In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, host Jake Dante sits down with Laith Hyali, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt training out of Crazy 88 MMA in Severna Park and the owner of No MoSquitos MD. Laith shares how Jiu-Jitsu shaped his discipline, his approach to business, and his ability to stay grounded through life’s challenges.

From his early days as a white belt to refining his pressure game as a brown belt, Laith opens up about lessons learned on and off the mats — from mindset shifts, competition takeaways, and mentorship at Ivey League MMA and Crazy 88 to balancing family life.

Whether you’re chasing your next belt or trying to find balance between your passions and responsibilities, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and that signature Off the Mats energy that reminds us: BJJ isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifestyle.

We want to give a shout out to @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10 and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI". Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast Twitter @offthematspod1 TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com

In Off the Mats Podcast #280, host Jake Dante sits down with Chris “CH” Houck, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt from Crazy 88 MMA – Severna Park. Chris opens up about his evolution in BJJ, from early training days to becoming a seasoned purple belt under coaches Julius Park, Keith Cebula, and Tye Ryan Murphy. He discusses how balancing family, work, and training has shaped his mindset, discipline, and patience—both on and off the mats.

Listeners will hear about the technical growth in Chris’s game since blue belt, including his passing style, favorite guard setups, and go-to submissions, along with the challenges he’s tackling now. The conversation highlights the culture of Crazy 88 Severna Park, known for its high-level coaching, team camaraderie, and championship-driven mindset.

Off the mats, Chris shares how he stays motivated, plus the lessons Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to teach him in everyday life. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire Q&A covering his favorite submissions, toughest training partners, post-training snacks, and the song that gets him hyped before a roll.

Whether you’re a BJJ beginner, a competitive grappler, or someone chasing balance between life and the mats, this episode offers real insights into growth, perseverance, and mindset.

We want to give a shout out to @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10 and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI". Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast Twitter @offthematspod1 TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com

In Off the Mats Podcast #279, host Jake Dante sits down with Joe Huggins, a dedicated MMA fighter, coach, and new dad, to talk about life’s biggest transitions. Joe shares how becoming a father has reshaped his mindset, training schedule, and approach to competition. The two discuss finding balance between family, fight camp, and coaching, and how discipline on the mats translates into parenthood. Plus, Jake and Joe dive into some nerd talk, breaking down the latest Marvel and DC projects, and giving honest takes on where superhero films are heading. Whether you’re a fighter, parent, or pop-culture fan, this episode offers motivation, laughs, and real talk about staying grounded when life evolves.

You can follow Joe's continued journey and success on Instagram at @avrgjo3

We want to give a shout out to @johnsfitmeals

Head over and use promo code Mahoney10 and you'll get 10% off.

Thank you, again, to everyone for listening to and supporting the podcast up to this point. Below, you'll find info on where to find the shows and social media. Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Listeners get 20% off their purchase at simpleleaf.com and bjjwholesale.com with the code "BJJWIKI". Go check out @socialmediastrategiesthatwork. The account is operated by friend to the podcast and frequent guest @bjjmomma. Go give a follow and listen to @so_you_like_horror on Instagram and listen to the new episodes on Spotify https://spoti.fi/3Jqrrxj The show is available on MANY PLATFORMS FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/offthematspodcast Instagram @offthematspodcast Twitter @offthematspod1 TikTok https://bit.ly/3FTEZAd WRITE INTO THE SHOW Email: offthemats2020@gmail.com