Grapple Asia Podcast

The official podcast of GrappleAsia.com. Hosted by Mac the founder, formerly of BJJASIA. Grapple Asia aims to be the biggest content creator in Asia and to be an instrumental part of its growth. The podcast was originally created to showcase grapplers and the people in the BJJ community in Asia who have or had an impact on their country of origin. To give everyone a platform to give their interpretation of how Jiu-Jitsu has enriched their lives for the better.

Grapple Asia Podcast is a health podcast hosted by Mac, with 49 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Mac hosts Grapple Asia Podcast, a health show with 49 episodes published.

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  Episode #47

  Grapple Asia Pod Ep. 47: Nini & Gobo | Fatcat Jiu-Jitsu Club - Malaysia's First Hybrid No-gi Gym

  Sep 20, 20261h 14mS1

  FCJJC Socials:Ni Ni IG: https://www.instagram.com/nininoname/Gobo IG: https://www.instagram.com/whoisgobo/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatCatJJCFCJJChttps://www.instagram.com/fatcat_jiujitsuclub/#Scramble Brand is now officially in Thailand!Visit ScrambleThailand.com to get your Jiu-Jitsu gear British made, Japanese inspired. Sponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/Creontes.comThe memetic lifestyle brand in grappling and performance sports. They create stylish Jiu-Jitsu apparel with a twist of humour. They've got quite the cult community and following. Use the discount code GRAPPLEASIA for 10% on all orders. Your one-stop shop for high quality Jiu-Jitsu gear!Bangkok BJJhttps://bkkbjj.comInstagram: BKK.BJJ.ShopOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/ FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/grplasia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@GRPLASIA ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grapple-asia-podcast/id1717848251➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct28MhyxJRHe8dpP0j?si=4893974dfb24499fDescription:This episode of the Grapple Asia podcast opens with featured guests Nini Panini and Gobo Kopter from Fat Cat Jiu-Jitsu Club in Kuala Lumpur.They share how they got into Jiu-Jitsu, their background moving from Sabah to Australia and the UK (where they studied law), and why they opened a hybrid weights + Jiu-Jitsu gym during/after COVID despite minimal experience. They discuss hiring early coaches, the benefits of combining strength training with grappling, and how they split responsibilities as brothers while building gym culture, branding, and seminars. They address affiliation history with MEBJJ, experiences at Malaysia’s first IBJJF event and ADCC SEA trials, approaches to coaching and learning (including live/eco-inspired training), pricing seminars affordably, the “Most Hated” rash guard origin, and their partnership becoming part owners of Aesthetic.Timestamps-----------------------------0:00 Sponsors & Shoutouts2:08 Meet the Fat Cat Founders2:27 Nini’s Jiu-Jitsu Origin4:00 Opening a Gym in Lockdown6:51 Hiring Coaches & Programs7:26 Sabah to Melbourne to KL8:18 Why Jiu-Jitsu Made Sense10:42 Hybrid Gym and S&C14:23 Brother Business Roles17:17 Affiliations & Gym Politics20:17 IBJJF Malaysia Recap21:40 ADCC SEA Trials Issues24:51 Event Review & Matches25:24 Trials Match Recap25:41 Competition Nerves27:28 Competing Is A Skill28:29 Belts & Progression29:08 Surprise Belt Promotions32:12 Self Study & Resources35:59 Eco Training Debate38:36 Building Gym Culture41:42 Business Reality Of Gyms43:33 Instructor Vs Coach46:21 Fundamentals Curriculum Cycles48:10 Late Night Classes & Flexibility49:46 Travel Gym Warmups50:10 Guest Coaches Announced51:09 Affordable Seminar Model55:42 Malaysia Scene And Gym Politics58:29 Most Hated Rashguard Story01:02:19 Aesthetic Partnership Deal01:07:49 What a Black Belt Means01:12:13 Gratitude-----------------------------===========================Here are the ways to work with us here at Grapple Asia: ===========================⚡️For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please email ➡︎ mac@grappleasia.com #BJJ #JiuJitsu #nogi #GRAPPLING #podcasting #podcast #nogi #grappler #bjjlifestyle #grappleasia #grappleasiapodcast #grappleasiapod #FCJJC #FatCatJiujitsu

