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© 2025 The Ageless Warrior Lab | A Dave Meyer Podcast
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Dave Meyer | Host, Ageless Warrior Lab podcast | Co-founder and CEO of Food System Innovations and Humane American Animal Foundation
David Meyer is a pioneering American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, and accomplished non-profit founder and Philanthropist.
David co-founded and served as CEO of Adopt-a-Pet.com for two decades, turning it into the world’s largest nonprofit homeless pet adoption website and helping save millions of animals, before its acquisition by Mars Inc.
Today, David leads Food System Innovations and Humane America Animal Foundation, leading in farm animal welfare and the protein transition movement. He frequently advises U.S. lawmakers on these issues, and has raised and deployed over $160 million in philanthropic capital as part of his work in the nonprofit space.
In his athletic career, David has risen to the highest ranks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). He earned his black belt from Rigan Machado in 1996 and ranked among the first Americans (“the Dirty Dozen”) to do so. He was the first American to medal at the black belt level at the BJJ World Championships in Brazil in 1998, and continues to compete, winning world championship titles in his age division.
As a martial artist and instructor, he taught at UCLA, Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo, and developed globally used grappling curricula with John Will, including customized material for Chuck Norris’s UFAF association.
Meyer also played a critical role in post-Katrina animal rescue, co-authored key books on BJJ and pet care, and co-founded a Haiti orphanage for children with HIV, exemplifying a lifetime of impactful leadership in both martial arts and philanthropy.
David resides in the San Francisco Bay, and continues to coach BJJ athletes while actively managing Food System Innovations and Humane America Animal Foundation.
16 Episodes
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Join host David Meyer as he sits down with Chris Haueter, one of the legendary "Dirty Dozen"—the first non-Brazilian black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). In this in-depth conversation, Chris shares his unique journey from a Southern California beach kid and punk rock enthusiast to a pioneering martial artist and influential BJJ instructor. Discover the untold stories behind the spread of BJJ in America, the origins of the Dirty Dozen, and the pivotal role of the Machado and Gracie famili...
Join us for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with Arvind Gupta—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, venture capitalist, biotech pioneer, and lifelong learner. Hosted by Dave Meyer, this episode dives deep into the parallels between martial arts and entrepreneurship, the mindset required to build world-changing companies, and the personal stories that shaped Arvind’s journey from athlete to investor. Arvind shares his experiences in extreme sports, the lessons learned from failures and vi...
In this episode, we dive deep into the reality that time is our most precious, and limited, resource. Drawing from personal stories, life-changing realizations, and practical advice, you’ll learn why you may have less time than you think, how to make every moment count, and how to avoid the trap of mediocrity. Discover exercises to help you refocus your life, find your purpose, and start living with intention today. If you found this episode useful, please subscribe, like, and share. Leave yo...
Join host Dave Meyer as he sits down with Sensei Mike Valentine, co-founder of Practical Martial Arts in Northern California. In this deep-dive conversation, Mike shares his unique approach to martial arts—one that goes far beyond punching and kicking. Discover how martial arts can build resilience, character, and real-world strength in kids, teens, and adults alike. Mike draws on decades of experience and a passion for neuroscience to explain how struggle, failure, and the right mindset can...
Unlock the secrets to lifelong strength and fitness with BJJ Black Belt Dave Meyer in this episode of the Ageless Warrior Lab! At 63, Dave shares his personal exercise protocol, proven strategies for building functional strength, and the six pillars of "homework" that keep him in top shape—decades after most slow down. Whether you’re a martial artist, athlete, or just want to stay fit as you age, discover practical tips on strength, flexibility, endurance, speed, balance, and toughness....
Join host Dave Meyer for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with Jeremy Corbell—martial artist, artist, documentary filmmaker, and one of the leading voices in UFO/UAP journalism today. In this episode of the Ageless Warrior Lab, Jeremy shares his journey from a scrappy, out-of-control kid to a disciplined martial artist, successful artist, and now a prominent investigative journalist uncovering the mysteries of UFOs. The discussion dives deep into the power of mentorship, the importa...
