InfernoCast 31- Johnny Lee Smith, 5th Degree in BJJ. How meeting Rickson Gracie changed everything

Rickson is a world class martial artist that has changed the world view of jiu jitsu.  In this episode he talks about growing up training and how his dad inspired and supported him. 

Other topics are how jiu jitsu helps law enforcement officers and people of all walks of life find balance.  He also describes how fear can be useful and his view of becoming "comfortable in hell" 

Master Rickson also has an online academy now available that you can check out here 
https://www.rickson.academy/

A lot of insight is delivered in this episode that goes beyond the training floor and gives insight into one of the greatest martial artist view on the world, success and happiness.

Roger Gracie is one of the best BJJ players of all time and he tells us how his determination and acceptance of loss gave him the tools to become a World Champion multiple times.

His story about not being the best athlete and struggling for so long, but knowing it was supposed to be hard and difficult really gave some good perspective on what it takes to be successful.

Rigan Machado is one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as we know it.  He competed for almost 9 years undefeated and has done amazing work in Hollywood with stars and movies. 

His stories are amazing about his time with the Gracie family, getting over his medical issues through jiu jitsu

Belisa Vranich is a clinical psychologist, author, public speaker, and founder of The Breathing Class. She has been an active consultant and columnist in popular US Journalism, promoting intentional breathing practices to improve health. 

Belisa Vranich received her doctorate in Psychology from New York University and completed an internship at Bellevue Hospital with specialization in neuropsychology, psychiatric consultation and liaison, and bilingual treatment.  She is a certified Breathwork Practitioner and a member of the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance.

She also tells how she got involved with the martial arts world and her love for wrestling.

Jack talks about his 25 years in the military and how the training influenced him.  He also tells about his constant search for improvement, which led him to change a lot of courses in the military with a more principle focused learning structure that he is still teaching. 

He also tells us the story of meeting Rickson Gracie, training with Johnny Lee Smith and how he tries to look at martial arts, law enforcement and military training in similar ways. 

Jack also shares with us his experience traveling all over the world, overcoming Leukemia and his return overseas because innocent people needed help and he went even though he had retired from the military. 

Not just a story about an american hero, but the story of what is possible when people stand up for others and do not let fear control them.

Nicolas is a highly talented jiu jitsu practitioner that moved from South Africa and started training with Roger Gracie to become his first black belt.  He tells us how he approached training and didn't realize the level of proficiency that could be achieved in BJJ until years later as a black belt still learning day after day. 

Nic also tells about his experience of ayahuasca in Peru and how his new purpose is to inspire and educate people to become more whole as individuals.

Carlos Machado is one of the pioneers of Jiu Jitsu all over the world, from his time with the Gracies to his television career with Chuck Norris he has always been an advocate of BJJ.  

Professor Machado now has a worldwide organization helping schools teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and he continues to be an ambassador for good, helping anyone he can.

Chris Bradford is a multi time champion Muay Thai and MMA fighter.  He has been training most of his life in Australia and has learned how to take the struggles of life and turn them into lessons to pass on to his students.  He still trains hard and never quits!

Elvis is well known in the mma world as an exciting athlete and fan favorite.  He has fought in many promotions including the UFC and has also been an active commentator.  Now his focus is on helping his students and trying to inspire people to live healthier more fulfilled lives.

Kit Cope has been training martial arts most of his life and his love for striking has carried on.  Kit was a World Champion striker and then transitioned to MMA for a short time.  He has coached some of the best fighters in the world and travels all over Coaching and inspiring his students. 

Kit became famous when he was on MTV and his relationship with Gina Carano was the talk of the martial arts world.  

But this episode really allows Kit to reveal a lot more about himself than the hollywood surface material.  He delves deep into his thoughts on martial arts, success in life and his love for different cultures across the world.