<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Jiujitsu Couples Therapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Therapy is in session! Susan and Joshua Citrak- Tom DeBlasse Masters 5 brown belts- discuss our journey, training together as a couple, being a martial arts family, life as an older jiujitsu athlete, keeping the proper mindset and perspective in training and so much more. (This is not a podcast about techniques, drama, dissecting matches, though we do reserve the right to do any or all of them on any given episode)]]></description><link>https://riverside.com</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:28:14 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/WrTTE2ge.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></author><pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:54:49 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2025 Joshua Citrak]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category><itunes:author>Joshua Citrak</itunes:author><itunes:summary>Therapy is in session! Susan and Joshua Citrak- Tom DeBlasse Masters 5 brown belts- discuss our journey, training together as a couple, being a martial arts family, life as an older jiujitsu athlete, keeping the proper mindset and perspective in training and so much more. (This is not a podcast about techniques, drama, dissecting matches, though we do reserve the right to do any or all of them on any given episode)</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Joshua Citrak</itunes:name><itunes:email>hanginwitholdlew@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"><itunes:category text="Relationships"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Sports"/><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><item><title><![CDATA[Plateaus in Jiujitsu/ Breaking Confirmation Bias]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we ask: who are you avoiding in the training room and why? We discuss the psychological concept of confirmation bias and how it affects your training progress, mindset, and relationships on the mats. We explore the many ways in which our biases play politics, cliques and teaching methods in the gym and look at practical ways to identify and challenge these ingrained mental patterns to elevate your game and personal growth.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Confirmation Bias in Jiu Jitsu</b></p><p>37:49 - Strategies for challenging assumptions, including seeking out partners you avoid</p><p>39:16 - The importance of honest data collection and reflection after roles</p><p>40:22 - Reframing wins and losses as information, not judgments</p><p>41:40 - The value of working on techniques with diverse, top-tier training partners</p><p>43:41 - The need for integrating mental training and ego management</p><p>44:40 - The example of Keenan Cornelius deliberately shunning his A game to develop a holistic skill set</p><p>47:05 - Using deliberate practice to prevent stagnation and build resilience</p><p>48:02 - Final thoughts: questioning assumptions as a path to continuous growth</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Resources &amp; Links:</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Keenan+Cornelius" target="_blank">Keenan Cornelius - Developing a Holistic Jiu Jitsu Game</a> (search for his books or content)</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/theory-mind" target="_blank">Theory of Mind - Understanding Others' Perspectives</a></li></ul><p><b>Connect with Joshua &amp; Susan:</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/jiujitsucouplestherapy" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li></ul><p><b>Note:</b> For actionable insights, keep questioning your assumptions, diversify your training partners, and stay aware of your mental filters to unlock new levels in both your Jiu Jitsu and life.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">cf1c38a5-ec73-4a16-8e36-b594790fd203</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:02:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c0ab53df70a0a6e86a6908cf6161d24daf7d9ec48c2745d538292c4fb6676213/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZjFjMzhhNS1lYzczLTRhMTYtOGUzNi1iNTk0NzkwZmQyMDMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkY2VmYzE4NGE2ZTI4ZDg5M2RhMWEzL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTQtMTNfXzE1LTI5LTM3Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="70384056" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/episodes/cf1c38a5-ec73-4a16-8e36-b594790fd203/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we ask: who are you avoiding in the training room and why? We discuss the psychological concept of confirmation bias and how it affects your training progress, mindset, and relationships on the mats. We explore the many ways in which our biases play politics, cliques and teaching methods in the gym and look at practical ways to identify and challenge these ingrained mental patterns to elevate your game and personal growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Confirmation Bias in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;37:49 - Strategies for challenging assumptions, including seeking out partners you avoid&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;39:16 - The importance of honest data collection and reflection after roles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;40:22 - Reframing wins and losses as information, not judgments&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;41:40 - The value of working on techniques with diverse, top-tier training partners&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;43:41 - The need for integrating mental training and ego management&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;44:40 - The example of Keenan Cornelius deliberately shunning his A game to develop a holistic skill set&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;47:05 - Using deliberate practice to prevent stagnation and build resilience&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;48:02 - Final thoughts: questioning assumptions as a path to continuous growth&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Keenan+Cornelius&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Keenan Cornelius - Developing a Holistic Jiu Jitsu Game&lt;/a&gt; (search for his books or content)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/theory-mind&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Theory of Mind - Understanding Others&apos; Perspectives&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Joshua &amp;amp; Susan:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://instagram.com/jiujitsucouplestherapy&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Note:&lt;/b&gt; For actionable insights, keep questioning your assumptions, diversify your training partners, and stay aware of your mental filters to unlock new levels in both your Jiu Jitsu and life.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:48:53</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>21</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Plateaus in Jiujitsu/ Breaking Confirmation Bias</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["Earned My Blue Belt, Now What?/ I've Lost My Passion for Jiujitsu"]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we discuss: How to find your footing as a new blue belt- what you should focus on and what realistic goals to set, how to look for opportunities within your gym to build leadership skills. Also, it’s ok to be a hobbyist, jiujitsu doesn’t have to be your whole life, how to overcome boredom in jiujitsu as so much more.</p><p></p><p>00:35 - The significance of blue belt as a milestone and common ego pitfalls</p><p>01:04 - Expectations versus reality at blue belt and differentiation from other belts</p><p>05:19 - The value of focusing on a specific technique or aspect of your game</p><p>06:41 - Managing ego, pressure from higher belts, and setting achievable goals</p><p>07:37 - The power of consistent, targeted practice and mental framing</p><p>09:06 - The role of mentors in guiding your progression</p><p>12:23 - Expanding your game beyond comfort zones</p><p>13:23 - Giving back: becoming a helper or community role to stay engaged</p><p>15:48 - Recognizing patterns and applying analytical thinking</p><p>16:18 - Managing energy and maintaining support roles</p><p>17:17 - Dealing with burnout and the importance of mental health</p><p>18:19 - Reframing jiu-jitsu as a joyful part of life</p><p>19:01 - Letting go of perfectionism and guilt around missed training</p><p>20:27 - The balance of love and passion for jiu-jitsu</p><p>22:19 - The importance of training smart and respecting your body</p><p>23:31 - Breaking the identity that jiu-jitsu is all of who you are</p><p>27:42 - Cultivating passion without pressure or expectations</p><p>28:12 - Recognizing when you're losing love for the art and how to navigate it</p><p>29:10 - The value of taking breaks and seasonal shifts in passion</p><p>30:07 - Embracing change and life’s seasons using musical metaphors</p><p>31:40 - The importance of self-awareness and gradual evolution</p><p>33:08 - The pitfalls of measuring self-worth solely through achievement</p><p>37:04 - Accepting burnout and adjusting expectations</p><p>38:31 - Moving away from unhealthy competition obsession</p><p>40:35 - Defining your own version of success in jiu-jitsu</p><p>44:36 - Embracing aging and physical limitations</p><p>45:24 - Letting go of perfectionism and self-judgment</p><p>46:17 - Supporting teammates’ competing goals</p><p>47:15 - Do jiu-jitsu for your happiness, not external validation</p><p>48:08 - Closing thoughts: balance, community, and self-compassion</p><p>Resources &amp; Links:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Jiu-Jitsu+Belt+System" target="_blank">The Jiu-Jitsu Belt System Explained</a> (General overview; search for authoritative guides)</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=jiu+jitsu+coach" target="_blank">Influential Jiu-Jitsu Mentors and Coaches</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.martialartsmindset.com/mentorship" target="_blank">Role