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Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport.
The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property. A weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt establishing roots in the Southern California grappling community.
The brand's editorial focus is on the human stories behind the art: how academies are built, how practitioners evolve, how the culture of jiu-jitsu intersects with identity, business, and community.
Grappling Monthly publishes across YouTube, Instagram, Substack, and major podcast platforms. Past guests include Robert Drysdale, Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller, Alberto Crane, Chris Haueter, Bruno Fernandes, Tinguinha Mariano, and Keith Krikorian.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Professor Lila Smadja-Cruz is a second degree black belt from 10th Planet under Eddie Bravo. She started at the Bomb Squad in West Hollywood doing Muay Thai at fourteen, watched Eddie Bravo and a group of no-gi practitioners take over the mat after her class, and thought she would never do that. She eventually did. She never left.
In this conversation, Smadja-Cruz traces the full arc: from Muay Thai at Legends MMA to her first jiu-jitsu competition at NAGA, from EBI 5 against Talita Alencar to EBI 12, the first all-female EBI card, where she submitted her first opponent in nineteen seconds and made it to the semis against a then-unknown eighteen-year-old named Erin Blanchfield.
She talks about the Japan Quintet — cherry blossom season, a handmade medal from Sakuraba, an all-10th Planet women's team and what it meant to compete on that stage before any of it was considered history.
Prof. Lila also shares tales from the competition arena, and talks about the anxiety that made her body physically shut down before Muay Thai fights, twice, before she ever set foot in a ring. How jiu-jitsu gave her a different relationship with those same nerves, not by eliminating them, but by giving her a context where she could push through rather than freeze.
The second half of the conversation shifts to 10th Planet Pasadena. the school she and Professor Erik "Compella" Cruz opened in 2017, the same week they returned from their honeymoon. What it means to build a gym around community rather than performance. The LA fires and what happened when half the membership lost their homes. How a school's culture is set entirely from the top, and what happens when it isn't. The kids program, the toxic parent dynamic, and why she thinks losing in front of other people is one of the most important things a child can learn to do.
Prof. Lila also runs Femvasion, an all-female camp taught by 10th Planet black belt women. Their fourth camp is June 5–7, 2026 This episode was recorded at 10th Planet Pasadena.
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#bjj #jiujitsu #grappling #brazilianjiujitsu #nogi #ibjjf #grapplingmonthly #martialarts #bjjpodcast #losangeles
About Grappling Monthly
Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport.
The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property. A weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt establishing roots in the Southern California grappling community. The brand's editorial focus is on the human stories behind the art: how academies are built, how practitioners evolve, how the culture of jiu-jitsu intersects with identity, business, and community.
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Mike Dytri is the founder of Vanguard Kimono. He is also a third-degree black belt under Chris Haueter, a former MMA fighter, a longtime designer in streetwear and skateboarding, and the design consultant behind Gracie Barra's GB Wear program. We sat down at the Vanguard studio to talk about how a kimono actually gets made, and what that process reveals about the people wearing it.
The conversation starts with Carlos Gracie Jr.'s recent red belt and moves into what Mike sees as the real legacy of Gracie Barra: the infrastructure that made it possible for the rest of us to make any kind of livelihood from jiu-jitsu. From there we get into the question that sits underneath every gi design decision, which is whether jiu-jitsu is a team sport that calls for uniformity or an individual art that calls for expression. Mike has lived on both sides of that question. He consults for one of the largest team organizations in the world and runs an independent boutique brand whose first release was a selvege denim gi.
We get into the technical history, the shrinking of the silhouette in the early 2010s. The IBJJF rule changes that responded to what Storm was doing with double-layered ripstop and reinforced collars. Why a black gi fits tighter than a white one in the same size. Why your pants wear out faster than your jacket. What separates a jacket cut for judo from a jacket cut for jiu-jitsu, and why the difference shows up in the kinds of grips you can actually get. Mike also talks about his own path through martial arts, which started in judo as a kid in Michigan, moved through wrestling and MMA in the early 2000s, and eventually landed in jiu-jitsu.
The episode closes on the upcoming Adidas x Vanguard Jiu-Jitsu launch. Mike has been working with Adidas for over a decade across MMA and combat sports, and he describes the long road to bringing the new line to the U.S. market through a vertically integrated factory in China, beginning with a Vanguard x Adidas collaboration on the Evolution uniform.
Recorded at Vanguard Kimonos.
Sponsors: Interested in sponsoring The Grappling Monthly Podcast?
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#bjj #jiujitsu #grappling #brazilianjiujitsu #nogi #ibjjf #grapplingmonthly #martialarts #bjjpodcast #losangeles
About Grappling Monthly Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport.
The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property. A weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt establishing roots in the Southern California grappling community. The brand's editorial focus is on the human stories behind the art: how academies are built, how practitioners evolve, how the culture of jiu-jitsu intersects with identity, business, and community.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
A lot of beginners do not struggle in jiu-jitsu because they are untalented. They struggle because they go too hard, too soon, and never learn how to pace themselves.
In this episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, Rodrigo Freitas talks about growing up in Brazil, discovering jiu-jitsu through the early UFC, competing for years at a high level, moving to the United States without speaking English, and building InSpirit Jiu-Jitsu in the greater Los Angeles area.
We also get into longevity, discipline, opening an academy, balancing competition with business, how to introduce beginners to training safely, and why consistency matters more than intensity for most people.
About Rodrigo Freitas
Rodrigo Freitas is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, longtime competitor, and academy owner based in Los Angeles. Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, he trained from white to black belt under the same instructor, competed extensively in gi and no-gi, and now leads In Spirit Jiu Jitsu while continuing to teach and compete.
Sponsors:
Interested in sponsoring The Grappling Monthly Podcast?
Email: grapplingmonthly@gmail.com
Follow Grappling Monthly:
Instagram: @grapplingmonthly
YouTube: @grapplingmonthly
Website: grapplingmonthly.com
#bjj #jiujitsu #grappling #brazilianjiujitsu #nogi #ibjjf #grapplingmonthly #martialarts #bjjpodcast #losangeles
About Grappling Monthly
Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport.
The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property. A weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt establishing roots in the Southern California grappling community. The brand's editorial focus is on the human stories behind the art: how academies are built, how practitioners evolve, how the culture of jiu-jitsu intersects with identity, business, and community.
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Professor Fabio Holanda has spent decades teaching jiu-jitsu and MMA through a clear lens: top position matters, fundamentals matter, and technique should still work when the pace rises and the consequences change. In this episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, Fabio reflects on his start in Natal, Brazil, his connection to Carlson Gracie and Brazilian Top Team, his move to Montreal, and the training philosophy that shaped generations of fighters.
Prof. Fabio also breaks down why he still values closed guard and half guard, what people misunderstand about coaching, why finishing matters in both jiu-jitsu and MMA, and how fighters should actually think about style, development, and preparation.
Professor Fabio Holanda is a 6th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is the founder of Brazilian Top Team Canada and one of the foundational figures in the growth of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA in Canada. He trained through the Carlson Gracie and BTT lineage, fought professionally in MMA, and has coached athletes across jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and the UFC level for more than two decades.
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For sponsorships and collaborations: grapplingmonthly@gmail.com
About Grappling Monthly:
Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport.
The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property. A weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt establishing roots in the Southern California grappling community. The brand's editorial focus is on the human stories behind the art: how academies are built, how practitioners evolve, how the culture of jiu-jitsu intersects with identity, business, and community.
Grappling Monthly publishes across YouTube, Instagram, Substack, and major podcast platforms. Subscribe and turn on notifications.
#grapplingmonthly #bjj #jiujitsu #mma #brazilianjiujitsu #nogi #ufc #btt #carlsongracie #grappling
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
From Rio de Janeiro to Montreal’s West Island, Professor Marcelo Bonança talks about starting in martial arts, leaving a finance career, reconnecting with jiu-jitsu in Canada, and what it means to teach in a way students can actually absorb.
We also get into Gracie Barra’s structure, the realities of opening a school in Quebec, why principles matter more than information overload, and what a good first jiu-jitsu experience should feel like.
About Marcelo Bonança
Professor Marcelo Bonança is the owner and head instructor at Gracie Barra Sainte-Anne in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.
Marcelo grew up surrounded by martial arts, first in judo, then jiu-jitsu. He pursued a fast-paced career in finance: long hours, endless meetings, constant travel, which meant he took time away from Jiu-Jitsu.
Years later, while living in Toronto, he stepped back on the mats, training alongside world-class names like Bruno Fernandes and Jorge Britto. From that moment, he never looked back. Returning to Brazil, Marcelo began training under Master Leão Teixeira, one of the legendary cofounders of Gracie Barra. He immersed himself in teaching children, community programs, and competitions, discovering that his true purpose wasn’t in boardrooms, but on the mats.
In 2016, Marcelo received his black belt, later earning his degrees directly from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. He has since lived by one clear principle: lead by example. Competing, teaching, and training with unwavering consistency, he proves daily to his students that progress is built through discipline and dedication, no matter when you start.
Website: https://gbsainteanne.ca/en/
Location: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, West Island, Montreal
SPONSORS
Interested in sponsoring The Grappling Monthly Podcast?
Email: grapplingmonthly@gmail.com
Follow Grappling Monthly
Instagram: @grapplingmonthly
YouTube: @grapplingmonthly
Threads: @grapplingmonthly
Website: https://www.grapplingmonthly.com
#bjj #jiujitsu #grappling #graciebbarra #montreal #bjjpodcast #martialarts #brazilianjiujitsu #canadianbjj #grapplingmonthly
About Grappling Monthly
Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial media brand covering the culture, people, and business of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the grappling arts. Based in Los Angeles, the brand produces in-depth conversations with the coaches, gym owners, competitors, and practitioners shaping the sport. The Grappling Monthly Podcast is the flagship property — a weekly long-form interview series hosted by Sébastien Maniatopoulos, a BJJ black belt with roots in the Southern California grappling community. Past guests include Robert Drysdale, Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller, Alberto Crane, Chris Haueter, Bruno Fernandes, Tinguinha Mariano, and Keith Krikorian.
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
If you train jiu-jitsu long enough, pain is not the surprise. The real question is whether you know how to recover intelligently and stay on the mats. In this episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Diana and Dr. Kris Martin of Open Mat Physio to talk about injury recovery, overtraining, sleep, inflammation, strength work, nervous system regulation, and why so many grapplers stay stuck in the same cycle of flare-up, rest, and repeat. This is a practical conversation about longevity, not quick fixes.
Guests
Diana and Kris are the team behind Open Mat Physio, a physical therapy practice focused on helping jiu-jitsu athletes recover from injury, return to training, and build more durable bodies for the long term. Their work bridges rehab, strength, recovery, and sport-specific understanding for grapplers who want more than generic advice.
Follow Open Mat Physio:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmatphysio
Website: https://www.openmatphysio.com
Timestamps / Chapters
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#JiuJitsu #BJJ #NoGi #PhysicalTherapy #SportsRehab #InjuryRecovery #Grappling #OpenMatPhysio #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuPodcast #Recovery #StrengthTraining #Longevity #GrapplingMonthly
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Professor Marvin Castel and Coach K of 10th Planet Torrance join The Grappling Monthly Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, gym ownership, teaching philosophy, women’s training, self-defense, competition, culture, and what it actually takes to build a serious room.
Marvin shares how his first exposure to jiu-jitsu came through MMA training in Michigan, how that experience changed the direction of his life, and how he eventually found his way to California, 10th Planet HQ, and Eddie Bravo. Coach K talks about her path from the Bay Area into striking, jiu-jitsu, and eventually 10th Planet, where training and teaching became part of building something bigger.
This episode also gets into the realities of opening a gym. Not the romantic version. The actual version. Learning how to teach different kinds of students, balancing intensity with accessibility, creating culture, managing accountability, and trying to build students who are not just coordinated, but capable.
We also discuss:
• How 10th Planet developed a distinct identity within modern jiu-jitsu
• Why some students want war and others want community
• The challenge of teaching self-defense without pretending the art is “gentle”
• Women’s training, women-only sessions, and the practical realities of safety on the mat
• Why movement quality, live drills, and positional work matter
• The limits of pure “eco” training without technical explanation
• Belt standards, competition, and Marvin’s grey-belt system before blue belt
• Why gym ownership can make even a black belt feel like a white belt again
• The responsibility coaches have in shaping mat culture
If you train, teach, own a school, or care about where grappling culture is going, this conversation has a lot in it.
Train at 10th Planet Torrance:
Website: 10ptorrance.com
Instagram: @10thplanettorrance
Marvin: @marvincastel10p
If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and share it with someone in the grappling world. That helps more than people think.
#JiuJitsu #BJJ #NoGi #10thPlanet #10thPlanetTorrance #EddieBravo #Grappling #MartialArts #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuPodcast #GymOwnership #SelfDefense #WomenWhoTrain #LegLocks #GrapplingCulture
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano joins The Grappling Monthly Podcast for a conversation on the older generation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the transition from vale tudo culture to modern academy structure, and the changes that helped jiu-jitsu grow around the world.
Prof. Tinguinha is a 6th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a spider guard pioneer, and the owner and head instructor of Tinguinha BJJ in Yorba Linda, California.
In this episode, we discuss:
• what jiu-jitsu training was like in Brazil in the late 1980s and early 1990s
• the luta livre rivalry and the vale tudo era
• how early no-gi and MMA affected jiu-jitsu technique
• why academy structure changed over time
• how kids classes, curriculum, and beginner programs helped jiu-jitsu grow
• the evolution of Spider Guard and technical creativity in BJJ
• the difference between old-school training culture and modern jiu-jitsu schools
• advice for adult beginners starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu later in life
• whether jiu-jitsu belongs in the Olympics
• gi vs no-gi and how each develops different parts of the game
This is a useful episode for anyone interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history, BJJ culture, old-school Gracie Barra, Spider Guard, academy structure, coaching, and the development of modern jiu-jitsu.
Mauricio Tinguinha Mariano has seen jiu-jitsu from multiple eras: from the challenge-fight culture and early tournament scene in Brazil to the growth of organized schools in the United States. This conversation looks at how the art changed, what it kept, and why that matters for students and coaches now.
Train with Professor Tinguinha: Tinguinha BJJ Yorba Linda, California Website: BJJOC.com Subscribe to Grappling Monthly for more conversations on the culture, business, people, and history of grappling. #BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MauricioTinguinha #GrapplingMonthly
Grappling Monthly is an independent editorial platform covering the culture, community, and business of the grappling arts. Through podcast episodes, articles, and video, it profiles the coaches, competitors, gym owners, and organizers shaping Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, and submission grappling. The focus is on honest storytelling, thoughtful coverage, and the lived experience of people on the mat.