Episode 144 of BJJ Balance starts with Fourth of July chaos, AI photo edits, old-school road trip memories, Game Gear nostalgia, e-bikes, childhood stories, and the kind of random tangents only this podcast can produce.

Then the boys get into Craig Jones potentially building a jiu-jitsu destination in Mexico, whether it could become a BJJ retreat-style hub, what that might mean for CJI, and why now might be the perfect time to finally get Craig Jones on the podcast.

The episode also gets serious for a bit as Kenny talks about a recent health scare, what it felt like for the people around him, the reminder to appreciate family and the life you already have, and the nerves that can come with returning to jiu-jitsu after something scary happens.

From there, the listener questions take over: big guys avoiding other big guys, why smaller grapplers may have a harder road to black belt, calling out tough rounds, Gordon Ryan vs Kron Gracie in MMA, why the teepee choke and gogoplata comments are getting out of control, flow rolling, purple belts giving stripes, knee on belly escapes, traditional jiu-jitsu warmups, and more.

This one has everything: comedy, jiu-jitsu debates, life perspective, Craig Jones talk, Gordon Ryan talk, listener questions, and classic BJJ Balance chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In Episode 143 of BJJ Balance, Kenny and Matt open with one of the most important questions in modern jiu-jitsu:

How long are you allowed to wear your medal after winning a tournament?

From there, the conversation goes exactly where you’d expect — gi vs no-gi, why Matt is officially “gi till I die,” Kick livestream plans, Craig Jones being back around the B-Team, ADCC/CJI rumors, internet criticism, Dana White on the mats with shoes, Sean Strickland being Sean Strickland, gym drama, relationships inside jiu-jitsu schools, fake glory from empty brackets, and why the respect of your training room matters more than social media followers.

This one gets wild, honest, uncomfortable, and very BJJ Balance.

Follow us on all socials and subscribe for more jiu-jitsu talk, podcast chaos, and weekly episodes.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week on BJJ Balance, Matt and Kenny start with the World Cup and somehow turn it into one of the most honest conversations about culture, America, jiu-jitsu, and why people are not as divided as the internet wants us to believe.

The guys talk about how the World Cup brings countries together, how jiu-jitsu does the same thing inside the gym, and why shared struggle can break down walls between people from completely different backgrounds.

Then the episode goes exactly where you’d expect: action movie legends, old video stores, N64 GoldenEye, magician riz, Father’s Day strategy, marriage, listener questions, wives training jiu-jitsu, beginner classes, live sparring, cutting weight, competing as a master, what it really means to be a world champion, and the emotion of watching someone receive their black belt.

This one has jokes, real talk, BJJ advice, and a lot of chaos.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Episode 141 is a full BJJ Balance chaos session. Kenny and Matt talk purple belt promotions, what separates purple belts from brown belts, how to slow your game down, surviving huge training partners, tournament horror stories, pressure passing, half guard, and why jiu-jitsu always makes you feel better even on a bad day. Plus NBA referee rants, podcast growth talk, sponsor jokes, and Matt explaining why some sports are sports and some are just skills.Sponsored by Optiva Wellness

Use code BJJBalance10 at checkout.Follow BJJ Balance everywhere: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, and Discord.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesdBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week on BJJ Balance, we dive into something bigger than jiu-jitsu.

Mat opens up about hitting a point in life where being comfortable isn't enough anymore. With a great family, a successful career, and a growing podcast, why does the desire for more keep getting louder?

We talk about taking calculated risks, building something meaningful, finding the right people to grow with, and why chasing your potential becomes harder to ignore as you get older.

We also answer listener questions on:

When to move on from techniques that aren't working

Letting your blue belts "eat"

Why wrestlers often progress faster than hobbyists

Common mistakes that stall jiu-jitsu growth

Injuries at purple belt

TRT, recovery, and supplements

Social media drama in the BJJ world

Why giving your training partners credit matters

Plus, Kenny gets roasted once again.

If you've ever felt like you're capable of more, this episode is for you.
Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @KennyDoesBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This week the boys break down a wild IBJJF competition experience, lessons learned from taking an L, why the pressure of competing is addictive, belt promotions, gym culture, patches on gis, building leaders through jiu-jitsu, and the future of the sport.

They also dive into Craig Jones speculation, CJI talk, UFC BJJ, promotion standards, and why blue belt is just the beginning. Plus: steroid jokes, giant ultra-heavies, rash guards, music playlists, and the usual chaos.

This episode of After The Roll goes completely off the rails.

The boys break down the rise of UFC BJJ, whether the promotion is actually good for jiu-jitsu, and why fighters are chasing the UFC name. They also dive deep into Mikey Musumeci’s role as the face of UFC BJJ, why some fans love him, and why others think the “cringe” factor is hurting the sport.Then things spiral into:

A2 gi slander

tournament prep

Bloodsport appreciation

belt tying etiquette

bathroom horror stories

Taco Bell debates

jiu-jitsu gym culture

and some of the wildest analogies ever said on this podcast

Classic BJJ Balance: equal parts jiu-jitsu discussion, comedy, chaos, and absolute nonsense.

Topics include:

UFC BJJ & the future of grappling

Mikey Musumeci controversy

PGF vs UFC BJJ

Bloodsport & martial arts movies

Tournament mindset

A2 gi jokes

Belt promotion etiquette

Grapple App discussion

Jiu-jitsu culture

Bathroom & Taco Bell stories

#BJJBalance #UFCBJJ #MikeyMusumeci #JiuJitsu #BJJPodcast #AfterTheRoll #PGF #CraigJones #Grappling #BloodsportPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Shawn Melanson joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern jiu-jitsu. We dive deep into the PGF season, the Phenom team controversy, social media strategy in BJJ, building a personal brand, BJJ Fanatics instructionals, competition culture, gym ownership, training philosophies, and why Sean believes most athletes are leaving money and opportunities on the table.

Shawn talks about being underestimated during the PGF draft, using controversy to build storylines, the realities of sponsorships in jiu-jitsu, why social media matters more than titles for most athletes, and how he built a loyal following by being authentic online.

We also get into old-school pressure passing, knee slice passing, route drags, competition training, hobbyist gyms vs competition gyms, coaching women in jiu-jitsu, seminars, building a gym culture, and the future of the PGF.

If you’re into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no-gi grappling, BJJ culture, PGF, CJI, ADCC, gym ownership, instructionals, or social media growth for athletes — this episode is packed.

#BJJ #JiuJitsu #NoGi #PGF #shawnmelanson #BJJFanatics #Grappling #BrazilianJiuJitsu #ADCC #CJI #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuLife #BJJTraining #MMA #SubmissionGrappling

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:

IG: @BJJBalance

Discord: discord.gg/bjjbalance

Tik Tok: @BJJBalance

YouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalance

Kenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJ

Matt IG: @oss_nation_bjj