Off the Mats Podcast #302- More Than a Competitor feat. Lauren Barone of the Philadelphia Phenoms

On this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, Dana Zornes and Mike Lee of RazeBells and the All American Kettlebell Open return for a wide-ranging conversation about coaching and participating in youth sports, the current state of kettlebell sport, endurance strength, and the mental side of long-form training. Dana shares insight into how kettlebell sport continues to evolve from upcoming competitions and events to the difference between sport kettlebell lifting and general fitness training. We discuss how the discipline of kettlebell sport emphasizes skill, breathing, efficiency, and long-term resilience rather than simply chasing numbers or intensity. The conversation also moves beyond training. Dana talks about helping coach his daughter’s youth softball team, the importance of keeping kids engaged in sports, skill acquisition, and how early athletic experiences shape the way people approach competition and discipline later in life. Mike reflects on his love for niche sports, such as frisbee and cycling, staying active, and how experience and mobility can often compensate for raw athleticism. With UFC 326 playing in the background, we also get into the evolving business side of combat sports, including the UFC’s Paramount+ deal and the broader question of whether major media partnerships help grow a sport or dilute it. At the core of the episode is a deeper discussion about the mental side of endurance strength. Dana and Mike break down what actually happens mentally during long sets and explores whether athletes tend to break mentally before they break physically. From coaching strategies and discipline under fatigue to lessons that carry beyond the gym, this episode explores what kettlebell sport can teach about resilience, patience, and staying composed under pressure. If you’re a grappler, strength athlete, coach, or anyone interested in the mindset behind endurance training, this conversation offers insight into the mental framework required to perform when fatigue sets in.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and Philadelphia Phenoms owner Lauren Barone for a conversation about competition, leadership, and building something bigger than yourself in the evolving world of professional grappling. Lauren opens up about her early jiu-jitsu journey, the moment she realized she belonged on the mats, and how competing at blue belt has shaped her mindset and identity. We also dive into her role as a franchise owner in the Professional Grappling Federation, breaking down how the opportunity came about, the risks of stepping into ownership, and what team based grappling offers that traditional tournaments don’t. From balancing athlete life with executive decisions to discussing visibility in women’s jiu-jitsu and the future of sustainable pay and structure for competitors, this episode explores what it really means to lead in a growing sport. Beyond the mats, Lauren shares how discipline carries into everyday life, how she defines herself outside of jiu-jitsu, and even how her love of horror and sci-fi influences her personality and perspective. This conversation is for grapplers, entrepreneurs, competitors, and anyone trying to reconcile identity with ambition. Be sure to check out https://www.patreon.com/cw/phillyphenoms for team updates and info and head to Instagram and follow @phillyphenoms

In Episode 301 of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappler and owner of Redwood Jiu-Jitsu, Naomi Davoudian, for a conversation about identity, belonging, and the long arc of growth that comes from staying committed to jiu-jitsu. We begin with who Naomi is outside of the gym before revisiting her life prior to training, the uncertainty of walking into her first class, and the emotional reality of being a beginner. Naomi reflects on moments where she questioned whether she belonged, how her relationship with jiu-jitsu evolved over time, and how training shaped her confidence, self-trust, and perspective off the mats. We talk about plateaus, invisible progress, longevity versus intensity, and what success looks like beyond belt promotions. This episode is for grapplers at every level, especially hobbyists and women navigating their place in the sport, who are learning that jiu-jitsu is often less about proving something and more about discovering who you are.

