Forever White Belt

Robson Moura is a world champion, IBJJF Hall of Famer, longtime black belt, academy owner and founder of Robson Moura Nations United (RMNU). In this episode, Adolfo Foronda skips the well-documented highlight reel and asks how Robson keeps learning today. They cover what has changed in jiu-jitsu, in teaching and in the business of running an academy.In this episode:- How jiu-jitsu went from the "street fighter" image of the 90s to a global sport- Why today's athletes are more physically prepared, and why Robson says the old generation fought for the legacy while the new one fights for the medal- Staying open-minded, including the time he asked a blue belt to show him an armlock again- Gi vs. no-gi, and why wrestling and jiu-jitsu make such a tough combination- How his teaching has changed over 20 years, and the student story that made him see the responsibility of being an instructor- Common mistakes instructors make, and the mistake he made as a new academy owner when he assumed gold medals would bring in students- Running RMNU: how he chooses affiliates, the curriculum, the yearly camps and keeping a shared culture- Why building culture is harder than building technique or a business- Fatherhood, training for the long run, and 30 years as a black beltIG @robinhomoura 🥋 MatAdmin, academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month. @getmatadmin🧂 SALT Electrolytes, use code FWB for 15% off. @SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with me Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM at @northbayjiujitsuLike and subscribe if you enjoy the show.#jiujitsu #bjj #grappling #bjjtraining Timestamps:2:22 Modern jiu-jitsu and today's athletes6:06 Old techniques, new names7:45 Staying open-minded12:13 Wrestling, and gi vs. no-gi14:01 How his teaching has changed17:09 The student story that changed his mindset20:19 Mistakes instructors make23:00 Teaching students to find their own style, and training safely25:27 From competitor to business owner27:31 Building RMNU30:25 What's hardest to grow: culture, teaching or business31:40 Mistakes champions make when opening an academy34:03 What he's excited to learn now36:17 The future of RMNU37:58 Why he still trains39:25 Where to find Robson, and closing thoughts

In this episode, Matt Kwan (a black belt under Rob Biernacki, owner and head instructor at On Guard BJJ in British Columbia) shares insights from his recent competition experiences, coaching philosophy, and evolving approach to jiu-jitsu training and teaching. Discover how he integrates adaptive strategies, mental models, and personal growth into his martial arts journey. In this episode, Matt Kwan shares insights on running a successful jiu-jitsu gym, the importance of instructor development, and the current state of competitive jiu-jitsu. He discusses his approach to teaching, managing injuries, and navigating the evolving landscape of the sport.@onguardbjj🥋 MatAdmin, academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month. @getmatadmin🧂 SALT Electrolytes, use code FWB for 15% off. @SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with me Tuesday and Thursday at 6 AM at @northbayjiujitsu

In this episode I'm joined by Kevin Johnson, black belt, coach, gym owner, content creator, and the man who has somehow managed to build a brand around being the internet's number one mediocre jiu-jitsu coach.Kevin is the co-owner and head instructor at Ivy Jiu-Jitsu in Tennessee, and what really interested me about talking with him is his approach to teaching. He's become a big advocate for games, live resistance, concept-based learning, and building jiu-jitsu for regular people who have jobs, families and limited training time.I dig into how Kevin thinks people actually learn jiu-jitsu, how his teaching has evolved, and what he's learned from running a room full of very different students.Links:https://www.instagram.com/kevins_jiujitsu/🥋 MatAdminRobust academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month flat fee, unlimited members.http://matadmin.app@getmatadmin🧂 SALT ElectrolytesUse code FWB for 15% off.@SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with meDrop in on my Tuesday and Thursday 6 AM classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, CA.@northbayjiujitsu

Most tall grapplers are losing for the same reason, they’re fighting jiu-jitsu like they’re shorter. Rob Bernacki breaks down why long limbs change everything, from overextension and hand fighting to why certain guards, sweeps, and submissions become far more dangerous when you’re six-foot-plus.Adolfo Foronda sits down with Rob Bernacki, the head instructor and owner of Island Top Team and the creator of BJJ Concepts, for a deep, practical look at how taller athletes can build a game that actually fits their body type. The conversation goes far beyond “use your reach” and gets into the real mechanics that make tall people hard to sweep, hard to pass, and surprisingly explosive when they learn how to manage range correctly.You’ll discover:Why extension is the biggest beginner mistake for tall athletes, and why it costs more the longer your limbs are How range, not just position, changes the way tall people should play guard and pass Why knee shield can become nearly impossible to beat for long-femur players Which attacks get disproportionately stronger with height, including the triangle, straight ankle lock, and omoplata Why bottom Kimura obsession can stall a tall player’s development fast How back control should look for long athletes if they want to make it truly sticky Rob also gets into the teaching side of the equation, explaining why instructors often default to “average-sized jiu-jitsu,” how to coach body types without turning class into 20 private lessons, and why the best learning environments are built around creating the right problem, not just demonstrating the right move. He makes a strong case for constraints-based training, contextual drilling, and the ability to guide attention without overloading students.If you’re a taller grappler, coach taller students, or just want a sharper understanding of how body type changes the game, this episode is packed with details you can use immediately. It’s also essential listening for instructors trying to build better classes, better curriculums, and more adaptable students, not just more memorized techniques.Rob also shares a candid update on burnout, stepping back from the day-to-day academy grind, and why seminars, instruction, and BJJ Concepts still energize him in a way running a brick-and-mortar school no longer does. Links:https://bjjconcepts.net/https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam/🥋 MatAdminRobust academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month flat fee, unlimited members.matadmin.app @getmatadmin🧂 SALT Electrolytes: Use code FWB for 15% off. @SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with meDrop in on my Tuesday and Thursday 6 AM classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, CA. @northbayjiujitsu

Professor Jay Pages returns to Forever White Belt to talk about how his coaching has evolved, including how he has integrated ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach into his teaching without feeling the need to go all-in on any single methodology.We get into what "eco adjacent" actually looks like on the mats, how Jay designs training games, develops better problem solvers, and continues refining the way he teaches.We also talk business. Jay shares his perspective on marketing martial arts academies, organic growth, building genuine connections, and why staying curious and open-minded matters just as much in running a gym as it does in coaching.Follow Jay at @jayjpagesA great conversation about evolving your ideas without throwing away everything that came before.Support the show:🥋 MatAdminSimple academy management software for martial arts gyms. $39/month flat fee, unlimited members.matadmin.app@getmatadmin🧂 SALT ElectrolytesUse code FWB for 15% off.@SaltElectrolytes🥋 Train with meDrop in on my Tuesday and Thursday 6 AM classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, CA.@northbayjiujitsu