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Off the Mats Podcast

Off the Mats Podcast

By: Jake Dante
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The Off the Mats Podcast is hosted by Jake Dante, a jiu jitsu practitioner in Maryland and all around regular guy. On the show, various topics are discussed ranging from training to dealing with injury and mental health as it relates to martial arts. We also talk about other topics outside of that realm that can go anywhere from comic books to films to pro wrestling and even just general family life.Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Biographies & Memoirs Combat Sports & Self-Defense Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Off the Mats Podcast #305- Beyond Motivation feat. Moe Brown
    Mar 23 2026

    Moe Brown returns to the Off the Mats Podcast for a conversation on discipline, identity, and general catching up on our thoughts about the current UFC and life on the mats.

    In his first appearance, Moe, known for his “Moetivate” mindset, spoke about building structure through jiu-jitsu. But in this episode, we further expand on what that means. We break down what happens after the foundation is built, when life gets chaotic, motivation fades, and discipline is no longer optional.

    We share our thoughts on the UFC 326 main event between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira and what mixed martial arts includes. We also discuss the upcoming UFC White House card and the upcoming interim heavyweight title fight. We return to jiu jitsu conversation as we talk about the difference between motivation and real discipline, how ego can quietly stall your progress, and why most people don’t quit jiu-jitsu because of technique, but because they lack structure outside the gym. Moe also opens up about burnout, pressure, and the reality of trying to live up to the mindset you promote.

    This episode isn’t about techniques or highlight reels, it’s about who you become through jiu-jitsu.

    We also discuss: • What discipline actually looks like on your worst days • The responsibility of leadership as others start watching you • Balancing consistency without becoming obsessive • Why longevity, not intensity, is the real key to progress

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or questioned your place in jiu-jitsu, this conversation will hit.

    Because at the end of the day, jiu-jitsu isn’t just about getting better on the mats, it’s about becoming someone better off them.

    🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all platforms.

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Off the Mats Podcast #304- BJJ Culture and Community feat. Chris Tran, Mark Rollamas, and Erica Rivera
    Mar 16 2026

    In Episode 304 of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Chris Tran, Mark Rollamas, and Erica Rivera for a roundtable conversation about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts culture, and the lessons that come with training and community.

    Together, we reflect on how our relationships with jiu-jitsu have evolved, from the beliefs we held as white and blue belt students to the realities of training today. We also discuss how much unlearning is required to grow in the art, whether it’s better to sharpen your strengths or focus on fixing weaknesses, and how perspective changes the longer you stay on the mats.

    The conversation also moves into some honest BJJ hot takes, including trends in modern grappling, old-school concepts that may have been abandoned too quickly, and opinions that might be too controversial for social media.

    To close out the episode, we run through a rapid-fire round of jiu-jitsu questions, covering favorite submissions, the toughest positions to escape, advice we ignored early in training, and the belt levels that are most misunderstood.

    This episode is a relaxed but insightful conversation about martial arts growth, mindset, and the evolving culture of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from people who have spent years learning the hard lessons that only time on the mats can teach.

    🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Off the Mats Podcast #303- Sport, Discipline, and Kettlebells feat. Dana Zornes and Mike Lee
    Mar 9 2026

    On this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, Dana Zornes and Mike Lee of RazeBells and the All American Kettlebell Open return for a wide-ranging conversation about coaching and participating in youth sports, the current state of kettlebell sport, endurance strength, and the mental side of long-form training.

    Dana shares insight into how kettlebell sport continues to evolve from upcoming competitions and events to the difference between sport kettlebell lifting and general fitness training. We discuss how the discipline of kettlebell sport emphasizes skill, breathing, efficiency, and long-term resilience rather than simply chasing numbers or intensity.

    The conversation also moves beyond training. Dana talks about helping coach his daughter’s youth softball team, the importance of keeping kids engaged in sports, skill acquisition, and how early athletic experiences shape the way people approach competition and discipline later in life. Mike reflects on his love for niche sports, such as frisbee and cycling, staying active, and how experience and mobility can often compensate for raw athleticism.

    With UFC 326 playing in the background, we also get into the evolving business side of combat sports, including the UFC’s Paramount+ deal and the broader question of whether major media partnerships help grow a sport or dilute it.

    At the core of the episode is a deeper discussion about the mental side of endurance strength. Dana and Mike break down what actually happens mentally during long sets and explores whether athletes tend to break mentally before they break physically.

    From coaching strategies and discipline under fatigue to lessons that carry beyond the gym, this episode explores what kettlebell sport can teach about resilience, patience, and staying composed under pressure.

    If you’re a grappler, strength athlete, coach, or anyone interested in the mindset behind endurance training, this conversation offers insight into the mental framework required to perform when fatigue sets in.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
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