This is a conversation with Steve Jolly, a black belt out of El Paso, Texas, USA. Steve is a Minister, traveled the world helping to provide clean water, and is the Founder/Director of the Rio Bravo project.

If you have the financial ability to donate to the Rio Bravo Project, go to https://www.riobravoproject.com/give where you can either do a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution. Or if you have the ability to donate kids Gis or other BJJ gear, reach out to Steve directly on Instagram.

Episode Links:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenjolly

* Rio Bravo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riobravoproject

* Rio Bravo Project: https://www.riobravoproject.com/

* Rio Bravo Donations: https://www.riobravoproject.com/give

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=16487

* Give Clean Water Charity: https://givecleanwater.org/

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:47 Journey to Black Belt

03:46 Getting into BJJ

09:48 Ego and Tapping in Jiujitsu

12:56 Teaching Kids Jiujitsu

15:45 Discipline and Self-Control in Martial Arts

25:00 The Rio Bravo Project

33:24 Funding the Dream: Grassroots Support

36:15 Going Beyond Jiujitsu

41:08 Comprehensive Programs for Kids

50:17 Getting Clean Water to Fiji

59:40 Living Life for Others

01:09:01 Education to Ministry

01:11:41 Finding Your Own Definition of Ministry and Service

01:15:31 Connecting Through Service

01:22:01 Global Perspectives on Life

01:28:31 Looking Ahead

01:32:05 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Heidi Cheng, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Heidi is a Fashion Engineer and Technical Designer, a seamstress, and a reclaimer of goods.

Episode Links:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi.im_heidi

* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=45315

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-cheng-449792a/

* Training Academy: "The Jiujitsu Company" - https://www.instagram.com/thejiujitsucompany

* Decorative Embroidery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashiko

* Mending Pottery with Gold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:17 Journey to Black Belt

01:18 Heidi's Seminar

06:58 Discovering the Love for Jiu-Jitsu

12:49 Advice for Women in Jiu-Jitsu

17:58 Overcoming Challenges in Training

20:10 The Joy of Learning and Problem Solving

23:11 Crafting and Creativity Beyond the Mat

26:54 Getting into Sewing

35:03 The Role of a Technical Designer

39:32 Navigating Challenges in Fashion Design

42:22 Seeing Your Work in the Real World

44:31 Transitioning to 3D Design

47:00 Personal vs. Professional Sewing

48:58 The Pursuit of Perfection

52:10 Embracing New Hobbies

56:27 Life Advice: Stick with It

01:02:19 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb

This is a conversation with Dylan Freedman, a black belt out of Jamestown, New York, USA. Dylan is a Corrections officer trainer for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He also travels the US and helps to teach defensive tactics for the company Effective Fitness Combatives.

Episode Links:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/freedbjj

* Effective Fitness Combatives: https://www.efcombatives.com/

Contact:

* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest

Outline:

00:00 Intro

00:23 Journey to Black Belt

03:57 Naming Things

11:07 Transitioning from Military to Martial Arts

17:01 The Evolution of Grappling Sports

25:26 Combat Sports in the 90s

29:15 Importance of Fundamentals and Ego

34:15 Understanding Human Behavior in Corrections

44:06 Misconceptions About Corrections Officers

51:12 Martial Arts in Law Enforcement Training

01:05:48 Understanding Defensive Strategies in Self-Defense

01:18:06 Not Getting Into Filmmaking

01:24:28 The Impact of Military Experience on Personal Growth

01:27:41 The Journey Over the Destination

01:34:30 Outro

Podcast Links:

* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/

* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify

* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple

* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss

Social:

* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod

* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod

* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social

* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb