Are you taking time to celebrate your growth, milestones, and victories, whether big or small? It’s so easy to move on to the next thing without taking time to revel in the joy of your accomplishment. Slow down. Reflect. Celebrate. We are doing just that in this episode. The podcast turned 5 years old and has reached the 100,000 downloads milestone.  What has changed in the five years since we started the podcast? Tune in to find out. "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look...

Do you feel pressure to bring “value” when rolling with a higher rank? From brand-new white belts to experienced black belts, we all bring unique value to the mat. Seeing the value we bring can be especially tricky when you’re new to grappling. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re learning a move for the first time, then you go to drill it, and your mind goes blank. We’ve been there and lived to podcast about it. For upper belts, rolling with a less experienced partner is a chance to...

Rachel Casias makes a return visit to the show because she is coming back to teach at this year’s Roll Model Base Camp in July! When Rachel joins us, we always have a multifaceted conversation about Jiu-Jitsu and life. We talk about her decision-making process regarding whether or not to compete in a recent Jiu-Jitsu tournament, the importance of continuous learning as a black belt, and how she’s navigating Alzheimer’s.   If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave...

You're gearing up for a Jiu-Jitsu competition, and when you least expect it, your opponent slides into your DMs. Wait, what?! We’ve pulled AJ’s soapbox out for this episode, inspired by a recent post in a women’s Jiu-Jitsu Facebook group.   Episode Highlights (00:00) The “Should you contact your opponent?” debate (09:52) The Power of Connections from Jiu-Jitsu Camps, Competitions, and Seminars (17:29) Building Your Jiu-Jitsu Community   If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a...

We’ve talked about the downward spiral in previous episodes. You know, that moment when you make a mistake, can’t get out of your own head, and then the wheels fall off. We’ve all been there. What if you flipped that concept and started building on the little things you are doing right? This episode was inspired by a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett. He and his guest, Daniel Priestly, talked about the upward spiral and how it had the power to compound...

Have you watched the American Jiujiteira documentary? We watched it and have some thoughts to share with you in this episode.  (00:00) Episode Intro (01:29) The American Jiujiteira Documentary Explore the impact of the American Jiujiteira documentary and its significance in showcasing women’s experiences in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From personal training experiments to the representation of women in the sport, we’re sharing our thoughts on the documentary and the sense of community it...

From battling with self-doubt to finding inspiration in the daily struggles, we explore the multifaceted impact of Jiu-Jitsu and life on and off the mat. Life outside of Jiu-Jitsu can affect our performance on the mat. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, and mental well-being play a crucial role in how we show up and our ability to engage effectively. Our time practicing Jiu-Jitsu shapes how we show up in life off the mat. How do we leave a tough day on the mats at the gym and not take it home...

BJJ Black Belt Sarah Chamberlain is the first instructor to be announced for Roll Model Grappling Camp 2024. Get to know Sarah as she talks with AJ, Jen, and Risser. We can’t wait to learn from her at camp this summer! (00:00) Episode Intro (01:18) Why Sarah Loves Warmups (05:15) Sarah’s Advice to her younger self when starting BJJ (14:03) The benefits of starting from bad positions (14:42) The evolution of Sarah’s game as she progressed to black belt (16:23) Dealing with degenerative...

As we roll into a new year, there's a sense of renewal and possibility. We are kicking off the new year by talking about intention, embracing a shift in perspective, and announcing the Roll Model Camp 2024 theme!    If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave us a 5 Star Rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3IHT3BNicukNtCVa3AAwBI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-the-gi/id1458389465?mt=2 Learn More about Roll Model...

Are you ready to roll into 2024 with a game plan to help get what you want out of life on and off the mat? This is not just another episode about goal setting. The time has come to sharpen our focus and develop a strategic game plan for success.  You know Coach AJ loves a game plan! Whether you want to improve your Jiu-Jitsu or make changes in other areas of your life, laying out clear, concise, and measurable milestones is part of the process.  We’ll see you on the mat!   If you Love the...

Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like your Jiu-Jitsu was total garbage? How do you work through it? This episode was recorded right after Jen had one of those days. Coach AJ shares her wisdom on how to work through it. We also discuss finding your Zen while stuck in an uncomfortable spot on or off the mat. This might be our new favorite episode. We hope you love it, too.   If you Love the Podcast, Share it with a Friend! You can also leave us a 5 Star Rating in Spotify...

Has wrestling with doubt and uncertainty ever kept you from registering for a Jiu-Jitsu tournament? Normally, when it’s time to register for a tournament, AJ is all about the game plan, building up to the big day with intense training and focus. But this time, things were different. She found herself waffling on whether or not to register for the Nashville Open. How did it turn out? And will Jen ever compete again? Let's get AJ to 1000 followers on TikTok so she can go live! AJ on TikTok...