of Mentors in Martial Arts</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-martial-arts-psychologist/202201/burnout-high-level-martial-art-training" target="_blank">Mental Health &amp; Burnout in Martial Arts</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://grapplinginsider.com/why-community-is-critical-in-bjj/" target="_blank">The Importance of Community in Jiu-Jitsu</a></li></ul><p>Connect with Joshua Citrak:</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/joshcitrak" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/joshcitrak" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">e11ee531-ff1c-4a96-8aa8-9325b226aee1</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:27:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/697307cea267a573798e897e88e47d31fc7d1e5584b385e3510d626c28ae5597/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlMTFlZTUzMS1mZjFjLTRhOTYtOGFhOC05MzI1YjIyNmFlZTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjljYTkzNjU4NmVlNDFiMDAwNjQxZmIxL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTMtMzBfXzE3LTE0LTQ1Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="69938303" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/episodes/e11ee531-ff1c-4a96-8aa8-9325b226aee1/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we discuss: How to find your footing as a new blue belt- what you should focus on and what realistic goals to set, how to look for opportunities within your gym to build leadership skills. Also, it’s ok to be a hobbyist, jiujitsu doesn’t have to be your whole life, how to overcome boredom in jiujitsu as so much more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:35 - The significance of blue belt as a milestone and common ego pitfalls&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;01:04 - Expectations versus reality at blue belt and differentiation from other belts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:19 - The value of focusing on a specific technique or aspect of your game&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;06:41 - Managing ego, pressure from higher belts, and setting achievable goals&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;07:37 - The power of consistent, targeted practice and mental framing&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;09:06 - The role of mentors in guiding your progression&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12:23 - Expanding your game beyond comfort zones&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;13:23 - Giving back: becoming a helper or community role to stay engaged&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;15:48 - Recognizing patterns and applying analytical thinking&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;16:18 - Managing energy and maintaining support roles&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:17 - Dealing with burnout and the importance of mental health&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;18:19 - Reframing jiu-jitsu as a joyful part of life&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;19:01 - Letting go of perfectionism and guilt around missed training&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;20:27 - The balance of love and passion for jiu-jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;22:19 - The importance of training smart and respecting your body&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:31 - Breaking the identity that jiu-jitsu is all of who you are&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;27:42 - Cultivating passion without pressure or expectations&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:12 - Recognizing when you&apos;re losing love for the art and how to navigate it&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;29:10 - The value of taking breaks and seasonal shifts in passion&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;30:07 - Embracing change and life’s seasons using musical metaphors&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;31:40 - The importance of self-awareness and gradual evolution&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;33:08 - The pitfalls of measuring self-worth solely through achievement&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;37:04 - Accepting burnout and adjusting expectations&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:31 - Moving away from unhealthy competition obsession&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;40:35 - Defining your own version of success in jiu-jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;44:36 - Embracing aging and physical limitations&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;45:24 - Letting go of perfectionism and self-judgment&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;46:17 - Supporting teammates’ competing goals&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;47:15 - Do jiu-jitsu for your happiness, not external validation&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;48:08 - Closing thoughts: balance, community, and self-compassion&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Resources &amp;amp; Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Jiu-Jitsu+Belt+System&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;The Jiu-Jitsu Belt System Explained&lt;/a&gt; (General overview; search for authoritative guides)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=jiu+jitsu+coach&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Influential Jiu-Jitsu Mentors and Coaches&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.martialartsmindset.com/mentorship&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Role of Mentors in Martial Arts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-martial-arts-psychologist/202201/burnout-high-level-martial-art-training&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Mental Health &amp;amp; Burnout in Martial Arts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://grapplinginsider.com/why-community-is-critical-in-bjj/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;The Importance of Community in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Connect with Joshua Citrak:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://twitter.com/joshcitrak&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://instagram.com/joshcitrak&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:48:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:title>&quot;Earned My Blue Belt, Now What?/ I&apos;ve Lost My Passion for Jiujitsu&quot;</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Will BJJ Make My Kid A Bully?/ Afraid of Losing in Front of Your Coach?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>We discuss: whether BJJ is really good for kid’s self defense, will jiujitsu make my kid into a bully, the value of learning martial arts virtues (discipline, confidence, courage) at a young age, coaching leadership styles, I hate losing in front of my coach (and he/she probably hates watching you lose), reenforcing positive mindsets no matter the outcome and so much more.</p><ul><li>(00:00) - Introduction: Kids' self-defense vs. fighting instinct &amp; coaching influence</li><li>(03:02) - Is Jiu Jitsu beneficial for children's self-defense, or does it risk teaching children to fight?</li><li>(04:33) - The importance of practical self-defense skills like escaping from pins or headlocks</li><li>(05:56) - The limitations of sport-focused submissions for real-world self-defense</li><li>(07:47) - The importance of age-appropriate training and realistic expectations</li><li>(08:47) - Can Jiu Jitsu help kids handle situations involving multiple attackers?</li><li>(10:14) - The significance of developing confidence, voice, and responsibility in children</li><li>(13:33) - Does training make kids bully-proof or could it foster aggression if coached poorly?</li><li>(14:43) - The internal vs. external validation: coaching for growth vs. ego</li><li>(16:11) - How to evaluate a gym during trial classes: attention, behavior, environment</li><li>(17:38) - The role of mentorship among older students; building leadership in kids</li><li>(20:34) - How coaches and gym culture influence kids' behavior and confidence</li><li>(22:01) - The inherently selfish nature of Jiu Jitsu and its impact on student mentality</li><li>(23:04) - Risks of toxic competition culture: bullying, peer pressure, and unhealthy validation</li><li>(25:07) - Coaches who tie their self-worth to students' results and the risks involved</li><li>(26:07) - Managing expectations and the importance of leadership and team culture</li><li>(28:48) - Celebrating effort and personal growth over medals and rankings</li><li>(30:15) - Helping students recover from disappointment; fostering resilience</li><li>(33:38) - Rethinking competitive priorities: fun, camaraderie, and community</li><li>(37:02) - The most meaningful moments: supporting kids through victories and losses</li><li>(40:26) - The value of losing and setbacks for personal growth</li><li>(44:47) - The impact of judgment, comparison, and creating a supportive environment</li><li>(49:03) - Closing thoughts: focus on individual progress and avoiding toxic competition culture</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Resources &amp; Links</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gracieuniversity.com/" target="_blank">Gracie University</a> – for self-defense and anti-bullying programs</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.example.com/confidence-kids-martial-article" target="_blank">The Role of Confidence in Kids' Martial Arts</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coachingpsychology.org/" target="_blank">Understanding Coaching Impact</a></li></ul><p><b>Connect with the Hosts:</b></p><ul><li>Joshua Citrak - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linkedin.com/in/joshua-citrak" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/joshcitrak" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/jiujitsucouplestherapy" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">a9454103-343b-4c2b-a629-a699ea863f22</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:32:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c5e5b7fa5dc81d38a0a9977c0645c8e2c44e588079b8cac98c86b797458c2a41/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOTQ1NDEwMy0zNDNiLTRjMmItYTYyOS1hNjk5ZWE4NjNmMjIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjljMmVlYmQ2NzZmNTBmZDYxZTI4ZDA1L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTMtMjRfXzIxLTYtMjAubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="69875609" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/episodes/a9454103-343b-4c2b-a629-a699ea863f22/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;We discuss: whether BJJ is really good for kid’s self defense, will jiujitsu make my kid into a bully, the value of learning martial arts virtues (discipline, confidence, courage) at a young age, coaching leadership styles, I hate losing in front of my coach (and he/she probably hates watching you lose), reenforcing positive mindsets no matter the outcome and so much more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;(00:00) - Introduction: Kids&apos; self-defense vs. fighting instinct &amp;amp; coaching influence&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(03:02) - Is Jiu Jitsu beneficial for children&apos;s self-defense, or does it risk teaching children to fight?