The Rolling Thunder Show - Jiu Jitsu in Asia & Beyond

In this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Lucas Lepri, a multiple times Jiu Jitsu World Champion and IBJJF hall of famer.   Lucas shared his incredible journey on his recent trip to Hong Kong and China.
He spoke about the challenges he faced in between his first world championship win in 2007 and his second in 2014, and the value he places on training, family, and living a fulfilling life. Lucas's insights and experiences offer a unique perspective on what it takes to become a champion in Jiu Jitsu, and his story is sure to inspire anyone with a passion for martial arts or personal growth. Tune in to hear Lucas's amazing story and learn from his wisdom.

We have the legendary Lucas Leite on the podcast today, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and a true master of his craft. We dive deep into the world of Jiu Jitsu with Lucas, discussing the importance of being a good coach and teacher, and how it can positively impact the growth of the sport. We also touch on the significance of exposing yourself to new techniques and how it can help evolve Jiu Jitsu. And let's not forget about Lucas' transition from being a fierce competitor to a teacher, and how this change has influenced his approach to the sport. So grab your earbuds and get ready for an epic conversation on the art of Jiu Jitsu with the one and only Lucas Leite.

Professor Octavio Couto is one of the founding member of Brasa JiuJitsu Academy, which arguably is one of the best team in BJJ history, producing some of the legends such as  Fernando Terere, the Vieira brothers, Felipe Costa amongst many others.  He is also consider to be one of the great jiu jitsu instructor of all time.
Prof. Octavio Couto Jr. visited Hong Kong again after a 3 years of absence.  He sat down with Philip Wong and talked about his time with Brasa, teaching method, BJJ evolution and much more.  enjoy!

In this episode, we talk to Lok Yuen, the new 4STRIPES NOGI Open Weight Champion of Hong Kong. 

Lok is a Hong Kong native and a passionate martial artist.  He shared with us his why jiu jitsu is now his main focus, his training principle, how he likes to put on a show for his fans, and why Hong Kong grappling is going to become mainstream soon!

Liam Sheridan is the recent winner of the 4STRIPES Prize Challenge in Hong Kong.   He is an exceptionally polite, wise and kind human being.  Liam is currently training and coaching at Kowloon Jiu Jitsu here in Hong Kong. 

Taki Keisuke, founder of Kowloon Jiu Jitsu in Hong Kong, is back on the show.  He talked about how the growth of Jiu Jitsu in Hong Kong is affected by the latest lockdown, why more competitions are needed to improve the overall skill level in the community, how we can move forward after the recent lockdown, and much more....

Chester Chan is a Brown Belt in Jiu Jitsu, and a coach at Hong Kong Jiu Jitsu founded by Professor Makoto Aramaki.  He is also a Hong Kong based investment banker and a loving father.  A super nice guy, we discussed many topics, from gym culture to coaching philosophy.  Enjoy!

In this episode, Hoin Chung discuss how he has been dealing with the Omicron wave here in Hong Kong,  with gym closure until April 20th (at least), quarantine, mass testing and more.  I hope you all are staying safe and healthy.

Tesa Ho is a Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, a crypto portfolio manager, an engineer and a data scientist.  A good friend of 4STRIPES, we have been trying to get her on the show, but she has been all over the world.  We are lucky to get her in the studio at the end of 2021.  A truly wonderful and kind human being, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Mike Powers, is a jiu jitsu black belt, coach, former pro-surfer and a mentor.  Originally from the United States, he has been living in Hong Kong for the past 10 years.  In this episode, he talks about how surfing and jiu jitsu saved his life and turn it around for good, his approach on teaching  jiu jitsu, why he thinks everyone should try to learn it and much  more.  Enjoy

In this episode, Hoin Chung, commentator for the 4STRIPES Prize Challenge and a seasoned jiu jitsu black belt in Hong Kong, is back in the studio to have another conversation with Philip Wong.  Hoin discussed his new project, Combat Learning Academy, what motivative him to start an academy in a mist of a pandemic, his idea on gym culture, cross training, and more.

