Beyond the Belt
Welcome to Beyond the Belt, a podcast that explores the intersection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and everyday life. In each episode, we sit down with black belts who don’t have Jiujitsu as their primary source of income. They are practitioners (and sometimes also coaches) who balance their love for BJJ with successful careers, family life, and personal passions. In each conversation, we dive into how BJJ has helped their life, share stories that represent who they are as a person and show that there is more to them than just jiujitsu. We nerd out about the things important to them on and off the mats. Whether you’re a BJJ enthusiast, someone curious about the sport, or just looking for inspiration in balancing your passions with life’s demands, Beyond the Belt offers insights and stories that resonate on and off the mats.
Listen on:
Episodes
Friday Dec 06, 2024
Friday Dec 06, 2024
Bryan Rumble is a clinical epidemiologist who focuses his work on genital urinary cancers. He has also had a life long fascination with science fiction and fantasy; both in written form as well as table top games.
Episode Links:
Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=4763
Twitter/X: https://x.com/BryanRumble
Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@bryanrumble
Rumble Academy: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Rumble-Academy-100057419059340/
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=RUMBLE+RB
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R-Rumble
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-bryan-rumble-690a9630
Good Reads: https://btb.fan/6-gr
Additional Notes:
Martha Wells - Murderbot: https://btb.fan/6-bk1
William Gibson - Neuromancer: https://btb.fan/6-bk2
EE Doc Smith - Triplanetary: https://btb.fan/6-bk3
Ursula K Le Guin - The Left Hand of Darkness: https://btb.fan/6-bk4
Robert Heinlein - I Will Fear No Evil: https://btb.fan/6-bk5
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: This is How You Lose the Time War: https://btb.fan/6-bk6
Sylvain Neuvel - A History of What Comes Next: https://btb.fan/6-bk7
qntm - There is No Antimemetics Division: https://btb.fan/6-bk8
Peter Watts - Blindsight: https://btb.fan/6-bk9
Contact:
Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Journey to Black Belt
05:36 Teaching and Responsibility as a Black Belt
08:54 The Gauntlet: A Unique Initiation
24:18 What does a Clinical Epidemiologist Do?
31:10 Bryan's Contributions to Science
38:48 Future Directions in Cancer Research
43:55 The Specifics of Cancer
46:01 Scientific Method
49:29 From Science to Science Fiction: Tabletop Games
52:37 What is Dungeon and Dragons?
55:14 Exploring Humanity Through Role-Playing Games
59:56 The Power of Storytelling in Gaming
01:01:53 Being the Main Character in a Story
01:03:18 Science Fiction Reading
01:05:14 Science Fiction is Social Commentary
01:12:40 Inspiration and Reading as an Adult
01:16:27 Life Lessons from Martial Arts and Gaming
01:19:03 How to Find Bryan
01:19:58 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
This is a conversation with Cornell Thomas, a black belt out of New Jersey, USA. Cornell is a basketball coach, trainer, multiple time author, life coach, mentor, and a youth and motivational speaker. In addition to all that, he also hosts a yearly Positivity Summit.
Episode Links:
Cornell Instagram: https://instagram.com/@cornellthomas34
Cornell Website: https://cornellthomas.com
Positivity Summit: https://cornellthomas.com/positivity-summit/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cornellthomas7859
Renzo Gracie Denville Instagram: https://instagram.com/@teamrenzograciedenville
Book: The Power of Positivity: https://btb.fan/5-power-of-positivity
Book: The Power of Me: https://btb.fan/5-power-of-me
Book: Extraordinary - The Distance Between Good and Great: https://btb.fan/5-extraordinary
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:23 The Journey to Black Belt
03:05 The Responsibilities of a Black Belt
05:59 Black Belt Means Back to Basics
08:31 Belts are Mountains
12:13 Who Am I Rolling Against
14:38 Finding the Right Gym
18:05 Finding My Home Gym was Dumb Luck
26:43 Sparring Dynamics and Control as Big Guys
29:05 Injuries Can Be Positively Life Changing
35:18 The Power of Positivity
37:37 A Different Kind of Calm
40:55 Creating a Positivity Summit
44:33 Finding Purpose in Life
47:38 Bringing People Together
50:28 A Life of Fulliment and Purpose
55:30 The Joy of Mentoring and Impact
57:41 The Winding Path to Helping Others
59:53 Reflections on Family Legacy
01:01:18 Being the Son of Black Police Officer
01:02:59 New Jersey
01:04:59 The Power of Gratitude
01:07:01 Gratitude and Depression
01:09:14 Creating a Supportive Environment
01:12:16 What Are You Excited for in the Future
01:13:16 What Do You Want to Promote
01:14:40 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
Wednesday Nov 13, 2024
This is a conversation with Kurt Wuckert Jr, a black belt out of Florida, USA. Kurt is a bitcoin and blockchain historian, media personality, podcaster, husband and father. He is also the owner of Gorillapool.com, a bitcoin mining firm. And he's the host of the CoinGeek weekly Livestream.
