Better Than Average

This week on Better Than Average, we build our own makeshift studio and hit record—no excuses, just real talk all caught on film. We dive into Topuria’s big win at UFC 317 and what’s next for the Lightweight Division. Jay walks us through his recent NAGA success, sharing match insights, takeaways, and a little behind-the-scenes from the mats.Then we flip the script with a full breakdown of American Psycho—what makes it iconic, the layers of satire, and whether Patrick Bateman is a misunderstood genius or just completely unhinged.New setup, same mindset: Always Better Than Average.

Episode 117 – The Pod Collective This week, Chris and Jay are joined by a good friend and fellow training partner, Jack — a creative force both on the mats and behind the camera. Jack shares his journey balancing Jiu Jitsu with entrepreneurship, diving into his startup The Pod Collective, a platform for building and elevating podcasts, and his media company OSS Media Ltd, which focuses on storytelling through high-impact visuals and production.We talk training culture, staying disciplined in business and in BJJ, and what it takes to grow a brand from scratch. Whether you’re into rolling, content creation, or just trying to level up — this one’s all about living Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are back from their summer breaks with stories to tell—Jay recaps his trip to San Francisco, while Chris went fully off the grid in the south of France. We catch up on all the latest from UFC 316, including Kayla Harrison’s dominant submission win, slick finishes from Kevin Holland and Merab Dvalishvili, and what they say about the evolving grappling game in MMA. Plus, we break down this week’s movie pick: Training Day. Does it still hold up? Spoiler: King Kong ain’t got nothing on this episode. This is the big reunion you have been waiting for, is it worth it? We’ll let you judge, but it’s certainly Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we’re diving into the gritty brilliance of The Departed—Scorsese’s crime epic packed with tension, double-crosses, and some unforgettable performances. From there, we head down a rabbit hole into the world of dueling culture—how honor, pride, and pistols preserved honourable discourse amongst the politicians of 1800s America. Finally, we unpack a curious pattern in Jay’s recent movie recommendations… and let’s just say, it gets weird. Be sure to check this one out, it’s not perfect, but it is Better Than Average.

This week, Chris and Jay explore the fine line between control and chaos. They kick things off with a raw and real conversation about parenting styles—how different approaches shape kids, the pressure of doing it “right,” and the madness that sometimes comes with the territory. Then, they revisit the psychological horror classic The Shining, unpacking Jack Torrance’s spiral, Stanley Kubrick’s unsettling direction, and what makes this film a timeless descent into darkness.To close things out, the boys reflect on Bo Nickal’s shocking UFC loss and how even the most dominant athletes can find themselves lost in the storm.This one is a little hectic, but is still Better Than Average.

Chris and Jay are back with another classic episode of the Better Than Average Podcast! This week, the guys dive into a Robert De Niro staple — Taxi Driver — a film that sparks more debate than expected (and not always for the smartest reasons). But the hottest arguments don’t stop there.Chris shares his take on skin-to-skin training, Jay takes a moral stand against repping another BJJ school’s brand, and the boys break down Europe’s rising Jiu-Jitsu powerhouses.It’s a little all over the place — but that’s what makes it Better Than Average.

The boys are riding high after hosting a huge podcast guest, and the energy is undeniable. This week, we dive into a fresh review of Ryan Gosling’s Drive, plus an old-school gem straight from Uncle Jay’s classic movie archive.But that’s just the beginning. Expect a whirlwind of topics, from the state of European politics to Tesla’s recent struggles, and even a questionable attempt at unpacking the theory of gravity. Not what you were expecting? Don’t worry, we’ve still got all the usual Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and man chat, along with a heartfelt appeal to one of Jay’s favorite brands.Buckle up, this one is Better Than Average.

In Episode 107 of the Better Than Average Podcast, Chris and Jay sit down with comedian, podcaster, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt Chris Ramsey! As a seasoned pro behind the mic, Chris sets the bar high—and the guys do their best to keep up.They dive into his journey in stand-up, the wild ride of hosting a hit podcast with his wife, and, of course, his experiences on the mats. Chris shares what drew him to Jiu-Jitsu, how training has changed his mindset, and what it really means to become a “Jiu-Jitsu Guy.”Packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of BJJ talk, this one is definitely Better Than Average.

Chris and Jay are back with another classic episode of Better Than Average! This week, we break down one of BJJ’s biggest matchups and dive into a fascinating period of American history—thanks to our movie review of Lawless. Intrigued? You should be.But that’s not all. Jay’s vigourosity comes under scrutiny, and Chris gets a crash course in endocrinology. Packed with laughs, sharp MMA and Jiu-Jitsu insights, and our signature brand of man chat, Episode 105 is a classic. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy—we promise it’s Better Than Average!

Chris and Jay are back after a going AWOL last week. Episode 104 is a short one, but it’s packed with all the antics you know and love. Jay shares an update on his recent IBJJF gold medal win (and his BJJ fanboy moment), while the guys dive into a fun debate on military research, neatly tying into this week’s movie recommendation - Edge of Tomorrow. If that wasn’t enough action for you, we get a little at the biggest UFC matchups on the horizon and Chris experiences the death stare. Intrigued? You should be. It may not be cutting-edge, but it’s definitely Better Than Average.

Episode 103 – Back to Basics with Chris and JayThis week, Chris and Jay are back at Uncle Jay’s, adjusting to reality after the highs of last week’s trip to London’s Lyceum Theatre. While the comedown is real, there’s always a silver lining—this episode is packed with all the classic Chris and Jay antics. Expect a clumsy yet entertaining review of The Adjustment Bureau, the latest MMA updates, and a check-in on their Jiu-Jitsu progress. It’s a return to form, delivering everything you love about the show. As always, it’s Better Than Average.

