The No Natural Talent Podcast

Food scientist blue belt with a sweet spirit but don’t let that fool you. She’s strong, driven, curious, and not afraid to make bold moves, try new things, or completely change direction when life calls for it. We talk jiu-jitsu, Chobani yogurt, taking chances, pushing yourself, making bold moves, and what it looks like to build a life you’re actually excited about.
This is Kory.

A blue belt who helps coach kids class, and is the kind of guy who likes to deep dive, literally. We talk about everything from jiu-jitsu and staying fit to finances, philosophy, struggle, self-control, knowing yourself, and his ability to hold his breath for FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES. It's a conversation about challenging yourself, getting comfortable with discomfort, and the different ways we learn what we're actually capable of. This is Derrick. 

Rest Round with August and Rusty. This time we're talking jiu-jitsu etiquette...the written rules, the unwritten rules, and the stuff you usually learn by accidentally doing it wrong. We get into being a good training partner, hygiene, training while injured, going slow on submissions, keeping your coaching to yourself, checking your ego, visiting other gyms, navigating different gym cultures, and why sometimes the best advice really is: shut up and be nice. Some things are universal. Some depend entirely on the gym. And some we definitely don't all agree on. 

Join us for a story built on resilience, after suffering an injury as a teenager that would have been the end of the road for many people, he walks a different path. Today, he trains jiujitsu with intention, sports many tattoos,  and isn't afraid to be brutally honest about the mistakes and shortcomings in his past. Rather than letting them define him, he's committed to becoming a better man and holding himself to a higher standard every day. We talk about moving from California to Idaho, embracing hard work, personal growth, and why showing up with purpose matters both on and off the mats.It's an honest conversation about resilience, accountability, and the kind of person we choose to become. This is Codi Z.

He joins the podcast again, this time to talk about one of the hardest parts of any sport: injury. From the physical recovery to the emotional and mental battle that comes with being sidelined, we dive into what it means to heal, stay connected, and find your way back. Honest, relatable, and a reminder that sometimes the toughest fight happens off the mats. This is Zack.  

He has a passion for storytelling, filmmaking, and challenging himself. This led him to the mats, but his curiosity reaches far beyond. We talk about the movie he's creating, the documentaries he's made, power, growth, algorithms, success, and, somewhere along the way, a little jiu-jitsu too. It's a conversation about chasing meaningful work, staying curious, and what happens when you're willing to keep learning. This is Jason.

The Gorilla Squad isn't just a nickname... it's a necessity. Being one of the biggest people in the gym comes with challenges most people never think about. Finding training partners your size, learning to use your strength without relying on it, and balancing intensity with control. That's where the Gorilla Squad comes in. They are a group of heavyweights who can push each other, train at full speed, and make each other better. In this episode, we talk about the unique challenges of being a big guy in jiu-jitsu, why they need each other, and why the biggest people on the mats are often some of the friendliest. This is Chris, Bryndan, Rusty and Rick.

Jeremy and Jacen are back! In this Rest Round, we dive into the differences between competitors and hobbyists, whether coaches should train students differently based on their goals or talent, why belt systems exist (and whether they should), how the words we use shape the culture of jiu-jitsu, keeping an open mind to different approaches, checking your ego, and what winning and losing really teach us.
This is Jeremy and Jacen.

Adult language. Adult conversations. Childish behavior.Rest Round with the folks who train jiujitsu at Ascension Tattoo and it's exactly as chaotic as you'd expect. We talk about jiu-jitsu. We talk about a lot of things that aren't jiu-jitsu. There are interruptions, side quests, rabbit trails, tattoo machines, overlapping conversations, and several moments where nobody is steering the ship. If you've ever hung around a tattoo shop after hours and somehow ended up in a conversation about life, training, and complete nonsense, you'll feel right at home.This is the Jiujitsu/Tattoo Ascension Crew.

We're back with What's Going On Here?!
For those who haven't met her yet, she's our resident physical therapist, body mechanic, movement detective, and physiology deep-diver extraordinaire. Every time she comes on the podcast, I learn something new about why our bodies do the strange things they do—and more importantly, what we can do about it. In today's episode, we're talking all things back pain related, why it happens, what might be contributing to it, and some practical things you can do to help your body move and feel better. Whether you're training jiu-jitsu, working at a desk, chasing kids, or just wondering why your back decided to file a complaint with management, this one's for you.
This is "What's going on here?!" with Kristin.