Fighters Drinking Coffee

On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, hosts and guests Kate, Andrea, Scott and Leo recap the Chicago Open weekend: match results, immediate rematches, and what went right (and what didn’t) on the mats.

We dig into match-by-match breakdowns and key takeaways — including tactical adjustments, live coaching captured with mic’d coaches for post-match film review, and lessons learned from running it back. Plus the food stories: o...

On today's episode we are joined by a few fellow competitors as we were on the road to Chicago.  We focused on the topic of managing your weight cut during travel. Using our plan for the ten hour drive we were on. We also get into discussions about the types of food we bring for travel, adhering to the Fighters Drinking Coffee Rules of the Road and Systematically Maintaining the Weight Cut. Hope you enjoy the show and our road rant...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee the hosts discuss how gyms can welcome newcomers and help them become long-term jiu-jitsu students, and how new members—whether white belts or experienced visitors—can fit into a new community.

Topics include reading the room, expectations for experienced visitors, how existing members can include and mentor newcomers, preventing injury and burnout, and practical tips to build lasting tra...

On this episode David Bergida joins the show to discuss his transition from Division I wrestling to MMA, his training and fight-week rituals, and how he balances competition with family life.

They also dig into health and optimization — David’s experience with a pituitary condition, sleep strategies he uses (including the creation of his Hibernation Honey supplement), diet approaches, travel routines, and the launch of his Farm to ...

On today’s episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we wrap up our Dallas trip, share the "rules of the road" for competing and traveling for jiu-jitsu, and trade practical tips on weight management, pre- and post-competition meals, venue logistics, and in-event rituals.

We also announce upcoming stops like Chicago and Nationals, and reflect on travel mishaps, Delilah’s supper club, Terry Black’s barbecue, and lessons learned from compe...

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.

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.

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.

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.