Oct 23, 2020
Today’s guest is Stephan Kesting, a father , fire-fighter, podcaster and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) legend.
Stephan operates Grapplearts.com and Beginning BJJ.com. Through his online instructionals, videos, DVDs, articles and newsletters, he has helped tens of thousands of grapplers all over the world improve their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling skills. I in particular owe him for his ones on sweeps and subs, I learnt more off these apps, not just technique pointers but key concepts and movement fixes, than I had in some classes to that point. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and has been training martial arts for over 30 years where he has achieved belts in and is a certified training in a number of other martial arts.
In my opinion he has been a legend in the BJJ coaching scene and his instructionals and articles are a must read for anyone serious about improving their BJJ.
In this interview, we discuss multiple areas such as his views on BJJ as a martial art, his amazing 1000 Miles by Canoe trip in the Arctic, alone, his kidney transplant and the importance of working towards your goals. I seriously consider him one of the most interesting people in BJJ and someone you need to follow to take your BJJ to the next level!
In this interview, we discuss gems like:
- Who they are
- Competitors vs coaching and the role he is leaning towards more
- Learning concepts vs techniques - which gives the most benefit to the student
- Why he chose to focus on BJJ rather than many other arts he studied
- How BJJ is arguably the most effective self-defense martial art
- Modern day rituals to manhood
- His kidney condition and transplant
- The importance of Organ Donation
- His trip - 1000 Miles by Canoe in the Arctic, alone - a little appetizer to his mammoth journey and stunning achievement
- The importance of having a large goal in your life
- How training is vital and skill development hacks
- Why you need to find a challenge in your life
- What he wants you to remember
- How you can connect with them
*For Transparency, this was recorded late 2019 but due to some scheduling, travel, lockdown and work matters, it is only being published now.