Off the Mats Podcast #292 features a conversation with Naomi Ives of Ivey League MMA and Crazy 88 MMA, a longtime teammate whose jiu-jitsu journey reflects the realities many practitioners face but rarely articulate in full. We discuss how she began training, the gym environments that shaped her early identity on the mats, and how consistency, setbacks, and self-perception evolved. Rather than centering the discussion on highlights alone, this episode focuses on the quieter chapters that define longevity in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

A major part of the conversation addresses injury, how it first showed up, what it took away, and what it demanded in return. Naomi breaks down the physical and mental cost of being sidelined, the uncertainty that comes with rebuilding trust in your body, and the internal work required when progress slows or stops altogether. We discuss practical changes she made during her return, including how she adjusted training intensity, partner selection, positional choices, and recovery habits, as well as the conversations she learned to have with coaches and teammates.

We also explore how parenthood reshaped her relationship with training. That includes managing time and energy, redefining what a productive training week looks like, and navigating guilt on both sides of the equation, being on the mats and being away from them. Naomi reflects on what jiu-jitsu has taught her about patience and composure, and what parenting has clarified about priorities, boundaries, and sustainability in training.

The episode closes with a look at where her jiu-jitsu is now and what success looks like at this stage. This is a practical, honest conversation about resilience, identity beyond performance, and staying connected to jiu-jitsu through injury, life changes, and shifting goals.

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down again with Johan and Eliška to talk through Eliška’s second Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition and Johan’s role in coaching her through the process. We begin by catching up since their last appearance on the show, focusing on how Eliška’s training evolved, what motivated her to compete again, and how her mindset differed heading into her second tournament. From Johan’s perspective, we discuss how she has grown as an athlete and which areas of her game became priorities during preparation.

The conversation moves into a detailed look at the training camp leading up to competition day. Eliška explains the technical and conditioning adjustments she made, moments during training where things began to connect, and how her routine shifted compared to her first event. Johan breaks down how he structured her preparation, the balance between reinforcing existing strengths and addressing weaknesses, and how he used situational training to expose her to uncomfortable positions common in competition.

We also spend time on mental preparation, discussing nerves, confidence, and expectations for a second-time competitor. Eliška reflects on what she wanted to correct mentally from her first experience and what helped her stay composed this time. Johan shares how he approaches coaching mindset for newer competitors and the cues he emphasizes in the days leading up to a tournament.

We close by reflecting on the coach–athlete dynamic, post-match takeaways, and lessons learned from this experience. Both Johan and Eliška discuss what comes next, including areas of focus moving forward and thoughts on future competitions. The episode wraps with a short round of closing questions aimed at anyone preparing for their second Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament.

To follow Johan and learn what's next in his journey, you can find him at @johlor80 on Instagram.

And to follow Ellie's continue growth and adventures, head over to @prchalova.eliska on Instagram.

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.

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In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Jenn Holmberg, co-host of the Chokeholds and Chill Podcast, to talk about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as more than just a sport. Jenn shares how she first found jiu-jitsu, what her early training years were like, and the mentors and experiences that helped shape her approach to life on and off the mats. We also talk about how she balances training, podcasting, and everyday responsibilities, and what jiu-jitsu has come to represent in her life.

We spend time unpacking the origin of Chokeholds and Chill—why Jenn and her co-host Mallory felt there was space for a different kind of conversation within the BJJ community, how they choose topics and guests, and how podcasting has influenced Jenn’s connection to grappling culture. From there, the conversation shifts to the ways jiu-jitsu intersects with mental health, self-awareness, motivation, and personal growth, especially during seasons when life outside the gym feels heavy.

We wrap up by talking about why honest conversations about life and jiu-jitsu matter, and what meaningful success looks like beyond medals and belt promotions, before closing out with a rapid-fire round focused on training, music, food, and lessons learned along the way.