Forever White Belt

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

Corbin LaPorte may be best known as one of Nicky Rod’s key training partners and a rising talent at Simple Man Martial Arts, but this conversation is less about competition and more about how he became such an effective student and teacher of jiu-jitsu.We discuss Corbin’s unusually rapid learning curve, how his approach to studying instructionals has evolved, the difference between collecting techniques and developing usable skill, and why sleep, recovery, and time away from the mats can be essential parts of improvement.Corbin also explains how teaching has changed his understanding of jiu-jitsu, how he answers technical questions from elite training partners, what makes someone easier to coach, and how instructors can help students learn without overwhelming them.Topics include:• Learning how to learn jiu-jitsu• Turning instructional content into usable skill• Balancing obsession with rest and recovery• Developing problem-solving ability on the mats• Becoming a better instructor• Teaching techniques versus concepts• Creating productive training environments• Maintaining perspective while pursuing high-level goalsWhether you are a white belt, an experienced practitioner, or an instructor trying to improve your teaching, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it actually takes to keep developing.Follow Corbin LaPorte on Instagram:@corbin_laporteLearn more about Simple Man Martial Arts in Austin, Texas.Support the show:MatAdmin is simple academy-management software built for smaller martial arts schools. Manage members, classes, attendance, and more at MatAdmin.app.If you are near Novato, California, join me for the Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 a.m. classes at North Bay Jiu Jitsu.Please subscribe, like the episode, and leave a comment with the idea from Corbin that stood out most to you.Forever White Belt PodcastInstagram: @foreverwhitebeltshow

Tom Astarita, founder of Modern Art Jiu Jitsu, is a highly regarded instructor known for his thoughtful, conceptual teaching style and innovative approach to leg locks and guard. He’s trained with some of the best in the world and is dedicated to making Jiu-Jitsu accessible, fun, and sustainable.Most people think mastering hundreds of techniques is the key to unlocking Jiu-Jitsu greatness. Tom Astarita reveals a counterintuitive approach: focusing on just one or two "strange" moves, like the Baratoplata or Z-lock, can fundamentally transform your game. Rather than drowning in collections of techniques, learn how emphasizing concepts and simplicity accelerates your growth and keeps the art enjoyable.In this episode, Tom shares how his philosophy of "swords and shields" helps practitioners build a resilient, effective game without overcomplicating things. You'll discover: why most instruction is too dense and how to distill your training into core principles; the importance of safety, flow, and patient learning in progressing faster; and how adopting Japanese terminology brings clarity and focus to your technique. We also dive into how modern social media influences competition and why our love for the moment of rolling and competing can get clouded by highlight reels.Tom discusses how old-school Jiu-Jitsu prioritized genuine love for the art over social media fame, a mindset he believes we need to revive. He emphasizes that the best students are those who prioritize safety, presence, and a deep love for the craft over flashy moves or belts. Plus, Tom reveals his approach to gym ownership, blending community-building with concrete techniques, and how to keep your training fun, safe, and inspiring over the long haul.Whether you're a beginner looking to break through plateaus or a seasoned practitioner aiming for more meaningful progress, this episode will challenge conventional wisdom and inspire you to reframe your entire Jiu-Jitsu journey. Perfect for those who want to simplify, deepen their understanding, and fall in love all over again with the sport that captivates us all.Admin Software for your gym only $39/month - MatAdmin @getmatadminhttps://www.instagram.com/youngjimihendrix/https://www.instagram.com/modernartjj/Follow the show on Instagram: @foreverwhitebeltshowBuy some great rash guards fwb.printful.meBuy me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/foreverwhitebelt