In this episode of “The Lex Fridman Podcast,” Lex Fridman sits down with members of the B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, including Craig Jones, Nicky Rod, and Nicky Ryan. They discuss various topics related to the world of Jiu-Jitsu, including their training philosophies, competition mindset, and the evolution of the sport. They also touch on personal experiences, controversies, and the camaraderie among top grapplers in their community.
The B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, formed after the Donohar Death Squad split up, is a legendary team in Austin, Texas. They emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and not rushing to achieve goals. The process of achieving a black belt is based on knowledge and teaching ability, not just competition success. Winning and losing are seen as essential for growth, and the rank of black belt holds significant meaning for them. They approach competition with a focused mindset, blocking out distractions and treating it like any other training day.
The speakers enjoy pushing the boundaries with their humor, but they also gauge reactions to avoid crossing the line. They joke about various topics, including the speaker being Switzerland in World War II. Despite personal differences, they acknowledge the positive aspects of training with former teammates. Maintaining a balance between humor and personal relationships is important for a healthy training environment.
Minimal warm-ups are preferred before competitions, as they believe there are no warm-ups on the street. Whether they win or lose, they try to move on quickly and make a joke out of it. Their approach to competition involves collecting time instead of chasing submissions to win in overtime. Unwillingness to tap in competition can be seen as a sign of a champion.
The Jiu-Jitsu community fosters an underlying deep camaraderie among top grapplers in the same town. The B-Team Jiu-Jitsu aims to create well-rounded athletes by teaching top game, bottom game, and wrestling. They emphasize the importance of focusing on fundamentals and asking questions to understand why techniques work.
Accusations of steroid use and greasing in grappling competitions have caused controversy. The speakers believe that using steroids in sports is cheating, regardless of its legality. They acknowledge the risks associated with steroid use and the varying amounts individuals take. The topic of steroids in sports remains a contentious issue.
The B-Team Jiu-Jitsu members provide insights into their training philosophies, competition mindset, and the evolving landscape of Jiu-Jitsu. They emphasize the importance of continuous improvement, the value of personal relationships, and the challenges of competing in a sport with controversies. Through their experiences, they shed light on the dedication and passion required to excel in Jiu-Jitsu.