The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset

Peter M. Deeley Jr. and Lucas Rubbo
  • 4.9 (36)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED DAILY

When you improve your Jiujitsu, you improve your life. Lessons on the mat are life lessons. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Welcome to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset.

  1. APR 27

    Kindness, Discipline, And Harmony with Professor Jason Cruz

    Jason Cruz Rickson Gracie Jiujitsu "Pure Bred"   Rooted in tradition, Jason's journey began at age seven training on wooden floors and makiwara boards. He earned a Traditional Karate Black Belt and is a Guro in both Pangamot and Lameco Filipino Martial Arts, which along with his experience in Jeet Kune Do served as the foundations for his striking style. A "purebred" Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Jason's lineage is unbroken from his first trial lesson with Master Rickson Gracie to receiving his black belt from the hands of the Master. A dedicated coach and elite training partner, he is now a sought after coach and has prepared fighters for Professional Competition and played a pivotal role in the first and most recent victory of a Gracie since the early days of UFC.   Today he and his family run Bushido Mountain Dojo in Montana, where the mission of preserving art and spreading the way art Rickson Gracie Jiujitsu and Filipino Martial Arts is his focus.    From Karate to Invisible Jiu-Jitsu: Etiquette, Discipline, and Teaching as Family   Host Pete Deeley interviews Professor Jason about his martial arts journey from karate training at age seven on wood floors to Filipino martial arts and Jeet Kune Do with original Bruce Lee students, and how those experiences shaped his approach to jiu-jitsu. They compare earlier eras—when students "courted" instructors and etiquette was central—to today's more transactional gym culture. Jason describes building a dojo in Montana focused on respect, safety, and community, including white-gi preference, interviews and waiting lists, and treating students as family rather than customers. He recounts driving 80 miles each way for years to train in a Rickson Gracie lineage and shares how "invisible jiu-jitsu" applies off the mat as being a better teacher, husband, and dad. They discuss concepts like stripping away the useless, soft vision, "no technique," and a recent epiphany: "invisible timing," plus student transformations through breathing, kindness, and improved relationships.   00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:36 Early Karate Roots 03:00 Jeet Kune Do Era 05:16 Bruce Lee Philosophy 09:38 Efficiency and Focus 13:14 Invisible Jiu Jitsu 16:18 Building Dojo Culture 20:04 Coffee Shop to Dojo 22:28 Gi Color and Ego 22:57 Dojo Safety Culture 23:52 Dojo as Spiritual Practice 25:03 Chasing the Purest Jiu Jitsu 27:01 Earning Access and Commitment 28:40 Students Not Customers 29:25 Real Life Transformations 33:27 Invisible Timing Epiphany 37:36 Aikido and Mystical Rootedness 41:22 Etiquette and Beginner Mind 44:13 Mind Heart Respect Closing

    47 min

  2. APR 26

    Professor Dave Meyer: When Someone Calls For Help, You Are the Help

    Host Pete Deeley welcomes Coral Belt Professor Dave Meyer to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset, noting Meyer's Ageless Warrior Lab podcast and his animal welfare work. Meyer explains he began ujitsu jat age six, making it inseparable from his identity, and says martial arts discipline and strategy improved his effectiveness in animal welfare, where he raised $160 million. He connects martial arts ethos—being "the help," defending the weak, and controlling ego—to his choice to advocate for animals, reinforced by his religious upbringing's "repair the world" ethic. Meyer discusses prioritizing time (including choosing not to have a TV), a pivotal wake-up from a cousin's tragic death, and why Jiu Jitsu learning requires partners and constant failure. He argues competition is optional but valuable for stress, learning, and adrenal response, shares memorable matches (including a superfight with Fabio Santos), mentions mentoring Brian Johnson's Seattle school, and briefly recounts playing pop-rock in late-1980s LA.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:24 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 04:29 Warrior Ethos and Animal Welfare 08:47 Discipline Time and Focus 13:56 Mortality Wake Up Call 16:40 How Jiu Jitsu Learning Works 20:26 Competition for Everyone 24:09 Adrenaline Stress and Realism 26:06 What Winning Really Means 27:00 Winning Versus Growth 27:50 Competition As Stress Training 28:36 Most Memorable Match 29:55 Black Belt Heartbreak 30:55 Fabio Santos Superfight 33:27 Hot Mat Chaos 35:08 Brazil Trip And Medal 36:01 Mentoring Brian Johnson 38:20 Rock And Roll Years 42:10 LA Talent Clusters 45:22 Martial Arts Mecca LA 47:09 Superhero Name And Podcast

