The Sonny Brown Breakdown

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

A podcast where we will discuss the training, teaching, health and education of mixed martial arts. Hosted by Sonny Brown, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, competitor and coach who is also a 3 times Australian MMA Champion. He also runs the Sonny Brown Martial Arts YouTube Channel which breaks down MMA & Grappling competitors matches and careers. The podcast aims to provide insights to anyone looking to learn more about the teaching and training of martial arts.

A podcast where we will discuss the training, teaching, health and education of mixed martial arts. Hosted by Sonny Brown, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, competitor and coach who is also a 3 times Australian MMA Champion. He also runs the Sonny Brown Martial Arts YouTube Channel which breaks down MMA & Grappling competitors matches and careers. The podcast aims to provide insights to anyone looking to learn more about the teaching and training of martial arts.

Location:

Australia

Genres:

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

Description:

Twitter:

@sonnybrown

Language:

English

Contact:

0422901680

Website:

https://www.sonnybrown.net/

Email:

sonnybrown@gmail.com

Episodes

The Reverse Classroom, Skill Acquisition & Submeta With Lachlan Giles

4/19/2022

I talk to Lachlan Giles about his instructional style. He experimented with using the reverse classroom model to teach jiu-jitsu which involves students watching videos before attending class and then directing portions of their training over what they want to learn. We discuss this experiment, his thoughts and readings on skill acquisition in general for grapplers, and the launch of his new online learning platform Submeta.

Duration:00:54:16

Positive Benefits of the Gi & IBJJF Points System With Robert Degle

3/31/2022

I talk to Robert Degle. A blackbelt in BJJ, who was recently banned from competing by the IBJJF due to not having enough time registered as a brown belt before being promoted to black belt. Yet we discuss why he thinks the IBJJF has an overall net positive influence on the sport. From the prestige of its competition circuit to the rules and points system that he believes forces a general well-rounded jiu-jitsu game regardless of gi or no-gi competitions.

Duration:01:31:35

BJJ Mental Models, Concepts, Principles & Online Learning With Steve Kwan

2/23/2022

I talk to Steve Kwan of the BJJ Mental Models Podcast in a Crossover Episode! We talk about how his podcast has influenced his own game, the most important concepts he learned from his podcast guests and the debate over concepts vs techniques. Further, we discuss learning Jiu-Jitsu online and the multiple online learning platforms and instructions out there and how you can go about finding one that best suits your needs and improves your grappling.

Duration:00:52:43

Contrarian Grappling While Combining Catch Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu With Sam Kressin

1/9/2022

I talk to Sam Kressin, a Black Belt in BJJ who also trained extensively with catch wrestling legend Billy Robinson. Sam is also a talented visual artist who holds a degree in exercise and sports science. We discuss how he came to find jiu-jitsu and catch wrestling in his martial arts journey and his time spent training both, and the process of combining them. He also coaches grappling and runs catch wrestling workshops for Scientific Wrestling and gives an excellent insight into his coaching...

Duration:01:53:20

Mind Over Muscle, Judo & Jigoro Kano With Andy From School Of Grappling

1/3/2022

I talk to Andy From School Of Grappling about the book "Mind Over Muscle: Writings From The Founder Of Judo" By Jigoro Kano. We explore the philosophy of Judo as written and explained by Kano while also discussing his views on physical education and the principles of Judo including mutual benefit and maximum efficiency in energy use. We also discuss the concept of embodied grappling and the critical role rough and tumble play can have on a child's morality and social awareness development.

Duration:01:22:05

The Rancid Ingredients For A Martial Arts McDojo With Rob From McDojoLife

12/13/2021

I talk to Rob From McDojoLife. Rob has been a lifelong martial artist with a black belt in Karate and a Purple Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. McDojo life has a massive social media presence that you have likely seen before where it exposes fakes, frauds and phoneys of the martial arts industries. We discuss the elements that make a McDojo, the warning signs and dangers of fake martial arts, and how you can avoid these as a student and coach.

