All Episodes

Explore our complete collection of conversations on mastery, resilience, and the warrior mindset.

January 29, 2026

Professor John Will: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Evolution, Self-Defense, and Building Safety Nets | EP. 26

Description: In this episode, I sit down with Professor John Will, one of Australia's most legendary martial artists and the person who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the continent. John is now a coral belt in BJJ, was the first Australian to earn a black belt in the art, and has over 45 years of teaching experience with everyone from beginners to elite military units, including the Australian Defense Forces, US Marine Corps, and FBI. We discuss what makes a truly great martial arts school, the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a simple fighting system to a global sport, and why what gets you in the door isn't what keeps you there for decades. John shares his powerful "5% improvement" philosophy for making progress in martial arts and life, the critical importance of building safety nets before taking risks, and why learning how to learn might be more valuable than any technique. We also dive into practical self-defense concepts, including "the fence" for situational awareness and conflict prevention, the Four D's of street attacks, and why most self-defense classes miss the mark. John opens up about fear, anxiety, mental toughness, and how the skills developed on the mat—problem-solving, incremental progress, and resilience—translate directly to success in business, relationships, and personal growth. Whether you're a BJJ practitioner, martial artist from another discipline, or someone interested in personal development through physical training, this conversation delivers actionable wisdom, honest insights about the realities of combat training, and inspiration to keep showing up for the long game. Contact Links for John Will: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.b.will.7 Previous John Will Episode: https://youtu.be/ZxPifNLKTUo?si=fzFuPAmz_H7KhSTg Redcat Academy https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/ Jeff Thompson's book “Watch My Back” https://a.co/d/aWTTcp7 BJJ Essential Tactics: Volume 1 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum) https://a.co/d/5bqB4ki BJJ - Level Up Your Game: Volume 2 of the Dirty Dozen BJJ Curriculum (BJJ - A Dirty Dozen Curriculum) https://a.co/d/00Ca5wn Sifu Douglas Wong https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/about-masterwong.html White Lotus King Fu https://www.whitelotuskungfu.com/ Robert Strong, Comedy Magician https://www.strongentertainment.com/ Marcello Garcia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler) Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction: Building Safety Nets 0:50 - Meet John Will: BJJ Pioneer in Australia 2:26 - What Makes a Good Martial Arts School 4:33 - Why People Really Train BJJ 10:03 - The Simplicity That Hooks You 12:42 - Complexity That Keeps You There 14:50 - Self-Defense Reality Check 18:30 - The Fence: Managing Distance and Danger 20:20 - The Four D's: Dialogue, Distance, Distraction, Destruction 24:45 - Fear vs Action: When It's Real 32:35 - Understanding Fear and Anxiety 38:18 - Safety Nets in Life and Training 40:00 - Evolution of BJJ: From Fighting to Sport 44:00 - The Arms Race of Techniques 48:00 - Women in BJJ: The Sport's Growth 54:00 - Teaching People How to Learn 59:30 - The 5% Improvement Philosophy 1:02:00 - Small Steps to Big Goals 1:07:50 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find John Will Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

January 28, 2026

Frank Shamrock: From Prison to UFC Champion — The Mindset That Built a Legend | EP. 25

