Antonio Bale Jr. | Family, Cancer, and Finding His Way Back to Jiu-Jitsu

Antonio Bale Jr. started jiu-jitsu because of his son. A few years later, he found himself facing a much bigger challenge outside the gym.

After undergoing emergency surgery for a tumor in 2022, Tony experienced complications that kept him away from training for an extended period. He talks about the uncertainty of recovery, the support he received from his teammates at Gracie Barra Kapolei, and how his perspective on jiu-jitsu changed.

Today, Tony continues to train, spend time on the mats with his children, and help raise money through Tap Cancer Out.

We talk about family, health, community, and learning to appreciate the opportunity to train.

Tap Cancer Out Donations:
https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/fundraiser/7365511

Rashguard Preorder:
https://www.hawaiisneakerheads.com/merch

Antonio's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/antoniobale_/

Steve Maxwell witnessed the beginning of American jiu-jitsu from the inside.

He opened one of the earliest Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schools on the East Coast, became Relson Gracie’s first black belt, invested in the original UFC and watched UFC 1 from ringside as Royce Gracie changed martial arts forever.

Steve shares stories from the early Gracie Academy, the challenge-match era, earning his black belt in Hawaii and surviving a 45-minute fight against a much larger NCAA wrestling champion.

Now approaching 74, Steve is still training and teaching. He also shares practical advice for older practitioners, including why we should tap early, avoid rolling to exhaustion and keep jiu-jitsu playful.

This is a firsthand look at where American jiu-jitsu began and what it takes to stay on the mat for life.

Kawika Yoneda grew up believing he was meant to become a fighter. When that path disappeared, he lost his sense of identity and struggled with depression. Jiu-jitsu gave him a new direction.

Kawika and his wife, Jamie, eventually sold nearly everything and moved from Hawaii to California with four suitcases. While Kawika trained full-time at the Art of Jiu Jitsu Academy under Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, Jamie worked long hours to help keep their dream alive.

They later returned to Hilo and took another leap of faith by opening Roma Jiu Jitsu Academy. In this conversation, Kawika shares the story behind Roma, the importance of Romans 5:1–5, receiving Rafael Mendes’ own black belt and building a program focused on faith, humility, character and the next generation.

This is more than Kawika’s jiu-jitsu journey. It is the story of what Kawika and Jamie built together.