Matt Benyon is a BJJ black belt and the brains behind multiple BJJ brands including Scramble and Polaris.

In this episode, we talk about Matt's journey into martial arts, his inspiration for starting Scramble and Polaris, some of the obstacles he has come across on the way, many stories from behind the scenes and much more.

Episode 85 - Matthew Benyon

Dan Hardy is a former UFC fighter, commentator, and fight analyst.

In this episode we discuss Dan's start in martial arts, his entry into professional MMA, his career in the UFC, his retirement due to a heart condition, his transition to the commentary table, his desire to continue to compete, his journey into psychedelics and much much much more.

Episode 88 - Dan Hardy

Pedro Bessa is a BJJ black belt under Telles, Terere and 'Careca' and worlds and european medalist.

In this episode we talk about Pedro's start in BJJ, his training in Capoeria, his time at TT training amoungst some of the legends of the sport, coming over to the UK and starting academies in Bristol and Wales, his competition career and more.

Episode 90 - Pedro Bessa

Leo Negao is an old-school BJJ black belt and former pro MMA figher. 

In this episode, we discuss how Leo got into BJJ, his early days training with Carlson Gracie and his legendary vale tudo team, his philosophy of training and fighting, being one of the earliest Brazilians to bring BJJ to European and much more.

Episode 94 - Leo Negao

Priit Mihkelson is a BJJ black belt and owner of Defensive BJJ.

In this episode we talk about Priits background in martial arts, how he got into grappling, his different approach to teaching and learning, the importance of defense, and much more.

Episode 96 - Priit Mihkelson

Simon Hayes is a BJJ black belt, BMX champ and oscar-winning sound Engineer.

One of the most popular episodes of the entire podcast, Simon Hayes is back again. We chatted modern BJJ, ADCC, lockdowns, long-distance cycling, weight lifting and a whole lot more.

Episode 97 - Simon Hayes 2

Ffion Davis is the current IBJJF and ADCC world champion.

Recently off the back of her history-making ADCC win, we chat about the whole ADCC experience, her training camp, her competition mindset, travelling, teaching, opening up a gym and much more.

Episode 98 - Ffion Davies 2

Emily Kwok is Canada's first female BJJ blackbelt and world champion

In this episode we talk about Emily's journey into martial arts, the early days of BJJ in the US and Canada, training with some of the greats of the sport, competing and competition mindset, performance coaching, and much more

Episode 99 - Emily Kwok

On the anniversary of his tragic passing, I talk with Chris Hearn and Joao Santos as we remember Nick Brooks.

Episode 100 - Nick Brooks Memorial

Sam Crook works full-time, teaching BJJ at the Francis Ngannou foundation, a martial arts based social project in Batié, Cameroon. 

Sam rejoins me on the podcast after 3 years, talking about everything that has happened at the foundation since we first spoke. He is also joined by his top student, Franck, who is over here with him competing in his first-ever jiu jitsu competition.

Episode 101 - Sam Crook and Franck Takoudjou

Neil Adams is the most decorated British Judo competitor of all time. 

A 2-time Olympic silver medalist, World and European champion. He is a renowned coach and is known as "The Voice of Judo" for his work as a commentator.

In this episode we discuss his start in Judo, his competition career, his mindset, his emphasis of the ground game, his thoughts on BJJ and much more.

Episode 102 - Neil Adams

Owen Livesy is a Judo commonwealth gold medalist and professional grappler. 

In this episode, we discuss Owen's judo career and his recent transition and success in professional grappling.

Episode 103 - Owen Livesy

Chris Crossan is a catch wrestler and BJJ black belt under Eric Paulson. 

In this episode, Chris tells his story, and quite a story it is. Starting life as a bit of a trouble maker Chris was able to turn his life around with martial arts and religion.

This episode we discuss the early days of MMA and grappling in the UK and especially the North East, catch wrestling and plenty of street fighting stories.

