Higher Jiu Jitsu Podcast

In this special episode I'm joined by HJJ legend Sam Alderton Johnson. We introduce the exciting, new HJJ initiative known as the Spark Program.  The Spark program is here to offer the opportunity of Gracie Jiu Jitsu to less privileged kids from around the Woolloomooloo area. We've created a sponsorship program with an application process to find the right students to provide mat skills, and guidance along the martial arts journey.  With so much on offer in our Jits4Kids class, we see this as the next step forward to help our local community and embody the PCYC mission of 'helping young people stay active in life'. Lastly, the Spark Competition is a chance to support this! HJJ students, jump on and have a go, and let's do great things for the kids of Sydney.  A special thanks to Sammy for being an integral part of this. We're very grateful to have his passion and enthusiasm being put to work at Higher. Thanks for listening.  Higher We Go.  Coach John

Does the trap go after the mouse or the mouse go after the trap? Join coaches Matty & John as we discuss a very important idea of jiu jitsu - strategy.  Technique is ubiquitous, but there is an underlying strategy that is crucial if your jiu jitsu is to be effective.  That strategy is exactly what we dicuss here! Be Aware of Yourself Use your own 4 limbs and your entire self to connect to the environment around you. Feel the ground, and scan your opponent. Know where you are in space, and activate your suction caps whenever possible, in order to connect like glue to their skeleton. Move yourself in order to mould around the opponent. Understand your body, so that you can be soft, not stiff, and able to move in any direction without hesitation or preparation. That way anywhere the prey goes you are able to follow. Keep your prey in your hands and stay free and away from danger. And with the right technique, and at the right time, latch onto them and divulge them for good. Don't Chase You focus on

Coaches John and Matty discuss what it's like to be injured and how to do jiu jitsu better, meaning ... don't get injured!! You live and breathe jiu jitsu. You wake up doing technical stand ups out of bed. Co-workers say hi and your instinct is to respond with ‘oss’. Your Chrome is filled with jiu jitsu articles to read, and most waking moments of your life are dedicated to the gentle art. So when you find yourself out injured with no chance of doing jiu jitsu, that world can easily come crashing down. Physical ailments very quickly becomes mental anguish. Every part of yourself wants to don the gi and jump on the mats to train. You get antsy, and no amount of Youtube videos will help you. You hate being on the sidelines, and so does everybody else. Injuries Suck Have you ever attempted to drive a manual car with a dislocated left shoulder? Or push in a clutch with a torqued left knee? I have. It’s frustrating, humiliating, and extremely difficult. It makes you want to flash a wand and make everything better.

Matty and John have a conversation around BJJ and Gracie Jiu Jitsu and the idea of training for self defence.  Why do we regularly discuss jiu jitsu from a standpoint of violence? It’s known as the gentle art for a reason, and you like it because you don’t need to get hurt while doing it. Learning the sweeps, and escapes, and submissions of grappling is also so much fun, and plenty of work in and of themselves. So why then are kicks, and punches, and eye gouges, and headbutts still relevant in the conversation of BJJ? BJJ is Fun The game of BJJ is so much fun, and it equips you with amazing skills of movement, and controls, and submissions. And when you add the understanding of striking, it only serves to make it more rich, and more potent, as a skill to serve you for the rest of your life. You want to be effective as a BJJ practitioner, not just in a certain rule set but in all areas of life. You also aim to be a better husband/wife, mother/father, you want to improve at work, and be the best you can be

As a blue belt I was visiting another school until I was told not to. I hadn't done anything wrong, but it wasn't working for my home school or the school I was visiting. I was upset, and a little offended, and I didn't know what I had done wrong.  Fast forward numerous years, I am now a school owner and I can see both sides of the coin.  Here is a chat about how to visit another school and feel good about it instead of guilty or disloyal or anything else.  Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on this topic! Thanks for listening to the HJJ Podcast!! All the best,  John and Matty. 

John and Matty return in a chat for the infidels of jiu jitsu! You know THOSE people, who think it's very weird and abnormal to be on top of other sweaty men and women trying to choke eachother. The ones that laugh at the thought of you training, because they'd rather be out doing normal things. Lots of us were there before we even started in this martial art. Then we got into it for one reason or another, and suddenly we find ourselves having drunk the Kool Aid. Now we're hooked. And it's awesome in so many ways.  Well, this is a conversation for them.  "Better than all is that you've met a group of people that only want to see you improve. These fellow students aren't meatheads, or bullies, or assholes, or weirdos at all. They're actually really nice, and they're always happy to help. Soon you realise they're there for the reasons you are too - to grow with like minded people, and improve on themselves, and enjoy this life, and have lots of fun doing it. You see them on the mats throughout the week, you exc

