In this episode, I sit down with David Mitchell, a BJJ black belt and one of the most dangerous submission artists in Masters competition today. David is ranked #1 in the world for Master 2 No-Gi by IBJJF, has won around 85% of his matches with a 90% submission rate, and recently released his instructional "Ankle Locks Don't Work, and Other Lies" with BJJ Fanatics. Beyond the mats, David spent a decade at Google in finance and learning development before launching his own venture, MMA Fight Advisor, which uses data analytics to provide sports betting insights for UFC fights.

We discuss what makes teaching such a powerful tool for improving your own jujitsu, the differences between gi and no-gi training and why both matter, and David's philosophy of thriving in chaos by finding "hidden harmonies" in scrambles. David shares his approach to building a complete BJJ game, why you should never wait for the "perfect time" to compete, and how learning to learn might be more valuable than any specific technique.

We also dive into the challenges of balancing elite-level competition with a demanding career and family life, navigating autoimmune disease and health issues while still performing at the highest level, and why jumping into the deep end—whether in jujitsu or business—accelerates skill acquisition. David opens up about his "few-shot learning" approach, the importance of leading with empathy as an instructor, and how the skills developed through martial arts—problem-solving, resilience, and incremental progress—translate directly to success in business, relationships, and personal growth.

Whether you're a BJJ practitioner looking to sharpen your submission game, a competitor seeking insights on performance under pressure, or someone interested in how high achievers balance multiple demanding pursuits, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom, honest insights about overcoming obstacles, and inspiration to keep showing up even when conditions aren't perfect.

Find Dave Mitchell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en

Keep up to date with David and his wife, Lauren, through their link tree:

https://linktr.ee/TeamChaosJiuJitsu

MMA Fight Advisor YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MMAFightAdvisor

MMA Fight Advisor on Instagram: nstagram.com/mmafightadvisor/

Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamChaosJiuJitsu

Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teamchaosjiujitsu

Team Chaos Jiu Jitsu on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TeamChaosJiuJitsu

Ankle Locks Don't Work (And Other Lies): https://bjjfanatics.com/products/ankle-locks-dont-work-and-other-lies-by-david-mitchell?srsltid=AfmBOorC7BBBoDc9LkkwKszcxou5z3iIb8oZScj5khGc8qaI-jpv1js1

Music:

“Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this episode, I sit down with Professor John Will, one of Australia's most legendary martial artists and the person who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the continent. John is now a coral belt in BJJ, was the first Australian to earn a black belt in the art, and has over 45 years of teaching experience with everyone from beginners to elite military units, including the Australian Defense Forces, US Marine Corps, and FBI.

We discuss what makes a truly great martial arts school, the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a simple fighting system to a global sport, and why what gets you in the door isn't what keeps you there for decades. John shares his powerful "5% improvement" philosophy for making progress in martial arts and life, the critical importance of building safety nets before taking risks, and why learning how to learn might be more valuable than any technique.

We also dive into practical self-defense concepts, including "the fence" for situational awareness and conflict prevention, the Four D's of street attacks, and why most self-defense classes miss the mark. John opens up about fear, anxiety, mental toughness, and how the skills developed on the mat—problem-solving, incremental progress, and resilience—translate directly to success in business, relationships, and personal growth.

Whether you're a BJJ practitioner, martial artist from another discipline, or someone interested in personal development through physical training, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom, honest insights about the realities of combat training, and inspiration to keep showing up for the long game.

Links:

Contact for John Will:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.b.will.7

Previous John Will Episode:

https://youtu.be/ZxPifNLKTUo?si=fzFuPAmz_H7KhSTg

Redcat Academy

https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/

Jeff Thompson's book “Watch My Back”

https://a.co/d/aWTTcp7

BJJ Essential Tactics: Volume 1 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum)

https://a.co/d/5bqB4ki

BJJ - Level Up Your Game: Volume 2 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum)

https://a.co/d/00Ca5wn

Sifu Douglas Wong

https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-masterwong.html

White Lotus King Fu

https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/

Robert Strong, Comedy Magician

https://www.strongentertainment.com/

Marcello Garcia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler)

Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Frank Shamrock joins Dave Meyer for a deep, honest conversation about martial arts, MMA, mindset, and the life experiences that shaped one of the most well-rounded fighters of his era. Frank shares his path from a difficult childhood and time in the system to discovering martial arts, training in Japan, and ultimately becoming a UFC champion.