Episode 104 - Chris Crossan

Pete Irving is a former professional MMA fighter and kickboxer. A BJJ black belt and head coach of Newcastle Fight Centre.

In this episode we discuss Pete's martial arts journey, training in Brazil when few were making the trip, the early days of MMA in the UK, the transition to coach and his thoughts on modern MMA and much more.

Episode 105 - Pete Irving

Daren Morris is a BJJ black belt, an OG of the Northern grappling an MMA scene, founder of ASW, and co-founder of Grapplefest. 

A true hidden gem of the UK martial arts scene. In this episode, we discuss Darens journey through martial arts and many of his unique perspectives on MMA and grappling.

Episode 106 - Daren Moris

Simon Shears is a fitness coach and author of "Working [it] out: What actually makes us exercise"

In this episode, we discuss Simon's background in sports and exercise and take a deep dive into how our evolutionary psychology rules out behavior and how this pertains to exercise.

Episode 107 - Simon Shears

Pat Divilly is an author, podcaster and wellness coach specializing in mens work and breathwork. He is also a brown belt in BJJ

In this episode, we chat about Pat's journey into the fitness and wellness space, his thoughts on masculinity, social media, breathwork, and much more.

Episode 108 - Pat Divilly

Colton Crawford is a member of The Dead South and a BJJ brown belt.

In this episode, we discuss life on the road, the creative process, Twitch streaming, Banjo playing, and much more.

Episode 109 - Colton Crawford

This episode I sit down with BMX champion, life long martial artist, judo black belt, jiu jitsu black belt, Carlson Gracie London instructor, bulldog owner and Oscar award winning sound engineer Simon Hayes. 

In an epic 3 and a half hour conversation we talk about his history in sport and martial arts, how he found BJJ, the birth of jiu jitsu in the UK, training on set with the likes of Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham, the creation of his famous smash pass and even the history of bulldogs. 

If you have any questions or comments for the podcast email me at:
theraspberryapepodcast@gmail.com

Episode 3 - Simon Hayes

Jude is the UK's first home grown Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, a UK BJJ pioneer, a renowned instructor as well as a top level competitor.

In this episode we talk about Jude's training history, the early days of UK BJJ, his style of teaching, MMA, gi vs nogi, strength and conditioning and much much more. 

We recorded this episode and just over half way through the audio got corrupted, Jude was kind enough to come back and rerecord the second half. Meaning this episode is another epic one at 3 hours long. 

To see more of Jude search for EFNsports on twitter and instagram or Inglorious Grapplers on facebook. 

To contact the podcast email me at therapsberryapepodcast@gmail.com

Episode 6 - Jude Samuel

This episode I sit down with my own coach Nicholas Brooks. Nick is a second degree black belt under Roger Gracie and Maurcio Gomes and head instructor at Mill Hill BJJ. He has had one of the most active competition careers in the UK, travelling many times to Brazilian, Portugal and America to compete at all belts, ages and weights. 

I talk to him about his path into BJJ, training with Roger, Maurcio and De la Riva. The running of his school and his method of teaching. As well as diet, conditioning and injuries. 

For more info on Mill Hill BJJ visit - http://www.millhillbjj.com

Nick also teaches at RGA Milton Keynes - http://www.rga-mk.co.uk


As always if you wish to contact the podcast - 
theraspberryapepodcast@gmail.com

Episode 9 - Nick Brooks

I sit down with Roger Gracie black belt and owner of RGA Bucks Kev Capel. 

In this episode we talk about the early days of UK BJJ and MMA, Kev's time in the army, training with a young Roger Gracie, opening and building a successful academy, training in Brazil,  his own competition experiences, what its like having a real BJJ family and much much more. 


For more info on Kev visit: www.rgabucks.co.uk


As always to contact the podcast: theraspberryapepodcast@gmail.com


Episode 11 - Kev Capel

Shamus Kelly is a serving Major in the British army and a BJJ purple belt, Donald MacIntyre is a recently retired British army Major and a BJJ brown belt. 