今集「The Rolling Thunder Show」請到來自香港中年紫帶叔叔, 現在在深圳Professor Carlos Bakural 柔術館內深造的Tommy Yau (尤子威) 來分享比賽心得及內地柔術文化 希望大家喜歡。

Tommy Yau, a purple belt originally from Hong Kong, now training with Professor Carlos Bakural in Shenzhen, China, discussed the evolving jiu jitsu culture and competition scene in China.

Jason Tobin is an actor and martial art fanatic.  Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jason moved to L.A. at the age of 18 to pursue his dream of becoming an actor when he realized studying law was not really for him.
Jason is known for his role as Young Jun on the Warrior series on HBOMax, which is renewed for another season.   
He has appeared in over twenty films including Fast 9, Fistful of Vengeance, Sonora, Jasmine, and Better Luck Tomorrow.   
A loving father, often seen taking his kids to jiu jitsu class here in Hong Kong.  We had a great conversation and he is truely a wonderful and kind person.  Enjoy!

Ramiro Botelho, a jiu jitsu black belt and an entrepreneur,  originally from Brazil and has been in living and teaching jiu jitsu in Hong Kong for over 10 years.
Ramiro is extremely passionate about the sport of jiu jitsu and over the years had spend much of this time promoting the sport in Hong Kong.
We had this conversation back in March 2021, Ramiro discuss the ups and downs of jiu jitsu during COVID restriction and how the jiu jitsu culture and training have evolved in Hong Kong over the years.

Gerhard Orias, also goes by the nickname of Baldy Jay at his dojo, Kowloon Jiu Jitsu, is a lifelong martial artist.  He is the winner of the most recent 4STRIPES Prize Challenge in Hong Kong.  Born and raised in Hong Kong with Chinese and Filipino parents, Jay started his martial art journey with his grandfather and father.  
Jay is a family man above everything else and a truly wonderful human being.  

何慧儀 (Charlene Ho) - 柔術啡帶, 瑜伽教練,和一個新媽媽.
Charlene Ho from Hong Kong, is a jiu jitsu brown belt, a yoga instructor and a new mother.  We had this amazing conversation just before she gave birth to her first child in the summer.

 Chad Bellwood is a Carlson Gracie black belt and the head instructor at Carlson Gracie Samui. in Koh Samui, Thailand.  Chad is originally from Vancouver, Canada  who I met when I was on holiday a few years back. It is a dream for many Jiujitsuka to train and while living on an beautiful island like Koh Samui.  Chad talks about what it is like to be teaching on a resort island.

Takizawa Keisuke know affectionately as Taki,  is a jiu jitsu black belt, the co-founder of one of the oldest BJJ gym in Hong Kong,  Kowloon Jiu Jitsu, and one of the OGs of Jiu Jitsu in Hong Kong.  Taki started his jiu jitsu journey in Hong Kong 19 years ago.  A super chilled and funny person, he shared with us how jiu jitsu began in Hong Kong and his experience of running a jiu jitsu academy in Hong Kong and all the stories that comes with it.

Iris Tai is a jiu jitsu purple belt, a student of Taki and the gym manager of Kowloon Jiu Jitsu.  Iris is also a professional photographer when she is not training jiu jitsu. 

Brindy Mason is a jiu jitsu blue belt from Hong Kong.   At 17 years old, she has already been training jiu jitsu for more that 5 years, and has won almost every competition she entered, including the 4STRIPES Prize Challenge on July 18, 2021.
A wonderful and kind young lady, Brindy is absolutely in love with jiu jitsu and wants young boys and girls to experience this sport.
When Brindy is not studying, training or competiting, you can find her teaching jiu jitsu to kids at MGK fight club in Hong Kong.

In this special edition, we have Juilana Ramíres who is the winner of the recent 4STRIPES Prize Challenge in Hong Kong, and an amazing human being.
Originally from Colombia, Juliana have lived in many cities around the world before settling in Hong Kong 2 years ago.  Other than being addicted to Jiu Jitsu, she is a super active person with hobbies ranging from motor-cross, wake surfing, hiking and, long distance running.   Juliana discussed her first grappling competition experience, why prefer jiu jitsu over other combat sport, and her preparation for the next tournament.