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(04:33) - The importance of practical self-defense skills like escaping from pins or headlocks&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(05:56) - The limitations of sport-focused submissions for real-world self-defense&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(07:47) - The importance of age-appropriate training and realistic expectations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(08:47) - Can Jiu Jitsu help kids handle situations involving multiple attackers?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(10:14) - The significance of developing confidence, voice, and responsibility in children&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(13:33) - Does training make kids bully-proof or could it foster aggression if coached poorly?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(14:43) - The internal vs. external validation: coaching for growth vs. ego&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(16:11) - How to evaluate a gym during trial classes: attention, behavior, environment&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(17:38) - The role of mentorship among older students; building leadership in kids&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(20:34) - How coaches and gym culture influence kids&apos; behavior and confidence&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(22:01) - The inherently selfish nature of Jiu Jitsu and its impact on student mentality&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(23:04) - Risks of toxic competition culture: bullying, peer pressure, and unhealthy validation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(25:07) - Coaches who tie their self-worth to students&apos; results and the risks involved&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(26:07) - Managing expectations and the importance of leadership and team culture&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(28:48) - Celebrating effort and personal growth over medals and rankings&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(30:15) - Helping students recover from disappointment; fostering resilience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(33:38) - Rethinking competitive priorities: fun, camaraderie, and community&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(37:02) - The most meaningful moments: supporting kids through victories and losses&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(40:26) - The value of losing and setbacks for personal growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(44:47) - The impact of judgment, comparison, and creating a supportive environment&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;(49:03) - Closing thoughts: focus on individual progress and avoiding toxic competition culture&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources &amp;amp; Links&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.gracieuniversity.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Gracie University&lt;/a&gt; – for self-defense and anti-bullying programs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.example.com/confidence-kids-martial-article&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;The Role of Confidence in Kids&apos; Martial Arts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.coachingpsychology.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Understanding Coaching Impact&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with the Hosts:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Joshua Citrak - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://linkedin.com/in/joshua-citrak&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://twitter.com/joshcitrak&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Twitter&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/jiujitsucouplestherapy&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:48:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>19</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Will BJJ Make My Kid A Bully?/ Afraid of Losing in Front of Your Coach?</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Etiquette For Visiting BJJ Gym/ Essential Tips for Travelers, Coaches and Newcomers]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Gym Etiquette</p><p>07:27 Observing and Adapting to Different Cultures</p><p>13:57 Understanding Uniform Policies</p><p>19:14 Respecting Training Norms and Rolling Light</p><p>28:10 Creating a Welcoming Environment as a Coach</p><p>38:22 Final Thoughts on Gym Etiquette</p><p></p><p> Resources</p><p></p><p>Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Etiquette Guide - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/bjj-etiquette-guide" target="_blank">https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/bjj-etiquette-guide</a></p><p>IBJJF Rules and Policies - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ibjjf.com/rules" target="_blank">https://www.ibjjf.com/rules</a></p><p>Travel Tips for BJJ Practitioners - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.grapplinginsider.com/travel-tips-for-bjj-practitioners/" target="_blank">https://www.grapplinginsider.com/travel-tips-for-bjj-practitioners/</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> guest links</p><p>Instagram - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/JuijitsuCouplesTherapy/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/JuijitsuCouplesTherapy/</a></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f80a6c0c-27ce-424e-a86b-c25f48191fcd</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:10:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/fab54a93b9866e51f73562b9f009bce22e554c56ef97116edcb84df691271c7f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmODBhNmMwYy0yN2NlLTQyNGUtYTg2Yi1jMjVmNDgxOTFmY2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlhNWM1NjdmYThmNzcwMDA1NTEzODYyL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTMtMl9fMTgtMTQtMTUubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="56980732" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/episodes/f80a6c0c-27ce-424e-a86b-c25f48191fcd/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Gym Etiquette&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;07:27 Observing and Adapting to Different Cultures&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;13:57 Understanding Uniform Policies&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;19:14 Respecting Training Norms and Rolling Light&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:10 Creating a Welcoming Environment as a Coach&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:22 Final Thoughts on Gym Etiquette&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Resources&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Etiquette Guide - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/bjj-etiquette-guide&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/bjj-etiquette-guide&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;IBJJF Rules and Policies - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.ibjjf.com/rules&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.ibjjf.com/rules&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Travel Tips for BJJ Practitioners - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.grapplinginsider.com/travel-tips-for-bjj-practitioners/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.grapplinginsider.com/travel-tips-for-bjj-practitioners/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; guest links&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Instagram - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/JuijitsuCouplesTherapy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.instagram.com/JuijitsuCouplesTherapy/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:39:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>17</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Etiquette For Visiting BJJ Gym/ Essential Tips for Travelers, Coaches and Newcomers</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["What's Happening at Atos/ Is Jiujitsu Safe?"]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we discuss: the fallout from the Atos situation and the muted response to it, how can jiujitsu clean it’s image in light of a slew of similar allegations, women in co-equal positions of power at BJJ gyms (but how that might not be silver bullet for the current situation), women defending the patriarchy when it serves them, it’s time for a real, accountable governing body for American jiujitsu, possible solutions and mitigations for unsavory gyms and we propose a few ideas of what to look for in a safe gym.