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  Episode #46

  Grapple Asia Pod Ep. 46: Dima | Building Champions: Geist, Coaching B-Team & Skill vs Performance

  Sep 6, 202657 minS1

  Dima's Socials:IG: https://www.instagram.com/dima_murovanni/?hl=enPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/dimamurovanni?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creatorYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachdimabjj/videosBJJ Fanaticshttps://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_dima-murovanni?list=1Scramble Brand is now officially in Thailand!Visit ScrambleThailand.com to get your Jiu-Jitsu gear British made, Japanese inspired. Sponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/Creontes.comThe memetic lifestyle brand in grappling and performance sports. They create stylish Jiu-Jitsu apparel with a twist of humour. They've got quite the cult community and following. Use the discount code GRAPPLEASIA for 10% on all orders. Your one-stop shop for high quality Jiu-Jitsu gear!Bangkok BJJhttps://bkkbjj.comInstagram: BKK.BJJ.ShopOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/ FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/grplasia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@GRPLASIA ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grapple-asia-podcast/id1717848251➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct28MhyxJRHe8dpP0j?si=4893974dfb24499fDescription:We managed to get some time with Dima Murovanni who was in Bangkok to help prepare Jozef Chen for the upcoming ADCC trials. Dima discusses starting Jiu-Jitsu at 23/24 with the goal of being the best, but then repeated injuries—beginning with a knee injury from an electric chair in 2019—shifted him from competitor to Coach. He describes how trust from Jozef Chen led to opportunities at B-Team, why he chose B-Team after advice from Cam Donnelly, and how he builds athletes by distinguishing skill development from performance training. Dima then discusses the importance of creating a strong “Geist” (spirit/culture), applying pressure without getting tired, using ecological/CLA frameworks inspired by Greg Souders, developing Linus von Schenk into a world champion and how studying wrestling resources like the Russian Olympic Team training and John Smith was part and parcel of the prep work going into ADCC Asian Trials.Dima is currently also planning to open a gym in Berlin called Mat Skills.Timestamps-----------------------------0:00 Sponsor Shoutouts2:09 Meet Coach Dima2:34 Starting Jiu-Jitsu Late4:19 Injuries led into Coaching9:31 Trust With Jozef13:35 Why B Team15:31 Leading The CJI Camp18:44 Berlin as a Base & Gym21:51 Building Culture: The Geist25:48 Developing Linus28:20 Wrestling Systems30:19 Coaching the Why31:10 Wrestling For Grappling32:07 The Coaching 'Eye' & Environment33:36 Wrestling Study Resources35:28 Low Single Adaptation37:29 Create Don't Copy38:27 Ecological Training AKA CLA41:26 CLA Done Wrong44:42 Coaching Skill Development49:21 Pressure Without Fatigue50:56 Motivation & Geist55:25 Black Belt Meaning56:04 Gratitude-----------------------------===========================Here are the ways to work with us here at Grapple Asia: ===========================⚡️For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please email ➡︎ mac@grappleasia.com#BJJ #JiuJitsu #nogi #GRAPPLING #podcasting #podcast #nogi #grappler #geist #bjjlifestyle #grappleasia #grappleasiapodcast #grappleasiapod #matskillz #Bteam

