Fighters Drinking Coffee

Recorded in the hotel lobby after day one of the IBJJF Dallas Open, Scott and Mike talk tournament rituals, pre- and post-competition meals, hotels, restaurants and the road life around jiu-jitsu events — including a deep dive on steakhouses.

We also cover our visit to CRUZ CMBT, the Patreon launch, and travel stories from Dallas to New Orleans and Japan.

Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreo...

On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we unpack sandbagging — when someone hides their true skill to enter lower divisions or downplay experience in the gym. The hosts share real stories, why people do it, and how it affects training partners and local competitions.

They also discuss how coaches and teammates should respond, contrast reverse sandbagging and humble elites, and end with clear advice: be honest, compete at your ...

We celebrate the one-year anniversary of Fighters Drinking Coffee with reflections on weekly consistency, improvements in editing and sound, favorite guest episodes (Big John, Tim Dawson, Raf), and the show’s stronger focus on jiu-jitsu.

Plus: listener topics like open-mat policies, the podcast’s international reach, endorsements for Nova Barbell Club, and plans for a Patreon—short updates and gratitude for a growing community.

Ple...

Welcome back to Fighters Drinking Coffee with guest John Christian — double gold Masters World champion and licensed clinical psychologist. In this episode John discusses how jiu-jitsu hooks athletes, the role of community and quick feedback loops, and how competition amplifies arousal and reward.

They riff on nerd lore (Star Wars and Lord of the Rings) and then dive into psychology topics: addiction versus reinforcement, Yerkes–Do...

Hosts Mike and Scott dive into how jiu-jitsu becomes an all-consuming passion in this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee: Jiu-Jitsu Anonymous. They share personal confessions about quitting jobs, chasing competition highs, and how training can replace destructive habits while also risking burnout and relationship strain.

The conversation covers the sport's mental and social benefits, warning signs when obsession turns harmful, and...

This episode examines cult-like behavior in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms: how hierarchy, leader worship, cliques, and business practices can create unhealthy dynamics, and how humility, mutual respect, and cross-training act as green flags.

Hosts share red and green flags to watch for, real scenarios and Star Wars analogies, and offer practical advice for evaluating your gym and protecting your own well-being.

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On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, Nakapan Phungeforn from Beta Academy joins the hosts to discuss three decades in the D.C. martial arts scene, blending stories from jiu-jitsu, judo and kudo with candid takes on competition, gym culture, and memorable moments like a notorious "dojo storm."

They cover training strategies, rule changes and preparing for the New York Open veterans judo division, plus real talk about recover...

Adam Forster joins Fighters Drinking Coffee to talk European competition experiences, creative brand building, and his unique, often viral submission style known as "Adam Forster Bullshit". He shares stories from the London Open and Euros, the grind of competing across the UK, coaching and content creation, and how his art background and freelance illustration feed into his jiu-jitsu persona.

The episode mixes playful gym politics,...

Tim Dawson of High Noon BJJ joins Fighters Drinking Coffee to talk jiu-jitsu culture through Star Wars metaphors, rivalries like Gordon Ryan vs. Craig Jones, and wild conspiracies from Jar Jar Sith theories to MKUltra.

They also cover Tim’s coaching win at trials, community and politics—discussing civil liberties, government power, and why real conversation beats online division.

 

Find more of Tim on Instagram: @timdawsonbjj and @...

In this episode we ask whether jiu-jitsu takes itself too seriously, exploring the two cultural camps: the hyper-serious, macho side, and the silly, meme-driven side; and how figureheads like Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones fuel that divide.

We discuss the idea that promoters may be manufacturing controversy (WWE-style), or that the split has been masterminded by a hooded evil figurehead looking to control the entire sport. We also dis...

In this episode we explore creativity and self-expression in jiu‑jitsu — using the "jazz" analogy and discuss utilizing the constraints led approach to bridge the space between techniques. We discuss how drills, repetition, and playful constraints help practitioners discover timing, leverage, and their own style on the mat.

The hosts cover coaching strategies, balancing competitive rigidity with fun experimentation, adapting over t...

New Year’s episode where the hosts share concise jiu-jitsu resolutions: pursue greater professionalism as coaches and competitors, add new techniques and finishing mechanics, and build a training/competition calendar to peak for major tournaments.

They also outline podcast goals — grow the audience, engage listeners via Discord and possible Patreon, revive archival episodes, and commit to consistent, higher-value content throughout...

On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we walk through a practical year-in-review for the 2025 competition season: tracking matches, wins and losses, submission patterns, weight cuts, training timelines, and key turning points.

We show how to turn those data points into actionable changes — adjusting training, mitigating injury and burnout, planning weight classes, and building targeted drills to reproduce strengths and fix we...

Hosts recap their trip to the 2025 IBJJF World No-Gi Championships in Las Vegas, sharing match breakdowns, surprising referee calls, upsets, and standout performances from friends and teammates.

They discuss preparation, travel and weight-cut tips, lessons about avoiding leaving results to the referee, and takeaways for future competitions.

Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more fr...

Raf Esparza of the Grappling Hour joins Fighters Drinking Coffee to talk training, pro-wrestling influence, and how spectacle and fan experience can grow jiu-jitsu. He shares stories from Subversive and Survivor Series, media and performance coaching for athletes, and ideas for building entertaining grappling events.

They also discuss creative segments like Roast Raf and tape study, the importance of personality and promotion in co...

This episode covers what to do after a jiu-jitsu injury: how to tell a tweak from a serious injury, when to seek medical help, and when to rest.

The hosts share practical tips for training while hurt—modify your game plan, train around the injured side, use controlled drilling, stay present at the gym, and study footage or tutorials.

They emphasize self-assessment, injury prevention (pace and tapping), cooperative training partners...

On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, Fury welterweight champion Sam Kilmer breaks down his wrestling and jiu-jitsu roots, training at Kaizen and Crazy 88, and his preparations for the December 14 title defense against Mancher Khera.

Sam discusses strength and conditioning with coach Asim, sparring strategy, weight-class decisions, and his goal of earning a UFC call and high-profile matchups in the future.

 

Check Sam out on...

This episode explores the “blue belt blues”: the sudden drop in confidence and performance many feel after a promotion. Hosts discuss causes — targets on your back, merit-based expectations, comparison, and ego — and how coaches shape that experience.

They offer practical advice: humble yourself, keep showing up, use competition constructively, focus on skill acquisition over status, and embrace the long-term journey. Tips include ...

This episode explores the white belt experience in jiu-jitsu — from signing the waiver and wearing a rental gi to learning to tap and leaving your ego at the door. Hosts share practical advice for new students on safety, mindset, and managing expectations.

They cover concrete tips like using micro-goals, slowing down drilling, finding mentors, embracing losses as practice, and staying flexible when life or gyms change. The message:...