</p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy and Current Issues</p><p>05:49 Bro Culture and Toxic Masculinity in Martial Arts</p><p>12:06 Accusations and the Need for Listening</p><p>17:56 Empowering Women in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>23:51 The Need for a Governing Body in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>30:37 The State of Jiu-Jitsu Governance</p><p>35:52 Protecting the Vulnerable: Parental Responsibility</p><p>41:31 Identifying Red Flags in Gyms</p><p>50:33 Diversity and Inclusion in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>57:54 The Future of Jiu-Jitsu: A Call to Action</p><p></p><p>Sources:</p><p>Jiu Jitsu Reddit Community - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/" target="_blank">https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/</a></p><p>Fighting Matters Podcast - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://fightingmatters.com" target="_blank">https://fightingmatters.com</a></p><p>IBJJF Official Website - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ibjjf.com" target="_blank">https://www.ibjjf.com</a></p><p>Hapkido USA - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://hapkidousa.org" target="_blank">https://hapkidousa.org</a></p><p>Stefan Kesting's YouTube Channel - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/StefanKesting" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/StefanKesting</a></p><p>Keenan Cornelius' Video on Safety and Culture - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example</a></p><p>LGBTQ+ Friendly Gym Database (Example) - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lgbtqgyms.com" target="_blank">https://lgbtqgyms.com</a></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">487ec5c5-a4db-4499-98c7-fa77b5070f9c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:34:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/370ffdfb9a89f77a5be9df428a818b0297c5abca93e66ddbb81c0fc474edd531/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ODdlYzVjNS1hNGRiLTQ0OTktOThjNy1mYTc3YjUwNzBmOWMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5YzlhN2FmNWUwZmExZWUwZDVmZWQ0L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTItMjNfXzE5LTIwLTQyLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="85659419" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we discuss: the fallout from the Atos situation and the muted response to it, how can jiujitsu clean it’s image in light of a slew of similar allegations, women in co-equal positions of power at BJJ gyms (but how that might not be silver bullet for the current situation), women defending the patriarchy when it serves them, it’s time for a real, accountable governing body for American jiujitsu, possible solutions and mitigations for unsavory gyms and we propose a few ideas of what to look for in a safe gym.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy and Current Issues&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:49 Bro Culture and Toxic Masculinity in Martial Arts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12:06 Accusations and the Need for Listening&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:56 Empowering Women in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:51 The Need for a Governing Body in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;30:37 The State of Jiu-Jitsu Governance&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;35:52 Protecting the Vulnerable: Parental Responsibility&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;41:31 Identifying Red Flags in Gyms&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;50:33 Diversity and Inclusion in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;57:54 The Future of Jiu-Jitsu: A Call to Action&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sources:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jiu Jitsu Reddit Community - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fighting Matters Podcast - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://fightingmatters.com&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://fightingmatters.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;IBJJF Official Website - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.ibjjf.com&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.ibjjf.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hapkido USA - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://hapkidousa.org&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://hapkidousa.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stefan Kesting&apos;s YouTube Channel - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.youtube.com/user/StefanKesting&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.youtube.com/user/StefanKesting&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keenan Cornelius&apos; Video on Safety and Culture - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;LGBTQ+ Friendly Gym Database (Example) - &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://lgbtqgyms.com&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://lgbtqgyms.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:59:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>16</itunes:episode><itunes:title>&quot;What&apos;s Happening at Atos/ Is Jiujitsu Safe?&quot;</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["Turn Plataeus into Peaks/ Character Over Kirmuras"]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we discuss: The 3-3-3 rule, a scientifically-backed way to improve your focus and intentionality in training and grow new skills quicker, the importance of being curious about jiu-jitsu, understanding all the ways getting into specific positional engagements, unrealistic expectations of kids, character is the most important skill and commodification and gentrification of jiu-jitsu.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">57e09f58-3131-4df9-b5be-7d349ddfcfda</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:13:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9f06764caceacbe5c72071603b71c8e3b16bfd7d45d70abc2f3ecc7ff4b455fe/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1N2UwOWY1OC0zMTMxLTRkZjktYjViZS03ZDM0OWRkZmNmZGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk2ZmVkNDk1MzkzYTNlYWM5NmQxM2QxL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTEtMjBfXzIyLTItMS5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="27761323" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we discuss: The 3-3-3 rule, a scientifically-backed way to improve your focus and intentionality in training and grow new skills quicker, the importance of being curious about jiu-jitsu, understanding all the ways getting into specific positional engagements, unrealistic expectations of kids, character is the most important skill and commodification and gentrification of jiu-jitsu.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:42:57</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>15</itunes:episode><itunes:title>&quot;Turn Plataeus into Peaks/ Character Over Kirmuras&quot;</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Do Stripes Mean?/ $300 Gym Membership!!!]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we discuss: Getting promoted, the significance of stripes to the human reward system, what stripes actually mean, jiujitsu is a luxury good, how gym owners can reward loyalty in trying economic times, the challenges of changing gyms once you’ve become an established grappler, what happens when real physical conflicts happen at the gym, is a testosterone problem or a culture problem?</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Promotion Time!</p><p>05:26 The Significance of Stripes and Belts</p><p>11:30 The Business of Jiu Jitsu and Loyalty</p><p>17:39 The Challenges of Changing Gyms</p><p>23:37 Creating a Positive Gym Culture</p><p>29:31 Real Fights at the Gym</p><p>35:25 Cultural Mat Enforcers</p><p>38:57 When Professor Flips Out</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">17044bd6-050b-4659-9912-4841ce4bbe75</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:43:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/76cb60b2ff470ef8b2d681c5effd2a6e57df2197ad3d1387cd36687e6663354e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxNzA0NGJkNi0wNTBiLTQ2NTktOTkxMi00ODQxY2U0YmJlNzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk2NTBiYzdjOTFjMmUxMjhkNzcyOTY5L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTEtMTJfXzE1LTU3LTExLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="28896992" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we discuss: Getting promoted, the significance of stripes to the human reward system, what stripes actually mean, jiujitsu is a luxury good, how gym owners can reward loyalty in trying economic times, the challenges of changing gyms once you’ve become an established grappler, what happens when real physical conflicts happen at the gym, is a testosterone problem or a culture problem?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Promotion Time!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:26 The Significance of Stripes and Belts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11:30 The Business of Jiu Jitsu and Loyalty&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:39 The Challenges of Changing Gyms&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:37 Creating a Positive Gym Culture&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;29:31 Real Fights at the Gym&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;35:25 Cultural Mat Enforcers&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:57 When Professor Flips Out&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:46:07</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>14</itunes:episode><itunes:title>What Do Stripes Mean?/ $300 Gym Membership!!!