Frank Shamrock joins me Dave Meyer for a deep, honest conversation about martial arts, MMA, mindset, and the life experiences that shaped one of the most well-rounded fighters of his era. Frank shares his path from a difficult childhood and time in the system to discovering martial arts, training in Japan, and ultimately becoming a UFC champion. This episode goes beyond fight stories, Frank breaks down how biomechanics, discipline, curiosity, and personal responsibility helped him evolve as a fighter and as a human. He also opens up about mental health, the emotional aftermath of winning, and the hard lessons that came from losses. Plus, Frank explains how he now applies martial arts principles to leadership and executive coaching, including work with major organizations. If you’re into MMA history, UFC legends, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, performance psychology, leadership training, and personal transformation, this interview is packed with insights. Topics covered: Frank Shamrock’s origin story: childhood, crime, prison, and turning his life around Early MMA and training in Japan (Pancrase era) Why “beginner’s mind” matters in martial arts and business Biomechanics, systems, and learning how to learn Mental health, trauma, and why a big win felt depressing Confidence, discipline, honesty, and performing under pressure How martial arts principles translate to leadership and team performance Show Chapters 00:00:00 Intro cold open: “defend your family… still live a good life” 00:00:51 Who Frank Shamrock is + why this interview matters 00:01:47 Dave & Frank reconnect (Santa Cruz / Jeremy Corbell) 00:02:06 Frank’s origin: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and early inspiration 00:03:09 First exposure to combat sports: boxing via his stepdad 00:03:50 Early struggles: getting kicked out of sports + emotional issues 00:04:20 Leaving home young + first felony (rocks at a train) 00:04:51 Juvenile hall → realizing home life wasn’t normal 00:05:17 Crime → prison by 17; prison as the turning point 00:06:04 MMA is born while Frank is inside; deciding to become a champion 00:07:13 Paroled in 1994 → straight to the gym; 16 years of training 00:08:01 “Knowledge is the most valuable thing” (beginner’s mind + systems) 00:10:10 Japan & Pancrase: learning culture, presentation, and principles 00:13:31 “I’m a white belt forever” + why belts weren’t the point 00:18:34 UFC debut: 14-second win… and unexpected depression 00:21:40 Losses, identity, and the mental-health journey behind competition 00:36:20 Nervous system training: breathing, visualization, and performance 00:37:45 “Head arc theory” + building a system through observation 00:40:01 Translating fight principles into leadership (Google / exec coaching) 00:01:15:14 Where to find Frank + closing thoughts / outro Show Notes Links: Website: https://frankshamrock.com/ Documentary: https://frankshamrock.com/doc Uncaged by Frank Shamrock: https://frankshamrock.com/books/uncaged-my-life-as-a-champion-mma-fighter-zgpgx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankshamrock/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frankshamrock X: https://x.com/frankshamrock?lang=en

January 14, 2026

BJJ BONUS: Krissa Hjartar: Mastering Leg Attacks, Training with Men & Building Confidence | Ep. 24

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Krissa Hjartar, a 5-time Icelandic National Judo Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, ...

January 14, 2026

The Ego Trap: What 35 Years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Taught Me About Success | Ep. 23

Many years ago, I sat across from a martial arts "master" who claimed his punch could burst someone's aorta. That moment taught ...

January 6, 2026

Adapt and Prevail: The #1 Skill That Can to Win When There's No Win in Sight. | Ep. 22

