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Mat Made Podcast

Mat Made Podcast

By: Mat Made
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Jiu Jitsu Changes Lives and the Mat Made Podcast tells the stories.Mat Made
Episodes
  • Rian Gittman’s Wild Jiu Jitsu Journey - From Felon to Faith to Fighter
    Jun 9 2025

    “My family was involved in organized crime. I was involved in organized crime, and when I was a young kid, I had already been arrested 20-30 times. I have multiple convictions for multiple violent things but I always believed that God had something better for me”In this powerful episode of Rolling Conversations, Kenny Kim travels to an undisclosed compound in South Florida to sit down with Rian Gittman—a former felon turned pastor, entrepreneur, and black belt.Rian’s journey is anything but ordinary:🔹 From federal prison to founding a church🔹 From organized crime to teaching Jiu Jitsu🔹 From emptiness to building a community where training is paid for in cases of waterHe opens up about the early days of American Top Team, the pressure of past sins, and the philosophy that Jiu Jitsu is the ultimate magnifying glass—exposing the lazy, the prideful, the excuse-makers… and giving them a chance to change.If you’ve ever wondered whether people can truly change, or how Jiu Jitsu and faith can transform lives in the deepest way, this is the episode for you.

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    31 mins
  • Chris Wojcik: Mastering the Mental Game: Insights on Competing and Coaching in Jiu-Jitsu
    Feb 5 2025

    Alright, guys, we're back with another episode of the rolling conversation, and I've got the man, Chris Wojcik, with me today. Now, Chris has been on a tear lately, and I'm pumped to dive into his jiu-jitsu journey.

    We're gonna talk about how this guy went from struggling to make ends meet in Chicago to becoming a rising star in the jiu-jitsu world. I mean, the dude's been crushing it - finishing top four at the ADCC trials, competing at the biggest shows, and now he's got seminars popping up all over the place.

    But it ain't just about the competition, you know? Chris has also been putting in work on the writing side of things. He just dropped his first book, "A Grappler's Diary," and let me tell you, it's a must-read for any jiu-jitsu practitioner. The guy's got a knack for breaking down the mental game and sharing some real-deal life lessons through the lens of the sport.

    We're gonna dive into Chris's mindset, how he's navigated the ups and downs, and what it takes to make it in this crazy world of jiu-jitsu. Plus, he's gonna give us the inside scoop on what it's like training at the B Team in Austin - that place is like a jiu-jitsu boot camp, man.

    So buckle up, because this is gonna be a wild ride. You don't wanna miss out on the insights and inspiration that Chris is about to drop. Let's get it!

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Ryan Aitken's Journey from Underdog to Champion
    Jan 9 2025

    On this episode of Rolling Conversations, I'm sitting down with my good friend and rising jiu-jitsu star, Ryan Aitken. We're gonna take a deep dive into Ryan's wild ride at PGF Seven - that crazy tournament in Vegas with the chandeliers, coconut waters, and who's who of the jiu-jitsu world in attendance.

    Ryan was the underdog going in, getting picked last in the draft, but he ended up dominating the competition and taking home the 205-pound title. We're talking about the intense rule set, the crazy injuries, and how Ryan was able to adapt his game to come out on top against that stacked field of killers.

    But it's not just about the competition - Ryan's also been making major waves on the no-gi circuit, with big wins at ADCC Trials and UFC Fight Pass. The guy's a chameleon, able to excel in all different rule sets, and we're gonna unpack how he's developed that versatility.

    Beyond the mats, Ryan's also got a really interesting personal story. He's found that balance between his competitive career and his growing family life. We'll get into his relationship, his role as a father figure, and how he's using his platform to inspire the next generation of Atlanta grapplers.

    This dude's journey is just getting started, and I can't wait for you all to hear his story. So sit back, relax, and get ready for another Rolling Conversation.

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    59 mins

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