Welcome to Episode 102!This week, Chris and Jay step off the mats and into the world-famous Lyceum Theatre in London to meet Scar and Mufasa themselves. You might be wondering what Better Than Average Podcast is doing at the home of Disney’s The Lion King, but here’s the twist—George Asprey and Shaun Escoffery aren’t just stars of one of the West End’s longest-running musicals. They’re also Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts.In this episode, they share behind-the-scenes stories from The Lion King, talk about their journey in Jiu-Jitsu, and discuss the connection between their training on the mats and their performances on stage. From discipline and preparation to the challenges of live theatre and competitive grappling, this conversation goes in some unexpected directions.This one is full of insight, great stories, and plenty of laughs. Trust us—it’s definitely Better Than Average.

Welcome to Episode 101!This week, Chris and Jay step in for Scott and Alain on The Reef Podcast. Now, we know what you’re thinking—those Reef guys run a tight ship, and you’re not sure if we can bring the same high-level Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and critical insight… and honestly, you’d be right.But hey, we are who we are, and we do what we do. Expect the usual mix of movie references, BJJ banter, and general man chat—plus, we dive into the biggest debate in Jiu-Jitsu and discuss MMA’s most infamous flat-earther.The best part? Whether you’re tuning in for Episode 101 of Better Than Average or Episode 11 of The Reef Podcast, the result is still… Better Than Average.

Welcome to Episode 100!For this milestone-smashing edition of the Better Than Average Podcast, the boys take a nostalgic deep dive into the 1978 classic Superman. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Man of Steel or just here for the usual chaos, don’t worry—we’ve got all the MMA, BJJ, and man chat you’ve come to expect.Jay shares his thoughts on his recent trip to Marrakesh, with plenty of stories along the way. Meanwhile, Chris attempts to pull Jay into a deep analysis of Marcelo Garcia’s return to the spotlight, though whether he succeeds is another matter. And just when you think things are settling down, something unsettling comes to light—there’s been a disturbing presence lurking in the woods beyond the Swanston Estate, and it’s more than just a rumor.Is this our greatest episode ever? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure—it’s definitely Better Than Average.

Episode 99: The Penultimate Show?Chris and Jay are nearing the incredible milestone of 100 episodes, but could this really be the second-to-last Better Than Average podcast? A scary thought—but don’t worry, this week is packed with classic Chris-and-Jay banter to keep you smiling.The episode kicks off with a quick dive into Coach Carter, featuring Jay’s take on the film and an unexpected old-school movie recommendation you won’t see coming. Not a film buff? No problem. We switch gears to hear all about Jay’s recent Jiu-Jitsu competition and get the latest update on Circle of Vigour BJJ.This is also the episode where Chris completely loses his composure, and Jay finds himself hilariously defeated—not by an opponent, but by a fork. Intrigued? You should be. Episode 99 is 100% Better Than Average.

Better Than Average Podcast – Episode 98In this action-packed 30-minute episode, Chris and Jay put their podcasting skills to the ultimate test: delivering a quality show in record time. Do they succeed? That’s for you to decide. What’s certain is that they cover an impressive amount of ground in half an hour.The duo kicks things off with a recap of last week’s compelling interview with BJJ Black Belt and Member of Parliament, Will Stone—an episode that’s already being called a game-changer. Then, they dive into a thoughtful and entertaining review of Django Unchained, offering fresh insights on Quentin Tarantino’s modern classic. Lastly, they drop some tantalizing hints about an exciting new project that just might be coming to a town near you.Was 30 minutes enough to fit it all in? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing’s for sure: Episode 98 lives up to the show’s name. It’s still Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into a classic vengeance flick that’s nearly as brutal as their recent BJJ grading ceremony. Jay relives the highs of his Brown Belt promotion, Chris pieces together the wild aftermath of the Christmas party he skipped out on, and we’re treated to Jay’s surprising attempt at a husky, country-western singing voice. Packed with stories, laughs, and unexpected twists, this episode promises to be Better Than Average!

Welcome to Episode 92 of the Better Than Average Podcast!Chris is AWOL this week, but fear not—Nigel, the biker with the voice of an angel, is back in the saddle! Join Jay and Nigel as they go completely uncensored, diving headfirst into a wild mix of topics. Expect plenty of fiery MMA talk, some controversial takes, and all the usual BJJ banter, movie insights, and unapologetic guy talk you’ve come to love.Is the show better without Chris? We’ll leave that for you to decide—but one thing’s for sure, this week’s episode is truly Better Than Average.

Episode 89, this is the big collaboration we have been waiting for. Chris and Jay catch up with Alain Pozo and Scott Johnson, hosts of The Reef Podcast. Alain gives us an insight into what it was like training BJJ in the old days, life in Brazil and some of the more curious experiences you have as a NAGA referee. Scott gives fills us in on his BJJ origin story and shares some of their experiences starting a JiuJitsu podcast and Chris and Jay do their normal thing. So, how was our first visit to The Reef? We think you’ll agree, it was Better Than Average.

Welcome to Better Than Average Podcast Episode 86! We catch up with Chris and Jay after their long road trip to visit The Reef Podcast. Don’t worry, despite doing two podcasts in two days, the boys don’t miss a beat this week. There is a comprehensive review of Point Break, a discussion about good police work and a little insight into Jay’s opinions on some of the “softer” army regiments. Lots of movie chat, lots of laughs and only one clumsily executed piece of “time travel”. Check it out, episode 86 is 100% Better Than Average.