Duration:01:32:30

Designing BJJ Lessons, Learning & Lifestyle With John B Will

11/21/2021

I talk to John B Will, one of the all-time legends of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts. As an early adopter of BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts, he has spent countless hours teaching classes and seminars worldwide. Combined with an active interest in the art of learning and teaching it gives him an invaluable insight into how best to deliver information and techniques to a class of students and how to help yourself become a better learner and martial artist, which we discuss in this episode.

Duration:01:13:28

The Taoist Teachings Of Bruce Lee With Daniele Bolleli

11/7/2021

I talk to Daniele Bolelli, author, martial artist & university professor. He is the host of multiple podcasts, including the Drunken Daoist podcast and the History on Fire podcast and a frequent guest on the Joe Rogan Experience. He was a contributor to the "I Am Bruce Lee" documentary and recently covered the life of Bruce Lee in a 2 part history podcast. We discuss the teachings of Bruce Lee for martial artists and specifically how Bruce Lee used his martial arts as a vehicle for his...

Duration:00:58:07

Belts, Ranking, Titles & Hierarchy In Jiu-Jitsu With Priit Mihkelson

10/31/2021

I talk to Priit Mihkelson, A Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt From Estonia and founder of Defensive BJJ. Priit always has a lot of interesting takes on the teaching, training & traditions of Jiu-Jitsu and after recently relocating his school I took the chance to ask him about his thoughts on belt rankings. We have a great conversation about how he has applied them to his Defensive BJJ system and set up his new school. We then move on to the use of hierarchy & titles like Professor and Master and their...

Duration:01:34:40

Submitting the Stigma of Mental Health in Martial Arts With Erin Herle

9/19/2021

I talk to Erin Herle, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt & Founder of #submitthestigma. Submit the Stigma is a mental health advocacy group, so we discuss the work they do and the interplay, boundaries and roles that Jiu-Jitsu training can play in mental health and the mental side of competition and fighting. We also discuss becoming confident, having a strong self-belief, how to build beneficial connections with training partners through communication, becoming confident and Erin's own BJJ & MMA...

Duration:01:20:08

UFC Performance Institute, MMA Periodisation & Integrating Mental Training With Richy Walsh

8/13/2021

I talk to Richy Walsh, A veteran of The UFC & The Ultimate Fighter who now works as an MMA Coach at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China. We discuss the goals of the UFC P.I, how they run the MMA Combine & scout for new talent and the running of a fight camp. He also explains the periodisation of MMA Skills training and his thoughts on applying the same process for mental training. Lastly, how he game plans and breaks down footage for the athletes and runs the professional...

Duration:01:06:21

Dedication of Daisy Fresh & Fighting For the Future With Heath Pedigo

7/14/2021

I talk to Heath Pedigo, Founder of Pedigo Submission fighting, aka Daisy Fresh. We discuss the culture and mindset used to build Daisy Fresh from Mt. Vernon to win the Pan Ams and the work ethic he looks to instil in his team and build camaraderie. Also, his thoughts on breaking down techniques from competition footage, and the evolution of training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu and the role coaches play in the process and his belief that Jiu-Jitsu can be used as a vehicle for bettering people and...

Duration:01:49:18

Alliance With Adversity & The Value of Vulnerability With Eric Uresk

6/29/2021

I talk to Eric Uresk, a Judo & Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt who coaches at Alliance MMA. We discuss his martial arts career and how he advocates for embracing vulnerability in his training to help conquer adversity. He explains his coaching philosophy and the hurdles he has faced while working with high-level athletes, including gaining trust from the athletes, mainly while working with Dominic Cruz. An athlete who has such an extensive knowledge of MMA that instructing him has its own set of...

