The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting
What is it that allows some people to push themselves beyond their limitations? Why can some people survive situations others do not? On this podcast we try to find out the answers. Stephan Kesting, is a lifelong martial artist, BJJ black belt, career firefighter, and outdoorsman. Join us as he talks to fighters, adventurers, competitors, coaches, firefighters, trainers and other people living the strenuous life.
Stephan also runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials.
His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 47 minutes
- Episodes
- 428
- Years Active
- 2009 - 2025
150 - Sparring to Win; How to Train Effectively with Smaller People So You BOTH Benefit!
In this short rant I talk about 3 or 4 training methods you can use when sparring someone significantly smaller than you so that you BOTH come out winners! These methods also apply, to some degree, t…
149 - Martial Artist and Clinical Neuropsychologist David Brown
David Brown has spent many decades studying and teaching martial arts, including Muay Thai and Wing Chun. He's also a clinical neuropsychologist which gives him a unique insight into the mindset at …
148 - Environmental Awareness and Dirty Fighting with Alex Kask
In a self defense situation you have to have a high level of environmental awareness to keep track of multiple attackers, improvised weapons, escape routes, etc. Today I'm joined by classical Japane…
147 - Why Your Game Needs to Change Every 10 Years
If you're doing any kind of martial art - be it BJJ, MMA, Kickboxing, Taekwondo or whatever - then your game needs to evolve every decade to accommodate the changes in your body. I got this from the…
146 - Dodging Polar Bears and Offshore Tides on Hudson Bay
A little trip down memory lane today. In my twenties I did an 82 day, 1600 mile solo canoe trip across the Canadian north. This is an account of the last 3 days of that journey, traveling along the…
145 - What Really Happens When Traditional Martial Artists Spar for the First Time?
Sparring for the first time is always a shock, but especially for traditional martial artists who may have spent years perfecting their techniques in the air or against a compliant partner just to wa…
144 - The Battle to Make Aikido Functional with Rokas Leonavicius
I really enjoyed this conversation with Rokas Leonavicius, the European Aikido instructor who became famous on Youtube trying to make his aikido functional against resisting opponents. Find out abou…
143 - Can You Still Train If You're Dealing with Knee Injury?
Can you still train if you have an injured knee? Well, it depends... Here are some solutions, tips and tricks for dealing with a bum knee in a BJJ or grappling setting.
142, Self Defense and MMA Controversies with John Hacklemann
In this episode John Hacklemann discusses the Conor McGregor bus attack, training Chuck Liddell, differences between MMA and self defense, the single most important thing you can do to stay safe on t…
141 - What Getting Smashed in Kiteboarding Taught Me About Learning BJJ
I was recently dragged through the waves, under the water and then lifted up into the air while trying to figure out the sport of kiteboarding, and figured out that there is one hell of a learning cu…
140 - BJJ Specific Exercises, Supplements and Conditioning Routines with Ben Zhuang
I talk with personal trainer and BJJ black belt Ben Zhuang going DEEP into the supplements, exercises, and conditioning protocols, and recovery procedures to help with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other g…
139 - BJJ is a Martial Art First and a Martial Sport Second!
There are many reasons to train BJJ - fitness, camaraderie, having fun, taking on a challenge, spiritual development, learning to deal with challenges, wanting to compete - but at its core, Brazilian…
138 - National Football League Yoga Instructor Jessica Huneycutt
137 - Riccardo Ammedolia, BJJ Analyst Extraordinaire
In this episode I talk with Riccardo Ammedolia, BJJ black belt under the Mendes Brothers, ADCC commentator, and worldwide jiu-jitsu ambassador.
We talked about training in Brazil, rolling with Rafa M…
136 - The Differences between 'Sport' and 'Self Defense' BJJ
In this (likely controversial) episode I argue that the differences between 'self defense' and 'sport' jiu-jitsu have largely been exaggerated. The real magic of jiu-jitsu is in training against resi…
135 - How Muay Thai Fighters, Karateka and Boxers Make Themselves More Powerful
In this episode I discuss the different forms of exhalation and 'kiai' used in various martial arts, ranging from Thai Boxing to Kajukenbo Karate to traditional Japanese Ju-Jutsu. Then I break down …
134 - Conditioning for Combat Sports with Jason Kapnick
In this episode I talk with elite powerlifter, kettlebell instructor and BJJ practitioner Jason Kapnick about conditioning program design, building a balanced body, functional movement screening, inj…
133 - Can You Learn from Seminars?
Today, should you go to seminars, can you learn from seminars, and the funniest thing I ever saw at a seminar...
132 - Twelve BJJ Black Belts Give Their Best Advice for People Starting Jiu-Jitsu
This episode is just a little different! Today 12 BJJ black belts give their single best piece of advice for people just starting out in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. White belts looking for tips and help wi…
131 - Kirik Jenness of The Underground Forum
I loved this talk with Kirik Jenness who is mayor for life of the underground forum at http://mixedmartialarts.com, the author of The Fighter's Notebook, the official records keeper for mixed martial…