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The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

This is the Stephan Kesting's Grapplearts Radio Podcast where we discuss BJJ, Grappling, MMA, and all manner of martial arts training.

Stephan runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials.

His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art. Click here to download that book for free as well.

Stephan has a lengthy career in martial arts, spanning more than 3 decades.  He has dedicated many years to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you can find his accessible and practical expertise on all BJJ matters at Grapplearts.com

A black belt in multiple martial art systems, he brings a range of approaches to self defense, and a critical eye for what works in the street.

Stephan has been featured in Black Belt Magazine, Ultimate Grappling, Tapout Magazine and Ultimate Athlete.

He is also a frequent guest on martial arts related podcasts, including The Fightworks Podcast, Atlantic MMA, Combatives Corner, The Warrior’s Den, The Spartan Underground and many more.

Aug 30, 2020

Jessica Cox was born without arms but she didn't let that stop her from becoming the first woman to get her pilot's license using her feet to fly the plane. And she has a couple of black belts as well.  Check out this episode; I'm sure you'll come away super-inspired and ready to smash your own limits!


Aug 21, 2020

Jeff Shaw and I geeked out about Jiu-Jitsu history at first, but then at about the 27:00 minute mark we pivoted to his school's innovative outdoor classes with dedicated training partners during coronavirus and how we can get back to normal in the sport.

I hope you enjoy this episode.  Please share it with your friends...


Aug 12, 2020

Robert Drysdale is one of the most highly decorated American grapplers in history.  He remains the only person not born in Brazil to win both the IBJJF World Championships with the gi and the ADCC Open Division without the gi.

Today we talked about the difference between Jiu-Jitsu in competition and in the gym, his...


Aug 6, 2020

Adam Shoalts is a professional adventurer and explorer.  He has completed a 4,000 km solo trip across the Canadian Arctic, explored unknown rivers in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and is a fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.  I hope you enjoy his tales of adventure as much as I did!

More about Adam at


Aug 3, 2020

Here's how to organize a BJJ training pod to keep yourself and, more importantly, other people safe during the coronavirus pandemic.  

1:11 - What is a Training Pod
1:38 - Why Are Training Pods a Good Idea Right Now, and Reasons for Hope
7:51 - How Many People Should Be In Your Pod and Who Do You Choose?
12:20 - When is...