Ange Taylor makes a second appearance on the show, and this time opens up about her competition and life experience in the last year. Taking steps to be independent can be a challenge later in life, and Ange shares how much she has achieved, and overcome.

Dealing with past trauma can be difficult for anyone, Ange shares how resilient she has been and her courage to work through the road of healing. Knowing that Jiu Jitsu is her safe space, gives Ange the ability to breakthrough her deep anxiety, and step outside of her home with ease. She is now able to find more focus, direction, peace and support, not just from the consistent practice of jiu jitsu but also team mates, friends and coaches. Battling with personal issues, has made Ange stronger, in mindset and winning attitude. Thank you for showing up and joining me again, this time to talk through some challenging topics Ange. x

Topics:

• Jiu Jitsu Con
• World Masters
• Competition Prep
• Meal Prep
• Anxiety & depression
• Healing
• Resilience
• Self Confidence
• Accepting help
• Positive self-talk

Ange on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ange.taylor_bjj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZEHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Chapman is a Black Belt and trains twice a day every day, and this has been the same for the last 10 years. Andy shares his competition mindset, and also the business growth of Team Ryano Limavady in Northern Ireland.

Andy talks with compassion for bringing BJJ hobbyists along with the club, and the importance of making everyone feel the energy where they feel welcome and wish to stay, and continue their own journey for a long time.

Finding similar grade, weight and age competitors to yourself, really offers the opportunity to progress with relative ease. Andy shares some great stories of individuals in his team. We talk of some useful analogies, that may well help with your mindset and thinking.

Topics:

• Training twice a day
• Serious surgery
• IBJJF Masters
• Competition
• Measuring a gym's performance
• Understanding the game
• Young Competitors
• Learning BJJ with ease
• Feedback
• Progress Goals

Sponsor of this episode is:

RGA Buckingham: https://rgabuckingham.com/trial/

Andy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andychapman_bjj/

Team Ryano Limavady: https://www.instagram.com/limavady_ryanos_bjj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZEHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cara Waller is a Purple Belt and talks of her experience in being part of competition team, and the value it brings, not just to her level of competition but also of her mental health and wellbeing. She is very reflective and mindful, observing and aware of her own performance, compassion and fighting spirit. We discuss the self-talk that can affect us as Jiu Jitsu practitioners, and those of us that experience anxiety.

Cara opens up about her growth and awareness around her own ADHD diagnosis, and her driving spirit to support and coach others to be the best they can be. Like many of us, she sees the BJJ gym as her happy place, and somewhere of acceptance, empathy and trust. Being an active individual throughout her life with sports, she now continues her passion with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Topics:

• Instagram friends
• IBJJF European Masters
• Default Medals
• Comparison
• Overthinking
• ADHD & Neurodiversity
• Teaching BJJ
• Ladies Classes
• Ideas, concepts and context

Sponsor of this episode is:

RGA Buckingham: https://rgabuckingham.com/trial/

Cara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cararosebjj/

RGA Buckingham: https://www.instagram.com/rgabuckingham/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZEHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frankie Lee Monaghan is a Yellow Belt, and joins me with her Dad, Kevin. Frankie shares her lack of confidence before starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and the challenges with being bullied. It wasn't until a School Sports Week that Frankie was introduced to Jiu Jitsu, that her life changed for the better.

Kevin her Dad, echoes Frankie's resilience and tenacity for life, as well as the heartbreaking story of noticing Frankie's sadness during the period of bullying at school. Frankie now has high ambition, and big goals for her growth in Jiu Jitsu, travelling the world gaining more medals and achievements at every belt level.

Topics:

• Being bullied
• Lack of confidence
• School Sports Week
• Single Leg Takedowns
• Role Models
• Super Fights
• Confidence
• Dreams
• Goals

Help Frankie Compete at International BJJ Competitions:

https://gofund.me/25e8c22b

Frankie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu_jitsu_frankie16/

Primal BJJ: https://www.instagram.com/primal.bjj/

Attitude: https://www.instagram.com/attitudehq/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZEHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lillie Marlow is a Yellow Belt, and joins me with her Mum, Kayley whom I first met when speaking to Olivia Marlow on Episode 20. Lillie shares the story of when she started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 6, and how fun and cool it was, an how the last 7 years have progressed.

International competitions are common place for The Marlow's, and Mum Kayley is a pro at organisation, and is very well placed to support Lillie in her competitive growth. Lillie shares her guard game, in Worm Guard and Rubber Guard, and really enjoys joining adult classes, especially because of her expertise in the sport. Lillie continues to improve her game, and demonstrates her dedication to jiu jitsu.

Topics:

• Starting Jiu Jitsu
• International comps
• Training Plan
• Guard game
• Being a parent of active competitors
• Cross training
• Drilling fundamentals
• Jiu Jitsu sisters
• Confidence

Lillie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilliemarlowbjj/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taya Jones is a Yellow Belt, and a Gracie Barra Ambassador for 2025. Taya joins me with her Mum, Danielle who sounds like she does a great deal for Taya, together with her Dad. We talk about competition, and competing in a kids Absolute with all different weights and belts. Taya talks of the challenges in fighting competitors who are smaller and faster than her.

Danielle, her Mum shares the story of the application process, and the seminar when Taya was told that she had been selected to be a Gracie Barra Ambassador. Taya is so humble in her approach, not just for promotions but for life in general, she also has a great deal of determination. As a parent, one might feel some reservation around a child taking part in martial arts but when it is something that child talks about continuously, with passion and enthusiasm you can only support them following and wholeheartedly encouraging their dreams.

Taya talks of her love for wrestling, and watching title matches with her Dad. She also shares the joy she had at being able to master a double-leg takedown against him in her very first trial session of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She shares her inspiration in Ffion Davies and Helena Crevar, and Taya also talks of training partners in Lillie Marlow and Frankie Lee Monaghan whose episodes are also upcoming in the Yellow Belt Series.

Topics:

• Competitions
• Kids Absolutes
• Belt Promotions
• Gracie Barra Ambassador
• WWE
• Wrestling
• Jiu Jitsu Family
• Future ambitions
• Inspiration
• Training Partners

Taya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayaj_bjj_tagb/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgina Stanciu is based in Spain and, wow, what an incredible woman! Georgina shares starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when her son started around a year ago, and as well as growing her skills, she has overcome the fear of people touching her, to the point of hating having beauty treatments, and her hair done. She now gets completely undone regularly with training and preparing competing in the sport.

We didn't acknowledge Georgina's pup Macken (named by Georgina's son, after Chris Macken @nogisus_of_newazareth) in the background, but he clearly makes himself heard!

We talk about making our Jiu Jitsu games our own, and encourage any woman in their forties of fifties to start training. Overcoming pain, and hormone imbalances that women go through with Menopause is a really important topic, and Georgina talks of her time being bed-ridden, getting some medical support with HRT, getting started with martial arts and making it a lifelong hobby. This is a treasure trove of an episode, where you will learn a lot whoever you are.

Topics:

• Personal Strengths
• Mindset
• Jiu Jitsu is lifechanging
• Repetition of moves
• Ballet and dance
• Menopause and HRT
• Competition
• Strong Man Competition
• BJJ Competition
• Developing trust in a coach

Sponsor of this episode is:

GROW JIU JITSU www.growjiujitsu.com

Georgina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodfossa/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich Thompson, First Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about consistency and resilience. Starting out being inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme back in the day, with karate and body building. Rich's take on building skills and improving is another level, he describes stacking and layering skills.

Working on your mindset, and focusing on gratitude is of high priority to Rich and his continued success in competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When there are elements of your jiu jitsu game that you can't do, for one reason or another, maybe injury, Rich suggests working skills to focus on what you're good at, and continue to make improvements in this area.

Topics:

• Body Building
• UFC
• MMA
• Love of Jiu Jitsu
• Habit stacking
• Mind mapping
• Optimising BJJ mindset
• Identity Statement
• Injuries
• Tendon Training
• Couch to Combat

Sponsor of this episode is:

BJJ Blueprint: www.skool.com/couch-to-combat/about

BJJ Blueprint - Helping you get the best out of your training.

Rich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richthompson__/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuloupodcast

JIU JITSU LOU Merch Collab with BRUIZHAUS: https://bruizehaus.co.uk/search?q=jiu+jitsu+lou USE DISCOUNT CODE: JJL30

PRODUCTION CREDIT: Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource

MUSIC CREDIT:

ARTIST: Maleki Ram | TRACK: Just A Little Boy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.