When I first invited Carissa Batiller onto the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast, she told me she wasn't from Hawaii and that she was just a nobody who started jiu-jitsu late in life.

I told her that everybody has a story. And after spending an hour talking with her, I think you'll agree.

Carissa started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 52 years old. Now 57, she's a blue belt training at North Coast Jiu Jitsu in Vista, California. Her husband is a black belt, and together they've made jiu-jitsu a big part of their lives.

But getting started wasn't easy.

At five feet tall, Carissa is usually one of the smallest and oldest people on the mats. She's dealt with injuries, frustrating training sessions, and times when she didn't feel like going to class. Through it all, she's learned to adapt, ask questions, and appreciate the people who help her improve.

One thing I really enjoyed about our conversation was her attitude toward learning. She's been a blue belt for three years and isn't in a hurry to get promoted. She doesn't compete and has no interest in collecting medals. She just wants to learn, enjoy herself, and keep getting better.

We also talked about the differences between gi and no-gi training, the importance of finding good training partners, and why understanding the purpose behind a technique can be more valuable than simply memorizing movements.

Another interesting part of Carissa's story is her recent retirement from nursing.

After working in hospitals, hospice, and home health care, she decided it was time for a new chapter. Her last patient was a 101-year-old woman, an experience that left her feeling hopeful about the years ahead.

Now she's looking forward to spending more time with family, training jiu-jitsu, and helping introduce her three-year-old granddaughter to martial arts through a children's judo program.

Carissa and I discovered that we have quite a bit in common. We both started jiu-jitsu in our 50s, we're both smaller practitioners, and we both recently retired. We also share an appreciation for the friendships, challenges, and lessons that come from spending time on the mats.

We discuss how jiu-jitsu can become a reset button when life gets stressful, why training doesn't have to be about competition, and how staying physically and mentally active becomes increasingly important as we get older.

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Carissa what advice she'd give someone who thinks they're too old to begin.

Her answer was simple: Just show up. Find a place where you feel comfortable, know why you're doing it, and give yourself a chance.

That's something I think applies to more than just jiu-jitsu.

You don't need to be young, athletic, or a competitor to enjoy the journey. And you don't need to be famous or accomplished to have a story worth sharing.

Thank you, Carissa, for sharing yours.

Connect with Carissa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissa_in_oside/

Academy: North Coast Jiu Jitsu, Vista, California

About the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast

We share stories from people connected through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from beginners to black belts and everyone in between.

It's not about fame, medals, or belt rankings. It's about the people, their experiences, and the lessons we can learn from one another.

Everybody has a story.

#SmallManJiuJitsuPodcast #CarissaBatiller #BJJOver50 #BrazilianJiuJitsu #NeverTooLate #WomenInBJJ #JiuJitsuJourney #BJJLifestyle

After a recent attempted kidnapping on Oʻahu, I sat down with Gilberto from Aloha Roll Academy to talk about situational awareness in everyday life.

Gilberto shares how his experiences shaped the way he thinks about safety and what he teaches his students. We talk about noticing what’s happening around us, staying attentive in places like parking garages, and how people nearby can help when someone may be in danger.

This conversation isn’t about judging the woman’s response or saying there’s one perfect way to handle a dangerous situation. It’s about learning to pay attention, asking for help when we need it, and looking out for one another.

Little Wisdoms with the Small Man — Episode 7.

At 51 years old, standing just 4'9" and weighing under 100 pounds, Vicky Kim is showing that jiu-jitsu isn't just for the young, strong, or physically gifted.

In this episode of the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast, I sit down with Vicky, a purple belt from Culture Academy in Southern California, to talk about her journey from Brazil to the United States, her unconventional beginnings in jiu-jitsu, and her passion for encouraging more women to step onto the mats.

Vicky first discovered jiu-jitsu in 1996 while attending college in São Paulo, Brazil. She was fascinated by the students practicing techniques and having fun, but the cost of training was beyond what she could afford.

After moving to the United States in 2001 and learning English from scratch, she finally began training in 2013. Her first academy wasn't what most people would expect. It was a small UFC gym where students trained inside a boxing ring. When her instructor eventually left, she followed him to a friend's garage, where she continued training and earned her blue belt in 2017.

Eventually, Vicky wanted more opportunities to train with women and people closer to her size. That led her to larger academies and a community that has become an important part of her life.

