I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show

Everyone Has a Hot Take about BJJ… So We Gave Them all a Microphone

This is the FIRST EVER episode of Hot Takes Wanted—and we didn’t hold back.

I(@thejoshmckinney) grabbed as many people as possible and let them unload their most unfiltered jiu-jitsu opinions. No scripts. No safety nets. Just raw takes from the mats.

Guard pulling?
Gi vs No-Gi?
Wrestling elitism?
American Jiu-Jitsu?
Barefoot tournament savages??

Yeah… it all came up.

Some people think you can’t complain about guard pulling if you can’t pass a guard.
Others say you shouldn’t guard pull if you can’t wrestle.
Some swear No-Gi isn’t even Jiu-Jitsu—it’s just submission wrestling.
Others say if you don’t train in the gi, you’re missing the point entirely.

Then things got weird (in the best way).

We got takes on:
-Boxers vs Jiu-Jitsu in real fights
-Why belt promotions are broken (or perfect)
-Why American Jiu-Jitsu is its own thing
-Why your toes should get stomped on if you walk barefoot at tournaments
-And even why the infamous “r*pe choke” should be renamed

Some takes are smart.
Some are spicy.
Some will absolutely make you mad.

And that’s the point.

👇 Jump in the comments:

Which take was the WORST?

Which one was 100% correct?

And what hot take should we put on blast in the next episode?

This is jiu-jitsu culture—unfiltered.

I Suck at Jiu Jitsu Experience: https://kick.site/rxi0b3vo ($100 OFF with Promo Code "Fuji Expo")

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The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp

What does it actually take to become unbreakable in jiu-jitsu — mentally, physically, and over an entire career?
I(@thejoshmckinney) recorded this conversation live at the Fuji BJJ Expo with Victor Hugo (victorhugojj), right in the middle of a tournament atmosphere, with matches happening, crowds moving, and pressure everywhere. No studio. No edits. Just a real, unfiltered conversation with one of the most dominant and respected competitors of this generation.
Victor Hugo doesn’t talk about techniques here.
He talks about how he lives his life and how it applies to jiu-jitsu.
In this live interview, Victor breaks down:
- Why flow matters more than force at the highest level
- How he trains without burning out or getting stuck
- What actually goes through his head before world championship finals
- How early losses shaped him instead of breaking him
- Why adaptability beats having “one best move”
- How he stays calm when everything is on the line
- And what most athletes get wrong about longevity, pressure, and winning

This was filmed tableside at Fuji BJJ Expo, during a live tournament weekend — the noise, the distractions, the energy — and Victor stayed exactly who he is: calm, thoughtful, and intentional.

If you’ve ever:
- Felt stuck in your training
- Burned out chasing results
- Struggled with pressure in competition
- Or wondered how elite athletes stay composed while everyone else panics

This conversation will change how you think about jiu-jitsu.This isn’t hype.This is Big Man Flow — explained by the man who lives it.
I Suck at Jiu Jitsu Experience: https://kick.site/rxi0b3vo ($100 OFF with Promo Code "Fuji Expo")
Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/
isucksportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”
Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/
he Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp
Champion’s Stay Present: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/csp
Join ISAJJ PRO(ALL of Josh’s Courses in One Place): https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/suck
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow
Check out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney

Most people won’t waste 2026 on purpose—but they will by accident.
In this short, no-fluff episode of The I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu Show, Josh McKinney(@thejoshmckinney) breaks down the simple mistakes that keep white belts stuck and black belts stale—and how small tweaks can completely change your progress next year.
This isn’t about new techniques, secret systems, or training harder. It’s about fixing the boring fundamentals of how you train, so your time on the mat actually turns into skill.
If you want 2026 to be the year your jiu-jitsu finally clicks, this episode is your reset.
Why most people “train a lot” but don’t get better

How to stop drifting and start improving with intention

The biggest mindset traps holding back every belt level

How to structure training so progress compounds over time

Give me 59 minutes—and don’t waste 2026.
Master Any Position in 6 Weeks: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/6 
Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/isuck
sportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”
Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/ 
The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp 
Champion’s Stay Present: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/csp 
Join ISAJJ PRO(ALL of Josh’s Courses in One Place): https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/suck
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow 
Check out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney 
What you’ll learn:

What happens when you take the wildest, deepest, most ridiculous Jiu-Jitsu conversations of the year… and put them in one episode?This is it.⚠️ 7 straight hours of black belt wisdom, hot takes, mindset shifts, technical gold, and straight-up Jiu Jitsu madness — all pulled from the best moments of The I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu Show in 2025.Whether you're a white belt looking for breakthroughs…A coach searching for clarity…Or a die-hard fan of the chaos — this episode is your end-of-year deep dive.⏱️ What’s Inside:🤯 Unfiltered rants, raves, and revelations🧠 Practical advice that actually moves your game forward🔥 Conversations that shook the Jiu-Jitsu community🥋 Clips that made you laugh, rethink, and rewind🗣 Featuring guests like:Henry Akins, Greg Souders., Glen Powditch, Steve McKinney, and other top-tier minds from the mats.If you’re serious about Jiu-Jitsu, this is the 7-hour reset your brain needs before 2026.👇 Comment your favorite moment below — I might pin it.

ISAJJ Experience Tickets: https://kick.site/rxi0b3vo
Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/isuck
sportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”
Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/
The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp
00:00 - Jack Taufer explains connection and belt rank
22:13 - Why the Jiu Jitsu Community is falling apart
45:00 - What makes Greg Souders tick?
1:07:54 - Henry Akins and Micheal Zenga Breakdown what makes the best Jiu Jitsu
1:35:04 - What is American Jiu Jitsu? | The AJJ Declaration of Independence
2:07:44 - How to get your Black Belt in 7 Years
2:27:36 - Worst Hot Takes of 2025
2:58:10 - Identifying every hateable person at your jiu jitsu school
3:26:18 - Glyn Powditch teaches Breathwork for jiu jitsu and survivial
3:58:10 - Warning: Jiu Jitsu is Ruining Your Life
4:22:23 - How to use a Performance day
4:38:22 - CJI is going to suck?
5:16:56 - Josh loses in front of everyone but still has a better day than Ralph
5:51:41 - Thank You Notes of 2025
6:09:19 - Steve McKinney | Life Hacks to live Forever
Jack Taufer explains connection and belt rank - https://youtu.be/bDFFiauY3lc
Why the Jiu Jitsu Community is falling apart - https://youtu.be/hlCWCv327Uc
What makes Greg Souders tick? - https://youtu.be/R5XI3CfLV9g
Henry Akins and Micheal Zenga Breakdown what makes the best Jiu Jitsu - https://youtu.be/tN-eIL7euSo
What is American Jiu Jitsu? | The AJJ Declaration of Independence - https://youtu.be/KVSyAde-yrQ
How to get your Black Belt in 7 Years - https://youtu.be/9RsayPzb-7E
Worst Hot Takes of 2025 - https://youtu.be/UDmUl4cYvcs
Identifying every hateable person at your jiu jitsu school - https://youtu.be/mnCMwvx0erI
Glyn Powditch teaches Breathwork for jiu jitsu and survival - https://youtu.be/7akgVE7vy0c
Warning: Jiu Jitsu is Ruining Your Life - https://youtu.be/tgsV_8dsUJw
How to use a Performance day - https://youtu.be/8fMjTOiBAhY
CJI is going to suck? - https://youtu.be/eNP9a4o12i4
Josh loses in front of everyone but still has a better day than Ralph - https://youtu.be/Z7Tz-rEMy_4
Thank You Notes of 2025 - https://youtu.be/VHah0cikGHg
Steve McKinney | Life Hacks to live Forever - https://youtu.be/pDBVTmCKcsc

This special is a rapid-fire AMA where I answer your questions on jiu-jitsu, coaching, competing, gym ownership, family life, burnout, bad ideas, good albums, worse warm-ups, and everything in between. From how to suck less as a white belt, to training 2–3x a week, to biggest failures, future goals, and what actually matters after the medals fade.Some answers are tactical. Some are honest. A few are probably controversial.All of them are real.Hit play, start the year smarter, and take one idea into training this week.

Sign up for ISAJJx

Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/isucksportshygiene.com Promo Code “ISUCK”Datsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/ The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp Champion’s Stay Present: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/csp Join ISAJJ PRO(ALL of Josh’s Courses in One Place): https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/suckFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow Check out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney