On this episode of the Mat Rats Podcast, we sit down with longtime martial artist and BJJ black belt DJ Wegesin. From wrestling since childhood to stepping into MMA competition after the age of 42, DJ shares what keeps him training, competing, and evolving decades into the martial arts journey.

We dive into:
• Starting MMA later in life
• Fear, pressure & mindset
• Wrestling into BJJ
• Striking & Muay Thai
• Real fighting vs sport jiu-jitsu
• Longevity, recovery & training smart
• Coaching philosophy & gym culture

DJ also talks about helping guide the development of the Muay Thai program at Deep Water Jiu Jitsu and what makes a strong martial arts community.

If you train, compete, coach, or just love combat sports—this episode has something for you.

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Deep Water Jiu Jitsu

11660 Alpharetta Hwy

Suite 100

Roswell, Ga

#MatRatsPodcast #BJJ #MMA #MuayThai #JiuJitsu

Most people talk about competing…Very few actually sign up.In the Season 2 premier episode of the Mat Rats Podcast, we sit down with our teammate Victor Williams — a white belt who stepped onto the competition mat for the first time at Tap Out Cancer… and walked away a champion.But this isn’t just about winning.We break down:The fear of signing up for your first tournamentWhat it actually feels like before your first matchThe nerves, doubt, and pressure of competingWhat matters (and what doesn’t) at white beltHow team culture at Deep Water Jiu Jitsu plays a roleIf you’re a white belt thinking about competing — this episode is for you.🎧 Listen. Learn. Then go test yourself.👍 Like, Subscribe & Share with your training partners💬 Drop a comment — would you compete? Why or why not?#MatRatsPod #BJJCompetition #WhiteBeltLife #TapOutCancer #JiuJitsuJourney

In the Season 1 Finale of the Mat Rats Podcast, we sit downwith Black Belt Professor Jason Scohier to talk about the real journey throughBrazilian Jiu Jitsu — from white belt struggles to black belt leadership.

We also break down Jae’s recent NFC Super Fight, including:
• Fight week mindset
• Super fight pressure vs tournament brackets
• Technical growth and lessons learned
• How to process competition emotionally

This episode dives deep into:
• What a black belt really represents
• Guard evolution in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Fixing weak positions
• Gym culture and leadership
• Competition mindset and performance

Whether you’re a white belt, competitor, coach, or lifelonggrappler — this episode delivers real mat wisdom.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
BJJ competition
Grappling culture

In Episode 9 of the Mat Rats Podcast, we break down:

🔥 Jae’s upcoming NFC Super Fight
🥋 Our favorite BJJ guards and positions
🧠 Guards we need to improve
🚀 Team USA’s gold medal hockey win

We talk super fight pressure, competition mindset, guard strategy in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and championship mentality.

Whether you train gi, no-gi, compete in tournaments, or just love combat sports culture — this episode brings high-level grappling talk and real locker-room energy.

Topics include:

• NFC Super Fight preparation

• Best guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• How to build your BJJ game

• Improving weak positions

• USA hockey gold medal reaction

• Competition mindset

Subscribe for weekly conversations on:
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- BJJ competition
- Grappling culture
- Martial arts mindset
- Combat sports

#matratspod #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsupodcast #superfight #grappling #nogi #gi #usagold

Do you have to compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to be considered “serious”?

In Episode 9 of the Mat Rats Podcast, we break down one of the most debated topics in BJJ culture — whether everyone should compete.

We discuss:

• ​The pressure to compete in Jiu Jitsu gyms
• ​The benefits of competition
• ​The risks of competing
• ​Hobbyist vs competitor mindset
• ​Injury concerns and family balance
• ​Is avoiding competition fear… or wisdom?

Whether you’re a white belt thinking about your first tournament or a seasoned hobbyist who’s never stepped on the competition mats, this episode will challenge your perspective.

Follow the Mat Rats Podcast for real conversations about:Brazilian Jiu JitsuBJJ cultureGrappling mindsetCompetition psychologyMartial arts lifestyle

#matratspod #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsupodcast #bjjcompetition #grappling #martialarts #bjjlife #nogi #gi

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Have you ever felt burned out from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

In this episode of the Mat Rats Podcast, we talk about what happens when BJJ stops being fun — and how to get your motivation back.

From the blue belt blues to training plateaus, competition pressure, ego struggles, and burnout, every grappler goes through seasons where Jiu Jitsu feels more like a job than a passion.

We break down:

• Why burnout happens in BJJ

• How plateaus actually signal growth

• The mental side of losing motivation

• How ego kills enjoyment

• Practical ways to make training fun again

• How to reconnect with why you started training

Whether you’re a white belt, blue belt, or black belt, this conversation will hit home.

If you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, compete in grappling tournaments, or just love the art, this episode is for you.

🔥 Follow Mat Rats Podcast for real conversations about:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
BJJ mindset
Grappling culture
Competition psychology
Training motivation

In this episode of the Mat Rats Podcast, we keep it looseand talk about the random side of Jiu Jitsu — the things that happen on and offthe mats that no one plans for but everyone experiences.

We cover:
🥋 Weird and unspoken gym moments
🧠 How BJJ follows you outside the gym
🔥 Techniques you always end up using
💭 Rapid-fire BJJ hot takes
🏆 Jae’s mindset heading into his upcomingcompetition
🔁 Tapped In / Tapped Out to close it out

This one’s for anyone living the mat life — planned ornot.

New episodes weekly.
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Disclaimer 1: Discussion of Allegations (ATOS Topic)

This podcast includes discussion of publicly reportedallegations and community conversations within the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu space.We are not making factual claims, accusations, or legal conclusions about anyindividual or organization. All commentary reflects personal opinions based onpublicly available information and is shared for discussion purposes only.Listeners are encouraged to seek primary sources and verified reporting and toform their own conclusions.

Disclaimer 2: Todd’s Non-Affiliation Statement

Todd has no personal, professional, or trainingrelationship with André Galvão and has never trained with or been affiliatedwith him or his organization. Any discussion referencing public figures ororganizations does not imply personal knowledge, endorsement, or insiderinformation.

This episode isn’t about submissions or strength — it’sabout what Jiu Jitsu does for your head.

In this episode of the Mat Rats Podcast, we talkopenly about mental health, anxiety, stress, and why #BJJ becomes therapy for somany of us. We break down how rolling resets us mentally, why training forcespresence, and what changes when we don’t train for a while.

We cover:
🧠Mental health and anxiety
🥋Why BJJ feels like therapy
🔥How rolling resets stress and clears the mind
⏸️What happens when we stop training
💭Confidence, control, and staying calm under pressure

If you’ve ever walked into the gym stressed and left feelinglighter, this episode will hit home.

New episodes weekly.
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