Shamus and Donnie are two of a group of individuals responsible for getting Brazilian jiu jitsu officially recognised by the British army. They also work with a number of charities using jiu jitsu to help wounded, injured and sick military veterans and service personnel.

In this episode we talk about life in the army, how it has effected their lives and BJJ. How they got jiu jitsu into the army, the number of high level BJJ names that have given their support along the way. The future for BJJ in the army and much more. 


For more info on Roll 2 Recovery visit:
www.roll2recovery.org.uk
www.facebook.com/roll2recovery

For more info on combat stress visit:
www.combatstress.org.uk
www.facebook.com/CombatStress

Episode 21 -  Maj Donald MacIntyre & Maj Shamus Kelly

Lee Johnstone is a BJJ black belt and owner of the Combat Sports Academy. 

Lee has a long a varied background in the martial arts, having training in sambo, wresting, judo, ju jitsu, MMA and BJJ.  In this episode we talk about the early days of UK BJJ, the early days of UK MMA, promoting events and opening an academy. 

For more info on CSA visit: www.combatsportsacademy.net

Or follow them on facebook: www.facebook.com/combatsportsacademy

Episode 28 - Lee Johnstone

Mauricio Gomes is a 7th degree coral belt in BJJ, one of the "famous five" under Rolls Gracie and father of Roger Gracie. 

It was a absolute honour to be able to sit down with Mauricio and talk about his life and jiu jitsu. In this episode we talk about the history of the Gracie family, Mauricio's connection and relationship with the Gracie's, especially Rolls, how he travelled around to Japan and the UK to spread jiu jitsu, his own personal competition career, the career of his son Roger Gracie, self defence vs sport jiu jitsu and much much more. 

Mauricio is a living legend of the sport and it was great to have him share his story. 

To book anything with Mauricio email:  natnic@live.co.uk

Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MauricioGomesukbjj

Check out www.rogergracie.com

Episode 32 - Mauricio Gomes

Ant Lambert is a former Marine and adventurer.

One half of the two-man team; the Mad Explorers. The Mad Explorers have undertaken a challenge they have named "Expedition 5", in which they will attempt to be the first people to cross the worlds 5 biggest Islands by manpower alone.

I sit down with Ant after just returning from Greenland, their 4th island of the 5. He tells the stories from all the Island they have visited so far, the highs, the lows and the craziness in between. 

Find out more about the Mad Explorers at www.expeditionfive.co.uk

Episode 63 - Ant Lambert

Lachlan Giles is an elite competitive black belt, coach and physio. 

In this episode, we talk Australian jiu jitsu, coaching, competition, leg locks, rule sets, running an academy, injuries and more.

Episode 69 - Lachlan Giles

Ben is an old school UK BJJ legend and one of the earliest British black belts

Ben started training in the earliest days of UK BJJ and spent large periods of time training in Brazil with the Gracies. In this episode we talk about Bens journey into combat sports, training in his dads shed, judo legend Steve Gawthorpe, training in Brazil, nutrition, breathing, strength and conditioning, teaching, learning and much more.

Episode 70 - Ben Poppleton

Braulio Estima is a multiple time BJJ World champion, ADCC weight and Absolute champion, and multiple time Pan-American and European champion. 

In this episode, I sit down with one of the greatest ever BJJ athletes to discuss his incredible career. From his first days on the BJJ mats to being crowned ADCC weight and absolute champion. 

This episode is sponsored by Yoga for BJJ visit yogaforbjj.net/ape

Episode 71 - Braulio Estima

Samantha Cook is a BJJ black belt and one of the UK's finest competitors. 

In this episode, we talk about Sam's heavy competition schedule, travelling, weight cutting, the growth of women's jiu jitsu, mental health, sleep and near death experiences.

Episode 72 - Samantha Cook

A podcast hosted by BJJ black belt Daniel Strauss Aka the Raspberry Ape. Every episode I will be getting a new guest on to talk BJJ, training and everything else.

The Raspberry Ape Podcast

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