Turns out you can be obsessed with Jiu Jitsu and still have days when you've wanted to quit. You can even love Jiu Jitsu, but there will be days when you don’t like it. Have you ever wanted to quit Jiu Jitsu? How do you reignite the spark when this happens? We’ve got a gameplan to help you find your way back to your love of Jiu Jitsu.   The Highlights (01:13) You’re not alone (09:37) Dealing with a bad training environment (19:01) When self-doubt raises it’s ugly head (20:26) Why you...

Picture it: you're the only woman in your Jiu-Jitsu class. You’ve shown up consistently, you work hard, you’re training for your next tournament, but now there's a new twist. Your coach expects you always to be the one to train with every new woman who walks through the door. Your frustration builds, and you wonder, “Am I the jerk for feeling this way?”. We have big thoughts on this topic because everyone has something at stake. You want more women doing Jiu-Jitsu because you would like to...

What do you look for in a Jiu-Jitsu Coach and gym culture? Have you been intentional in finding a coach and gym that shares a similar moral compass and core values with you? Does it really matter that much? It matters to us because we want you training, loving Jiu-Jitsu, and getting the most out of your time on the mat.  Whether you are a practitioner or a coach, this episode offers valuable insights and perspectives to consider. This conversation goes beyond the mat and to dip into the...

What do you do when you feel like your family, friends, or spouse are not supportive of you doing Jiu-Jitsu? From concerns about injuries to doubts about our abilities and choices, we've heard it all. Whether it’s a partner who doesn't appreciate your commitment, parents who don't understand why you do Jiu-Jitsu, or friends who think it's a waste of time, we’ve got some ideas to handle these situations with grace and confidence. We also explore the deeper reasons that sometimes hide behind...

We have BIG opinions on cross-training and whether or not it’s a good idea to attend Jiu Jitsu open mats.  Picture It: You love going to open mats, but your coach seems to have some reservations. This is the situation that one of our listeners found herself in.  Now, that got the gears turning in our jiu-jitsu-obsessed minds. We dive deep into the topic of cross-training and open mats and explain why some coaches discourage cross-training. We discuss the red flags, the toxic mentality...

What does being coachable mean to you, and how does that impact your Jiu-Jitsu success? We are talking about being coachable from everyday training to how to focus on what your coach is telling you when you’re out there competing. Remember in The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda was trying to drop some wisdom on Luke Skywalker, but he just wasn't having it? Well, let's just say we have some thoughts on Luke’s unwillingness to be coached! But this episode is not all lightsabers and cute droids....

We are exploring how adopting the mindset of a beginner can unlock your potential and help you improve at every level, from white belt through black belt. You will even hear how we are using this mindset with the podcast recording process. This practice goes way beyond the mat. Throughout the episode, we share insights from both the coach and student experience, along with practical ways to build confidence and skill while keeping a curious spirit. AJ reveals an eye-opening realization about...

What do you do when team drama rears its ugly head at the gym or outside of it? Whether it’s the mean girls ganging up on you, or relationship drama between exes, we have some thoughts to share from both the coach and the student experience. You might not want to hear this, but it starts with communication. It is the key to resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive training environment for everyone. Nothing changes if you don’t voice your concerns and have open and honest...

Why do AJ and Jen believe that this was the best Roll Model Grappling Camp yet? This is not your typical Jiu-Jitsu camp. Listen to learn why. And if you were lucky enough to be there, relive some of your favorite camp experiences with us. Roll Model camp is as much about what happens off the mats as on. Life-long friendships were made. Our Jiu-Jitsu circles and communities were expanded while we learned Jiu-Jitsu from Emily Kwok, Rachel Casias, Nattie Boss, and AJ Clingerman. AJ gives us...

What does a Jiu Jitsu coach owe their student? Rolls? Coaching at tournaments? Promotions? Unlimited Access? What is the obligation and where does it end? We are navigating the intricacies of what coaches owe their students in the world of Jiu Jitsu, or at least sharing our thoughts. You will get the student and the coach perspective during this episode. How does a coach balance being present for their own personal commitments and competitions, while also wanting to coach and support their...

Brace yourself! We are exploring the complex dynamics of the Jiu-Jitsu Coach - Student relationship. What do you owe your coach? Do you owe them anything more than just showing up when you’re paying to be there? Have you ever felt like your coach was too controlling? We are big fans of loyalty - but do you owe your Jiu Jitsu coach your undying loyalty? Where does it cross a line for you? Have you ever been told that you can’t cross train at another gym? Are you not allowed to attend...