This episode goes beyond fight stories, Frank breaks down how biomechanics, discipline, curiosity, and personal responsibility helped him evolve as a fighter and as a human. He also opens up about mental health, the emotional aftermath of winning, and the hard lessons that came from losses. Plus, Frank explains how he now applies martial arts principles to leadership and executive coaching, including work with major organizations.

If you’re into MMA history, UFC legends, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, performance psychology, leadership training, and personal transformation, this interview is packed with insights.

Topics covered:

1. Frank Shamrock’s origin story: childhood, crime, prison, and turning his life around
2. Early MMA and training in Japan (Pancrase era)
3. Why “beginner’s mind” matters in martial arts and business
4. Biomechanics, systems, and learning how to learn
5. Mental health, trauma, and why a big win felt depressing
6. Confidence, discipline, honesty, and performing under pressure
7. How martial arts principles translate to leadership and team performance

Show Notes Links:

Website: https://frankshamrock.com/

Documentary: https://frankshamrock.com/doc

Uncaged by Frank Shamrock: https://frankshamrock.com/books/uncaged-my-life-as-a-champion-mma-fighter-zgpgx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankshamrock/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frankshamrock

X: https://x.com/frankshamrock?lang=en

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Krissa Hjartar, a 5-time Icelandic National Judo Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, and American National Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Krissa shares her incredible journey from training in a small Icelandic town to competing at the highest levels of grappling.

We discuss her expertise in leg locks and takedowns, the unique challenges and advantages women face in martial arts, training with elite coaches like Josh Clopton, Dan Marks, Gil Melendez and John Danaher, and the importance of strength training for longevity in the sport. Krissa also opens up about balancing her athletic side with her artistic pursuits and offers invaluable advice for anyone looking to improve their grappling game.

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned practitioner, man or woman, this conversation is packed with technical insights, competition wisdom, and inspiration to keep showing up on the mat.

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Many years ago, I sat across from a martial arts "master" who claimed his punch could burst someone's aorta. That moment taught me everything I needed to know about unchecked ego, and it's a lesson that extends far beyond the dojo.

In this episode, I share 35+ years of martial arts wisdom about ego: what it is, why it's dangerous, when it's useful, and most importantly, how to tame it. From getting destroyed by a secret Brazilian national champion to taking private lessons from a brown belt as a black belt, these stories reveal how ego can either drive excellence or block growth entirely.

What You'll Learn:

1. The difference between healthy ambition and toxic ego • Why ego stops you from learning and improving
2. How to recognize when your ego is blinding you
3. The 7-step framework for taming your ego
4. Real stories from BJJ that illustrate ego's impact
5. Bruce Lee's "lengthen your line" philosophy
6. Why Jonas Salk refused to patent the polio vaccine

Whether you're in martial arts, business, or just trying to grow as a person, understanding ego is critical. It can drive you to achieve greatness or trap you in delusion. The key is learning to use it as a tool, not let it define you.

Links for Show notes:

Bruce Lees “one inch punch”

https://youtu.be/kXwOU5HzTZQ?si=iZ2Rdp6ZLqhXCre2

Way of the Peaceful Warrior book

https://www.peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/

“Their pain, our pleasure: stereotype content and schadenfreude”

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4472308/

Professor Wally Jay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay

Small Circle Ju Jitsu

https://smallcirclejujitsu.com/

Eddie Bravo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Bravo

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu

https://www.10thplanetjj.com/

Carlos Machado

https://machadomethod.com/

Dr. Jonas Salk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Salk

Landmark Forum

https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/the-landmark-forum

The Four Agreements book

https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements/

Zen in the Martial Arts book

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/424340.Zen_in_the_Martial_Arts

Music:

“Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Many people don't fail because they're mentally weak, they fail because they're mentally rigid.

In this episode, I explore one of the most powerful skills I've learned from decades of martial arts training: the power of adapting. Whether you're in a BJJ match, running a business, or facing life's unexpected challenges, your ability to adapt determines your success.

