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Old Man On The Mat

Old Man On The Mat

By: Tony Jones
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Follow Old Man On The Mat — Where Real Talk, and Real Life Meet!

Old Man On The Mat is your home for BJJ stories, martial arts insight, fitness motivation, veteran support, and down-to-earth conversations with athletes, coaches, and everyday warriors. Whether you’re over 40 getting back in shape, a lifelong martial artist, or someone who loves raw, honest conversation — this page brings weekly podcasts, training tips, gear drops, and behind-the-scenes content you won’t find anywhere else.


Hit FOLLOW now to stay connected, learn, laugh, and grow with a community built on grit, humility, and the love of the mat.
Let’s roll!

#OldManOnTheMat #BJJLifestyle #JiuJitsuCommunity #PodcastLife #BJJOver40 #VeteranSupport #TrainHardLiveHard #Fitness #MartialArts #Podcast

© 2026 Old Man On The Mat
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Episodes
  • From Garage Mats to a Thriving Jiu-Jitsu Community | Daniel Nunez & Grapple Cove
    May 19 2026

    "Send us a text and let us know how we're doing"

    In this episode of Old Man On The Mat, Tony Jones reconnects with Daniel Nunez of Grapple Cove to discuss the journey of building a community-focused Jiu-Jitsu academy in Melbourne, Florida.

    We dive into faith, perseverance, business growth, overcoming struggles, and how staying true to your core values can help build something meaningful both on and off the mats.

    This conversation is packed with lessons on leadership, mindset, community building, and personal growth for martial artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing a bigger purpose.

    Like, follow & subscribe to Old Man On The Mat New episodes weekly

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction and Background of Daniel Nunez
    03:16 Growth and Community at Grapple Cove
    06:34 The Importance of Personal Connection in Jiu-Jitsu
    09:18 Investing in the Business and Community
    12:18 Adding Value to Students' Lives
    15:12 Taking the Leap: Business Growth and Challenges
    18:07 Overcoming Personal Struggles and Finding Purpose
    22:45 Overcoming Darkness: A Personal Journey
    25:43 The Power of Faith and Support
    28:45 Mindset Shift: Embracing Struggles
    32:57 The Importance of Connection and Community
    38:17 Future Aspirations: Growth and Expansion
    40:36 Core Values: Staying True to Yourself
    44:15 1756849464234 (2).wav


    #bjj #jiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #community #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #faith #motivation #mindset #oldmanonthemat #personalgrowth

    Support the show


    Support Our Podcast:

    https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldmanonthemat


    Like and comment on our social media below:

    (1) Facebook

    https://x.com/oldmanonthemat1

    https://www.tiktok.com/@old.man.on.the.mat

    https://www.instagram.com/oldmanonthemat

    www.youtube.com/@oldmanonthemat

    Check out our AMAZING T-Shirts, Hoodies and Rash Guards @ www.OldManOnTheMat.com

    support us at:
    https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351260/support


    Thank you for listening!


    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • From Depression to Dominance: Tiffany Trixtr's Journey of Empowerment
    May 5 2026

    "Send us a text and let us know how we're doing"

    In this powerful interview, Tiffany Trixtr shares how she transformed her life from depression into strength through martial arts, dog training, and firearms.

    From learning how to protect herself to empowering other women, her journey is about more than skills—it’s about confidence, mindset, and refusing to stay stuck.

    “I built my parachute on the way down.”

    If you’ve ever felt lost, this conversation will push you to take action.

    👉 Like, follow & subscribe for weekly conversations on strength, mindset, and personal growth👉 New episodes every week on Old Man On The Mat

    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Tiffany Trixtr

    05:30 The Challenges and Rewards of Dog Training

    10:22 Understanding Dog Behavior and Training Techniques

    15:18 The Importance of Owner-Dog Relationships

    20:08 Overcoming Personal Struggles and Finding Purpose

    24:00 Embracing Challenges and Learning from Failure

    27:47 The Impact of Martial Arts on Personal Growth

    30:13 Real-Life Applications of Martial Arts

    36:42 Empowerment Through Self-Defense

    39:26 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Martial Arts

    39:56 Empowering Women in Martial Arts

    40:46 Overcoming Gender Bias in Training

    41:56 The Love for Firearms

    42:57 From Novice to Enthusiast in Shooting

    44:36 Exploring Advanced Shooting Techniques

    45:53 Training with Law Enforcement

    47:39 Future Aspirations in Martial Arts and Firearms

    48:44 The Art of Blades and Self-Defense

    51:56 Understanding Knife Fighting Dynamics

    56:04 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Empowerment

    59:17 1756849464234 (2).wav


    #selfdefense #martialarts #womensafety #empowerment #mentalstrength #personalgrowth #dogtraining #confidence #overcomingfear #discipline #oldmanonthemat #motivation #nevergiveup 💪🔥🥋