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of anxiety—what it is, how it manifests, and most importantly, how to overcome it. Drawing from personal experiences in high-stakes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, neuroscience insights, and practical tools, you'll learn how to manage both situational and generalized anxiety. Discover the difference between fear and anxiety, why even elite athletes and professionals experience it, and how our brain chemistry plays a crucial role. We explore actio...
In this gripping episode of Ageless Warrior Lab, BJJ Black Belt and Dirty Dozen member Dave Meyer takes you on a journey through the heart of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, sharing powerful stories of animal rescue, courage, and the raw reality of fear. Discover how martial arts wisdom and real-life crisis experiences reveal the difference between fear and danger, and learn practical strategies to manage fear—whether you’re facing a life-threatening storm, a bully, or your own inner anxieties...
EP.Join David Meyer and John Will as they sit down with the legendary Rigan Machado—one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a key member of the iconic Machado and Gracie families. In this in-depth interview, Rigan shares his journey from growing up in a house full of future BJJ champions, to dominating competitions in Brazil, pioneering Jiu Jitsu in the United States, and working with Hollywood’s biggest stars. Discover untold stories about the origins of the UFC, th...
Unlock the secrets to true confidence with Dave Meyer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and martial arts champion. In this episode, Dave shares powerful stories from the mat, including lessons from legends like Gene LeBelle and the Machado brothers, and reveals the real difference between confidence, underconfidence, and overconfidence. Discover practical tools to build lasting confidence, avoid the pitfalls of arrogance, and learn how humility can be your greatest ally. Whether you're an athle...
Step into a transformative conversation between BJJ Black Belt David Meyer and world-renowned author and spiritual teacher Dan Millman, best known for "Way of the Peaceful Warrior." In this episode of the Ageless Warrior Lab, discover how martial arts, mindfulness, and self-awareness can unlock your true potential—no matter your age or background. Dan Millman shares his journey from world champion gymnast to bestselling author, revealing the winding path of turning passion into purpose. Learn...
What if the secret to winning—on the mat, in business, and in life—wasn’t about overpowering your opponent, but about understanding them better than they understand themselves? In this episode, BJJ World Champion and entrepreneur David Meyer shares the life-changing lesson he learned from a crushing defeat at the World Championships in Rio. Discover how the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can help you close multimillion-dollar deals, build powerful partnerships, and even navigate tough conv...
In this episode, we dive deep into the art of transforming adversity into opportunity. Join us as we follow a journey from the mats of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio, through nonprofit challenges, to the heart of animal rescue during Hurricane Katrina. Discover how setbacks, injuries, and unexpected obstacles can become the very fuel for growth, resilience, and success. You’ll hear personal stories of overcoming physical injury, navigating high-stakes nonprofit negotiations, and finding gratitude...
Welcome to Episode 2 of our podcast, featuring an in-depth conversation between host David Meyer and his mentor, the legendary martial artist and instructor John Will. In this episode, John shares his extraordinary journey from being bullied as a child in Australia to becoming one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and martial arts education worldwide. John Will recounts his early days traveling through Southeast Asia, training in diverse martial arts styles, and fou...
Welcome to the Ageless Warrior Lab! In this episode, BJJ Black Belt and Dirty Dozen member Dave Meyer reveals the secrets to getting better, faster—on the mats, in business, and in life. Drawing on decades of martial arts experience, Dave shares three powerful rules that separate those who dabble from those who dominate. Whether you're a Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioner, an entrepreneur, or anyone striving for self-improvement, you'll discover actionable strategies for deliberate practice, goa...
Welcome to the Ageless Warrior Lab podcast! In this debut episode, I share my personal journey from a childhood in Los Angeles studying martial arts, to becoming a world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and my unexpected path into animal welfare and tech entrepreneurship. You'll hear stories about training with legends, building a global nonprofit, and the life lessons I've learned along the way. Whether you're passionate about martial arts, personal growth, or making a difference...
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