    51 min

  3. APR 18

    Trauma to Triumph: Dr. Jason Shields and the Power of Jiu Jitsu

    Professor Dr. Jason Shields on Jiu Jitsu, Meditation, Trauma, and Competition   Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Dr. Jason Shields to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset. Dr. Shields describes how Jiu Jitsu uniquely taught him resilience through losing, regaining control, and finding a "home" community, plus the tap as maximal threat with maximal safety. He explains his hyperfocus was cultivated through long-term inner work after severe childhood trauma from his Vietnam-veteran father's PTSD and his mother's healing path via transcendental meditation and supportive communities; he shares a key lesson of finding a thought-free witnessing space to self-regulate. Dr. Shields recounts discovering Jiu-Jitsu on YouTube, starting a club in Norway, and approaching training as a sport with physical preparation. He argues competition can be a powerful mirror and growth catalyst, shares a memorable Italy tournament after his mother's death, and tells how coaching Marit Gabrielsen helped her overcome a trauma-based freeze response through jiu-jitsu.   00:00 Welcome and Sponsor Plug 00:49 Meet Dr. Jason Shields 02:18 What Jujitsu Gave Me 04:39 Hyperfocus and Presence 06:01 Childhood Trauma Origins 08:42 Meditation and Self-Regulation 14:01 Trauma Perspective and Growth 17:20 Discovering Jujitsu on YouTube 20:22 Starting a Club in Norway 22:08 Training Like an Athlete 25:36 Jiu Jitsu as Chaos Partner 27:14 Size Mismatch Realities 28:12 Competition Mindset 29:40 Why Compete at All 31:28 Belts by Winning Worlds 33:55 Tournament Stress Benefits 36:55 Rome Tribute Tournament 42:13 Healing Trauma Through Jiu Jitsu 49:13 Love You Man Persona 50:02 Where to Find Him 50:55 Gratitude and Closing

    53 min

  4. APR 10

    Crafting a Timeless Path | Rafael Lovato Jr.'s Unstoppable Journey

    Rafael Lovato Jr. on Timeless Jiu-Jitsu, Competition, and Overcoming Adversity Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. to discuss passion, discipline, and growth through jiu-jitsu. Lovato reflects that, had he not pursued martial arts, he might have followed music or fitness, influenced by his father, a professional organist and martial artist. They explore links between music, engineering, and jiu-jitsu as arts involving creativity, structure, and problem solving, and Lovato emphasizes open-minded learning across martial arts. Lovato explains how training built resilience during a medical diagnosis received while preparing for a Bellator title fight, and highlights the importance of community support. He argues jiu-jitsu can be started at any age, remains endlessly learnable, and that competition helps reveal "truth," develop presence, and drive preparation. He shares memorable moments, including an MMA title fight and a 2008 Pan final escape, then explains his "timeless" approach—pressure-based, efficient jiu-jitsu that ages well—along with ways to connect via TimelessJitsu.com, LovatoJr.com, camps, retreats, and mobility work.   00:00 Welcome 00:49 Meet Rafael Lovato Jr 01:48 Alternate Life Paths 04:06 Music and Jiu Jitsu Link 06:12 Open Minded Martial Arts 07:32 Health Scare Resilience 11:35 Purpose Beyond Winning 12:42 Why Start Jiu Jitsu Anytime 16:09 Lifelong Student Mindset 18:36 Competition for Everyone 22:41 Preparation Pressure Presence 25:30 Measuring Competition Growth 26:58 Honesty Prevents Injuries 27:12 Most Memorable Fights 29:10 Fatherhood Fuels Fire 30:14 Breaking the Underdog Mindset 31:52 MMA Title Second Gear 32:43 Triangle Escape Breakthrough 35:52 Competition as Life Touchstone 38:43 Timeless Jiu Jitsu Mission 42:00 Style That Ages Well 44:12 How to Train as Masters 45:20 Programs Camps and Retreats 46:25 Mobility Retreat in Montana 48:24 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