Many people don't fail because they're mentally weak, they fail because they're mentally rigid. In this episode, I explore one of the most powerful skills I've learned from decades of martial arts training: the power of adapting. Whether you're in a BJJ match, running a business, or facing life's unexpected challenges, your ability to adapt determines your success. Key insights covered: • Why rigidity defines your boundaries, but adaptability is boundless • The difference between discipline and stubbornness • How to know when to stay the course vs. when to pivot • Viktor Frankl's philosophy on adapting your attitude when you can't change circumstances • Practical examples of adaptation from BJJ, music, and disaster response As Bruce Lee wrote: "Absorb what is useful, discard what's not, and add what's uniquely your own." 📺 Chapters From The Show 📺 0:00 - Introduction: Mental Rigidity vs. Mental Weakness 0:52 - The Power of Adapting Explained 1:37 - When to Stay the Course vs. When to Adapt 2:27 - How Systems and Species Adapt 3:02 - Musicians and Real-Time Adaptation 3:59 - Game Plans vs. Adaptability in Competition 5:06 - Martial Arts Evolution: From Japanese Jiujitsu to MMA 6:48 - The Early UFC Days 7:15 - Physical and Mental Rigidity 7:46 - Adaptability is Boundless 8:07 - Anger and Emotion Block Adaptation 8:46 - Inertia: The Hidden Enemy of Progress 9:13 - Henry Ford's "Faster Horses" Quote 9:21 - Hurricane Katrina Pet Rescue Story 10:10 - Innovating with MapQuest 11:32 - The Cat Rescue Strategy 12:51 - Calling the Owner: Bad News and Good News 14:45 - Lessons from Adaptation in Practice 15:18 - Discipline vs. Adaptation 15:27 - BJJ: Adapting Like a Surfer 15:50 - Alchemy of Outcomes: Lottery vs. Losing a Leg 16:41 - Viktor Frankl and Finding Purpose in Suffering 17:40 - Adapting Goals vs. Adapting Actions 18:33 - The Business Pivot (Eric Ries & The Lean Startup) 19:14 - Famous Company Pivots 19:47 - Weeds, Side Effects, and Byproducts 20:35 - Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Philosophy 21:19 - Professor Wally Jay: "World War III Weapons" 21:57 - Attack vs. Counter-Attack 22:41 - Bobbing, Weaving, and the "Unsweepable" Drill 23:46 - Creating Chaos to Win 24:30 - The Titanic Analogy 25:26 - Adapting as You Age 26:10 - Your Challenge: What's Blocking You? 26:36 - The Serenity Prayer 27:21 - High School Beach Football Story 29:03 - Conclusion: Adapt and Prevail 30:02 - Call to Action & Happy New Year Links for Show notes: Tom Skeeter, Sound City https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_City_Studios Carlos Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie Helio Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9lio_Gracie Mitsuyo Maeda https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsuyo_Maeda UFC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship https://www.ufc.com/ Mapquest https://www.mapquest.com/ Hurricane Katrina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina Viktor Frankl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl Auschwitz Concentration Camp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp Eric Ries, The Lean Startup https://theleanstartup.com/ Bruce Lee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee Dan Inosanto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Inosanto https://inosanto.com/ James DeMile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_DeMile Professor Wally Jay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Small Circle Jujitsu https://smallcirclejujitsu.com/ Winston Churchill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill Professor David Mitchell https://www.instagram.com/dmitch442/?hl=en Professor John Will https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Will_(fighter) https://www.redcatacademy.com.au/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A 🔔 Subscribe for weekly lessons from the Ageless Warrior Lab 💬 Share your adaptation stories in the comments!📺

January 2, 2026

BJJ BONUS: Bob Bass - 2nd US BJJ Black Belt, Stories of the Gracie & Machado Early Days | Ep. 21

