From Bullied Kid to BJJ Legend: The Untold Story of John Will | Ep. 02 Artwork

The Ageless Warrior Lab

Dave Meyer | Host, Ageless Warrior Lab podcast | Co-founder and CEO of Food System Innovations and Humane American Animal Foundation

David Meyer is a pioneering American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, and accomplished non-profit founder and Philanthropist.

David co-founded and served as CEO of Adopt-a-Pet.com for two decades, turning it into the world’s largest nonprofit homeless pet adoption website and helping save millions of animals, before its acquisition by Mars Inc.

Today, David leads Food System Innovations and Humane America Animal Foundation, leading in farm animal welfare and the protein transition movement. He frequently advises U.S. lawmakers on these issues, and has raised and deployed over $160 million in philanthropic capital as part of his work in the nonprofit space.

In his athletic career, David has risen to the highest ranks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). He earned his black belt from Rigan Machado in 1996 and ranked among the first Americans (“the Dirty Dozen”) to do so. He was the first American to medal at the black belt level at the BJJ World Championships in Brazil in 1998, and continues to compete, winning world championship titles in his age division.

As a martial artist and instructor, he taught at UCLA, Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo, and developed globally used grappling curricula with John Will, including customized material for Chuck Norris’s UFAF association.

Meyer also played a critical role in post-Katrina animal rescue, co-authored key books on BJJ and pet care, and co-founded a Haiti orphanage for children with HIV, exemplifying a lifetime of impactful leadership in both martial arts and philanthropy.

David resides in the San Francisco Bay, and continues to coach BJJ athletes while actively managing Food System Innovations and Humane America Animal Foundation.

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The Ageless Warrior Lab

From Bullied Kid to BJJ Legend: The Untold Story of John Will | Ep. 02

September 16, 2025 • David Meyer • Season 1 • Episode 2

Welcome to Episode 2 of our podcast, featuring an in-depth conversation between host David Meyer and his mentor, the legendary martial artist and instructor John Will. In this episode, John shares his extraordinary journey from being bullied as a child in Australia to becoming one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and martial arts education worldwide.

John Will recounts his early days traveling through Southeast Asia, training in diverse martial arts styles, and founding Australia’s first martial arts magazine, Blitz. He discusses his pivotal encounters with the Gracie family, the Machado brothers, and his role in bringing BJJ to Australia. The conversation dives deep into the philosophy of martial arts, the importance of attention to detail, the distinction between discomfort and injury, and how martial arts principles apply to life beyond the mat.

Whether you’re a martial artist, a coach, or someone interested in personal growth, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical insights. Don’t miss John’s reflections on teaching, building a martial arts association, and the impact of technology on learning and society.

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