Cliff Lim’s son started jiu-jitsu before he started school. What began as an activity for his son eventually helped transform Cliff’s health, family and outlook on life.

After nearly reaching 400 pounds, living with diabetes and undergoing surgery to remove part of his lung, Cliff realized that what he had accepted as “normal” needed to change. He opens up about depression, drinking, the end of his relationship and his determination to give his son a different childhood than the one he experienced.

Cliff also shares how CJJF Central gave his family a place to reconnect, restored his sense of community and helped bring faith and hope back into his life.

Today, Cliff is a healthier, more active blue belt who is learning to trust himself, enjoy the process and keep moving forward.

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.