This is a conversation with Christian Pierce, a black belt out of New York, New York, USA currently living in Zurich, Switzerland. He also has a black belt in Hoteikan Jiutjitsu. Christian is a researcher, lecturer, and PhD candidate in organizational studies and cultural theory. He’s a US Army veteran and graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point.

Episode Links:

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

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianpierce1/

* Alliance Jiujitsu: https://www.allianceofficial.com/en/

* Sportegration: https://sportegration.ch/en/

* Student Veterans of America: https://studentveterans.org/

* OUR Racism: https://www.ourcontexts.org/podcasts-racism

Reference Links:

* Carlson Gracie Laranjeiras: https://www.instagram.com/carlsongracie_laranjeiras/

* Aranya Barcelona: https://www.instagram.com/aranyabarcelona/

* Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

* Grounded Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grounded_theory

* Ronin Grappling Values: https://roningrappling.com/values/

* The Strongest Karate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCiZxLdda6s

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:32 Journey to Black Belt

03:07 Defining Black Belt Expertise

12:13 Social Proof and Validation in Jiujitsu

28:29 Community in Jiujitsu

42:07 PhD and Jiujitsu Communities

47:03 The C5 Framework: Connection, Consent, Challenge, Credibility, Care

54:59 Care in Leadership

59:55 Pressure and Authenticity in Different Contexts

01:11:37 Reverse Mentorship

01:19:28 Cultural Insights from Jiujitsu

01:23:43 The Role of Associations in Jiu Jitsu

01:34:27 Sports Integration and Community Building

01:40:06 Early Life

01:43:24 MMA and West Point

01:47:42 Navigating the Transition from Military to Civilian Life

01:54:41 Mental Health Challenges and Jiujitsu

02:07:31 People are People

02:17:58 Future Aspirations and Community Engagement

02:20:45 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 Brady McLean, a black belt out of Sheridan, Wyoming, USA. Brady is motorcycle philosopher with a focus on mental health. He's also a CrossFit coach, brand representative for Go Fast, Don't Die, and writer of the On Any Someday e-mail newsletter.

Episode Links:

* Go Fast, Don't Die: https://www.gofastdontdie.com/

* On Any Someday Email: https://www.gofastdontdie.com/pages/on-any-someday

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

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-mclean-06975668/

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradythejiu/

* Devil's Stone Run: https://thedevilstonerun.com/

* Crooked Motorcycles: https://crookedmotorcycles.com/

* Grindhouse Sheridan: https://www.instagram.com/grindhouse.sheridan

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:23 This Specific Black Belt

04:28 Journey to Black Belt

09:53 The Philosophy of Goals and Work

14:34 Getting Into CrossFit

24:06 Jiujitsu Today

30:03 Life Lessons from Risky Activities

39:23 Painful Lessons From Building Businesses

50:57 Authenticity Over Appearance

01:01:01 The Power of Reflection

01:07:14 I Feel Outstanding

01:11:40 Humility and Authenticity in Inches

01:22:03 Investing Time and Embracing Life

01:35:21 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 Nora Schoenthal, a black belt out of Cologne, Germany currently living in Barcelona, Spain. Nora is a mother and career person who has taken a hiatus from jiujitsu. She works in HR and is a head of People with a focus on Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development.

Episode Links:

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

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

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:25 Journey to Black Belt

03:59 Teaching vs. Competing in Jiu-Jitsu

06:22 Building a Community for Women in Jiu-Jitsu

09:20 Being Accepted in BJJ

14:22 Balancing Teaching and Personal Growth

21:08 Dealing with FOMO in the Jiujitsu Community

30:23 Finding Balance in Jiu Jitsu and Life

34:21 The Art of Talent Acquisition

40:32 Leveraging Internal Talent Markets

46:26 Motivating Employees for Continuous Learning

55:14 Balancing Automation and Human Touch in Hiring

59:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Development

01:06:41 The Role of HR Business Partners in Strategy

01:13:30 Learning and Development

01:18:16 Measuring Success in Learning and Development

01:23:24 Favorite Parts of the Job

01:27:00 Finding Your Own Path

01:32:49 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 Adam Marburger, a black belt out of Alton, Illinois, USA. Adam is an author, owner and CEO of multiple businesses, speaker, coach, and gym owner.

Episode Links:

* Alton Elite Jiujitsu - https://altonelite.com/

* Ascent Dealer Services - https://www.ascentdealerservices.com/

* River Bend Rescue - https://riverbendrescue.com/

* Book - You're The Fucking Problem - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W64DPNK/

* Book - The Servant Leading F&I Manager - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966840004/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-marburger/

* Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adammarburger/

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

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:18 Journey to Black Belt

03:20 Coaching and Teaching

06:23 BJJ, MMA, and Muay Thai

09:29 Martial Arts and Family Life

14:57 Starting a BJJ Gym on the Side

20:44 Injuries

26:28 Entrepreneurship

35:12 All the Business Ventures

39:42 The Art of Delegation

46:25 Morning Routines and Gratitude

50:47 The Writing Process

56:33 Personal Transformation Through Adversity

01:10:16 Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

01:13:48 Future Aspirations and Family Focus

01:15:45 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 "Wreck It" Randy McCarty, a black belt out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Randy is a electronics technician, outdoorsman, lifelong rifle and bow hunter, and retired professional MMA fighter.

