BJJ Black Belt and Founder of “Tap Cancer Out” Jon Thomas (Episode 381)

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by BJJ Black Belt and Founder of the non-profit organization “Tap Cancer Out.” Jon discusses starting Jiu-Jitsu in 2008, why earning a blue belt had significant meaning, dealing with “imposter syndrome” in BJJ, how “Tap Cancer Out” started and the process of running a tournament, the challenges of running a Jiu-Jitsu non-profit business, finding the best beneficiaries to support cancer, the importance of delegating and having a strong team, the “feel” of a "Tap Cancer Out" tournament, the idea of “more than medals, ” masculinity and “bro-ism” in Jiu-Jitsu, growing funding for cancer research outside of tournaments through “Global Grappling Day,” how to fund raise for “Tap Cancer Out,” and goals for the future. You can get more information on tournaments and how to get involved at https://tapcancerout.org/ Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss a book Chewy has been reading titled “The Pyjama Game” and discuss an idea from the book on the unique take Japanese Judokas take to martial arts. We discuss how the Japanese Judokas had a great ability to relax while being thrown which allowed them to commit to throws and takedowns with less fear because of their ability to take a throw and survive without getting injured. When this idea of survival is taken towards Jiu-Jitsu, you get to see how having the ability to relax and then also get out of bad positions will allow you to be more aggressive and go after your techniques. We also discuss why you have to put yourself in bad positions, why “looking at success leaves clues,” the rewarding feeling of getting out of uncomfortable positions in BJJ, starting with defense first, common areas where people struggle when working defensively from a bad position, the mental attitude to take into account when starting a new activity, developing timing for BJJ, setting the right expectations, being thoughtful with escapes, how much time to spend training in bad positions, and why you must have a "Jiu-Jitsu filter." Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene give their thoughts and reactions to the recent Craig Jones Invitational. We discuss our experience at the event, our thoughts on the ruleset, why there was more passivity in the matches, why a "Wrestling Duals" format may be a better ruleset, the controversy of whether Giancarlo Bodoni tapped out, the different roles of the athletes in the Quintet format, day 1 standout performances, our thoughts on day 1 of CJI. We also give our thoughts on the “passivity call” against “Hulk” Barbosa, what constitutes a “10-8” round, the benefits of “open scoring,” our thoughts on the 47-47 final score and the tie breaker, and what we would like to see at a future CJI event. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene preview the upcoming Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 2). We discuss the new Quintet team format, how the wrestling and takedowns will change when competing in a pit, what made the CJI a unique tournament, what Chewy would focus on if prepping for an event like CJI, and potential strategies for the teams. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode we answer a question from an anonymous podcast listener. “Bob” wrestled in high school and is currently a member at a self-defense gym, but has been cross-training at a Sport/Competition gym and really liking it. “Bob” is wondering if he should switch gyms if he wants to become a successful competitor. We discuss why wrestlers prefer Sport Jiu-Jitsu, why martial arts and fighting is like a language, how creating limitations and rules can lead to creativity, if the best athletes in Jiu-Jitsu are competitors, how Chewy picked his first gym and why he left his first gym, the challenges of splitting time between two BJJ gyms, and what decision "Bob" should make about where to train. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Chewy and Eugene discuss “Alpha Male Bros” and some stories of these guys coming into the gym. We discuss some of these “Alpha Bro” characters that show up on-line and the ridiculousness of their perspectives, stories of the “I See Red” guys showing up to the gym, why we tend to want nice cars and big houses as young men, cultural norms of success, the fulfillment of skill acquisition, ego death/“losing your armor,” and "true wealth." Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode, Chewy and Eugene get asked about BJJ Black Belt Henry Akins' recent comments that "Half Guard" is not a very good position in BJJ. Chewy and Eugene discuss why you shouldn't always accept other people’s “dogma,” the idea that “half guard is half passed," the original thoughts on leg locks in BJJ, why half guard is a great passing and sweeping position, why Jiu-Jitsu lives in the gray area, a common mistake many BJJ practitioners make, the distinction between "Old School" and "Modern BJJ," and why you should be a "tactical mercenary” in BJJ. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss multiple mindset tips that can help with BJJ and in life. We discuss the idea of “detachment,” separating yourself from your accomplishments, dealing with negative self-talk, how to develop awareness and change things that you don’t like about yourself, how a loss helped Chewy get refocused and re-energized, being the “watcher,” how to stop ruminating, if Jiu-Jitsu has gotten "softer," and dealing with anxiety of competition. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Chis Wojcik is a BJJ black belt who trains out of "B Team," he is an ADCC veteran, and creator of "The Woj Lock." On this episode we discuss “celebrity belts” in Jiu-Jitsu, the difference between black belts today as compared to 20 years ago, what developments have occurred at "B Team," the transition of moving to a more competitive gym, ego in BJJ, avoiding the negative loop and managing emotions, the most challenging things about being a full time athlete, the challenges of traveling, how developing a writing practice has been beneficial, and how he created "The Woj Lock." You can follow Chris on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik/ and https://thegrapplersdiary.substack.com/ Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy and Eugene discuss what is a legitimate black belt. We chat about the recent story of “Derek Moneyberg,” who received a BJJ black belt in 3.5 years by doing only private lessons. Chewy shares a couple stories of teaching students who only wanted to do private lessons and wanted to get promoted, the limitations of only doing private lessons, “celebrity belts,” why knowledge doesn’t always equal skill, the characteristics of a legit black belt, and what Chewy looks for in a black belt. Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Check out "Athlethc" at https://athlethc.com/ and use the code Chewjitsu10 to get 10% off of your order of hemp-derived THC performance mints.  Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30 and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://epicrollbjj.com/ and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast