In this episode of Gi Spot, Kaz and Rach welcome James Driskill — a direct student in the Rickson Gracie lineage, a practitioner whose career bridges old‑school philosophy and modern BJJ realities. They dig into:

• James’s journey: from early training, earning ranks, crossing paths with old legends, and developing his own voice on the mats.

• The Ricksonian philosophy: control, breathing, “invisible” movement, mind‑body connection, lineage secrets.

• How to bridge traditional BJJ values and today’s competitive environment.

• Stories unseen: sparring with legends, dark moments, injuries, setbacks, perseverance.

• Tactical insight: how James sees the next frontier in gi jiu‑jitsu — subtle grips, posture, energy use.

• Advice for listeners: how to internalize lineage, respect both art & sport, and evolve without losing soul.

This one is part history, part roadmap, part personal confession. If you’re serious about the depth of jiu‑jitsu (not just the highlights), this is your episode.

Wanna check out some of James Work with Rickson?

https://www.skool.com/defendyourself/about?ref=184bf67698164e508b96342709c5b7df

In this episode of The Gi Spot, Kaz and Rach reconnect with longtime friends and show superfans Grant Barlow and Jenniffer Skylas — founders of the Wollongong holistic Jiu-Jitsu studio, Synergy Method.

They chart the path from big-box gym frustrations to creating a space where movement, recovery, nutrition, and mindset come together. Grant, a BJJ black belt and head coach, and Jenniffer, a wellness & mind-body coach as well as BJJ Black belt, open up about building a coaching identity, balancing business, family and students, and how they bring the “science behind every move” into their teaching.

Tune in for a candid conversation about building culture, resisting toxic fitness norms, keeping fire in your training, and what it really takes to fuse martial art with holistic health.

https://synergymethod.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/synergymethod

https://www.instagram.com/synergymethod/

On this episode of The Gi Pot, Kaz and Rach sit down with the enigmatic Dean Lister — ADCC champion, leg lock pioneer, and the guy who made your knee pop before it was cool.

From his turbulent upbringing in Panama to the gritty proving grounds of early MMA, Dean walks us through a life shaped by struggle, sharpened by pressure, and sealed with ankle-breaking submissions. We dig into the old-school days of BJJ before Instagram fame and YouTube instructionals, his impact on modern leg game philosophy (hint: Danaher was listening), and what it means to coach in a culture obsessed with winning but allergic to suffering.

Raw, real, and unfiltered — this isn’t just a catch-up. It’s a reckoning with the man who taught the world to “why ignore 50% of the human body?

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach wrestle with one of those timeless martial arts paradoxes: “Never always, but always sometimes.” It’s the kind of cryptic wisdom from Rach’s coach that sounds like a riddle until you’ve rolled enough to realize it’s an unbreakable rule… until it isn’t.

They unpack how this idea shows up in training, competition, and life on and off the mats: why “rules” in Jiu Jitsu are often flexible, how exceptions keep the art alive, and why the only certainty is that nothing is absolute. With their usual mix of sharp wit, dark humor, and real insight, Kaz and Rach remind us that BJJ is less about black-and-white rules and more about rolling in the grey.

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach roll into one of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of Jiu Jitsu: training safety. From preventing injuries and managing intensity in the gym to setting boundaries with training partners, they cover the essentials of staying safe while pushing your limits.

The conversation dives into the culture of “toughing it out,” the hidden risks that come with ego-driven rolls, and the strategies that keep your body — and your BJJ journey — sustainable. Expect a mix of practical advice, raw honesty, and a few cautionary tales that prove safety isn’t just about protecting joints, it’s about protecting the passion for the sport itself.

Whether you’re a white belt just starting out or a seasoned competitor, this episode is about keeping you on the mats and off the sidelines.

On this episode of The Gi Spot Podcast, Kaz and Rach get brutally honest about one of the most loaded topics in Jiu Jitsu: ego. It’s the thing every coach says to “leave at the door,” yet it sneaks onto the mats anyway — sometimes fueling growth, sometimes causing chaos.

They dive into the duality of ego in training and competition: how a healthy dose can sharpen your edge, drive discipline, and push performance, but unchecked ego can fracture teams, stunt progress, and turn rolls toxic. Along the way, Kaz and Rach unpack their own battles with ego, the lessons learned from watching it implode (or thrive) in others, and how mindfulness, humility, and perspective can keep the monster in check.

This isn’t a sermon — it’s a neon-lit, sharp-witted exploration of the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious ways ego shows up in BJJ.

On this episode of The Gi Spot, Kaz and Rach crack open a full debrief with Iconic Jiu Jitsu’s Nationals squad, fresh off their campaign at the 2025 IBJJF Australian Nationals. This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s a raw, unfiltered look at what it takes to prepare, perform, and recover at one of the biggest comps of the year.

Kaz flips the script and interviews Rach (Black Belt) alongside her Iconic teammates: Grant Bradshaw (Black Belt), Jayden Rutherford (Purple Belt), and Donovan Eyles (Blue Belt). Together, they peel back the curtain on the grind behind their Nationals run. Expect a deep dive into:

• Mindset under pressure — the mental tools that keep you calm when the lights are on.

• Training programs & structure — what a Nationals prep cycle really looks like day-to-day.

• Training goals & progression — how each belt level sets targets and evolves their approach.

• Mindfulness & recovery — the underrated habits that keep athletes sharp and balanced.

• Nutrition & supplementation — from cutting weight to fueling performance, the strategies that matter.

  
  

It’s more than just competition talk—it’s a study in discipline, resilience, and adaptation at every belt level. Whether you’re a hobbyist curious about high-level prep, a competitor looking for an edge, or just a fan of honest mat talk, this episode gives you the inside line on how the Iconic crew sharpened their swords for battle.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what it takes to chase gold—and maybe some inspiration to tweak your own game, both on and off the mats.

In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse duo behind Alpha Jiu Jitsu Academy — Professor Xavier Sales, a Machado black belt with more than two decades on the mats, and Marie Sales, program director, blue belt, and the heartbeat of Alpha’s community.

Xavier shares his journey from competitor to coach, including what it takes to win titles while raising the next generation of grapplers. Marie opens up about blending social work, motherhood, and martial arts to build programs that empower kids, women, and entire communities. Together, they prove Jiu Jitsu is more than submissions and medals — it’s a philosophy for resilience, confidence, and transformation.

Expect raw stories, sharp insights, and a glimpse at the real grind (and grace) behind Alpha Jiu Jitsu’s rise.