    50 min

  5. APR 4

    Professor Steve Maxwell on Old-School Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Challenge Matches, and Training for Longevity

    Professor Steve Maxwell on Wrestling, Early Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Challenge Matches, and Training for Longevity   Host Pete Deeley interviews Professor Steve Maxwell on Jiujitsu Mindset about how wrestling and strength training shaped his life, his early lifting roots near York Barbell, and how wrestling built conditioning, toughness, and skills that carried into jiu-jitsu. Maxwell describes training in the early Gracie Academy era with Rorion, Royce, Rickson, and others, emphasizing self-defense, distance management, takedowns, and principles ("invisible jiu-jitsu") versus today's sport-focused trends. He recounts early seminars in Philadelphia, challenge matches, and a 42-minute fight as a purple belt against a larger NCAA Division III wrestling champion that ended in an arm-triangle choke. Maxwell discusses teaching quality, business realities of running schools, his joint and shoulder issues (blaming kettlebell snatches), and offers longevity advice: tap early, avoid ego and competition injuries, use slow bodyweight/isometrics, partial hangs, breath work, and seek appropriate training partners.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:34 Strength Training Roots 02:46 Wrestling Mindset Edge 06:20 Old School BJJ vs Sport 09:10 Philly Gym and Gracie Visits 14:43 Gracie Lineage Stories 19:45 Challenge Match Era 21:42 42 Minute Wrestler Fight 27:59 BJJ Origins and Judo Shift 31:22 Learning to Teach Like Gracie 32:01 Master Teacher Praise 32:26 Motor Learning Meets Jiu Jitsu 32:59 Learning Through Translation 33:30 Invisible Jiu Jitsu Principles 35:24 Why Many Schools Struggle 37:04 Business Lessons From Bernie 39:03 Playing the Long Game 40:58 Leverage Over Athleticism 42:51 Void Belt System Explained 45:39 Old Man Game Mindset 46:02 Shoulder Pain And Kettlebells 47:23 Hanging And Copper Protocol 51:29 Slow Strength Training 53:38 Superhero Name And Father Story 55:45 Black Belt History And Coral Belt 57:23 Playful Learning And Breathwork 01:00:56 Final Training Plans Goodbye

    1h 3m

  6. MAR 30

    Professor Jack Taufer on Learning, Longevity, Competition & "Invisible" Jiu-Jitsu

    Professor Jack Taufer on Jiu-Jitsu Learning, Longevity, and "Invisible" Mechanics Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Jack Taufer to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset and asks how Jiu Jitsu has shaped his life since starting at 15 in 1995, compared with paths like skateboarding, basketball, woodworking influences from his late father, or a possible finance career. They discuss jiu-jitsu as technical and physics-based yet expressed differently by each person, how skateboarding contributed balance, and how learning differs from other sports through constant adaptation to an opponent. Taufer describes visualization, changes in training media from VHS to YouTube, and his view that competition can accelerate progress but isn't necessary. He shares memorable rolls with Rickson Gracie, "invisible jiu-jitsu" mechanics like posture, weight distribution, and training with eyes closed, plus stories about confidence gains in students and gym culture enforcing safety and respect.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:48 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 02:48 Engineering Meets Art 05:43 Gymnastics and Skate Roots 08:10 How We Learn Jiu Jitsu 12:31 Visualization and Video Era 15:39 Competition and Stress Tests 19:12 Why People Train 23:33 Most Memorable Rolls 26:18 The 40 Minute War 28:06 Wrestler Surprise Roll 28:28 Invisible Jiu Jitsu Explained 31:06 Physics Behind Pressure 33:47 Eyes Closed Connection 37:00 Longevity And Purpose 41:48 Jiu Jitsu Beyond Self Defense 46:55 Early Gym Reality Check 49:46 Confidence Through Technique 53:05 Superhero Name Farewell

