In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Robyn Henderson for an honest, non-performative conversation about sobriety, identity, and rebuilding life off the mats.

Robyn has been on the show before to talk about jiu-jitsu and competition. This time, the focus is deeper. We talk about life before sobriety, the moments that made change unavoidable, and what it actually feels like to sit with yourself once the crutch is gone. There’s no rock-bottom mythology here, just a real discussion about fear, accountability, and learning how to show up consistently without numbing out.

We also explore how jiu-jitsu fit into Robyn’s recovery, not as a cure-all, but as a place that demanded humility, presence, and honesty. From early sobriety and emotional discomfort to redefining identity without alcohol, this episode centers sobriety as a lived, ongoing process rather than a finish line.

This conversation is for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol, navigating recovery, or trying to figure out who they are when the distractions fall away. No slogans. No inspiration bait. Just two people talking honestly about what it means to stay present and keep going.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, CSCS, for a grounded conversation about mental performance, anxiety in athletes, and identity beyond competition. Tom’s work sits at the intersection of strength culture and mental health, and we talk openly about what that actually looks like in practice, especially in environments like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and strength sports where toughness is often valued over honesty.

We discuss Tom’s athletic background, his experience living with OCD, and how anxiety shows up for athletes who appear “put together” on the outside. From there, we unpack the difference between mental performance and mental health, the risks of pushing through everything, and how coaches can respond when athletes open up instead of shutting down. We also explore strength culture’s complicated relationship with vulnerability, what healthy toughness really means, and how athletes can begin separating self-worth from performance.

This episode is for grapplers, coaches, parents, and athletes navigating pressure, on the mats and off them, who want practical tools, clearer language, and a more sustainable approach to resilience.

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Ana Stevens of Underground 702 to talk through her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey and the weight-loss transformation that unfolded alongside it. Ana shares what led her to step onto the mats for the first time, the fears and hesitations she carried early on, and how training gradually reshaped her relationship with her body, consistency, and self-belief.

Our conversation explores the intersection between BJJ and sustainable weight loss, how jiu-jitsu provided structure, accountability, and community, and how physical changes influenced her confidence, movement, and performance on the mats. Ana speaks candidly about setbacks, plateaus, mental battles, and the moments that tested her commitment when progress slowed or motivation dipped.

We also discuss the role of teammates, coaches, and support systems in long-term change, as well as what her training looks like today compared to when she started. The episode closes with practical advice for listeners who feel overwhelmed by starting BJJ, intimidated by weight loss, or unsure whether meaningful change is possible for them.

This is a grounded conversation about patience, resilience, and growth—on the mats and beyond them.