The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

Latest Episodes:

440 - Training Methods and Cross Training in Jiu-Jitsu, with Josh Peters and Stephan Kesting Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Josh Peters and Stephan Kesting look at the evolution of effective teaching methods, school culture, risk, cross-training, and why you want your students to become better than you in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Follow Josh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joshcpmma/ and check out his school in the Maryland area at https://combatprinciplesmma.com/

And if you want concrete examples of how training in BJJ creates the skills to deal with the rest of life check out my best-selling book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, available anywhere you get physical, digital and audio books and also here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/. That journey wouldn't have been possible without my jiu-jitsu training, and there were lessons I learned on that trip that inform my life to this day.

439 - The Real Catch Wrestling and What it Can Teach Jiu-Jitsu, with Val 'The Crippler' Childs Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

438 - Crafting Your Ideal Jiu-Jitsu Journey, with Tom Wortman Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

AOJ black belt Tom Wortman is a fierce competitor; he won IBJJ Pans, Euros, North Americans and Master Worlds in a single year as a brown belt. He's also a jiu-jitsu gypsy, typically training at a club for 3 to 6 months, then moving thousands of miles to see a new part of the country and training at a new club. Find out how he he does this, what the red and green flags are for training at new clubs, how to stay injury free even when training 7 days a week, and redefining success on your own terms. I hope you find Tom as inspiring and insightful as I did - enjoy!

Also, please rate and review this podcast on whichever podcast platform you listen to it - I can't emphasize enough how useful this is and how much I appreciate it.

Finally, if you're interested in my take on living life on your own terms please check out my best-selling book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, available anywhere you get physical, digital and audio books and also here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

Thanks! Stephan

437 - Adam Shoalts, Vanished Beyond the Map Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Canoeist and author Adam Shoalts on the mindset that drives individuals to seek adventure, and the importance of safety and decision-making in the wilderness. We also dive into the mysterious disappearance of the greatest explorer you've never heard of.

Grab Adam's book, Vanished Beyond the Map, anywhere books are sold or here: https://adamshoalts.com/literature/

Follow Stephan Kesting's outdoor adventures here:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@essentialwilderness Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/essentialwilderness TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@essentialwilderness

Check out Stephan's book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

And here are some links to the audio-only form this podcast :

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers, Stephan Kesting

436 - How Training Your Submissions as Positions Takes Your Game to the Next Level, with Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Today the tables get turned and I end up on the other end of the microphone as Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models picks my brain about the huge benefits that arise to treating your jiu-jitsu submissions as positions first, and submissions second.

I promise this will make perfect sense by the end of the episode, and may change how you approach your training.

Check out my positional approach to mastering the Kimura and tapping out more training partners and competition opponents at https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura

And check out Steve Kwan's excellent BJJ Mental Models podcast at https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com

Thanks!

Stephan

435 - Roy Dean and the Origins of BJJ in North America Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Renowned BJJ blackbelt Roy Dean came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to talk about his research into how BJJ got started in North America, martial arts culture in Japan, the power of Judo in self defense situations, the importance of role models in shaping one's conception of masculinitym and more.

If you get a chance, please give this show a rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts. That really helps!

Also, you can order Roy's new book "Groundswell" here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bjjpioneers/groundswell-the-rise-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-america

And check out "The Kimura Roadmap" here: https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura

Cheers, Stephan Kesting

434 - High-Percentage BJJ Competition Strategies with Beatrice 'Berimbozo' Jin Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Beatrice Jin shares the competition strategies that have allowed her to become the American National adult black belt middleweight champion and one of the top ranked black belts in the world.

From guard pulls to sweeps to takedowns to pin escapes to conditioning to KO grips to structuring open mats so that they become a competitive advantage for you, Beatrice doesn't hold anything back.

If you compete, or if you're thinking about competing, this is a must-listen.

Follow Beatrice on Instagram at @berimbozo and her incredibly successful women's open mat program at @dmvwomensbjj. Or train with her at Kogaion Academy in Arlington, VA.

433 - How Jiu-Jitsu Builds an Unshakeable Self Confidence, with Alicia Reitz Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Alicia Reitz and I dive deep into how BJJ can be used to develop a strong sense of self confidence for everyone, and how that self confidence can then be put to good use in self defense and the the rest of your life. We also digress a little into specifics of the social media drama that I was involved in recently, which certainly raised my blood pressure just a little.

Alicia Reitz (Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed. Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed.) is a BJJ Brown Belt and does in person and remote coaching. Follow her and get in touch with her via Instagram at @angelishfit.

Please like, share and subscribe.

And if you sometimes prefer your podcasts in video form, click here to check out this episode on the Strenuous Life YouTube Channel.

Thank you so much,

Stephan Kesting

P.S. If you're interested in the topic of building self confidence and mental fortitude I think you might like my book about the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of dealing with extreme circumstances, available in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook format everywhere including Amazon here: Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

432 - Hybrid Training 4: Optimal Conditioning for Winning BJJ Tournaments, with James Deirmendjian Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

James Deirmendjian a strength and conditioning coach specialising in combat and tactical athletes who ALSO competes in BJJ, fighting against much younger opponents. As such he was the perfect choice to finish our 4-part series on hybrid training and the science of developing strength and endurance at the same time.

In this episode James and I touch on many topics, including…

The most important aspects of fitness for winning matches in BJJ and how to develop it
The difference between getting tired in a match vs not recovering between matches
How to schedule weightlifting and cardio so they don't interfere with each
How to recover more fully between workouts
Training to maintain your cognitive abilities under stress
And much more.

Reach out to James on Instagram at @fight_fit_training

And check out The Strenuous Life Podcast on YouTube here.

And if you're interested in adventures and the mindset required to keep going against all odds check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

431 - Hybrid Training 3: Mixing Ultramarathon and Strength Training with James Pieratt Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

James Pieratt from Wild Hunt Conditioning joins us to share what he learned on an expedition in which he ran 802 miles through nearly the entire state of California. James is unique in the ultrarunning community because he also lifts heavy weights and trains in BJJ.

We looked at the mindset and philosophy required for ultrarunning, the emotional journey of endurance athletes, and the importance of strength training for overall health and performance. We also covered training regimens, the science behind strength and endurance training, and shared insights for athletes looking to enhance their performance.

Check out James' training programs at https://wildhuntconditioning.com/ and follow him on Instagram at @wildhuntconditioning

Thanks! Stephan Kesting

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