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.

345 - Out of Date Training Methods in Modern Martial Arts, with Richard Bejtlich

Nov 27, 2021

00:37: Richard Bejtlich's background in martial arts

08:39: Where does fascination with martial arts history comes from

18:08: What research on historical martial arts looks like

20:10: Preservation of antiquated methods in the present martial arts

26:15: The Ninja myth!!!

33:22: Cybersecurity

37:47: How hackers attack...

344 - Reporting on the State of Jiu-Jitsu, with Averi Clements

Nov 17, 2021

Averi is a BJJ brown belt who has written extensively for the Jiu-Jitsu Times. Together we go deep into why jiu-jitsu is popular for women, coming back from injuries, some recent high profile sexual assault cases in the sport, and much more.

Follow Averi on Instagram @bjjaveri, on Twitter @BJJaveri, and/or at the

341 - Why Conspiracy Theories Are So Damn Hard to Disprove, with Dr Hanan Bushkin

Nov 3, 2021

Dr Hanan Buskin is a clinical psychologist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In this episode we go deep into the benefits conspiracy theorist get from believing and sharing their crazy ideas and the long, difficult process required to gently wean them off conspiratorial thinking.

Follow Dr Hanan on...

340 - Why I'm Getting a Hip Replacement Tomorrow...

Oct 15, 2021

After 4 decades of training Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Judo, Kajukenbo, Muay Thai, Karate and Kickboxing my right hip is worn out. Here's how I became aware that it needed replacing, what the surgery is going to look like, and what I've done to prepare for it!

I'll post updates about my post-surgical recovery on my podcast, my...

338 - An Epic Rant Against Conspiracism

Sep 10, 2021

In this rant I go off about conspiracism, Ivermectin, Joe Rogan, anti-vaxxers, elk meat diets and more. This is from an Instagram Live session I did with Dr Hanan Bushkin (@drhananbushkin) - Dr Bushkin is a psychologist so he really knew how to wind me up and set me...