Welcome back to Game Plan the Pod! In this episode, Davis and Juico sit down with Rocio Cortez, combat sports athlete, videographer, and content creator based in Austin, TX. Rocio opens up about competing in APEX — an elite athletic combine where she went up against Olympians and football players at 119 lbs — hitting multiple PRs on the day including her 40-yard dash, broad jump, and a 275 lb trap bar deadlift she had never touched before. They also get into her journey from wildlife ecology grad student to freelance videographer, building her body through sprint training and strength programming, traveling through Europe for work, and figuring out what it means to be a martial artist who loves striking but keeps getting pulled back to Jiu-Jitsu. Plus, the creative side: fighting perfectionism, finding inspiration, and the early days of building a videography business from the ground up.

Follow Rocio on Instagram: @rockin_rocio
Check out her Website: https://www.rociocortez.com/


0:00:00 – Intro & Meet Rocio
0:02:37 – She Just Competed Against NFL Athletes (APEX Breakdown)
0:04:37 – Running a 5.7 40-Yard Dash After Less Than a Year of Sprint Training
0:08:40 – Deadlifting 275 lbs at 119 Pounds (No Weight Classes)
0:11:54 – Multiple PRs in One Hour: What APEX Actually Tests
0:19:14 – What's Next: Striking vs. Jiu-Jitsu, and Why She's Going Back to the Mats
0:21:39 – Starting BJJ at 27, Getting Tapped by 12-Year-Olds, and Winning Gold 3 Months In 0:25:47 – How Sprint Training Made Her a Better Striker
0:28:25 – Living in a Barn, Training Twice a Day, and Going to Grad School for Wildlife Ecology 0:48:09 – Artist Dates: The Mental Reset Every Creator Needs
0:51:26 – Where Do Your Best Ideas Hit You? (Never at a Good Time)
0:53:52 – Starting a Videography Business from $0 to Charging Real Money
0:57:02 – NAB Convention: New Cameras, AI Tools, and the Future of Podcast Sets
1:05:18 – Flown to Copenhagen, Amsterdam & Paris for Work (and She Ate Everything)
1:07:08 – Being a "Muscle Mommy" in Europe: Fashion, Stares, and Wearing What You Want 1:32:56 – Walkout Songs, Trash Talk, and the Entertainer vs. Warrior Debate
1:35:41 – Entertainer or Competitor? What They'd Actually Do in a Pro Fight
1:38:49 – She Cried After the Deadlift. Here's Why.
1:40:50 – Relationship With Food, Never Cutting Weight, and the Sugar Addiction Nobody Talks About
1:41:57 – Final Shoutouts & Where to Follow Rocio

Welcome back to Game Plan the Pod! In this episode, Davis Cole and Juico chat with John Hogie, hunter and creator of the outdoor channel Roam and Harvest. John opens up about his start in hunting, the ups and downs of making authentic content, and stories from epic hunts—bow hunting elk, spearfishing in Florida, and tackling exotic species like axis deer in Hawaii. They also discuss the hunting community, managing permits, and conservation challenges. Plus, get a glimpse into John’s background in combat sports and how he balances passion with everyday life.

Check out Roam and Harvest for more adventures: https://www.youtube.com/c/RoamandHarvest

Chapters:
0:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome: John Hogie
0:01:25 – Overcoming On-Camera Anxiety
0:05:30 – The Reality of Being a Content Creator
0:08:40 – Dealing with Trolls and Negative Feedback
0:12:00 – Starting Roam and Harvest: The Business Plan
0:14:15 – Early Hunting Experiences and What Sparked the Passion
0:18:30 – The Challenge of Filming While Hunting
0:22:10 – Recent Hunts: Turkey Hunting & Spearfishing
0:25:30 – The Physical Side of Bow Hunting
0:27:45 – Hunting Partnerships and Tag Management
0:30:50 – Draw Systems & How to Get Hunting Tags
0:34:20 – Hunting Exotic Species: Hawaii & Axis Deer
0:37:50 – Understanding Invasive Species Impact
0:41:10 – Favorite Hunting Locations & Ecosystem Issues
0:44:00 – Ice Fishing & Cold Weather Hunting Adventures
0:47:15 – John’s Combat Sports & Wrestling Background
0:50:40 – Educating Yourself: Guides and Outfitters
0:53:20 – Traditional Archery vs Compound Bows
0:57:10 – Turkey Hunting Techniques & Gear
1:00:25 – Hunting Ethics, Conservation & Wildlife Management

In this episode of Game Plan, we sit down with Chloe McNally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, coach, and competitor, to break down the mindset behind high-level performance. We dive into flow state, visualization, and why so many athletes struggle to perform in competition the same way they do in training, along with how mental training can transform results, build real confidence in BJJ, and prevent burnout from overtraining. We also get into coaching, athlete development, and creating a positive training environment that actually helps people improve long-term. If you’re into jiu-jitsu, grappling, or leveling up your mindset as an athlete, this one’s packed with practical takeaways.

