his episode goes way deeper than competition results.We sit down with a PGF athlete and Las Vegas Kings GM - Travis Thomas, to talk about career-ending injuries, blowing out three ligaments, running out of money, rebuilding from zero, and betting everything on jiu-jitsu anyway.We get into:Triple-ligament knee surgery and the mental side of recoveryComing back to competition after ACL, LCL, and PCL reconstructionHow the PGF is evolving into a real professional leagueWhy personality, trash talk, and camera presence matter more than everBalancing competing, coaching, and being a team GMFaith-based leadership, professionalism, and building a cultureWhy jiu-jitsu is still in its early MMA eraThe uncomfortable conversations the sport needs to have to growThis is raw, honest, uncomfortable at times, and necessary if jiu-jitsu wants to become more than just a niche hobby.👇 Drop a comment if you think jiu-jitsu should be judged on entertainment, wins, or both.Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

Episode 121 is a long-form, no-filter BJJ conversation covering gym culture, promotions, competition mindset, coaching philosophy, and the kind of off-the-rails tangents that only happen when you hit record and let it fly.We start with a breakdown of a real-life super fight experience and the idea of bringing authentic super-fight energy directly into local gyms. From there, the conversation shifts into leadership inside an academy, what it means to be a team captain, and how gym culture is built through accountability, motivation, and the right personalities on the mat.Mid-episode, things derail in classic fashion with the now-infamous penguin story, internet culture spirals, and brutally honest belt talk—especially the pressure shift from blue to purple belt and why that transition messes with your head more than people admit.The second half of the episode delivers serious value for competitors and coaches, including:• competition prep routines• warm-ups and mindset before matches• scouting opponents and reading brackets• ecological training concepts for kids• lineage vs legitimacy in jiu-jitsu• what actually makes a good coachAll of it wrapped in raw humor, real gym talk, and zero corporate polish.If you train jiu-jitsu, coach jiu-jitsu, or live inside gym culture, this episode will hit home.👉 Subscribe on YouTube, follow on Spotify, and check out the premium content for extended episodes.IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, we get real about the hidden cost of jiu-jitsu — injuries, surgeries, weight gain fears, and the mental struggle that comes when training is taken away.

One of us is dealing with a scaphoid fracture, possible rotator cuff damage, and a full arm cast… which means no rolling, no lifting, and no stress relief. We talk honestly about how hard it is to stay disciplined when you can’t train, how easy it is to slip back into old habits, and why jiu-jitsu becomes such a huge part of our identity.

We also dive into:

How BJJ injuries really happen

Why cardio without rolling sucks

The mental health side of training

The fear of weight gain when sidelined

Why jiu-jitsu is different than every other sport

This episode balances real talk, dark humor, and the kind of conversations only jiu-jitsu people truly understand.

💬 Drop a comment if you’ve trained through injury

🤙 Like & subscribe to support the show

🎙️ Follow BJJ Balance on:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj