In this episode of the Small Man Podcast, black belt, Masters World Champion, college professor, and mother Erin Millard shares how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu transformed her life after initially walking away from the sport. She discusses balancing family, teaching math, coaching women, competing at the highest levels, and why viewing jiu-jitsu through the principles of physics changed the way she trains forever.

This conversation explores perseverance, longevity, leadership, motherhood, faith, competition, and the quiet discipline required to become great over time.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start—or how to stay motivated for years—this episode is for you.

In this inspiring episode of Small Man Podcast, Darren "Kavika" Martin shares his journey from discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Kailua to becoming the first black belt promoted by Marcelo Garcia in Hawaii. Along the way, he reveals how humility, relentless effort, mentorship, and community transformed not only his game but his entire outlook on life.

We discuss competition, coaching, fatherhood, balancing work and family, preparing for IBJJF tournaments, and why the greatest reward in Jiu-Jitsu isn't the belt around your waist—it's the people beside you.

If you believe martial arts are about more than winning, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

But she returned.

More than five years later, Jesse is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, competitor, and one of the people helping nervous beginners feel welcome at UFC Kailua.

In this episode of the Small Man Podcast, Jesse opens up about overcoming body-image concerns, dealing with imposter syndrome, competing against women more than 60 pounds heavier, learning through losses, supporting women in martial arts, and finding confidence through consistent training.

She also explains why being a good training partner matters more than winning every round, how jiu-jitsu helps her manage stress, and why your most important competition should always be the person you were yesterday.

This is an honest conversation for anyone who has ever felt too nervous, inexperienced, uncomfortable, or out of place to begin.

What if the key to developing better competitors wasn't training harder—but training together?

In this inspiring episode of the Small Man Podcast, we sit down with Leo Vlachakis, IBJJF champion, Brown Belt at Trickster Jiu-Jitsu, and the driving force behind Team HQ—a unique training environment where young athletes from multiple academies across Hawaii come together to sharpen their skills, build friendships, and grow into better people.

Leo shares how a small group of dedicated kids evolved into a thriving community built on respect, accountability, humility, and one simple philosophy: create world champion human beings.

From cross-training and competition to parenting, coaching, and leadership, this conversation explores how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can shape character long before it produces champions. Whether you're a coach, parent, competitor, or someone who believes sports should build people first, you'll find valuable lessons that extend far beyond the mats.

• Why Team HQ is redefining youth Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii
• The benefits of cross-training between academies
• Building confidence, discipline, and leadership through BJJ
• The importance of humility in both victory and defeat
• Leo's coaching philosophy and competition mindset
• Why community will always matter more than politics

This episode is a powerful reminder that the greatest victories aren't measured by medals—they're measured by the people we become.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the Small Man Podcast, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who loves Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, coaching, or inspiring stories.

What keeps someone training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for more than a decade if it's not medals, championships, or competition?

For Dane, a brown belt at Roots Jiu-Jitsu, pastor of Victory Church, coach, and father, the answer is simple: it's the people.

In this heartfelt episode of the Small Man Podcast, Dane shares how introducing his children to jiu-jitsu unexpectedly transformed his own life. From coaching and raising a daughter who competes, to helping build the welcoming culture at Roots Jiu-Jitsu and serving his church, Dane explains why relationships, humility, and community matter far more than trophies.

Together, we explore balancing family, ministry, work, and training, the growth of Hawaii's jiu-jitsu community, the "Team Hawaii" mindset, and the life lessons that happen long after class is over.

In this episode:

• Why community is the true reason people stay in jiu-jitsu
• Parenting through martial arts
• Coaching with humility and purpose
• The partnership between Roots Jiu-Jitsu and Victory Church
• Training as a smaller, older grappler
• The importance of Team Hawaii and cross-training
• Faith, leadership, and serving others
• Why the greatest victories happen off the mats

Whether you're a lifelong grappler, a new white belt, a coach, or simply looking for an inspiring story about purpose and belonging, this conversation is a reminder that the greatest gift of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn't the techniques you learn—it's the people you meet along the way.

Subscribe to the Small Man Podcast for authentic conversations that celebrate the people, stories, and community that make Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu so much more than a sport.

After nearly 13 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tony has discovered that longevity isn't about training harder—it's about training smarter.

In this episode of the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast, Tony shares his journey from a nervous white belt to a respected brown belt, while balancing life as a husband, father, barber, and dedicated student of the art.

We discuss what it takes to stay healthy, motivated, and continually improving as the years go by. Tony shares practical insights on injury prevention, training with intention, effective top control, chain passing, overcoming larger opponents, and developing the mindset needed for lifelong growth on and off the mats.

More importantly, this conversation explores why so many people stay in jiu-jitsu long after competition stops being the goal. It's about community, purpose, discipline, and becoming a better version of yourself through consistent practice.

Whether you're just beginning your jiu-jitsu journey or have been training for decades, Tony's story is a reminder that your greatest progress may still be ahead of you.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Training smarter for long-term longevity
• Staying consistent while balancing family, work, and life
• Injury prevention and sustainable training habits
• Top control, chain passing, and technical growth
• The mindset that keeps people training for life
• Why community is one of jiu-jitsu's greatest rewards

If you enjoy authentic conversations about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, and the people who make our community special, be sure to follow the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast for more stories from practitioners across Hawaii and beyond.

Whether you're a beginner, coach, parent, or longtime practitioner, Karen's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest lesson in Jiu-Jitsu has nothing to do with winning—it has everything to do with finding your people.

In this episode of the Small Man Podcast, Alika shares how supporting his son in jiu-jitsu unexpectedly became a lifelong pursuit of mastery, mentorship, and community. From military service and MMA in Hong Kong to becoming a respected black belt in Hawaii, he explains why intentional training—not simply spending more time on the mats—is the key to long-term success.

Along the way, Alika discusses the importance of finding the right mentor, building a focused training plan, balancing family with jiu-jitsu, and creating a lasting impact through coaching. Whether you're a white belt, coach, competitor, or lifelong martial artist, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom that extends far beyond grappling.

Jason Aquino believes it's about much more than producing champions. In this inspiring conversation, the Vessel Union founder shares his journey through nearly two decades of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, opening his academy in Hawaii, integrating yoga into training, mentoring future athletes, and creating a community where everyone belongs.

From faith and leadership to longevity and coaching, this episode explores why the greatest legacy isn't the belts you earn—it's the lives you help change.

He began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because he knew he was going to prison. What started as preparation for survival became a lifelong passion that transformed him into a first-degree black belt, respected coach, competitor, and founder of Underground Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii.

In this episode, Thang shares powerful stories about prison, competition, COVID, building one of Hawaii's most unique jiu-jitsu communities, coaching the next generation, and why it's never too late to begin.

This conversation is about redemption, resilience, leadership, and the life-changing power of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.