In Episode 300 of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with my original Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, Danny Ives, for a conversation about evolution, longevity, and what the black belt really represents. This isn’t just a milestone episode, it’s a reflection on mat time, consistency, and how jiu-jitsu changes the longer you stay in it. We break down the differences between old school and new school jiu-jitsu, less information versus the instructional era, fundamentals versus specialization, gym reputation versus online branding, and how competition has evolved from smaller local tournaments to global stages like ADCC. We talk about whether the average blue belt today is more technical, whether fundamentals are being lost, and what each era gets right and wrong. We also deconstruct the myth of the black belt. Do black belts really win every round? Do they stop learning? What changes technically and mentally after reaching that rank? Danny answers direct questions in our “Ask A Black Belt” segment, covering ego, longevity, training after 40, recovery habits, and what white, blue, and purple belts misunderstand most. This episode is for grapplers at every level who want perspective, not hype. If you’re chasing improvement, questioning your path, or wondering what long-term jiu-jitsu really looks like, this conversation is for you. Old school gave us roots. New school gives us branches. The belt is symbolic, but the mat doesn’t care what color you’re wearing.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Katie Laablalli Beirut-Kloth for a conversation about identity, sobriety, competition, and what it means to keep becoming yourself through jiu-jitsu. Katie opens up about who she is beyond medals and brackets, reflecting on life before jiu-jitsu and what she was searching for when she first stepped onto the mats. We talk about how jiu-jitsu evolved from a sport into a form of regulation, a way to manage chaos, find structure, and reconnect with herself through physical pressure, movement, and routine. A major part of this conversation centers on Katie’s sobriety and recovery journey. Rather than treating it as a side note, we explore how training became non-negotiable, how her relationship with discipline and competition shifted, and what growth looks like when you’re rebuilding from the inside out. Katie also shares how competing at events like ADCC Opens reshaped her definition of success, especially when balancing ambition with self-awareness. We also dive into her work with activism, intentional living, and how practices outside jiu-jitsu contribute to self-knowledge and balance. From there, we talk about belonging, gym culture, and the complicated reality of not always feeling at home in jiu-jitsu spaces and how community can evolve over time. This episode is for grapplers, competitors, and anyone navigating recovery, identity shifts, or using sport as a way to survive and grow. It’s not about motivation or inspiration, it’s about truth, reflection, and meeting yourself where you are.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Robyn Henderson for an honest, non-performative conversation about sobriety, identity, and rebuilding life off the mats. Robyn has been on the show before to talk about jiu-jitsu and competition. This time, the focus is deeper. We talk about life before sobriety, the moments that made change unavoidable, and what it actually feels like to sit with yourself once the crutch is gone. There’s no rock-bottom mythology here, just a real discussion about fear, accountability, and learning how to show up consistently without numbing out. We also explore how jiu-jitsu fit into Robyn’s recovery, not as a cure-all, but as a place that demanded humility, presence, and honesty. From early sobriety and emotional discomfort to redefining identity without alcohol, this episode centers sobriety as a lived, ongoing process rather than a finish line. This conversation is for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol, navigating recovery, or trying to figure out who they are when the distractions fall away. No slogans. No inspiration bait. Just two people talking honestly about what it means to stay present and keep going.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, CSCS, for a grounded conversation about mental performance, anxiety in athletes, and identity beyond competition. Tom’s work sits at the intersection of strength culture and mental health, and we talk openly about what that actually looks like in practice, especially in environments like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and strength sports where toughness is often valued over honesty. We discuss Tom’s athletic background, his experience living with OCD, and how anxiety shows up for athletes who appear “put together” on the outside. From there, we unpack the difference between mental performance and mental health, the risks of pushing through everything, and how coaches can respond when athletes open up instead of shutting down. We also explore strength culture’s complicated relationship with vulnerability, what healthy toughness really means, and how athletes can begin separating self-worth from performance. This episode is for grapplers, coaches, parents, and athletes navigating pressure, on the mats and off them, who want practical tools, clearer language, and a more sustainable approach to resilience.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Ana Stevens of Underground 702 to talk through her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey and the weight-loss transformation that unfolded alongside it. Ana shares what led her to step onto the mats for the first time, the fears and hesitations she carried early on, and how training gradually reshaped her relationship with her body, consistency, and self-belief. Our conversation explores the intersection between BJJ and sustainable weight loss, how jiu-jitsu provided structure, accountability, and community, and how physical changes influenced her confidence, movement, and performance on the mats. Ana speaks candidly about setbacks, plateaus, mental battles, and the moments that tested her commitment when progress slowed or motivation dipped. We also discuss the role of teammates, coaches, and support systems in long-term change, as well as what her training looks like today compared to when she started. The episode closes with practical advice for listeners who feel overwhelmed by starting BJJ, intimidated by weight loss, or unsure whether meaningful change is possible for them. This is a grounded conversation about patience, resilience, and growth—on the mats and beyond them.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down one-on-one with Christian Thomas, a member at Crazy 88 MMA, for a focused conversation on growth, leadership, and the responsibility that comes with coaching. This marks Christian’s first solo return to the show since his appearance on Episode 201, and the discussion centers on what has changed since then, both on and off the mats. We talk about Christian’s transition from competitor to coach, and how teaching, especially teaching kids, has reshaped his understanding of jiu-jitsu. The conversation explores the difference between competing for yourself and being responsible for the development, safety, and character of others. Christian shares what surprised him most about coaching, the standards he holds himself to, and what parents may not always see behind the scenes of a kids’ program. The episode also examines how competition and coaching inform one another, how identity can shift as roles change, and why separating self-worth from performance is critical for long-term sustainability in jiu-jitsu. We close with reflections on leadership, gym culture at Crazy 88, advice for future coaches and parents, and what success looks like at this stage of Christian’s journey. This episode is a conversation about responsibility, mentorship, and impact, what it really means to lead beyond the mats.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jarrell Garcia, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt whose journey extends well beyond competition and rank. Jarrell shares his path into jiu-jitsu, what initially drew him to the 10th Planet system, and how his relationship with training evolved over the years. We talk honestly about moments of frustration, changing expectations, and what the belt actually represents once you earn it. The conversation also explores Jarrell’s role as a coach and educator, and how his background in higher education influences the way he teaches on the mats. We discuss leadership, responsibility, and the realities of guiding students through different stages of their jiu-jitsu journey. Jarrell reflects on identity beyond the academy, balancing professional life with training, and what jiu-jitsu does and does not prepare you for outside the gym. This episode is a thoughtful look at growth, process, and perspective, aimed at practitioners at every level. Whether you’re a white belt feeling overwhelmed or an upper belt reassessing your relationship with jiu-jitsu, this conversation focuses on longevity, learning, and showing up with intention, both on and off the mats.