</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["Dr Andy Moon P.T./ Wash Your Belt"]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode we talk with Dr. Andy Moon, Physical Therapist, specializing in treating Jiujitsu athletes. We talk about protocols for training off the mat to help keep you on the mats, common injuries and how to mitigate them, advice for injured grapplers, the importance of being a specialist who understand the sport of jiujitsu, ineffective bjj warm ups, over training and so much more. Also, wash your damn belt. </p><p></p><p>Back on the Mat PT: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.backonthematpt.com/" target="_blank">https://www.backonthematpt.com/</a></p><p>IG: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/backonthematpt/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/backonthematpt/</a></p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Wash your belt!</p><p>06:46 Dr. Andy Moon: Building a Niche in Grappling Rehabilitation</p><p>11:41 Understanding the Grappler's Mindset</p><p>14:35 Optimizing Off-Mat Training for Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>17:35 Effective Warm-Up Strategies for Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>23:32 Creating a Supportive Training Environment</p><p>25:15 Creating a Safe Training Environment</p><p>27:36 The Importance of Tapping Out</p><p>29:51 Understanding Injury Risks in Competition</p><p>33:02 Addressing Injuries: When to Seek Help</p><p>34:41 Common Injuries in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>38:36 Overtraining and Its Consequences</p><p>40:47 Banned Moves and Safety Protocols</p><p>42:48 Training for Competition: Balancing Safety and Skill</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">1fad60ec-20a3-4b59-9af7-94993df8248c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:37:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7473641afdc5c962774fe43f582773deae399a3ed217c8cf2bd0542489f91bbe/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxZmFkNjBlYy0yMGEzLTRiNTktOWFmNy05NDk5M2RmODI0OGMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk1YzM5NDMwMzE5OTdkY2E3ZjlmNzQ1L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTEtNV9fMjMtMjAtNTEubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="35799970" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode we talk with Dr. Andy Moon, Physical Therapist, specializing in treating Jiujitsu athletes. We talk about protocols for training off the mat to help keep you on the mats, common injuries and how to mitigate them, advice for injured grapplers, the importance of being a specialist who understand the sport of jiujitsu, ineffective bjj warm ups, over training and so much more. Also, wash your damn belt. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Back on the Mat PT: &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.backonthematpt.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.backonthematpt.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;IG: &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/backonthematpt/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://www.instagram.com/backonthematpt/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Wash your belt!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;06:46 Dr. Andy Moon: Building a Niche in Grappling Rehabilitation&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11:41 Understanding the Grappler&apos;s Mindset&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;14:35 Optimizing Off-Mat Training for Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:35 Effective Warm-Up Strategies for Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:32 Creating a Supportive Training Environment&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;25:15 Creating a Safe Training Environment&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;27:36 The Importance of Tapping Out&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;29:51 Understanding Injury Risks in Competition&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;33:02 Addressing Injuries: When to Seek Help&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;34:41 Common Injuries in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:36 Overtraining and Its Consequences&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;40:47 Banned Moves and Safety Protocols&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;42:48 Training for Competition: Balancing Safety and Skill&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:51:14</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>13</itunes:episode><itunes:title>&quot;Dr Andy Moon P.T./ Wash Your Belt&quot;</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bonus: NYE Jiu-Jitsu Resolutions]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In the bonus episode we give tips on successful New Years Resolutions for jiujitsu, reflect on our injuries of year, and provide a wishlist for the jiujitsu community in 2026.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 New Year Reflections and Intentions</p><p>05:43 The Importance of Cool Down Routines</p><p>12:17 Finding Joy and Playfulness in Training</p><p>18:13 Redefining Goals and Achievements in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>23:25 Wishes for the Jiu-Jitsu Community</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">8af0122c-e8dc-4447-99bb-822a47a08f1a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 17:25:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b565babc45e2839a9747c7ea0f481c8f3ad36635cf0ed4cf78d103923c3cc206/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4YWYwMTIyYy1lOGRjLTQ0NDctOTliYi04MjJhNDdhMDhmMWEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk1NmE2N2ZjNGQwMTM4Njc3ZTJlZmYwL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTEtMV9fMTctNTMtMTkubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="18486863" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In the bonus episode we give tips on successful New Years Resolutions for jiujitsu, reflect on our injuries of year, and provide a wishlist for the jiujitsu community in 2026.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 New Year Reflections and Intentions&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:43 The Importance of Cool Down Routines&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12:17 Finding Joy and Playfulness in Training&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;18:13 Redefining Goals and Achievements in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:25 Wishes for the Jiu-Jitsu Community&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:title>Bonus: NYE Jiu-Jitsu Resolutions</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>bonus</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[We Make People Uncomfortable/ My Eyes!]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy, we discuss the reality that most of us can’t beat a 20 blue belt who wrestles, gyms that don’t take drop-ins, there are people you should avoid training with, why we don’t roll every class, our relationship makes certain people uncomfortable, some guys just want to be jerks and the fallacy that’s ok because we’re a “Fight Gym.”</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>05:28 Experiencing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Culture</p><p>11:13 Navigating Training with Different Skill Levels</p><p>17:10 Reclaiming Confidence in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>22:36 Reflections on Training Experiences</p><p>28:04 Training Dynamics and Partner Selection</p><p>39:13 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Training</p><p>47:37 Jealousy and Insecurity in Relationships</p><p>53:59 Pursuing Joy and Overcoming Envy</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">dcc29404-98b9-419e-870a-44bfb604d4d3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:34:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a00878dbbb8924327c68f8f34789623b4d039deb7a9f361f2ee70a8e65cb0e31/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkY2MyOTQwNC05OGI5LTQxOWUtODcwYS00NGJmYjYwNGQ0ZDMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk1NDA1ZWZlMWU4Zjk0YmU3MWEyYjU2L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTMwX18xOC0zLTQzLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="35831257" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy, we discuss the reality that most of us can’t beat a 20 blue belt who wrestles, gyms that don’t take drop-ins, there are people you should avoid training with, why we don’t roll every class, our relationship makes certain people uncomfortable, some guys just want to be jerks and the fallacy that’s ok because we’re a “Fight Gym.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:28 Experiencing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Culture&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11:13 Navigating Training with Different Skill Levels&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:10 Reclaiming Confidence in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;22:36 Reflections on Training Experiences&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:04 Training Dynamics and Partner Selection&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;39:13 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Training&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;47:37 Jealousy and Insecurity in Relationships&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;53:59 Pursuing Joy and Overcoming Envy&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:55:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>12</itunes:episode><itunes:title>We Make People Uncomfortable/ My Eyes!</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[YouTube Jiujitsu/Kids Pay the Bills]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>YouTube Jiujitsu/Kids Pay the Bills</p><p>In this week’s episode we discuss: journaling as a means to retain knowledge after class, way in which you should and shouldn’t use YouTube and learning the difference between looking cool and possibly hurting your partner, video taping your rolls and analyzing them with a coach, kids class should be the most important to build for a gym owner, tips for coaches on how to build a solid coaching roster, and how much time it realistically takes to build a solid coaching team, and how to accurately identify the correct people to put your energy into building up.