We talk about the challenges of training as a smaller practitioner, the importance of technique over strength, and how jiu-jitsu has helped Vicky become more confident and assertive outside the academy.

Vicky also shares her experience competing at the Masters Worlds, where she moved up a weight division and earned third place. For her, the friendships and connections she made were just as meaningful as the competition itself.

Today, she's using Instagram, including Spanish-language videos, to encourage women of all ages to try jiu-jitsu. She wants them to understand that they don't have to be strong, athletic, or experienced to begin.

What I enjoyed most about our conversation was how much Vicky values the people. Her story reminds us that jiu-jitsu is about more than techniques, belts, or medals. It's about confidence, friendships, personal growth, and finding a community that supports you.

Her advice to anyone thinking about starting is simple: Don't overthink it. Just start.

Connect with Vicky Kim

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pequenina_jitz/

Academy: Culture Academy, Southern California

About the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast

Sharing the stories, experiences, and life lessons of people connected through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Everyone has a story worth hearing.

#SmallManJiuJitsuPodcast #VickyKim #BrazilianJiuJitsu #WomenInBJJ #JiuJitsuOver50 #CultureAcademy #BJJCommunity

From training in Big Island living rooms to earning his Checkmat black belt, Kuhio Tabancura’s jiu-jitsu journey was built through persistence, competition, and a commitment to keep growing.

Kuhio joins the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast to share how he found jiu-jitsu, the people who shaped his path, and what earning a black belt means to him. We also discuss the lessons he has gained through competition and why bringing that experience and knowledge back home matters.

This is a conversation about staying the course, representing where you come from, and using jiu-jitsu to strengthen the community around you.

Follow Kuhio on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dkt808/

Follow the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast for more stories from the jiu-jitsu community.

Jiu-jitsu can teach a child how to compete, but the most important lessons often have nothing to do with medals.

Robin sits down with longtime friends Nova and her son, Ziah. Ziah began training after being bullied as a young child. What started as a way to learn self-defense grew into years of competition, friendship, confidence, and personal growth.

Nova explains why she has never measured Ziah’s success by where he stands on the podium. She wants him to learn how to face challenges, remain humble, treat his opponents with respect, and become a good example for his younger siblings. She also shares why she gives something to Ziah’s opponents after competitions, recognizing the courage and effort it takes for every child to step onto the mat.

The conversation also explores Nova’s life as a mother of four and a full-time student, the sacrifices she makes for her family, and the faith that keeps her moving forward.

More than medals, this is a story about raising a good person through jiu-jitsu.

Alexis Ridela’s jiu-jitsu journey began gradually. After returning home from physical therapy school, she tried training and slowly found her way through competition, supportive women at the gym, and the community that made her want to keep coming back.

Alexis talks about her background in college track and field, her work as a physical therapist, what she’s learned about jiu-jitsu injuries and prevention, and how training gives her a place to recharge. She also shares why consistency and finding your people can make all the difference.

Follow Alexis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisgoesvroom/

One question from Mark Heinzer’s four-year-old son changed the direction of his life.

Mark was an experienced kickboxer who initially dismissed jiu-jitsu as putting on pajamas and rolling around on the ground. After realizing he had given his son an excuse he would never want his son to use, Mark stepped onto the mat. A much smaller female purple belt quickly humbled him, and he became determined to understand how jiu-jitsu worked.

Today, Mark is a third-degree black belt and the owner and head professor of Conde Koma NorCal Grappling Academy in San Jose, California. Jiu-jitsu has become part of his entire family’s life. His wife is a black belt, his son is a purple belt, and his daughter has competed in both jiu-jitsu and wrestling.

Mark shares how his children kept him from quitting, why the white belt may be the most important promotion in jiu-jitsu, and how he is building an academy centered on inclusion, accountability and community. We also discuss balancing work, family and academy ownership, along with the responsibility that comes with wearing a black belt.

Little Wisdoms with the Small Man | Episode 6: I'm Just the Vessel

What started as a way to share jiu-jitsu stories has become something much more meaningful to me.

In this episode, I reflect on how my faith has influenced the direction of the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast and why I believe God has given me this opportunity for a reason.

I talk about sponsorships, helping people through difficult times, supporting small businesses, and why views and money aren't what motivate me to continue.

I don't know exactly where this podcast is going, but I trust God has a plan. My responsibility is to keep showing up, listening, and helping wherever I can.

I'm just the vessel.

Be a good roll model.