Join Matty and I as we discuss why you need to come back to jiu jitsu! This is a timely reminder for those who are out of routine due to the pandemic, or previously injured, and/or jaded from a previous jiu jitsu experience. More than anything it's a fun discussion about why we train, and why we recommend it for all walks of life. "Jiu jitsu this and that. You’ve been there, and done that. The academy served you for some time. You were having fun. And then you got injured. You were out for some time, and sadly, you came to terms with the idea that this game just isn’t for you. It became easier for you to stay at home - the couch is more comfortable than the chokes. Easier and more comfortable can be hard to pass up, and it's easy to take the bait." Original article can be found here.  PS. We're out of our lockdown shackles, and excited, and now aiming for fortnightly release of the HJJPodcast! So stay tuned as there will be more and more unfettered discourse re all things jiu jitsu coming your way.  Like, su

Matty and John talk about 3 big reasons to do jiu jitsu, and they're very relevant today... Self Defence Superpowers When you learn self defence, you practice how to act in the interests of wellbeing. You build situational awareness, and the ability to adapt in order to protect your life, and the lives of those around you. You will understand how to nullify aggression with avoidance, control, & submission. ... Possessing this superpower brings about greater confidence. The ability to do what you think is right, without hesitation, or fear of retaliation - this is freedom. It doesn't mean you can be rude, you're just well equipped to deal with whatever may go awry. Learn How to Learn You take the powers learned inside of the dojo and you apply them to life outside the dojo. You’re learning about yourself in this process. And as you learn about your own habits the superpower reveals itself in awareness; of yourself and how you interact with everything around you. Now that you’re aware, there is no going ba

John and Matty discuss the importance of learning the basics and building your knowledge of jiu jitsu from the ground up.  First a big thanks to the students who jump on Zoom and continue the learning. And a spray to those who haven't :) We chat about the history and progression of the Jiu Jitsu Commune into what we now know as Higher Jiu Jitsu. “If a man knows not to which port he sails no wind is favourable — Seneca + "Soon enough new students found us and began to stream onto the PCYC mats. I promised them they could learn jiu jitsu here, and they reciprocated by placing their trust in me as Coach. Class after class they’d show up and I’d teach what I thought were the most relevant techniques. They were picking up the tricks, but it became obvious that these students needed to begin with the basics." + We’re not limited by the curriculum, just liberated. For when you have your bases covered, you can move in different ways. You can venture as deep, as far, and as wide as you like, content in knowi

During our Covid19 lockdown, Matty and I meet up, whilst practicing social distancing of course, and discuss 10 of the most annoying things you can do on the jiu jitsu mats. We all know you’re a great person, and don’t intend to annoy your friends. But there are some things that are taboo on the jits mats. Avoid these and you'll be fine and ready to enjoy jits and keep friends, on the mats and off.  Thanks for listening! Any ones to add to the list? Let us know! PS. The audio in this podcast might not be Top Notch due to technical difficulties.  Cheers and Happy Quarantines.  Coach John

Matty and John get together to talk about the early stages of jiu jitsu, and how to best organise, and think about your training right from the beginning. Just like every game you need to know the rules first before you can play properly. Without knowing the rules, and especially when up against other beginners, you run the risk of not having fun, and getting injured, and building bad habits.  Considering the nature of jiu jitsu, there are serious consequences if you don't do it safely.  When you go about learning the fundamentals step by step first, you can build a complete understanding of how jiu jitsu works. When you know the mechanics of jiu jitsu, you can do it better, and you can use the art everywhere else in your life.  It's how you can play jiu jitsu, and build a good path to ongoing finesse and quality of life on the mats and off.  -- Thanks everyone for listening! Matty and I hope you enjoy it. Original post can be found here. Stay safe,  Coach John

Join John and Matty, this time in the dojo as we discuss the essential jiu jitsu journey - from within yourself and throughout those around you.  Study Yourself You decided to don the gi and take part in this journey. You make your way to jiu jitsu class, you tie your belt, and you train for hours. It’s your neck that’s on the line, and it’s your limbs that are sought. It sounds just like a personal endeavour. But that’s far from true - all of this is facilitated by other people. We're All Connected Acknoweldge that you are part of a tight knit community. Jiu jitsu is an individual endeavour, and it’s very much a team sport. To stay on the mats, you need to give back. You need to be there for others. Not because it helps you but because it helps the people around you. The treasure comes not just from the search within but when you open your eyes and look around you. Team Jiu Jitsu Jiu jitsu is you and it’s the team around you. It’s the community of grapplers in your area, throughout your country,

Stop using your strength!  Does this sound familiar?  We're not judging. We're just here to help. --- You huff, and you puff, and you fight jiu jitsu. We tell you to 'go easy', relax, and not use your strength. You hear us, but you don't listen to us. You nod your head, and the moment you touch gloves, the bulldog is once again off the leach. We don’t blame you. Your intentions are pure, and it's not your fault. Your skeleton is your strength, not your imposing will. When you learn how to use your bones, you can pick and choose where you need to grit your teeth and force your willpower.  And when you take away the force during training, you’re free to sense the intricacies that make jiu jitsu the gentle art. An essential element of self organisation is your breath. You hear 'go easy', but it's not enough. You need to feel it instead. We can do this via your breath. Don't Fight, Feel. This is a different approach to one that you're used to. Yet when you work on your approach to jiu jitsu, y

Join John and Matty as we discuss the Long Game of jiu jitsu and how to play it.  --- When you play the long game, there isn’t a finish line. No end in sight.  That isn’t a punishment, but a just reward for being a student of this martial art. The long game comes with it’s own rules of play. 1. First things first, do not get injured. In the long game, letting your limbs snap, and your neck crank isn’t an intelligent thing to do because you’ll need those joints fresh and healthy to train till the end. When you let bones break you lose many points. Points come in years you’re able to be on the mats. 2. Keep it Fun The rage of our culture is the hustle. If you’re not drowning then you’re not in deep enough. So we load and load and load. How strong is this camel’s back? Stress can come in many forms and you start to have a wide array of problems when it becomes the norm. An overreliance on self discipline, & willpower in the push for success is a surefire way to reach game over in this game. When you think

They say home is where the heart lies. And then there’s your jiu jitsu academy. John and Matty discuss what a third place is and why you need one too.  "Members feel more like brothers and sisters. The mats feel just like the warmth and comfort of your own home. You feel a piece of yourself is rooted in the space, and you gain strength just by being there. These are the feelings that come via your dojo. It's how you learn and grow in all other areas of your life. It's why you can't wait for your next session. Jiu Jitsu is self defence, and submissions, and it's also community, and camaraderie. You need both to be happy and this is the magic that happens in the third place." Higher Jiu Jitsu Blog: The Third Place and Why You Need One Too.  Want a free trial? You're welcome.  Thanks for listening!

John and Matty discuss the differences between sport BJJ and Gracie Jiu Jitsu as a way of life.  Many people start in jiu jitsu with the goal to stay safe and compete in MMA. Very quickly I was pulled into the competitive realm, and the 'stay safe' part fell by the wayside to the focus of winning competitions.  It isnt that competition jiu jitsu isn't an opportunity to learn, or lots of fun. It's just that there is so much more to this martial art than the sport based competitive side.  The Importance of Self Defence A nasty injury forced me to contemplate the other side of jiu jitsu, and therein I came across an entire, unfamiliar world of 'Gracie Jiu Jitsu'. Suddenly we were thinking about situations where an aggressor didn't have jiu jitsu skills. For the first time I contemplated what happens when someone doesn't play by jiu jitsu rules.  Through this lens we get to see just how important the concept of leverage is. If there aren't weight divisions, and if we assume that an aggressor

John and Matty discuss the very common Imposter Syndrome amongst jiu jitsu students, and how it can wreak havoc on your ability to learn, as well as the enjoyment you derive from your practice of the gentle art.  It's Self Awareness Being critical is a strength when you seek out what to improve on, and look to refine the parts and benefit the whole.  In this way there is no limit to how good you can be. With the right effort in the right areas you can do anything you like.  But there is a fine balance to be had here. Issues arise when you expect too much too soon. When you aren't patient with the learning process, you set yourself up to fail.  Learn to pay attention to what you are thinking, so that when those thoughts come about, you can consciously replace them with a different story for yourself. Instead of being that guy who doesn't know anything, you're the student who is coming in all ears ready to learn.  Focus on Others The fact that you have done even one class means you kn

The Leverage Camp of 2019 has come and gone, and with it has etched some of the most amazing jiu jitsu memories that the participants will never forget.  It was as though the jiu jitsu Gods were looking down on us, for everything about this camp was nothing less than perfect.  Below I will do my best to put this experience into words, which definitely won’t demonstrate that tingly sense of satisfaction deep in our hearts that we all felt daily.  2020 was looking like a special part 2, but it looks like 2021 will be the return of Lefkada Camp. All the best! Coach John

John and Matty discuss the coaching process happening at Higher and what it takes to be a good coach.  We chat about the importance of staying a learner for life, and being guided through the jiu jitsu journey in a way that offers structure and freedom at the same time.  Points of Note: +The importance of the environment around you to maintain curiosity and stay safe as you explore the lands of jiu jitsu.  + Why we organise regular jiu jitsu camps and seek knowledge from everywhere.  + How Rylan Lizares demonstrated what it's like to be a supercoach on and off the mats.  + 'Let's See if it's True' mentality and why Professor Sauer is a wizard on and off the mats.  + The things we will focus on in the future as we look to go Higher with the students of our school.  Hope you all enjoy!  We appreciate you listening & we love feedback - so get in touch and let us know what you think! Oss

Matty and I recorded this two weeks ago and it was scheduled to be released at the end of August.  In light of the recent Sydney Stabbing Attacks that occurred on the 13th August, I feel like it's important to bring up these points of discussion today.  Yesterday Sydney's CBD was faced with a random act of violence by a knife yielding, mentally unstable man. It resulted in the loss of a life, multiple injuries, and innumerable trauma amongst those who were amongst it, and beyond.  It's another example of how unlikely situations can arise from normal circumstances.  Key Points You Never Know Why do you wear a seat belt when you go driving? The ratio of you getting to a destination safely vs crashing is hopefully way more in favour of not crashing. Maybe you're like me and you've never crashed at all. But we still sit in our seats and automatically reach for the belt.  Also, why does your workplace have such a resolute fire safety plan? It's extremely unlikely that your building will ever catch fire. But stil