In the second half of the interview with Stephan Kesting I asked him about his new DVD series, How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent, that he created with Emily Kwok.

I talked with Stephan about why he created this series and why he worked with Emily to create this series.

We also talked about his other videos on grappling arts. How he started making videos as a purple belt, what advice he has if I want to create some BJJ videos. Even the technical aspects like lighting and camera operation.

Click play on the flash player below to listen to the interview:

Other listening options:
Click here to download the mp3 | 16.6MB | 24:10

When you’re looking for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, should you pay more attention to the instructor’s qualifications or take note of the gym members and vibe of the academy?

Stephan Kesting has one of the most analytical minds in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so I called to get his thoughts on the matter. We talked about his course, Beginning BJJ, getting the most out of seminars when your game is different from the instructor’s and, of course, the instructor vs training partner question.

Stephan Kesting
You’re training partners are the most important piece of training kit you have. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not about having techniques handed down from on-high and you memorizing them exactly. It’s experiential—you have to do it.

Here are a few highlights from the talk:

• Getting started in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
• How to fill gaps in your game.
• Instructor vs training partners—what’s more important?
• How to get the most out of a BJJ seminar.

Click play on the flash player below to listen to the interview:

Other listening options:
Click here to download the mp3 | 17.2MB | 25:05

Months ago when Christian’s around-the-world Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trip ended and the content on BJJ Globetrotter slowed, I was looking in the archives of his other blog, ShogunHQ. I learned he started his gym, CSA.dk, when he was only a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, quitting his job as a programmer to follow his dreams.

I called Christian to discuss his trip around the world and also to learn how he opened a school with such little experience.

Here are a few of the highlights from our chat:

• How Christian got started in Jiu-Jitsu.
• What it’s like leaving full-time employment to start a BJJ academy.
• Do you need to be a Jiu-Jitsu celebrity to travel the world playing BJJ?
• Can you become good at BJJ without a coach?

Click play on the flash player below to listen to the interview:

Other listening options:
Click here to download the mp3 | 19.4MB | 28:17