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.
The Ageless Warrior Lab
Rigan Machado: The Untold Story of a Jiu Jitsu Legend – Family, Films & Hollywood | Ep. 7
EP.Join David Meyer and John Will as they sit down with the legendary Rigan Machado—one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a key member of the iconic Machado and Gracie families. In this in-depth interview, Rigan shares his journey from growing up in a house full of future BJJ champions, to dominating competitions in Brazil, pioneering Jiu Jitsu in the United States, and working with Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Discover untold stories about the origins of the UFC, the family dynamics that shaped modern martial arts, and Rigan’s unique philosophy on training, teaching, and living with purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned martial artist or new to BJJ, this conversation is packed with wisdom, history, and inspiration.
This episode is directed and hosted by Dave Meyer, produced by Robbie Lockie and music by Robel Borja.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with martial arts legends!
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Rigan Machado
01:15 – The Machado & Gracie Family Legacy
04:30 – Rigan’s Early Years in Brazil
08:00 – Training with Family: The Big House
12:45 – Competing in Judo, Sambo, and Wrestling
16:20 – Moving to the United States
20:10 – Building BJJ in America & Hollywood Connections
25:00 – Celebrity Students and the UFC
29:30 – Rigan’s Movie Career & Directing
34:00 – Teaching Philosophy & Advice for Students
38:15 – Awarding the Coral Belt & John Will’s Impact
42:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Choose the Right Academy
45:00 – Outro: Stay Connected & What’s Next
Links from the show
Walker Texas Ranger - Machado clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUSqG89vWwI
Rigan Machado school in Beverly Hills
https://www.theacademybeverlyhills.com/
Blow for Blow movie
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0FBKL6F9Q/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A