Duration:01:13:37

An Inquiry-Based Instructional Strategy of Teaching Without Telling With Tum "Energia" Voorn

6/1/2021

I talk to Tum "Energia" Voorn who is a Jiu Jitsu Practitioner with a Capoeria background and who also trained as a teacher. We discuss an inquiry-based instructional strategy that he describes as "Teaching Without Telling" and how he applies it in a grappling context, what obstacles it may have in its implementation, how to overcome them and the benefits of its use. We also relate this to forming a positive club culture by encouraging student feedback and, finally how leg locks can play into...

Duration:01:39:15

Initiating No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu for the Next Generation of Grapplers With Chris Brennan

5/10/2021

I talk to Chris Brennan, the O.G of No-Gi. Chris is an MMA Hall of Famer and 3-time No-Gi world champion, but perhaps might not be as well known for starting the first No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu school in America back in 1998 after leaving the Gracie Academy. We discuss what the Gracie Academy and the change to No-Gi were like and how he learned to train his students while competing in MMA. We also discuss how he has taken those lessons and passed them on to his sons with their MMA & grappling careers.

Duration:01:16:04

Importance of Offense vs. Dependable Defense With Priit Mihkelson & School Of Grappling

4/8/2021

In this episode, I talk to Priit Mihkelson and Andy from School of Grappling. The episode takes on a unique debate format on the topic of Offense Vs. Defence, With Andy taking the side of offence and Priit being on the defence side. With the issue being reasonably broad, it takes some interesting turns from a general conceptual overview of the topic to practical applications of the technique, the learning and teaching of grappling. Both guys had some fun with the subject, and I am sure you...

Duration:01:44:53

Leg Locking in the MMA Meta & Elegant Leg Entanglements for Vale Tudo With Robert Degle

3/31/2021

I talk to Robert Degle who is a Danaher Death Squad member and trains under John Danaher. We discuss the use of leg locks in MMA, how leg attacks can be used either poorly or how they can be applied in a more high percentage manner. We do this by talking about some of the greatest leg lockers in MMA like Imanari, Ryan Hall, Rousimar Palhares and Marcin Held. Along with some of the essential MMA bouts containing leg lock battles and go through Gary Tonons career in One F.C. to examine the...

Duration:01:33:18

Free Thinking Fusion of Fist Fights, Submissions, Shooto, Scarfhold & Synergetic Spirit With Erik Paulson

3/23/2021

I talk to one of the forefathers of American MMA & submission grappling, founder of Combat Submission Wrestling, Erik Paulson. We discuss the benefits of note-taking and the ability to be a free thinker and having freedom of movement, along with stories of the early days of training with the Gracies & the Machado Brothers alongside Shooto & Catch Wrestling. We get into some specifics on Kesa Gatame, Neck Cranks & Leg Locks and we also end up going deep on the power of meditation, spirit,...

Duration:01:41:08

Being a BJJ Globetrotter, Busting up Tribalism, Belt Bureaucracy & Building a Clubhouse With Christian Graugart

3/1/2021

I talk to Christian Graugart who is the founder of BJJ Globetrotters, a community that runs seminars & camps around the world that discourages jiu-jitsu politics. We discuss the role of tribalism in BJJ and the benefits of thinking outside the box. The desire for social recognition that drives the need for many competition accomplishments and their recent issues with the IBJJF and their Beltchecker website as a possible alternative. Along with tips on training, teaching & building a friendly...

Duration:01:10:36

Life Lessons from the Worlds Longest Lockdown with Denis Kelly

2/15/2021

I talk to Denis Kelly who runs the Australian Combat Sports Academy in Melbourne and has a Black Belt in BJJ, Zen Do Kai Karate and has fought MMA professionally while training worldwide. We had this discussion after his state just came out of the worlds longest lockdown where Melbourne was under curfew, and he was unable to operate his gym, but he persisted with teaching online lessons the entire time. We discuss what he learned during that period regarding club culture and teamwork and...

Duration:01:11:16