Episode Links:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wreck_it_randy_mc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randy.mccarty.58

Jesse Briggs MMA Academy: https://www.instagram.com/briggsmma/

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:21 Journey to Black Belt

03:22 Teaching and Learning in Jiu-Jitsu

06:20 Overcoming Challenges and Injuries

09:07 The Role of Jiu-Jitsu in Life

12:24 Fighting Background and Transition to MMA

24:46 Mental Warfare in Combat Sports

27:44 The Origin of Wreck-It Randy

32:12 The Impact of Knockouts on Health

37:44 A Life of Hunting

53:26 The Silence of Hunting and Self-Reflection

57:30 Hiking

01:02:57 Parenting Lessons and Personal Growth

01:05:26 Embracing Pain and Consistency in Life

01:13:19 Future Aspirations and Life Goals

01:19:43 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 Paris Lee, a black belt out of Howell, New Jersey, USA. Paris is an immigration lawyer in the US. His practice focuses on families, but he also supports BJJ athletes with their American immigration needs. He also is also the co-owner of Holles Gracie Edison.

Episode Links:

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

* Website: https://www.njimmigrationattorney.com

* Rolles Gracie Academy Edison: https://www.instagram.com/rollesgracieedison

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-lee-3b920b24/

Reference Links:

* US EB1 Visa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-1_visa

* US O Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_visa

* US P Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P_visa

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:22 Journey to Black Belt

03:19 Finding Passion in Jiu-Jitsu

09:07 Injuries in Jiujitsu

12:59 Smaller Bodies and Understanding Jiujitsu

22:25 Life as BJJ Visa Lawyer

26:49 Athlete Immigration

30:03 Understanding Visa Qualifications for Athletes

34:40 Challenges in Sports Immigration

39:01 Visa Types: O, P, and H1B Explained

43:22 Coaches and Support Staff in Sports Visas

46:53 Running a Small Immigration Law Firm

51:56 The Journey to Immigration Law

58:11 Long-Lasting Client Relationships

59:55 The Fulfillment of Helping Others

01:02:18 Transitioning to Immigration Law

01:05:21 Navigating Vulnerability in Immigration

01:11:15 Finding Hope in Adversity

01:14:59 Preparing for Change in Immigration

01:19:44 Building a New Jiu-Jitsu School

01:22:09 Creating a Positive Training Environment

01:27:54 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 Petrus Paulus Steyn, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Paulus is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Assistant professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and life long Scuba diver.

Episode Links:

* Hospital: https://www.chop.edu/doctors/steyn-petrus-paulus

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

* Teaching: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p9279638

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=36588

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:21 Journey to Black Belt

06:17 The Difficulty of Good Coaching

10:53 Life and Jiujitsu

18:34 Working with Children in Medicine

24:08 Navigating Patient Interactions

30:42 Being a Patient

32:20 The Reality of Anesthesia: High Stakes Moments

37:43 The Journey to Becoming a Doctor

42:22 The Impact of Malpractice Concerns

53:59 Teaching the Next Generation of Medical Professionals

01:07:57 The Fascination and Limitations of AI

01:15:48 Humility and Communication

01:29:59 The Joy of Scuba Diving

01:37:09 Overcoming Fear in Diving and Skydiving

01:43:07 The Thrill and Risks of Skydiving

01:50:36 The Importance of Humility in Life

01:56:28 Life Advice and the Future

02:02:55 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 Steve Jolly, a black belt out of El Paso, Texas, USA. Steve is a Minister, traveled the world helping to provide clean water, and is the Founder/Director of the Rio Bravo project.

If you have the financial ability to donate to the Rio Bravo Project, go to https://www.riobravoproject.com/give where you can either do a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution. Or if you have the ability to donate kids Gis or other BJJ gear, reach out to Steve directly on Instagram.

Episode Links:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenjolly

* Rio Bravo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riobravoproject

* Rio Bravo Project: https://www.riobravoproject.com/

* Rio Bravo Donations: https://www.riobravoproject.com/give

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=16487

* Give Clean Water Charity: https://givecleanwater.org/

Contact:

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

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:47 Journey to Black Belt

03:46 Getting into BJJ

09:48 Ego and Tapping in Jiujitsu

12:56 Teaching Kids Jiujitsu

15:45 Discipline and Self-Control in Martial Arts

25:00 The Rio Bravo Project

33:24 Funding the Dream: Grassroots Support

36:15 Going Beyond Jiujitsu

41:08 Comprehensive Programs for Kids

50:17 Getting Clean Water to Fiji

59:40 Living Life for Others

01:09:01 Education to Ministry

01:11:41 Finding Your Own Definition of Ministry and Service

01:15:31 Connecting Through Service

01:22:01 Global Perspectives on Life

01:28:31 Looking Ahead

01:32:05 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

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

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

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