Topics covered:
- Jiu-jitsu mindset and mental training
- Flow state and peak performance
- Visualization techniques for athletes
- Competition anxiety and performance pressure
- Building confidence in BJJ
- Coaching philosophy and athlete development
- Avoiding burnout in jiu-jitsu


0:00:00 Why She Stayed Off Social Media for Years
0:03:45 The Moment Content Creation Became a Trap
0:08:10 The Dark Side of Posting & Constant Validation
0:12:30 Why She Keeps Quitting Instagram (And Comes Back)
0:16:45 How Social Media Actually Builds a Coaching Business
0:22:10 The Coaching Philosophy Most Athletes Get Wrong
0:28:20 Why Copying Techniques Is Holding You Back
0:33:15 The Visualization Trick That Changed Everything
0:38:40 How She Went From Losing to Dominating at Black Belt
0:44:10 Flow State Explained (And Why You Can’t Force It)
0:49:55 The Mental Training Most Athletes Ignore
0:55:30 Why Overtraining Is Killing Your Progress
1:01:10 The Real Reason You Freeze in Competition
1:06:45 How to Train Your Nervous System for Winning
1:12:20 The Psychology Behind Competition Anxiety
1:18:05 The Biggest Mistake Coaches Make at Tournaments
1:23:40 Why “Fun” Is the Secret to Elite Performance
1:29:15 The Harsh Reality of High-Level Training Rooms
1:35:30 Why Most Athletes Burn Out (And Don’t Know Why)
1:42:00 The Truth About Confidence, Losing, and Longevity

In this episode, we sit down with Shelly Hardin — a physical therapist, Pilates instructor, and jiu-jitsu athlete — for a conversation that goes way deeper than just rehab and recovery. We get into how she found jiu-jitsu, what it’s like training in Austin, the difference between traditional schools and Danaher’s room, and why Pilates might actually be one of the most underrated tools for grapplers. 

We also talk through mobility vs stability, neck training, common injuries in jiu-jitsu, bad posture from phones and screens, and why so many people are training around problems they don’t fully understand. Shelly breaks down how she works with athletes, what she sees on the mat, and why a lot of fighters could move and recover way better with the right approach. 

The second half of this one goes into some deeper territory too — mental health, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, emotional stress, and how all of that can show up in the body. We also get into some more out-there ideas around biofields, vibration, modern health, diet, and why jiu-jitsu helps so many people far beyond just the physical side of training. 

This one’s part movement talk, part rehab talk, part life talk — and a really fun episode all around.


0:00:00 Gym Politics, Training Rooms, and Why People Leave
0:02:00 Jiu-Jitsu Was Her Escape From an Unhappy Marriage
0:06:00 She Started Jiu-Jitsu Because the Gym Was Boring
0:10:00 Gracie Barra vs Danaher: The Truth About Both
0:13:00 Why Strong Fundamentals Still Beat Fancy Moves
0:18:00 Pilates Was Created by a Fighter?!
0:21:00 Why Most Jiu-Jitsu Guys Secretly Need Pilates
0:29:00 Mobility vs Stability: Almost Everyone Gets This Wrong
0:35:00 Hypermobile vs Stiff Athletes: Who Gets Hurt More?
0:39:00 The 3 Injuries Destroying Jiu-Jitsu Athletes
0:46:00 Her Bipolar Diagnosis Changed Everything
0:51:00 Biofields, Tuning Forks, and the Line Between Science and Woo Woo
1:00:00 How PT Helped Him Trust His Body Again
1:06:00 From Dancer to Physical Therapist to Grappler
1:12:00 What’s Actually Broken About Physical Therapy
1:17:00 Phones, Sitting, and “Text Neck” Are Wrecking People
1:22:00 Dead Butt Syndrome Is Real
1:26:00 “You’re Doing It Wrong”: Why Exercise Form Matters
1:42:00 The Carnivore Diet Actually Worked?
1:55:00 Why Jiu-Jitsu Is So Good for Mental Health

Ivan joins the podcast to talk about how jiu-jitsu culture has changed, why big sponsors still keep their distance, and what combat sports can learn from skateboarding, branding, and authenticity. The conversation goes from current jiu-jitsu drama and professionalism to Ivan’s background in Barcelona skate culture, his time working at Nike, and what makes a brand actually connect with people. 

We get into:
• the current state of jiu-jitsu culture
• whether jiu-jitsu is a sport or a lifestyle
• why money changes underground communities
• why some athletes and brands last longer than others
• Ivan’s path from skateboarding to Nike
• what authenticity really means in branding and in life 

If you’re into jiu-jitsu, skateboarding, creativity, branding, or building something real over time, this one’s for you.