🥋 In this episode, Dave Meyer sits down with Professor Bob Bass—Dirty Dozen member, the SECOND non-Brazilian to ever receive a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1995), and one of the first non-Brazilians to receive the prestigious Coral Belt (7th degree black belt)(2024), making him one of the BJJ “Gang of Eight”. Bob shares stories from the earliest days of BJJ in America, including: • His first encounter with Rickson Gracie and Royce Gracie in a garage in 1985 • How he convinced Rigan Machado to stay in America and open a school • Building the legendary training platform in Rigan's backyard with garage doors • The historic 1995 Pan-American match against Marcio Feitosa • Training wars with Craig Kukuk, the first American BJJ black belt • Gene LeBell showing up on a motorcycle doing wheelies • The politics and referee controversies of early BJJ tournaments • Why he's still rolling at 63 and plans to train until 70 Bob Bass was consistently the top fighter out of the Machado Academy and helped prove that Americans could compete with—and beat—the best Brazilians. This interview is essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the roots of BJJ in the United States. 📺 CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: Who is Bob Bass? 1:03 Dave Meyer introduces Bob Bass & the 1995 Pan-Ams 7:27 The interview begins 8:27 Bob's first encounter with Rickson Gracie (1985) 10:25 Rolling with Royce Gracie for the first time 11:53 "Tigers without claws" - Wrestling meets Jiu-Jitsu 13:10 Rigan Machado arrives from Brazil 14:02 Convincing Rigan to stay in America 16:42 The Gracie name controversy & birth of "Machado Jiu-Jitsu" 18:09 The Machado brothers arrive one by one 20:37 Dave's journey to the Redondo Beach backyard 22:55 The pivotal 1995 Pan-American Games 24:51 The bathroom encounter with Marcio Feitosa 28:08 The Brazilian referee advantage 32:38 Weigh-in shenanigans at tournaments 34:29 Why Bob stepped away from competition 35:16 Getting his black belt from all five Machado brothers 41:27 Meeting Carlos Gracie Sr. 46:36 The evolution of BJJ: Sport vs. Street 1:01:45 The dangers of foot attacks in real fights 1:04:22 "Shut them off" - Why chokes are king 1:05:23 Aging in Jiu-Jitsu: Bob's secrets to longevity 1:08:54 Learning never stops: Growing your "tree" 1:17:01 Gene LeBell shows up on a motorcycle 1:29:40 Outro: Keep developing your strength & wisdom 👊 ABOUT THE DIRTY DOZEN: The "Dirty Dozen" refers to the first twelve non-Brazilian black belts in BJJ history. This podcast series documents their stories and preserves the history of how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu spread across the world. Links from Show: To contact Bob Bass for seminars, BobBassJJ @ Gmail.com (no spaces) Rickson Gracie https://www.ricksongracie.com/ Rorion Gracie https://www.roriongracie.com/ Royler Gracie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royler_Gracie Carlos Gracie Junior https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Gracie_Jr. IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) https://ibjjf.com/ 1995 IBJJF Pan American Games- Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UauuTMMsJL4 1996 Bob Bass v. Marcio Fetosa https://youtu.be/7Kii9qrQ7KE?si=gMaJVInvJID1UsA0 Black Belt Legacy https://blackbeltlegacy.com/ Mm9nYnh0bDdsczRx Follow Your Heart restaurant https://www.theheartmarketcafe.com/ Atama Kimonos https://atamausa.com/collections/mens-jiu-jitsu-kimonos Kickskin http://www.kikskinmartialarts.com/main.asp The Compound MMA https://www.thecompoundmma.com/ Gene LeBell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Bart Vale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Vale Dan Inosanto https://inosanto.com/ Erik Paulson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Paulson Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

December 30, 2025

The Psychology of Competition: Why Winning Shouldn't Be Your Goal | BJJ & Life Lessons | Ep. 20

