This is a conversation with Mikhail Oza, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Mikhail is technology strategist with Microsoft, BJJ coach and commentator, and scuba diver.

Episode Links:

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhail-oza/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baloothebeardog

* The Jiujitsu Company: https://www.instagram.com/thejiujitsucompany

* The Jiujitsu Shop: https://www.jiujitsuphilly.com/shop

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=3661

* 4 Archetypes of People (Jets Coach): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonathangreechan_according-to-robert-saleh-there-are-4-types-activity-7100209641984294912-tGBB/

* Arena Grappling: https://www.arenagrappling.com/

* FSM BJJ: https://www.instagram.com/fsmbjj

* Andrew Kochel vs Luke Staley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj37iy9aBO8

Contact:

Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:18 Journey to Black Belt

02:52 BJJ and Community

06:20 Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu Culture

09:46 Regulated Tension and Cruise Control

13:22 Reducing the Obsession

17:31 Finding Balance

19:50 Coaching Philosophy and Leadership

23:58 Strategic Thinking in Jiu-Jitsu and Work

28:46 The Platform Play

33:23 Perspectives on Coaching

44:30 The Importance of Resilience and Enjoyment in Life

50:24 Leadership and Coaching: Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu

01:00:20 Coaching People and Your Partner

01:07:46 Journey into Scuba Diving

01:15:38 The Role of Scuba Diving in Life

01:18:55 High-Stakes Moments in Diving

01:27:41 Respect, Value, and Fun

01:31:47 Commentary in Jiu-Jitsu Matches

01:39:36 The Future

01:43:39 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Toma Dragicevic, a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. Toma is senior manager in corporate North America as well as being the owner of a few gyms in Ontario, Canada.

Episode Links:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/toma_rmnu_canada

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toma-dragicevic-7b92a022/

* Current BJJ: https://currentbjj.com

* Revo Jiujitsu: https://revojiujitsu.com

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:34 Journey to Black Belt

08:17 Grading Philosophy and Student Development

10:51 Training Smarter with Age

14:08 Training as an Instructor

19:30 Injuries and Recovery

28:47 Styles and Body Care

32:28 BJJ Associations

37:33 The Thrill of Corporate Life

41:16 Managing a P&L

43:30 Empowering Leadership and Team Engagement

47:33 Goal Setting Strategies

56:19 Work Life Balance

01:01:36 Hybrid Work Culture

01:06:21 Professional Atmospheres

01:11:13 Authentic Curiosity About People

01:14:32 Confidence and Life Advice

01:20:02 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Jimmy Park is a black belt of New York, New York, USA. Jimmy is a climber, photographer, and Bonsai stylist. He is also an entrepreneur who runs Opascope, his digital marketing agency.

Episode Links:

* Photography IG: https://instagram.com/EasyStreetNYC

* Personal IG: https://instagram.com/Veritas247

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmypark/

* Opascope: https://opascope.com/

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:24 Journey to Black Belt

06:21 Training at the Renzo Gracie Academy

11:48 Training with Danaher

19:06 Competition for Hobbyists

26:28 BJJ Lessons for Life

30:05 Entrepreneurship Personality Types

37:27 Becoming an SEO Expert

44:48 Jimmy's Favorite Campaign

47:16 Evolution of SEO in the Age of AI

52:38 Generative AI Influences

57:34 Real Life Street Photography

01:08:57 The Journey of a Climber

01:20:30 Overcoming Fear After a Fall

01:23:38 Climbing Grades and Preparation

01:25:48 The Importance of Mentorship

01:30:42 The Art of Bonsai Gardening

01:39:48 Life Lessons and Balance

01:56:12 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Gorka Uztarroz, a black belt out of Paris, France. Gorka is an artist who likes to focus most of his creative energy on comics. He also works for a medical repatriation company.

Episode Links:

* Art Website: https://www.gorkauztarroz.com

* Comic Website: https://www.lefrenchninja.com

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/cosmogol666

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=32726

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:20 Journey to Black Belt

02:55 Black Belt Legitimacy

06:18 Growth in Jiujitsu

09:24 Finding Joy in the Process

18:54 BJJ and Injuries

22:20 BJJ Saved My Art

26:35 Digital Art and Physical Mediums

31:12 Artistic Inspirations

34:33 Self-Publishing and Self-Promotion

42:56 Le French Ninja Inspiration

46:46 The Heart of Storytelling: Vulnerability and Authenticity

50:59 Understanding Medical Repatriation

01:03:37 Future Projects and Inspirations

01:12:53 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Mike McLean, a black belt out of Torquay, Victoria, Australia. Mike is an artist who focuses mostly on painting on reclaimed materials. He has painted hundreds of thousands of Wagtails that have made it around the world. He's also an art teacher and a poet.

Episode Links:

* Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanartist

* Will the Wagtail Instagram: https://instagram.com/@willythewagtail

* World Wide Wag Tails: https://instagram.com/@worldwidewagtails

* Mike's Poetry: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanpoet

* YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MikeMcleanArtist

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:22 Journey to Black Belt

03:28 Training for Longevity

08:29 Reflections on Life and Jiu Jitsu

14:25 Getting Into Jiujitsu

16:53 Balancing BJJ, Family, and Relationships

19:51 Family Road Trip

24:52 Artistic Journey and Career

36:11 Getting Into Art

45:23 Artistic Materials and Economic Choices

50:35 The Wagtail Phenomenon

59:02 An Emotional Painting for Jamie

01:02:40 Immersive Activities

01:04:55 Getting Into Poetry

01:11:32 Living a Life of Happiness

01:15:53 Outro

Podcast Links:

Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Stephan Kesting is a black belt out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Stephan is a fireman, outdoorsman, podcaster, author, and BJJ instructor and OG jiujitsu content creator. He is currently making the rounds promoting his new book, "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic."