    56 min

  7. MAR 26

    Think Street, Train Sport, Practice Art with Professor Chris Haueter

    CHRIS HAUETER 6th Degree Black Belt 6th degree Black Belt and member of the dirty dozen (the first 12 non-Brazilian black belts). Chris was the first American to submit a Brazilian in competition, the first American to compete as a black belt at the Mundials in Brazil and he continues to travel the world spreading his Jiu Jitsu philosophy of think street, train sport and practice art. He is also known for his golden rules of grappling, coining the term combat base as the base with one knee up and one knee down, and saying, "It is not about who is good, but who is left. It's time on the mat. You will be somewhere in ten years, you might as well be a black belt too. Just don't quit." Show Notes:     00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:31 Gi and Shirt Memories 03:24 Dream Academy Vision 05:59 Life Without Jiu Jitsu 08:36 Flow State and The Zone 11:23 Fear and Honest Training 14:03 Combat Sports Compared 15:43 Guard as Jiu Jitsu Core 19:01 Community and Lost Knowledge 21:51 Competition and Ego Fear 26:25 Who Should Compete 27:10 Competing For Fun 27:54 Training To Learn 29:18 Aging And Injuries 29:42 Rehab Role Models 31:26 Combat Based Updates 32:16 Graphic Novel Vision 35:02 Tech Genius Myth 36:24 Primal Nature Explained 38:44 Real Violence Memories 42:56 Jiu Jitsu Changes Lives 44:34 Spiritual Invisible Jiu Jitsu 47:05 Learning Like Calculus 48:59 Superhero Ethics 51:42 Hero Journey Wrap Up

    54 min

  8. MAR 7

    Tait Fletcher on Jiu-Jitsu, Truth, Persistence, and Healing

    Tait Fletcher on Jiu-Jitsu, Truth, Persistence, and Healing Pete Deeley interviews Professor Tait Fletcher about how combat sports shaped his life and character. Fletcher traces his path from Dog Brothers stick fighting to early Jiu Jitsu training in the 1990s, learning from figures including Arlan Sanford, Amal Easton, later also receiving a black belt from Eddie Bravo. He describes competing widely, fighting in MMA, training with notable fighters, and appearing on The Ultimate Fighter Season 3, emphasizing Eddie Bravo's systematic coaching. The conversation focuses on jiu-jitsu as a source of truth, humility, community, and accelerated learning, stating that teammates improve together through generosity rather than ego. Fletcher discusses plateaus, staying the course, finding joy in training, and how a severe head injury in 2019 led him to rely on Jiu Jitsu, discipline, curiosity, and community to recover and re-engage with life, advocating responsibility, eliminating complaints, and consistent action toward one's destiny. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:50 Why Combat Sports 02:04 Dog Brothers to Groundwork 03:54 Early BJJ and First Coaches 05:08 Competition and Breakthroughs 06:16 Black Belts and LA Move 09:55 Jiu Jitsu Shaves Time 11:02 Truth and Gym Culture 15:57 Ego Checks and Mentors 25:09 Injury Recovery and Resilience 28:24 Curiosity and Healing Forward 30:45 Act Reflect Repeat 32:04 Life Is A Beta Test 32:26 Jiu Jitsu Finds The Path 33:02 The Artist Roadmap 35:32 Create For Yourself 36:37 Stay Ready For Opportunity 37:42 Curiosity Meets Faith 40:16 Suffer Well In Training 44:37 Resist Complaining 47:18 Move A Muscle 49:02 Everyone Is An Artist 53:20 Jiu Jitsu And Presence 55:29 Grandparent Presence Lessons 01:00:46 Gratitude And Goodbye

    1h 3m
See All (134)

4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

When you improve your Jiujitsu, you improve your life. Lessons on the mat are life lessons. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Welcome to The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter M. Deeley Jr. and Lucas Rubbo
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset

You Might Also Like