Are you thinking about entering your first competition? Or struggling with competition anxiety? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of competition—why you should compete, how to prepare mentally and physically, and why winning shouldn't be your primary goal. Drawing from decades of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition experience, this episode covers: ✅ The TRUE reasons to compete (hint: it's not about the gold medal) ✅ How to manage pre-competition anxiety and stress ✅ The "bracket" concept—understanding what's actually in your control ✅ Why caring LESS about winning can help you win MORE ✅ Practical preparation tips for your training camp ✅ The role of a corner coach and what they should (and shouldn't) say ✅ How to learn from both wins AND losses ✅ Mental strategies for stepping onto the mat with confidence Whether you're into BJJ, grappling, MMA, or any competitive sport, these principles apply universally. Competition is a path of self-discovery that reveals who you truly are under pressure. Chapters from the show. 0:00 - Introduction: What Defines a Champion 1:04 - Why Talk About Competition 1:26 - The True Meaning of "Amateur" 2:34 - Reasons to Compete: Setting Goals & Focus 3:19 - Learning to Deal with Adrenaline 4:53 - Dealing with Stress & Doing Hard Things 5:39 - Exposing Weaknesses in Your Game 6:26 - Creating Memorable Life Experiences 7:42 - Why Winning Shouldn't Be Your Main Goal 9:13 - The Math of Winning (Odds Are Against You) 10:07 - What Winning Really Means 10:53 - Personal Story: Never Winning a Race in High School 12:22 - Understanding Your "Bracket" (Best vs Worst Performance) 14:58 - The Paradox: Caring Less Can Help You Win 16:12 - Reasons People Don't Compete 17:12 - Dealing with Ego and Fear of Losing 18:31 - Managing Competition Anxiety (4 Tools) 20:05 - The Risk of Injury 21:51 - Tips for Competition: Train Like It Matters 22:56 - How to View Your Opponent 24:51 - Learning from Wins AND Losses 27:28 - Finding Lessons in Your Wins 29:58 - Benefits Without Winning 30:48 - Applying Competition Mindset to Work & Life 31:28 - BJJ-Specific Tips Begin 31:59 - The Importance of a Corner Coach 35:58 - Corner Coach Advocacy & A Personal Story 38:56 - Preparation: Training Camp Tips 39:21 - Plan Beats No Plan 40:37 - Situational Training 42:38 - Travel & Logistics Planning 44:05 - Scouting Your Competition 44:59 - Day Before: Weight & Nutrition 45:45 - Minutes Before: Warming Up Properly 47:24 - Grip Warm-Up for Gi Competition 47:44 - Deep Breathing Before the Match 48:04 - Mental Attitude When Stepping on the Mat 49:26 - The Alley Cat vs Tiger Mentality 50:11 - Preparation vs Spontaneity 51:00 - What "Do Your Best" Really Means 52:15 - Final Thoughts: Competition Isn't for Everyone 53:27 - "You Don't Know What I've Been Through" 54:00 - Forge Your Spirit in the Fire of Competition 55:08 - Closing & Call to Action Links for Show notes: “Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling” book https://a.co/d/dOweTaX Gene LeBell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell Don Jacob https://purple-dragon.com/founder-don-jacob/ Music “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

December 24, 2025

BJJ BONUS: Karate Black Belt to BJJ Trailblazer With Melissa Will | Ep. 19

In this BJJ Bonus episode, I sit down with Melissa Will—one of the true pioneers of women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With nearly 36 years on the mats, Melissa has been training longer than any other non-Brazilian woman in the world. Melissa shares her incredible journey from being a 2nd-degree karate black belt to discovering BJJ at a seminar taught by John Will (who would later become her husband). She describes the moment she realized her karate was "useless" when pinned on the ground—and how learning the bridge and roll changed everything. We discuss what it was like being the ONLY woman on the mat for years, how she won the Pan-American Championships at blue belt in 1997, and the mental shift required to keep training after taking 9 years off to raise her son Felix (now also a BJJ black belt and instructor). Melissa offers invaluable advice for women starting in martial arts, guidance for men training with women, and insights on building a healthy gym culture that welcomes everyone. 🥋 Topics Covered: 🥋 Her transition from karate to BJJ 🥋 Being a woman pioneer in the sport 🥋Winning competitions against heavier opponents • Romantic relationships between instructors and students 🥋Training philosophy: "The more you tap, the more you learn" 🥋Tabata training and staying fit at 55 🥋Raising a BJJ black belt son 🥋Building inclusive gym culture 🥋Advice for women and men in BJJ Links mentioned in the show Andrew Bews physical trainer http://www.andrewbews.com.au/ Melissa Will books: Australia Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillAUST USA Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillUSA UK link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillUK ITALY link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillIT Canada Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillCA Japan: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillJapan Music: “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A “Erotic Spring” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/track/20RAs5iOvZGYSxQTjx8AAM?si=5c2e9b66c221483d Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and music kindly provided by Robel Borja.

December 18, 2025

You’re Measuring Success Wrong

Most people chase the wrong metrics. They think a black belt, a promotion, or a trophy defines their journey. But what if I told you ...

December 17, 2025

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO FIGHT?

In this episode, I sit down with John Will as he opens up about being bullied growing up in Australia and how that pain became his ...