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  Grapple Asia Podcast

  Combatch: Back to the Roots

  Jul 1, 202618 min

  Jiu-Jitsu in Asia: From Japan’s Early Days to Thailand’s Growth and China’s First ADCC Trials WinnerThis episode explores how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA evolved across Asia through multiple perspectives. A longtime martial artist in Japan recounts being drawn to more “complete” fighting, discovering shoot-style MMA, and witnessing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu go from unknown and dismissed to a boom in gyms, while prioritizing entertaining, understandable matches over winning at all costs. Jason “Sparky” Burnworth, a coach training in Thailand since 2012, describes building programs in Chiang Mai and Pattaya with Fairtex, teaching Stamp in the gi, and reflecting on how Thailand’s scene differs from old-school BJJ. Another segment follows the founding of Lock & Roll after the pandemic and a partnership with an Nepali pro MMA fighter. Jozef Chen discusses China’s rapid growth, his friend being the first Chinese ADCC Trials winner from China, competing for financial reasons, and his post-CJI matches, seminars, and upcoming competition plans.Chapters:0:00 Mystique and Discipline1:40 Origins of MMA in Japan3:47 Making Jiu Jitsu Exciting5:12 Building BJJ in Thailand7:26 Stamp and Buffalo Girls9:14 Lock and Roll Beginnings10:25 Finding a Fight Partner11:30 Take Off Interlude12:42 Joseph Chen in Bangkok12:59 China’s BJJ Boom13:52 Why Compete for Money15:07 CJI Recap and Asia Tour16:23 Final Thoughts OutroSponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/?hl=enSTAYLEAN: https://page.line.me/tky8131d?openQrM...STAYLEAN IG: https://www.instagram.com/staylean.food/Recorded and Edited by Modal Creative Studio: https://www.modalstudio.coOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/GrplAsia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: ‪@GRPLASIA‬ ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct2...

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  Episode #45

  Grapple Asia Pod Ep. 45: Nick 'The Tooth' | Writing, Meditation, Mushin Mind & The Zen Protocol

  May 30, 20261h 6mS1

  Nick's Socials:https://www.instagram.com/nickdgullo/The Zen Protocolhttps://www.instagram.com/thezenprotocolhttps://www.thezenprotocol.comSponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/Creontes.comThe memetic lifestyle brand in grappling and performance sports. They create stylish Jiu-Jitsu apparel with a twist of humour. They've got quite the cult community and following. Use the discount code GRAPPLEASIA for 10% on all orders. Give them a follow on instagram at @chiefcreonte.Your one-stop shop for high quality Jiu-Jitsu gear!Bangkok BJJhttps://bkkbjj.comInstagram: BKK.BJJ.ShopRecorded and Edited by Modal Creative Studio: https://www.modalstudio.coOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/ FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/grplasia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@GRPLASIA ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grapple-asia-podcast/id1717848251➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct28MhyxJRHe8dpP0j?si=4893974dfb24499fDescription:We welcome guest Nick “The Tooth” Gullo connected via Kamil Wilku. Nick describes himself as a writer first, shaped by obsessive reading (Tarzan, Conan, Sherlock Holmes), and recounts a troubled youth, reform school, and becoming a lawyer as a personal challenge. He explains starting meditation at age 10 after witnessing his cousin’s death and maintaining a daily practice since 17, using it to handle law school. Nick shares his path into Jiu-Jitsu through Dana White, early exposure with John Lewis, and later committing at Art Of Jiu-Jitsu after meeting Rafa and Gui Mendes. Nick outlines his book The Zen Protocol as a modern martial-arts manual built on body, mind, and spirit, inspired by Mushin Mind and refined through Blue Zone living in Sicily and client work, emphasizing consistency, mind training, gym hygiene, and gratitude to his coaches and the global jiu-jitsu community.Timestamps-----------------------------0:00 Sponsor Shoutouts1:34 Meet Nick 'The Tooth' Gullo2:44 Writer Origins3:25 Books That Shaped Nick4:57 Why Law School8:08 Meditation Practice11:13 Finding Jiu-Jitsu12:51 UFC Access And AOJ18:10 What Is The Zen Protocol20:44 Body Mind Spirit Pillars23:19 Mindset & Subconscious28:01 Martial Arts History Debate31:59 Who 'Owns' Jiu-Jitsu34:23 Scotland & Early BJJ Days34:52 Cross Training Politics36:20 Asia Travel Plans36:47 Passports & Dual Citizenship37:43 Society Beneath the News38:56 Motorcycles Sicily vs LA42:40 UK Gyms & London Grapple44:06 Carlson Gracie Old School45:56 Phuket MMA Scene46:48 Jiu-Jitsu Changed Everything50:25 Host Journey Thailand & Myanmar51:34 Training in Japan: Niwa Brothers54:05 Life Lessons: Consistency57:27 Rapid Fire Jiu-Jitsu Hot Takes59:32 Gym Red Flags & Staph1:01:53 Reinvention & Miyamoto Musashi1:03:37 Black Belt Responsibility1:04:24 Gratitude-----------------------------===========================Here are the ways to work with us here at Grapple Asia: ===========================⚡️For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please email ➡︎ mac@grappleasia.com#BJJ #JiuJitsu #nogi #GRAPPLING #podcasting #podcast #nogi #grappler #brazilianjiujitsu #bjjlifestyle #grappleasia #grappleasiapodcast #grappleasiapod #justforcreators #modalbkk #zenprotocol #mushinmind

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  Episode #44

  Grapple Asia Interview Ep. 44: Nick Chapman | Making Myanmar's National Sport: Lethwei, Global

  Apr 19, 20261h 5mS1

  Nick's Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickheadhunter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.h.chapman/Lethwei Fighting Championship: https://www.facebook.com/bkfclethweihttps://www.instagram.com/lethweifightingchampionshipSponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/Creontes.comThe memetic lifestyle brand in grappling and performance sports. They create stylish Jiu-Jitsu apparel with a twist of humour. They've got quite the cult community and following. Use the discount code GRAPPLEASIA for 10% on all orders. Give them a follow on instagram at @chiefcreonte.Your one-stop shop for high quality Jiu-Jitsu gear!Bangkok BJJhttps://bkkbjj.comInstagram: BKK.BJJ.ShopRecorded and Edited by Modal Creative Studio: https://www.modalstudio.coOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/ FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/grplasia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@GRPLASIA ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grapple-asia-podcast/id1717848251➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct28MhyxJRHe8dpP0j?si=4893974dfb24499fDescription:Grapple Asia interviews UK MMA pioneer Nick Chapman, a prolific student of both Combat and Business now based in Thailand and working with the Myanmar Sports Federation to make the sport of Lethwei Global.Chapman recounts early influences (judo at five, taekwondo, Bruce Lee and Rocky), discovering early UFC, and training in the UK’s developing MMA scene, including time training with Roger Gracie and GSP. Nick educates us on how he consistently secured major sponsorships by pitching value, and how sports psychology and arousal control shaped his performance and business approach. Chapman stresses MMA is show business: fighters must market themselves, sell tickets, and engage audiences. Nick describes building Fight Science gyms, moving to Thailand, working with Fairtex and One, and pursuing Lethwei after officiating events, including bringing Burmese fighters to Thailand and organizing the Buakaw vs Saenchai bare-knuckle fight. He details efforts to launch a global Lethwei organization with traditional and international rules, we discuss our mutual experiences in Myanmar building a rapport with federation, outlines his disciplined learning routine, and shares advice on self-awareness, discipline, and improving weaknesses.War & Business This is Nick Chapman's Story.Timestamps-----------------------------00:00 Sponsors Shoutouts01:33 Guest Introduction: Nick Chapman02:08 Early Combat Roots03:06 Discovering UFC & MMA04:26 Training & Roger Gracie06:25 Sponsorship Masterclass: Adding Value08:57 Fighter Meets Businessman11:15 Mindset & Combat Sports Psychology14:56 "It's Show Business" - Reality Check21:46 Post Fight Career & Thailand24:06 Why Thailand Won Him Over26:09 Fairtex to One Championship28:59 Finding Lethwei a 2000 year tradition31:41 Burmese Fighters Arrive33:04 Thailand Support Push33:55 Winning Over Federation37:34 Myanmar First Impressions39:06 Making Buakaw vs Saenchai Deal45:42 Yangon: A hope for Love & Unity49:32 International Lethwei Rules55:44 Discipline an&d Study Routine59:17 Gratitude-----------------------------===========================Here are the ways to work with us here at Grapple Asia: ===========================⚡️For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please email ➡︎ mac@grappleasia.com

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