Key insights covered:
• Why rigidity defines your boundaries, but adaptability is boundless
• The difference between discipline and stubbornness
• How to know when to stay the course vs. when to pivot
• Viktor Frankl's philosophy on adapting your attitude when you can't change circumstances
• Practical examples of adaptation from BJJ, music, and disaster response

As Bruce Lee wrote: "Absorb what is useful, discard what's not, and add what's uniquely your own."

Links for Show notes:

Tom Skeeter, Sound City
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_City_Studios

Carlos Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie

Helio Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie

Mitsuyo Maeda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuyo_Maeda

UFC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship
https://www.ufc.com/

Mapquest
https://www.mapquest.com/

Hurricane Katrina
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina

Viktor Frankl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl

Auschwitz Concentration Camp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp

Eric Ries, The Lean Startup
https://theleanstartup.com/

Bruce Lee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee

Dan Inosanto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Inosanto
https://inosanto.com/

James DeMile
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeMile

Professor Wally Jay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay

Small Circle Jujitsu
https://smallcirclejujitsu.com/

Winston Churchill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill

Professor David Mitchell
https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en

Professor John Will
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Will_(fighter)
https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/

Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A


🔔 Subscribe for weekly lessons from the Ageless Warrior Lab 💬 Share your adaptation stories in the comments!📺

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

🥋 In this episode, Dave Meyer sits down with Professor Bob Bass—the SECOND non-Brazilian to ever receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1995) making him one of the BJJ Dirty Dozen, and one of the first non-Brazilians to be awarded the prestigious Coral Belt (7th degree black belt) (2024), making him one of the elite “BJJ Gang of Eight”.

Bob shares stories from the earliest days of BJJ in America, including:

• His first encounter with Rickson Gracie and Royce Gracie in a garage in 1985
• How he convinced Rigan Machado to stay in America and open a school
• Building the legendary training platform in Rigan's backyard with garage doors
• The historic 1995 Pan-American match against Marcio Feitosa
• Training wars with Craig Kukuk, the first American BJJ black belt
• Gene LeBell showing up on a motorcycle doing wheelies
• The politics and referee controversies of early BJJ tournaments
• Why he's still rolling at 63 and plans to train until 70

Bob Bass was consistently the top fighter out of the Machado Academy and helped prove that Americans could compete with—and beat—the best Brazilians. This interview is essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the roots of BJJ in the United States.

Links from the show:

To contact Bob Bass for seminars, BobBassJJ @ Gmail.com (no spaces)

Rickson Gracie
https://www.ricksongracie.com/

Rorion Gracie
https://www.roriongracie.com/

Royler Gracie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royler_Gracie

Carlos Gracie Junior
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie_Jr.

IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation)
https://ibjjf.com/

1995 IBJJF Pan American Games- Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UauuTMMsJL4

1996 Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa
https://youtu.be/7Kii9qrQ7KE?si=gMaJVInvJID1UsA0

Black Belt Legacy
https://blackbeltlegacy.com/

Follow Your Heart restaurant
https://www.theheartmarketcafe.com/

Atama Kimonos
https://atamausa.com/collections/mens-jiu-jitsu-kimonos

Kickskin
http://www.kikskinmartialarts.com/main.asp

The Compound MMA
https://www.thecompoundmma.com/

Gene LeBell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell

Bart Vale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Vale

Dan Inosanto
https://inosanto.com/

Erik Paulson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Paulson

Music:
“Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

Are you thinking about entering your first competition? Or struggling with competition anxiety? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of competition, why you should compete, how to prepare mentally and physically, and why winning shouldn't be your primary goal.

Drawing from decades of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition experience, this episode covers:

✅ The TRUE reasons to compete (hint: it's not about the gold medal)

✅ How to manage pre-competition anxiety and stress

✅ The "bracket" concept—understanding what's actually in your control

✅ Why caring LESS about winning can help you win MORE

✅ Practical preparation tips for your training camp

✅ The role of a corner coach and what they should (and shouldn't) say

✅ How to learn from both wins AND losses

✅ Mental strategies for stepping onto the mat with confidence

Whether you're into BJJ, grappling, MMA, or any competitive sport, these principles apply universally. Competition is a path of self-discovery that reveals who you truly are under pressure.

Links for Show notes:

“Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling” book
https://a.co/d/dOweTaX

Gene LeBell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell

Don Jacob
https://purple-dragon.com/founder-don-jacob/

Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.