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>04:51 Better ways to learn on YouTube</p><p>17:38 Video taping your rolls</p><p>24:12 Tips for coaches for growing coaches</p><p>36:02 Building a coaching team takes time</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">0a4f05ac-7640-4abd-9038-d2d5ce874a86</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:42:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e2ce579ac179100498baa24dc74ca673e63fdd8f0c1d3b7cdbc22777ce3bc9be/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwYTRmMDVhYy03NjQwLTRhYmQtOTAzOC1kMmQ1Y2U4NzRhODYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk0OTkwNWU2YjdjZTQ4N2EzNmFkYjk1L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTIyX18xOS0zOS0yNi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="29879775" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;YouTube Jiujitsu/Kids Pay the Bills&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this week’s episode we discuss: journaling as a means to retain knowledge after class, way in which you should and shouldn’t use YouTube and learning the difference between looking cool and possibly hurting your partner, video taping your rolls and analyzing them with a coach, kids class should be the most important to build for a gym owner, tips for coaches on how to build a solid coaching roster, and how much time it realistically takes to build a solid coaching team, and how to accurately identify the correct people to put your energy into building up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;04:51 Better ways to learn on YouTube&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:38 Video taping your rolls&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;24:12 Tips for coaches for growing coaches&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;36:02 Building a coaching team takes time&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:46:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>11</itunes:episode><itunes:title>YouTube Jiujitsu/Kids Pay the Bills</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Burnout/Jiu Jitsu for the Streets]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, we discuss the importance of taking breaks, but also give you clues and cues for making sure you find your way back to training, the impact of betting on sports, pausing your gym membership and the downstream effects to your gym and team, ways to keep training even when your budget may not be able to afford it, we add to the no go vs go only debate and Susan gives some tips for gym owners to keep those wanting a break engaged in the gym.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:52 UFC betting scandal</p><p>03:06 Burnout in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>12:39 Pausing your membership</p><p>16:48 Valuing your coach and team</p><p>20:43 The Consequences of Taking Breaks</p><p>26:32 Transitioning to a new gym</p><p>34:23 Gi vs. No-Gi Training</p><p>45:35 Jiujitsu for the streets</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">921bcdb2-3498-439f-894b-30c4ba48c205</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:07:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2d08decbbc76b274c1d71bb67a197c038b48f90ee8f98d9f4bb8729ceede9629/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MjFiY2RiMi0zNDk4LTQzOWYtODk0Yi0zMGM0YmE0OGMyMDUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk0MDU1ZjAzZGZiYWJiZWFkODI5YTljL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTE1X18xOS0zOS00NC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="33352829" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, we discuss the importance of taking breaks, but also give you clues and cues for making sure you find your way back to training, the impact of betting on sports, pausing your gym membership and the downstream effects to your gym and team, ways to keep training even when your budget may not be able to afford it, we add to the no go vs go only debate and Susan gives some tips for gym owners to keep those wanting a break engaged in the gym.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:52 UFC betting scandal&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;03:06 Burnout in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12:39 Pausing your membership&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;16:48 Valuing your coach and team&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;20:43 The Consequences of Taking Breaks&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;26:32 Transitioning to a new gym&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;34:23 Gi vs. No-Gi Training&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;45:35 Jiujitsu for the streets&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:52:02</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Burnout/Jiu Jitsu for the Streets</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["Dumb Jiujitsu Traditions/ Hard Lessons" JCCT Ep. 9]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiujitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss the varied paths one takes to becoming a black belt, belt gauntlets, the tone they set for the gym and what other negative aspects of training it implicates. Traditions that aren’t useful should be examined and discarded. Joshua also reflects on the business side of Jiu Jitsu, the deep care they had for their students and the transactional stance most people take in purchasing any service.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>05:30 The Journey to Black Belt</p><p>14:41 Traditions in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>20:55 Respect and Titles in Martial Arts</p><p>26:55 The Challenge of Teaching and Learning</p><p>34:53 Traditions and Their Relevance</p><p>40:37 The Journey of Running a Gym</p><p>47:15 Rediscovering the Joy of Jiu-Jitsu</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">843ac65f-926b-4dcf-82e0-dd4941f6368e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:30:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2ea991f46aadb6e295e85ee43dfbfdb6edead9c1b2a9c347dc497d172c1ccd1d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4NDNhYzY1Zi05MjZiLTRkY2YtODJlMC1kZDQ5NDFmNjM2OGUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkzNzVhNWFmMmVlMmY3MmFkNDJkMGUyL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTlfXzAtOC0xMC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="33450804" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiujitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss the varied paths one takes to becoming a black belt, belt gauntlets, the tone they set for the gym and what other negative aspects of training it implicates. Traditions that aren’t useful should be examined and discarded. Joshua also reflects on the business side of Jiu Jitsu, the deep care they had for their students and the transactional stance most people take in purchasing any service.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:30 The Journey to Black Belt&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;14:41 Traditions in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;20:55 Respect and Titles in Martial Arts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;26:55 The Challenge of Teaching and Learning&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;34:53 Traditions and Their Relevance&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;40:37 The Journey of Running a Gym&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;47:15 Rediscovering the Joy of Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:55:44</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:title>&quot;Dumb Jiujitsu Traditions/ Hard Lessons&quot; JCCT Ep. 9</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Being Playful/Good Competitor, Bad Teacher?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, the hosts discuss the dynamics of training together as a couple in the context of Jiu Jitsu. They explore the balance between competition and teaching, the importance of playfulness in training, and how to enhance the experience for all partners involved. The conversation delves into the mindset of competitors versus instructors, the challenges of maintaining a fun and technical environment, and the influence of Brazilian culture on the playful aspects of Jiu Jitsu.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>05:28 The Role of Competitors vs. Instructors</p><p>16:42 Enhancing Training for All</p><p>28:27 Creating a Fun and Technical Training Environment</p><p>36:40 The Brazilian Influence on Playfulness in Jiu Jitsu</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">fdc2810f-8f00-414f-9298-6c63c1b2ba47</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:49:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/70ed45e0d1e0b94b47ab220b9301e0adab6d7554d50da5e5916061c3eb154945/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmZGMyODEwZi04ZjAwLTQxNGYtOTI5OC02YzYzYzFiMmJhNDciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkyZGJlMTcxZDU2MjZlN2Q4MTBhY2RlL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEyLTFfXzE3LTExLTMubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="26206121" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, the hosts discuss the dynamics of training together as a couple in the context of Jiu Jitsu. They explore the balance between competition and teaching, the importance of playfulness in training, and how to enhance the experience for all partners involved. The conversation delves into the mindset of competitors versus instructors, the challenges of maintaining a fun and technical environment, and the influence of Brazilian culture on the playful aspects of Jiu Jitsu.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:28 The Role of Competitors vs. Instructors&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;16:42 Enhancing Training for All&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:27 Creating a Fun and Technical Training Environment&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;36:40 The Brazilian Influence on Playfulness in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:42:14</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>8</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Being Playful/Good Competitor, Bad Teacher?