0:00 This Conversation Might Upset People
1:00 Meet Ivan (Why His Perspective Matters)
2:01 Jiu-Jitsu Drama Is Getting Out of Control
6:13 The Truth About ADCC Money
8:41 Jiu-Jitsu Isn’t Really a Sport
12:10 Nobody Is Actually In Charge
15:05 Money Changed Everything
18:42 Brands Want Nothing To Do With This
20:06 You Have to Pick a Lane
23:29 Building a Brand on Drama Fails
25:10 Say It With Your Chest
26:51 Social Media Is Warping People
29:23 Why There’s Still No Governing Body
33:32 One Mistake Can Cost Millions
38:02 From Skateboarding to Nike
42:08 How He Actually Got In
47:19 The Part of Nike Nobody Talks About
50:37 Did Nike Ruin Creativity?
55:15 The Qatar Story Is Crazy
58:39 This Would Blow Up Jiu-Jitsu
1:02:48 Why Skateboarding Took Over
1:06:23 Jiu-Jitsu Lost Its Edge

Mike Catherwood joins us for a wild, honest conversation about the road from addiction and early recovery to radio, TV, jiu-jitsu, and life on a farm in Texas.

We get into what actually makes people compelling on camera, why fighters are often the easiest people to talk to, how Mike went from Hollywood and entertainment media to raising animals in rural Texas, and the perspective shift that came with it. He also opens up about sobriety, losing friends to addiction, what finally got him clean, and the brutal reality of trying to help people who are still stuck in it. On top of that, we talk jiu-jitsu, Orlando Sanchez, live radio, the difference between podcasting and broadcasting, the state of media today, and Mike’s no-BS views on nutrition and fitness.   

If you like long-form conversations about mindset, culture, fighting, recovery, media, and becoming harder to fool, this one’s for you.

In this episode:
• why authenticity matters in media
• why fighters make great guests
• leaving LA for farm life in Texas
• addiction, recovery, and rock bottom
• jiu-jitsu stories and Orlando Sanchez
• how radio sharpened his on-air instincts
• podcasting vs radio
• Mike’s thoughts on diet, fitness, and social media health advice

Follow Mike Catherwood:
Instagram @mikecatherwood
Tiktok @mike.catherwood


0:00 Why Fake People Lose Online
3:06 Why Fighters Make the Best Guests
4:33 He Left LA for a Farm in Texas
8:46 The Ice Storm That Changed Him
12:59 The Ugly Truth About Politics
19:16 Nature Doesn’t Care About Your Feelings
21:10 Why You Should Do Good Anyway
25:50 20 Years of Jiu-Jitsu Lessons
32:01 Orlando Sanchez: Greatness and Tragedy
34:23 Addiction Doesn’t End Well
37:27 The Motel Room That Changed His Life
41:19 What Finally Got Him Sober
44:16 “If You’re Tough, Get Clean”
51:07 From Janitor to Radio Host
56:26 The Lucky Break That Changed Everything
1:00:55 Why Radio Makes You Sharp
1:06:47 How to Stop Being Nervous on Camera
1:19:11 Why Radio Is Dying
1:27:00 Social Media Fitness Advice Is Broken
1:38:35 His Take on Ozempic

In this episode of Game Plan the Pod, we sit down with newly minted black belt Grayson Henley to discuss his recent victory on the WNO stage and his 15 year journey to the rank. We kick things off with Grayson's roots in Kung Fu, martial arts movies and living in a "cafofo". Later, we hear about Grayson's recovery from a double spinal fracture and his future goals as a black belt.

Check out Grayson's Sponsor:
thetwistedrooster.com


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00:00 Kung Fu Panda
18:56 Insight BJJ
28:15 Caio Terra Association
37:02 Brazilian Cafofo
45:41 Fight Factory, Austin, Texas
54:56 Lumbar Fracture
1:06:00 Coaching, Competing, Creating Triad
1:15:11 Receiving Black Belt in BJJ
1:32:00 Roasting Juice’s BJJ Skills
1:38:25 Grayson’s Goals
1:47:00 Jiu Jitsu Norms

In this episode of Game Plan the Pod, we sit down with Paul Lewandowski from Combat Vet News to peel back the layers of some of the most complex geopolitical and sporting narratives today.

We kick off the conversation with a potential connection between ADCC founder Sheik Tahnoon and Jeffery Epstein. Paul then takes us onto the frontlines of his two trips to Ukraine, where he delivered critical equipment like drones to units like the 93rd Brigade and witnessed the reality of modern warfare first-hand.

We wrap up by discussing the concept of "sportswashing" (or "martial arts washing") how powerful entities use sports to shift public perception. Paul also shares his latest personal pivot into the grueling world of endurance athletics.

Check out Paul's Channel!
@CombatVeteranNews

Strike Gum
https://strikegum.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopbcCSObGA65kNpMMxLKp76uzwVC1ReCT4FYA15z04YsKuXKm-L

Ukraine Aid Ops
https://ukraineaidops.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor4s4f2NZlo_qxCD6GlrKUWRNXngtluTZDLSrV1ykFkYt0169_Y

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00:00 ADCC Sheik in Epstein Files
6:45 Unofficial Government Officials
17:50 Ukrainian Frontlines
38:17 Drone Skynet
1:01:00 Nations Learning from Russia Ukraine Drone Warfare
1:12:28 Casualties
1:15:02 Combat Vet Paul
1:25:53 Men’s Olympic Skeleton
1:37:50 Doping and Sport Washing
1:46:20 ADCC Public Relations
1:48:39 Transitioning from Martial Arts to Marathons
1:58:00 Like, Subscribe and Comment!