sheep BJJ https://www.blacksheepjiujitsu.com/ Livia Giles  https://www.instagram.com/livia_giles/ Melissa Will https://www.instagram.com/melissawillbjj/?hl=en David Mitchell and Lauren Sacks https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaxnka9MSgQzO8tCIQmeLMgcauDp3qHxN Kit Dale https://kitdaletraining.com/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ 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 3m
  3. MAR 14

    BJJ Bonus: Erik Paulson - The MMA Pioneer | EP 36

    In this episode, I sit down with Erik Paulson, a true pioneer of mixed martial arts and one of the first Americans to compete professionally in Japan's Shooto organization. Erik is the first American Shooto World Champion, a BJJ lback belt under Rigan Machado, and currently coaches top-level grapplers and fighters including the Ruotolo brothers. Links for Show notes: https://erikpaulson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/erikpaulson/ https://www.instagram.com/csw_headquarters/ https://cswfullerton.com/ Rorion Gracie: https://www.roriongracie.com/Royce Gracie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_GracieRickson Gracie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickson_GracieDan Inosanto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_InosantoKen Shamrock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_ShamrockFrank Shamrock: https://frankshamrock.com/Chad Stahelski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_StahelskiEddie Bravo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_BravoRuotolo Brothers: https://ruotolobrothersjiujitsu.com/Cesar Gracie: https://www.graciefighter.com/Robert Drysdale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_DrysdaleKeenan Cornelius: https://legionsandiego.com/instructors/keenan-cornelius/Burton Richardson: https://jkdunlimited.com/pages/about-usMitch Gaylord: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_GaylordSatoru Sayama (founder of Shooto): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoru_SayamaMitsuyo Maeda (Count Koma): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuyo_MaedaMatt Hume: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_HumeShooto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShootoPancrase: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PancraseCatch Wrestling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_wrestlingPride FC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Fighting_ChampionshipsThe 48 Laws of Power": https://a.co/d/0cAyZb61"The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu": https://a.co/d/00DUQjUM 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 37m
  4. MAR 5

    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
  5. MAR 3

    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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
5
out of 5
12 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.

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