</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cannabis in Jiujitsu/IBJJF Ruleset is Dumb?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of JJCT Joshua and Susan discuss their experiences at the No Gi Pans tournament in New York, how they barely make weight, navigated the pot heads in the parking lot, bemoaned the lack of facilities for athletes and crucially, didn’t try to fight the refs. They critique the IBJJF's tournament structure and express a desire for community engagement to improve the future of Jiu Jitsu.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>09:53 Challenges Faced During Competition</p><p>19:48 Reflections on Competition and Personal Growth</p><p>28:28 The Impact of Cannabis Culture in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>33:39 The Role of IBJJF in Competitive Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>43:34 The Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu and Its Rules</p><p>53:09 Advocating for Change in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">2f1e4085-0ef0-441d-8291-68b0f263bb81</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:18:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/25914559a93a245d7cd5626310b743dc6b2a2cf198b91b07184524d9688fd7fa/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyZjFlNDA4NS0wZWYwLTQ0MWQtODI5MS02OGIwZjI2M2JiODEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkyNDhhMjI1MGIxMTc1YjgyYmZiYjBmL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTExLTI0X18xNy0zOC01OC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="31519725" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of JJCT Joshua and Susan discuss their experiences at the No Gi Pans tournament in New York, how they barely make weight, navigated the pot heads in the parking lot, bemoaned the lack of facilities for athletes and crucially, didn’t try to fight the refs. They critique the IBJJF&apos;s tournament structure and express a desire for community engagement to improve the future of Jiu Jitsu.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;09:53 Challenges Faced During Competition&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;19:48 Reflections on Competition and Personal Growth&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:28 The Impact of Cannabis Culture in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;33:39 The Role of IBJJF in Competitive Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;43:34 The Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu and Its Rules&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;53:09 Advocating for Change in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:53:32</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Cannabis in Jiujitsu/IBJJF Ruleset is Dumb?</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[No Gi Pans/Positional vs. Free Rolling]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, the hosts discuss the importance of mindset in training, the value of competition in martial arts, and how to communicate effectively with training partners. They explore the debate on whether competing is necessary to truly understand Jiu Jitsu, emphasizing that intentional training and personal growth are key components of the journey. The conversation also highlights the significance of being assertive in training and the necessity of losing to learn and improve.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Welcome to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>11:09 The Pressure of Competition and Personal Growth</p><p>24:50 Final Thoughts on Competing and Personal Journeys</p><p>30:02 Training Mindset and Communication</p><p>38:10 Intentional Training for White Belts</p><p>49:51 The Importance of Losing in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">e583d816-31d6-4fae-b669-4b9c9fc13e0a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:50:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5b7308f8f7bbe9d4782a774b383379752d0b0aeca3fcae24bbca1536fa8a4794/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlNTgzZDgxNi0zMWQ2LTRmYWUtYjY2OS00YjljOWZjMTNlMGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxYjM4MjBiN2I0MmE3YTE1YWU3ODEyL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTExLTE3X18xNS01OC00MC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="34859837" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, the hosts discuss the importance of mindset in training, the value of competition in martial arts, and how to communicate effectively with training partners. They explore the debate on whether competing is necessary to truly understand Jiu Jitsu, emphasizing that intentional training and personal growth are key components of the journey. The conversation also highlights the significance of being assertive in training and the necessity of losing to learn and improve.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Welcome to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11:09 The Pressure of Competition and Personal Growth&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;24:50 Final Thoughts on Competing and Personal Journeys&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;30:02 Training Mindset and Communication&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:10 Intentional Training for White Belts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;49:51 The Importance of Losing in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:55:01</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><itunes:title>No Gi Pans/Positional vs. Free Rolling</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Training While Expecting/Gym Owner's PTSD]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss the unique challenges and experiences of training in Jiu Jitsu as a couple, particularly during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. They emphasize the importance of community support, the realities of running a Jiu Jitsu gym, and the need for appreciation towards coaches. The conversation highlights the resilience required in martial arts and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset throughout the journey.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>08:52 The Importance of Exercise for Pregnant Women</p><p>20:11 Celebrating Achievements in the Jiu Jitsu Community</p><p>27:58 Running a Jiu Jitsu Gym: Behind the Scenes</p><p>40:32 Respecting Your Coach and Community</p><p></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">84a9e792-2965-472e-950f-55a4abb7ace2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:55:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/aec1f59d64f8b8e53ec4519add48841d3a008c0ffa5f608168527af9a4bbda11/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4NGE5ZTc5Mi0yOTY1LTQ3MmUtOTUwZi01NWE0YWJiN2FjZTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxMjRhZmY5NTM2NjcwYzAwMDgyNWYwL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTExLTEwX18yMS0yOC00Ny5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="29169152" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss the unique challenges and experiences of training in Jiu Jitsu as a couple, particularly during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. They emphasize the importance of community support, the realities of running a Jiu Jitsu gym, and the need for appreciation towards coaches. The conversation highlights the resilience required in martial arts and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset throughout the journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;08:52 The Importance of Exercise for Pregnant Women&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;20:11 Celebrating Achievements in the Jiu Jitsu Community&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;27:58 Running a Jiu Jitsu Gym: Behind the Scenes&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;40:32 Respecting Your Coach and Community&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:44:26</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Training While Expecting/Gym Owner&apos;s PTSD</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Choose Wisely/ Navigating Misogyny]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss various aspects of training in Jiu Jitsu as a couple, including the dynamics of switching teams, the importance of choosing training partners wisely, and the unique challenges faced by older grapplers. They also delve into the significance of self-defense for women in martial arts and the pervasive issue of misogyny within the sport. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on navigating gym politics and the importance of fostering a respectful training environment.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>19:51 Training Perspectives for Older Grapplers</p><p>27:33 Self-Defense and Jiu Jitsu for Women</p><p>39:19 Navigating Gym Politics and Misogyny</p><p>50:47 Conclusion and Future Directions</p><p></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">bf86760b-0443-4bc5-b5c4-0e495780f383</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:59:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/da4e520e7e03eff87fb3427793690241da12a58de468d3f785fd2283ab9fb4fa/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiZjg2NzYwYi0wNDQzLTRiYzUtYjVjNC0wZTQ5NTc4MGYzODMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkwOTA2NDhkN2VhMjdiYzJlMTlhN2U1L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTExLTNfXzIwLTQ1LTEyLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="26936294" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan Citrak discuss various aspects of training in Jiu Jitsu as a couple, including the dynamics of switching teams, the importance of choosing training partners wisely, and the unique challenges faced by older grapplers. They also delve into the significance of self-defense for women in martial arts and the pervasive issue of misogyny within the sport. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on navigating gym politics and the importance of fostering a respectful training environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;19:51 Training Perspectives for Older Grapplers&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;27:33 Self-Defense and Jiu Jitsu for Women&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;39:19 Navigating Gym Politics and Misogyny&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;50:47 Conclusion and Future Directions&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:44:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Choose Wisely/ Navigating Misogyny</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gym Romance/Training While Expecting]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss the complexities of training together as a couple in the martial arts world. They explore the dynamics of relationships within the gym, the challenges of dating fellow practitioners, and the importance of individual growth in Jiu Jitsu. The conversation emphasizes the need for patience, understanding, and the potential pitfalls of mixing romance with training, ultimately advising against dating within the gym environment.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>05:15 Training Together as a Couple</p><p>15:31 Dating at the Gym: Pros and Cons</p><p>20:25 Navigating Relationships in Jiu Jitsu</p><p>30:13 The Importance of Individual Training</p><p>41:57 Conclusion and Future Topics</p><p></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">b087064d-dc0d-4f7b-97a1-3f31b532751f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:01:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a83cbb105cdeae6d3dd5ea18c711494499aeaf0f04457accab86548ab86a407b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiMDg3MDY0ZC1kYzBkLTRmN2ItOTdhMS0zZjMxYjUzMjc1MWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhmZjk0ZGEyNDA3ZGU4NzlhMWM3YjRiL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTI3X18xNi01MC01MC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="23553884" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss the complexities of training together as a couple in the martial arts world. They explore the dynamics of relationships within the gym, the challenges of dating fellow practitioners, and the importance of individual growth in Jiu Jitsu. The conversation emphasizes the need for patience, understanding, and the potential pitfalls of mixing romance with training, ultimately advising against dating within the gym environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;05:15 Training Together as a Couple&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;15:31 Dating at the Gym: Pros and Cons&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;20:25 Navigating Relationships in Jiu Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;30:13 The Importance of Individual Training&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;41:57 Conclusion and Future Topics&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:39:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Gym Romance/Training While Expecting</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Train Your Training Partners]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Summary</p><p>In this episode of Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss their experiences training together as a couple, the challenges of competition training as older grapplers, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. They also delve into the complexities of keeping their children engaged in Jiu-Jitsu, addressing issues of promotion and recognition, of wins and losses and the life lessons learned through martial arts, particularly resilience.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy</p><p>11:34 Mindset and Competition Challenges</p><p>21:22 Navigating Kids' Engagement in Jiu-Jitsu</p><p>35:07 Resilience and Life Lessons Through Martial Arts</p><p></p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">a8ad5788-131c-43af-9b5d-f78e9c6c43d9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:46:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2f68e790ed8570504d19326f2f19b7fa262aaf08b8ebe2da361a6642c64659a9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOGFkNTc4OC0xMzFjLTQzYWYtOWI1ZC1mNzhlOWM2YzQzZDkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhmNjdmZDU5ZGRiYWExZTM1OWE5OGJhL2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTIwX18yMC0zMC00NS5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="21696481" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Summary&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss their experiences training together as a couple, the challenges of competition training as older grapplers, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. They also delve into the complexities of keeping their children engaged in Jiu-Jitsu, addressing issues of promotion and recognition, of wins and losses and the life lessons learned through martial arts, particularly resilience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu Couples Therapy&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11:34 Mindset and Competition Challenges&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;21:22 Navigating Kids&apos; Engagement in Jiu-Jitsu&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;35:07 Resilience and Life Lessons Through Martial Arts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:36:27</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Train Your Training Partners</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[How it Started, How it's Going]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Summary In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss the dynamics of training together as a couple, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by older athletes in a sport often dominated by younger, stronger practitioners. They emphasize the importance of technique over strength, the need for mindfulness in training, and the significance of choosing the right training partners. The conversation also touches on the role of tradition in Jiu Jitsu, the challenges of open mats, and the necessity of communication and teaching in fostering a supportive training environment. Ultimately, they reflect on the importance of perspective and the value of enjoying the journey of learning rather than solely focusing on winning. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy 06:07 The Importance of Technique Over Strength 11:51 Choosing Training Partners Wisely 17:27 The Impact of Tradition in Jiu Jitsu 23:30 Final Thoughts on Training and Ego Takeaways Training together as a couple can be challenging but rewarding. Younger practitioners often forget the physical limitations of older athletes. Setting boundaries in training is essential for safety. Technique should always take precedence over strength in Jiu Jitsu. Mindfulness in training can enhance learning and reduce injuries. Choosing the right training partners is crucial for older grapplers. Open mats can be competitive and may not suit everyone. Tradition in Jiu Jitsu serves to prepare the mind for training. Communication is key to effective training and teaching. Perspective in Jiu Jitsu evolves with experience and age.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">5dc71771-2f75-4ca8-aaf3-8e905292509b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joshua Citrak]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:57:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/706a40bd00f858a27bc444c33b83fd91e3696f691e4df95174119f018f912c40/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZGM3MTc3MS0yZjc1LTRjYTgtYWFmMy04ZTkwNTI5MjUwOWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmRlNTk5MS1jMTQxLTRjNTEtYjRmNC0wMDM3M2M3YzJjYzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzlmNGQ3Yjg2YTQ4ZjQ3OGRiMmZiYmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjhlZjlkMDgwZmE4YTc5ZDUyMzFlNmY1L2pvc2h1YS1jaXRyYWtzLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTEwLTE1X18xNS05LTI4Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="28093871" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Summary In this episode of Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy, Joshua and Susan discuss the dynamics of training together as a couple, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by older athletes in a sport often dominated by younger, stronger practitioners. They emphasize the importance of technique over strength, the need for mindfulness in training, and the significance of choosing the right training partners. The conversation also touches on the role of tradition in Jiu Jitsu, the challenges of open mats, and the necessity of communication and teaching in fostering a supportive training environment. Ultimately, they reflect on the importance of perspective and the value of enjoying the journey of learning rather than solely focusing on winning. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Couples Therapy 06:07 The Importance of Technique Over Strength 11:51 Choosing Training Partners Wisely 17:27 The Impact of Tradition in Jiu Jitsu 23:30 Final Thoughts on Training and Ego Takeaways Training together as a couple can be challenging but rewarding. Younger practitioners often forget the physical limitations of older athletes. Setting boundaries in training is essential for safety. Technique should always take precedence over strength in Jiu Jitsu. Mindfulness in training can enhance learning and reduce injuries. Choosing the right training partners is crucial for older grapplers. Open mats can be competitive and may not suit everyone. Tradition in Jiu Jitsu serves to prepare the mind for training. Communication is key to effective training and teaching. Perspective in Jiu Jitsu evolves with experience and age.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:47:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/1bde5991-c141-4c51-b4f4-00373c7c2cc3/logos/0c463391-858c-458d-8774-8cef671ca086.png"/><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>How it Started, How it&apos;s Going</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>