Episode Links:

* Book: Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://btb.fan/17-persevere

* Strenuous Life Podcast: https://youtube.com/channel/UCxFCWZJbnlRyhw3vmDx0Rlg

* Grapple Arts: https://www.grapplearts.com/

* Outdoors Site: https://essentialwilderness.com/

* Personal Site: https://www.stephankesting.com

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephan_kesting

* YouTube: https://youtube.com/@stephankesting

* Threads: https://threads.net/@stephan_kesting

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephankesting

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephankesting.bsky.social

* German Jiujitsu Commercial: https://youtube.com/watch?v=X6wpRVqD5VQ

* Book: Non-Stop Jiujitsu: https://btb.fan/17-nonstop

* High Percentage Leglocks: https://btb.fan/17-leglocks

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:36 Journey to Black Belt

09:29 The Early Years of BJJ

13:01 Online Content Creation and Teaching

19:20 BJJ as You Age

23:07 Protect Ya Neck

27:15 Firefighter Combat Challenge

31:50 From Biologist to Firefighter

35:14 First Fire Rescue Operations

42:51 Team Dynamics in High-Stress Situations

45:00 Prank Culture in Firefighting

50:43 Toxicity in Martial Arts

55:07 Loneliness and Finding Solitude in Nature

01:00:43 The Mental Focus of Wilderness Survival

01:06:13 The Importance of Sleep and Recovery

01:08:54 Journaling and Reflection

01:11:22 Grit, Perseverance, and Risk

01:15:50 Toughness is Transferable

01:20:57 Why Canoe in Canada

01:24:55 Luck and Averages

01:27:45 Work-Life Balance

01:29:17 The Power of Momentum in Taking Action

01:33:11 Lack of Future Plans

01:36:06 Perseverance and Promotion

01:39:05 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Bunmi Ojewole is a black belt out of Cape Town, South Africa. Bunmi is a doctor and currently finishing up her training to become an orthopaedic surgeon. In her spare time, she also fights MMA and dances Kazumba and Bachata. She is one of first few female black belts in South Africa.

Episode Links:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/@bunmiojewole

* Lions Den Jiujitsu: https://instagram.com/@lionsdensa

* Pride Fighting Academy: https://instagram.com/@pf_sa

* South African Gi Girls: https://instagram.com/@southafricangirlsingi

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:23 Journey to Black Belt

02:47 Mentoring in Jiujitsu

06:21 Competitive Landscape

10:26 Opinions of Avatar, the Last Air Bender and Arcane

13:06 Bone Bender and Orthopaedics

16:46 Advice for Queer Women

22:00 Origin Story: Geography and Culture

28:28 Becoming a Orthopaedic Surgeon

32:03 Surgical Stories

37:08 Medicine in South Africa

41:44 Dancing: A Safer Hobby

47:02 Life Lessons: Giving Grace to Others

50:18 Looking to the Future

54:25 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

Matt McPeake is a black belt out of Ontario, Canada. He is also an Engineer, director of Sales in the paper and packaging industry, and a Batman enthusiast.

Episode Links:

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=61

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/@jitzrollz

* Facebook: https://facebook.com/matthew.mcpeake.1

* BJJ Fanatics Introduction to the Power Line: Modified Kesa Gatame: https://btb.fan/15-bjjkesa

* BJJ Fanatics Power Line: Backpack Attack: https://btb.fan/15-bjjback

* Book 1984 by George Orwell: https://btb.fan/15-book1

* Book A History of Canada in 10 Maps by Adam Shoalts: https://btb.fan/15-book2

* Book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: https://btb.fan/15-book3

* Book Batman and Ethics by Mark White: https://btb.fan/15-book4

* Comic Batman Contagion by Chuck Dixon: https://btb.fan/15-comic1

* Comic Batman Cataclysm by Chuck Dixon: https://btb.fan/15-comic2

* Comic Batman No Man's Land by Bob Gale: https://btb.fan/15-comic3

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Journey to Black Belt

07:37 Find Your Gym Culture

17:09 Guard Pulling and Rulesets

19:44 Have a Game Plan

22:26 Teaching Structure

27:14 Sticking to the Rules

30:13 The Reality of Competition

37:00 Reading and Lifelong Learning

44:56 Jiujitsu's Role In Life

48:40 Dealing with Injuries

54:16 Life Advice

58:15 Conversation Take 2

59:21 Journey into Engineering and Corporate Career

01:02:14 Understanding the Starch Industry

01:04:34 Making Cardboard Boxes

01:08:12 Sustainability and Innovations in Packaging

01:18:23 Greenwashing and Recycling

01:23:07 Corporate Life

01:25:58 The Path to Advancement

01:35:22 Batman: The Complexity of a Hero

01:41:25 Ethics and Morality: Batman's Dilemma

01:45:07 Different Batmans, Different Villains

01:50:29 Exploring Batman: Recommendations for New Readers

01:52:50 The Importance of Authenticity in Life and Business

01:55:41 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb