Enter The Guard Podcast

This episode is one that we didn't see coming but we had to do...We decided that we need to put the breaks on the podcast for the time being. With Dre in school and starting his clinical internships in two months the guys decided that his attention really needed to be focused on that right now. 

This isn't a goodbye but it is a see you later. We hope that you have enjoyed the podcast and been able to get something out of it. Keep training, keep rolling, and we look forward to getting this going again once life calms down a bit. 

In todays episode Dre and Alex debate whether Craig Jones was right when he said that BJJ has ruined more lives than it has saved! We all know that Craig is a world class troll but that doesnt mean there isn't some truth in his statements. Today we take a hard look at whether BJJ has a higher chance of saving or ruining your life. 

If you enjoy the show please take a moment to rate and review the podcast. 

Follow us on instagram -
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT. The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions - 

• Is it wrong for an instructor to call out a student for their attire?
• Why is my confidence nosediving as a white belt?
• Should promotions be done on a specific day or at random?
• What are your pre-comp rituals?

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

If you've ever wondered what the difference between pearl weave and gold weave is this is an episode for you!  In this episode Alex and Dre sit down and talk about training gear. With all of the different types of gi's, material, weaves etc. we thought it would be interesting to cover off on the different kinds and why they exist. We also discuss male protection aka 'cups' and mouth guards.  

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!
Follow us on instagram at -
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT. The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions - 

• What constitutes rolling like a dick?
• Is it alright to tap if I am super gassed?
• Why does my gi stink after washing it?

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

In todays episode Dre and Alex try to answer the question - Does BJJ make you a better person? While neither of us think that it is a magical cure for being a sh*thead, there is no doubt that it transforms you if you surrender yourself to it. We explore what this means and how jiu jitsu has impacted each of us.

If you enjoy the show please take a moment to rate and review the podcast. 

Follow us on instagram -
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT. The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions - 

• How expensive is too expensive for your gym?
• Should I keep the cauliflower ear or drain it?
• Want to start training but I’m scared of being rejected…what should I do?

*BONUS* Animal question at the end of the episode!

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!
Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

In todays episode Dre and Alex continue with the competition discussion. They talk a little about the IBJJF Worlds from this weekend and discuss what it means to execute with violence of action. This is important when it comes to competition and can be the difference between a W or L. 
If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT. The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions - 

• Is it weird to train at two gyms?
• Like a girl at the gym but dont want to be creepy, what should I do?
• How do you know when its time to take a break?

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

Dre and Alex are back recording live after Dre had his midterms this week. The topic of today's episode is competition training. With IBJJF Worlds next week, the guys talk about the training camp going on at Six Blades HQ in Austin as the team prepares its competitors. 

Episode Highlights
- Small victories check-in
- Competition Training hits different
- Changing the mindset a week out from competition
- Focusing on what is useful
- Tip of the week: Athlete performance profile

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review us and follow us on instagram!
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj
@entertheguardpod

Todays episode is a vaulted episode that we recorded when Alex first started on his jiu jitsu journey. We talk a little about how he is taking to the art and then we get into the ancient Greek concept of Thumos - what it is,  how it is dying among men, and how to tap into it.

Thumos doesn't translate well into english but essentially it is ones spiritedness. It encapsulates motivation, emotion, volition, desire - its the passion that drives us, it is the righteous rage. 

If you enjoy the show, please take a minute to rate and review the podcast.
Follow us on instagram:
@entertheguardpod
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj

In todays episode Dre and Alex have a short state of the union where they discuss things going on in the sport - from tournament results, events, popular personalities and controversies and much more. 

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT. The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions - 

• How do you deal with spazzy newbies that are bigger and stronger than you are?
• What's your go-to takedown - especially for the older guys?
• Effectiveness of BJJ in a streetfight?

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

In todays episode Dre and Alex look at sports pyschology and discuss the difference between being and Ego oriented athlete and a Task oriented athlete. The guys consider which way they lean more towards, the pros and cons of each, having a healthy dose of both and more. 

Episode Highlights

• What is an athlete?
• Ego vs. task orientation
• Why most people quit things
• Humble pie
• The importnace of having a bit of both

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness month I wanted to give you all a tool that you can use to help deal with stress and anxiety. PMR is a two-step relaxation practice to reduce stress and build awareness of sensations of tension and deep relaxation in various muscle groups. The first step in this practice is to create tension in specific muscle groups. The second step is to then release this muscle tension and begin to notice what a relaxed muscle feels like as the tension drains away. By moving through the body by alternately tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in a certain order, one builds awareness of how to recognize and differentiate between the associated feelings of a tensed muscle and a completely relaxed one. Whether before a big competition or for your daily use to wind down, PMR can help you alleviate stress and anxiety and even help with insomnia. 

Please ensure that you do this exercise in safe environment and definitely not while operating any vehicles or machinery. 

If you like the show please show your support by rating the podcast! 
Follow us on instagram -
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj
@entertheguardpod

In this episode Dre and Alex talk about being in their worst positions and how to deal with it by preparing for the worst. It's all fun and games when you are in a good position but how do you fare when you are in your worst position? Do you panic? Give up? We wont always be on top and so we must prepare for the worst possible scenario. 

Episode Highlights:
- Dre's worst position
- Getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations
- Avoiding a position isn't the best answer
- Why you haven't been working on your worst position

If you enjoy the show make sure you rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on instagram - 
@entertheguardpod
@amattero
@andresthegiantjj

In this episode Dre and Alex debate the age old topic of strength versus technique in BJJ. On the one hand you definitely have to give it up to technique but on the other it would also be unrealistic to tell someone not to use their athletic abilities. Which reigns supreme?? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle but one thing is certain, and you'll have to listen to the episode to find out. 

Episode Highlights

• Should you not use your strength?
• David v. Goliath
• After white belt its game on for athleticism
• Athleticism mismatches we have seen
• Offense versus defense

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

Welcome to OPEN MAT - The episode where Dre and Alex take your questions and curiosities about BJJ - training, competition, gear, culture, lifestyle and more share their opinions. In todays episode we are joined by Felipe Costa and Emma Reusing for their hot takes on the topics of the day! Got a question? Send us a DM on Instagram @entertheguardpod

Todays Questions  

• What is the most common/repeated injury you've had?
• What is your favorite/best recovery method?
• What's better for self defense - Judo or BJJ?
• Preparing for my first competition - what should I do?

If you enjoy the show please take a second to rate and review the podcast!

Follow us on Instagram -
@felipecostajj
@emma_reusing
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod

In today's episode Dre and Alex sit down with professional BJJ athlete Felipe Costa. Felipe is in his debut year as a black belt competitor and is already ranked 3rd in the superheavy weight division after taking second at IBJJF Pans earlier in the year. Felipe shares his journey from childhood when he started training jiu jitsu to  taking a leap of faith and coming to the US to train and compete full time under the tutelage of Xande Ribeiro and Victor Hugo. He also shares how he shaped his work ethic and  mentality when it comes to training and competing in BJJ at the highest levels. 

Follow Felipes journey as a professional athlete on instagram @Felipecostajj 

Follow us on Instagram - 
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod
If you enjoy the show please help support the podcast by rating and reviewing us! 

Welcome to OPEN MAT - todays episode will be a slight deviation from the norm. We welcome back Chris Martin of JiuJitsuInsurance.com and discuss the Jack Greener case that has caught the attention of the entire BJJ community. We clear up some misconceptions about the case, discuss Rener's expert testimony, and we discuss what Jiu Jitsu schools need to be doing when it comes to insurance and protecting their business and students. 

Follow us on Instagram -
@andresthegiantjj
@amattero
@entertheguardpod