Ready to trade guesswork for a real plan on the mats? We sit down with coach and gym owner Ryan Conforti of Rogue Wave in West Palm Beach to unpack a modern approach to jiu-jitsu that actually scales from day one to advanced competition. Ryan explains why the sport’s evolution now rewards wrestling, pressure, and clean guard passing, and how those same priorities make you safer in self-defense and smarter in MMA contexts.

Ryan’s story runs through striking, judo, MMA, and deeply technical no-gi systems—experience that shaped a transparent curriculum designed to take a beginner to purple belt with standards you can trust. We break down how belts map to real skill, why purple sits in the “advanced” pool alongside brown and black in many no-gi events, and how to avoid overpromotion traps that hurt credibility. For those curious about the top of the sport, we spotlight ADCC: trials, brackets, and what it takes to compete on the biggest stage.

Training smart matters. You’ll hear why swimming outperforms road miles for jiu-jitsu cardio, how rock climbing builds transferable grip and endurance, and what a two-day strength template should emphasize: core control, rotation, heavy carries, and durability over fluff. We share a practical weekly recipe for busy adults—stacking mat time, lifts, and one swim—plus mobility and Pilates to unlock hips, shoulders, and the posterior chain. We also address injury fears with a clear look at safe culture, tapping early, and how exposure builds calm under pressure. The unexpected bonus: community. Jiu-jitsu becomes a third place where effort beats status, confidence grows, and mental health gets a lift.

If you’re ready for a five-year roadmap with real checkpoints—not slogans—we’ve got you. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with the one habit you’ll add this week to move forward.