Episode Links:
Influencer Site: https://wwww.kurwuckertjr.com
Gorillapool: https://gorillapool.com
CoinGeek: https://www.youtube.com/@CoinGeek
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@kurtwuckertjr
X: https://x.com/@kurtwuckertjr
Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=42430
Outline:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Getting the Black Belt
03:36 Recovering from Major Surgery
06:13 Mental Resilience in Injury Recovery
11:37 The Path to Jiu-Jitsu
18:50 Jiujitsu Won't Kill You
21:12 Fight, Flight, or Freeze
23:28 Understanding Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency
27:22 Why is Bitcoin Polarizing
30:35 The Polarizing Nature of Bitcoin
36:08 The Philosophy of Money and Bitcoin
44:14 The Historical Context of Bitcoin
47:44 Bitcoin Mining and The Environment
51:11 Types of People
53:06 Getting Into Podcasting
01:00:11 Jiu-Jitsu: A Playground for Authenticity
01:09:27 Defining Success: Happiness and Joy
01:11:41 Choosing Happiness: A Life Philosophy
01:14:09 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Family Joy
01:17:31 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
"Crash Test" Tommy Dowdall is a black belt out of Canada. He is a mental health crisis counselor with over 30 years of experience. He has also fostered over 50 children.
Episode Links:
Crash Test Tommy's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@crashtesttommy-ge4bn
Jerk Chicken Sauce: https://friendlybutchershop.com/products/jerk-in-a-jar
Tommy's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIAD4nKIRfM
Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=42858
Additional Notes:
* Teaching at BJJ Globetrotters Heidelberg 2025
Outline:
00:00 Journey to Black Belt
04:24 Patterns of Learning in Jiu-Jitsu
10:23 Mental Health and Jiu-Jitsu: An Intersection
21:42 Crisis Counseling: Daily Challenges and Insights
26:09 Pattern Matches and Not Rolling Hard
29:30 Mat Culture and Safe Spaces
35:35 Fostering Children: A Compassionate Life
40:33 Culinary Adventures: The Jerk Chicken Sauce Story
45:05 Balancing Life: Jiu-Jitsu, Counseling, and More
49:09 Understand Your Dog
53:00 Walkout Music
54:22 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Missy Baize is a black belt from Wenona, Illinois, USA out of War Horse BJJ. She is a medical technician and studying to become a paramedical tattoo artist.
Episode Links:
War Horse BJJ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warhorsebrazilianjiujitsu/
War Horse BJJ Instagram: https://instagram.com/@warhorsebjjwenona
Teaching at Rough Hands Camp in April: https://roughhandsbjj.com/spring-camp
Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=21522
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:17 Journey to Black Belt
03:07 Overcoming Haters and Self-Doubt
06:35 Learning and Dealing with Frustration
09:33 Lessons for Women
14:14 Teaching and Coaching People with Special Needs
16:19 What's It Like Being a Medical Technician
19:46 Working in Emergency Medicine
22:51 Anatomy and Physiology
24:16 Handling Pressure
26:29 Leadership Off the Mats
28:41 Misconceptions about Med-Techs
30:26 Exploring Paramedical Tattooing
32:16 Studying to be a Paramedical Tattoo Artist
36:45 Parallels in Skill Building
38:15 Having a Lot of Irons in the Fire
39:16 Breaking Down Problems as a Skill
40:59 Any Advice
42:16 Long Breaks from Jiujitsu
45:25 Advice for Long Layoffs
46:04 Advice for Non-Jiujitsu People
48:43 Promotions from Missy
49:47 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Wednesday Oct 30, 2024
Sebastian Elmenhoff is a Swedish black belt who gave up a good corporate job to live on a farm and raise his family.
Episode Links:
Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@elmenhoffs
Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=12869
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:17 Journey to Black Belt
05:52 Proving You're A Black Belt
08:57 Life Lessons from Jiu Jitsu
10:00 Buying the Farm
13:27 Lessons From the Farm
15:14 Not Everyone Burns Out to a Farm
16:00 Jiujitsu's Role in your Life Today
18:11 BJJ with a Physically Intense Job
22:17 Foundation from Jiujitsu
24:27 Raising Air Force Dogs
27:12 Training Dogs: Bridging Passion and Purpose
31:57 Giving Up Your Fostered Dog
35:45 Dog and Human Psychology
37:29 Relating it back to BJJ
38:36 2 Weeks as a Black Belt
40:41 Favorite Jiujitsu Memory
42:19 Learning to Trust Yourself
43:54 Thank You
44:43 Outro
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb