Robert Donofrio - Building a Jiu-Jitsu Community

In this episode, Matt Kwan (a black belt under Rob Biernacki, owner and head instructor at On Guard BJJ in British Columbia) shares insights from his recent competition experiences, coaching philosophy, and evolving approach to jiu-jitsu training and teaching. Discover how he integrates adaptive strategies, mental models, and personal growth into his martial arts journey. In this episode, Matt Kwan shares insights on running a successful jiu-jitsu gym, the importance of instructor development, and the current state of competitive jiu-jitsu. He discusses his approach to teaching, managing injuries, and navigating the evolving landscape of the sport. @onguardbjj 🥋 MatAdmin, academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month. @getmatadmin 🧂 SALT Electrolytes, use code FWB for 15% off. @SaltElectrolytes 🥋 Train with me Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM at @northbayjiujitsu

In this episode I'm joined by Kevin Johnson, black belt, coach, gym owner, content creator, and the man who has somehow managed to build a brand around being the internet's number one mediocre jiu-jitsu coach.Kevin is the co-owner and head instructor at Ivy Jiu-Jitsu in Tennessee, and what really interested me about talking with him is his approach to teaching. He's become a big advocate for games, live resistance, concept-based learning, and building jiu-jitsu for regular people who have jobs, families and limited training time.I dig into how Kevin thinks people actually learn jiu-jitsu, how his teaching has evolved, and what he's learned from running a room full of very different students.Links:https://www.instagram.com/kevins_jiujitsu/🥋 MatAdminRobust academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month flat fee, unlimited members.http://matadmin.app@getmatadmin🧂 SALT ElectrolytesUse code FWB for 15% off.@SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with meDrop in on my Tuesday and Thursday 6 AM classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, CA.@northbayjiujitsu

Most tall grapplers are losing for the same reason, they’re fighting jiu-jitsu like they’re shorter. Rob Bernacki breaks down why long limbs change everything, from overextension and hand fighting to why certain guards, sweeps, and submissions become far more dangerous when you’re six-foot-plus. Adolfo Foronda sits down with Rob Bernacki, the head instructor and owner of Island Top Team and the creator of BJJ Concepts, for a deep, practical look at how taller athletes can build a game that actually fits their body type. The conversation goes far beyond “use your reach” and gets into the real mechanics that make tall people hard to sweep, hard to pass, and surprisingly explosive when they learn how to manage range correctly. You’ll discover: Why extension is the biggest beginner mistake for tall athletes, and why it costs more the longer your limbs are How range, not just position, changes the way tall people should play guard and pass Why knee shield can become nearly impossible to beat for long-femur players Which attacks get disproportionately stronger with height, including the triangle, straight ankle lock, and omoplata Why bottom Kimura obsession can stall a tall player’s development fast How back control should look for long athletes if they want to make it truly sticky

Professor Jay Pages returns to Forever White Belt to talk about how his coaching has evolved, including how he has integrated ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach into his teaching without feeling the need to go all-in on any single methodology. We get into what "eco adjacent" actually looks like on the mats, how Jay designs training games, develops better problem solvers, and continues refining the way he teaches. We also talk business. Jay shares his perspective on marketing martial arts academies, organic growth, building genuine connections, and why staying curious and open-minded matters just as much in running a gym as it does in coaching. Follow Jay at @jayjpages A great conversation about evolving your ideas without throwing away everything that came before. Support the show: 🥋 MatAdmin Simple academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month flat fee, unlimited members. matadmin.app @getmatadmin 🧂 SALT Electrolytes Use code FWB for 15% off. @SaltElectrolytes 🥋 Train with me Drop in on my Tuesday and Thursday 6 AM classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, CA. @northbayjiujitsu

Corbin LaPorte may be best known as one of Nicky Rod’s key training partners and a rising talent at Simple Man Martial Arts, but this conversation is less about competition and more about how he became such an effective student and teacher of jiu-jitsu. We discuss Corbin’s unusually rapid learning curve, how his approach to studying instructionals has evolved, the difference between collecting techniques and developing usable skill, and why sleep, recovery, and time away from the mats can be essential parts of improvement. Corbin also explains how teaching has changed his understanding of jiu-jitsu, how he answers technical questions from elite training partners, what makes someone easier to coach, and how instructors can help students learn without overwhelming them. Topics include: • Learning how to learn jiu-jitsu • Turning instructional content into usable skill • Balancing obsession with rest and recovery • Developing problem-solving ability on the mats • Becoming a better instructor • Teaching techniques versus concepts • Creating productive training environments • Maintaining perspective while pursuing high-level goals Whether you are a white belt, an experienced practitioner, or an instructor trying to improve your teaching, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it actually takes to keep developing. Follow Corbin LaPorte on Instagram: @corbin_laporte Learn more about Simple Man Martial Arts in Austin, Texas. Support the show: MatAdmin is simple academy-management software built for smaller martial arts schools. Manage members, classes, attendance, and more at MatAdmin.app. If you are near Novato, California, join me for the Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 a.m. classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu. Please subscribe, like the episode, and leave a comment with the idea from Corbin that stood out most to you. Forever White Belt Podcast Instagram: @foreverwhitebeltshow