    Support the show


    Support Our Podcast:

    https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldmanonthemat


    Like and comment on our social media below:

    (1) Facebook

    https://x.com/oldmanonthemat1

    https://www.tiktok.com/@old.man.on.the.mat

    https://www.instagram.com/oldmanonthemat

    www.youtube.com/@oldmanonthemat

    Check out our AMAZING T-Shirts, Hoodies and Rash Guards @ www.OldManOnTheMat.com

    support us at:
    https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351260/support


    Thank you for listening!


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • He started Jiu-Jitsu AFTER 40… and it changed everything / Damian Bunting
    Apr 7 2026

    "Send us a text and let us know how we're doing"

    On this episode of Old Man On The Mat, we sit down with Damian Bunting—whose journey from military and law enforcement into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shows exactly what it means to start over after 40.

    This isn’t about being the best in the room.
    It’s about refusing to stay the same man.

    We break down:

    • What it’s like starting BJJ later in life
    • The mental toughness built through adversity
    • Why ego is the biggest enemy on the mats
    • How martial arts rebuilds discipline, purpose, and identity

    If you're over 40 and feel that pull to do something harder… this is it.

    You’re not too old. You’re just untested. Follow & Subscribe to Old Man On The Mat for real conversations on BJJ, fitness, and staying dangerous after 40.


    www.youtube.com/@oldmanonthemat

    https://x.com/oldmanonthemat1

    https://www.tiktok.com/@old.man.on.the.mat


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Community Support
    01:31 Meet Damian: A Unique Perspective
    02:35 Living in Portland: A Cultural Contrast
    03:54 The Politics of Jiu Jitsu
    05:03 Creating Spaces for Older Practitioners
    06:18 The Challenges of Training Over 40
    08:11 Personal Journeys and Emotional Challenges
    09:59 Midlife Reflections and Jiu Jitsu
    11:15 The Journey of Learning Jiu Jitsu
    13:11 The Role of Jiu Jitsu in Personal Safety
    15:09 Finding Balance in Training
    17:49 Mindset and Enjoying the Process
    20:05 Education and Personal Growth
    21:50 Measuring Progress in Jiu Jitsu
    24:04 The Challenge of Learning New Skills After 40
    26:11 The Importance of Perseverance in Jiu Jitsu
    29:20 Understanding Growth in a Competitive Environment
    31:11 Mindset and Progress in Martial Arts
    33:49 Fitness Routines for Older Adults
    36:13 Nutrition and Diet for Optimal Performance
    39:54 Transitioning from Military to Security Work
    46:47 Coping Mechanisms in High-Stress Environments
    49:25 The Therapeutic Nature of Jiu Jitsu
    50:38 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Martial Arts
    55:02 Lessons from Coaching and Business Failures
    58:41 Facing Fears and Embracing Competition
    01:03:27 Documenting the Journey: Sharing Experiences and Insights
    01:05:58 1756849464234 (2).wav



    #foryourpage #foryou #fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral

    #oldmanonthemat #bjjover40 #jiujitsu #bjj #fitnessover40 #mensmentalhealth #mentalwarfare #discipline #resilience #grapplinglife #selfdefense #staydangerous #over40men #hardtokill #combatmindset #nevertoolate #bj

    Support the show


    Support Our Podcast:

    https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldmanonthemat


    Like and comment on our social media below:

    (1) Facebook

    https://x.com/oldmanonthemat1

    https://www.tiktok.com/@old.man.on.the.mat

    https://www.instagram.com/oldmanonthemat

    www.youtube.com/@oldmanonthemat

    Check out our AMAZING T-Shirts, Hoodies and Rash Guards @ www.OldManOnTheMat.com

    support us at:
    https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351260/support


    Thank you for listening!


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
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