Each episode delivers topics on Jiu-Jitsu, fitness and exercise, coaching, and life. Our goal is to have intelligent and entertaining conversations, and to help our listeners learn and grow!
Host Tyler Beckley interviews Dr. Kyle Wagner, Psychology Professor, about the philosophy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Findlay Jiu-Jitsu Academy's mission to strengthen community through the sport.
28 Aug 2025
Ep. 9: Nicole Potteiger; Veteran and Professional Powerlifter
Host Tyler Beckley interviews Veteran and professional powerlifter Nicole Potteiger about her military journey, powerlifting career, and lessons learned from overcoming challenges.
28 Jul 2025
Ep. 8: Engineering the Mind with BJJ (Dr. Larry Funke)
Tyler Beckley interviews Dr. Larry Funke, a PhD professor of Engineering, about how his professional background and educational experience influence his approach to Jiu-Jitsu training and goals.
19 Jun 2025
Ep. 7: "To Gi or Not to Gi" w/ BJJ Black Belt Gabriel Sanchez
Host Tyler Beckley interviews Professor Gabriel Sanchez about the technical and cultural differences between gi and no-gi Jiu-Jitsu, exploring training methods and controversial moves in each style.
15 May 2025
Ep. 6: Standing Strong; Teaching Kids to Confront Bullying w/ Todd Williams
On this episode of Barbells and Black Belts, host Tyler Beckley sits down with Professor Todd Williams from Monroe, Michigan. Todd is a former professional runner, winning multiple World Championship and competing in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic games. Professor Williams is also a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (under Luis Palhares) and he and his wife, Lindsey, run their academy, Monroe Jiu-Jitsu.Todd is also the founder of the RunSafer program and has traveled the nation in hundreds of locations teaching self-defense to runners. Both on the mats and on the track, Professor Williams/Coach Todd has years of experience competing, traveling, and working with athletes from various backgrounds.Our entire show is dedicated to one central topic - BULLYING - and includes:- Todd and Tyler's background as BJJ instructors/practitioners- Definition of bullying, and its prevalence in schools today- Different types of bullying (who is most affected/targeted, and why?)- Impact of bullying on our youth- Building confidence in children to stand up against bullying- How can schools and parents work together with BJJ communities to make an impact against bullying?Follow Tyler on Instagram and Facebook:facebook.com/beckleytinstagram.com/beckleyt Follow the podcast on Instagram:instagram.com/4bjjpodcast Find information and resources from Tyler's BJJ academy and Gym: @findlaybjj (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCvDEThnQ-7TacU229-p0gTw) @findlaybarbell (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCeP-A4PvrZOHUpvztOUeFIg) Find out more about workouts, training, and programming on Tyler's Patreon:patreon.com/beckleystrengthbjjFollow Monroe Jiu-Jitsu and Todd:instagram.com/monroejiujitsu_michigan
22 Apr 2025
Ep. 5: General Michael Ferriter
On this episode of Barbells and Black Belts, host Tyler Beckley sits down with retired United States Army veteran, General Michael Ferriter. General Ferriter served as commanding general of the United States Army Installation Management Command/U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management from 2011 until 2014. During his military career, which began in 1979, he has participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and served three tours of duty in Iraq. On June 19, 2018, he was named president and CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio.General Ferriter is widely considered the godfather of the modern Army Combative system and was pivotal to bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into our military. The General also holds the rank of 3rd degree black belt in BJJ.Topics on the podcast include:
General Ferriter's career and what led him to BJJ
The modern Army combative system
How BJJ can help our military and how it can continue to help veterans
Understanding techniques, managing emotions, and how BJJ helps maintain control
BJJ filling a need for multiple things (exercise, self-defense, community, socializing)
Leadership and how to help not only yourself, but the people around us and our community
Reaching out to friends, family, and the ones who might need us
For resources to help our veterans:https://nationalvmm.org/events-progra... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1FFSERKb3VJbDFoSHFJbGdRYXg0OHMxMDlJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsOEVrRzZNWXRCRlJ4Qm9IaldyUzM1LXFpWTF4WHh6Y0ppenpwMXdfcGttLVZKa2Q0TGVoYXg1cVhXaTNfbmJXNXA0ZEc4YjZNUzFIZHMxRTI5bjktbE5mNUU2TXBVQUxGdnVkQkQtTXg2emlTYnZCMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalvmm.org%2Fevents-programs%2Fresources-for-veterans%2F&v=67N6H8Uqm6E)Follow Tyler on Instagram and Facebook:facebook.com/beckleytinstagram.com/beckleyt Follow the podcast on Instagram:instagram.com/4bjjpodcast Find information and resources from Tyler's BJJ academy and Gym:@findlaybjj (https://www.youtube.com/@findlaybjj) @findlaybarbell (https://www.youtube.com/@findlaybarbell) Find out more about workouts, training, and programming on Tyler's Patreon:patreon.com/beckleystrengthbjjFollow Gracie Ohio on Instagram:instagram.com/gracieohioFind out more about the National Veteran's Memorial and Museum:https://nationalvmm.org/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjBoY01XUDRjTUdzaVJGcWk0bHQ5ckZEcFY5Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsenEtUWtDckV2RmhtOFJuTlpFMHZkWWJnVUhrLWtQdDA5SWRtLW8xRzlhUmpMQm9KV0xOOTRXQk5Pb3BJWXRDNktlNGk0SEVvUk96ajYtdzh3WDc3NHg5cTkwNDdFM1BfVTlUd1hCeF8wWTNBSTJ3SQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalvmm.org%2F&v=67N6H8Uqm6E)
18 Mar 2025
Ep. 4: John Bowman; All-American Discus Thrower, YouTube Creator and Coach
On this episode of Barbells and Black Belts host Tyler Beckley sits down with guest John Bowman from Bowman Throws! John is a 5-time All-American in collegiate Track & Field (Hurdles, Discus, and Hammer), a YouTube coach and creator with over 50,000 subscribers. He also runs a very successful online coaching resource through Patreon - Bowman Throws!
Topics on the podcast include:
John's background athletically and his time spent in college
Training and learning outside of the United States
Competing outside of the United States
Cultural differences in coaching styles and views on competition
John's thoughts on finding your passion and not letting ego get in the way
How to find resources for yourself on what you want to do
Understanding that sacrifices always need to be made to achieve your goals
Staying on track with your goals and learning to expand to new avenues
Follow Tyler on Instagram and Facebook:
facebook.com/beckleytinstagram.com/beckleyt
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
instagram.com/4bjjpodcast
Find information and resources from Tyler's BJJ academy and Gym: (https://www.youtube.com/@findlaybjj)
@findlaybjj (https://www.youtube.com/@findlaybjj) @findlaybarbell (https://www.youtube.com/@findlaybarbell)
Find out more about workouts, training, and programming on Tyler's Patreon:
patreon.com/beckleystrengthbjj
Follow John Bowman on Instagram:
instagram.com/bowmanthrows
Find out more about coaching and throwing on John's Patreon:
patreon.com/bowmanthrows
Find John on YouTube for more: (https://www.youtube.com/@johnbowmandiscus)
@johnbowmandiscus (https://www.youtube.com/@johnbowmandiscus)
10 Feb 2025
Ep. 3: Todd Williams; 2x Olympian, BJJ Black Belt and Academy Owner
In this episode of Barbells and Black Belts host Tyler Beckley sits down to talk with Olympian and BJJ black belt Todd Williams! Todd ran in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He's also the head instructor and owner of Monroe Jiu-Jitsu in Monroe, Michigan!Topics from their discussion include:- Todd's background in running and how it led him to BJJ- Mindset for athletes who want to compete or just try to get better each day- Expectations of performance being based on input and hard work- How the fundamentals are always the most important thing- Tracking your rounds and workouts- Seminars and learning lessons from the greats (and lessons from a few not-so-greats)Follow Tyler on Instagram and Facebook:facebook.com/beckleytinstagram.com/beckleyt Follow the podcast on Instagram:instagram.com/4bjjpodcast Find out more about workout, training, and programming on Tyler's Patreon:patreon.com/beckleystrengthbjj
16 Jan 2025
Ep. 2: Gary Young; MMA Coach and Business Owner
In this episode of Barbells and Blackbelts host Tyler Beckley sits down to talk with long-time MMA coach, business owner, and former professional fighter Gary Young.
Topics from their discussion include:
-MMA vs. BJJ cultures, training, and how things have changed over the years
-Injuries in various sports including MMA, BJJ, football, and boxing
-Opinions on bare knuckle fighting
-The long road to being a professional fighter and athlete
-Old fight stories and their Mt. Rushmore of pro wrestling!
Follow Tyler on Instagram and Facebook:
https://www.instagram.com/beckleyt/
https://www.facebook.com/beckleyt/
Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/4bjjpodcast/
Find out more about workout, training, and programming on Tyler's Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/beckleystrengthBJJ
11 Dec 2024
Ep. 1: Dr. Kyle Wagner; The Psychology of Learning and Teaching BJJ
In our very first episode of Barbells and Black Belts, host Tyler Beckley chats with Dr. Kyle Wagner (PhD of Psychology) from the University of Findlay about coaching, learning, and the mental side of BJJ.
Who has been a guest on Barbells and Black Belts
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Kyle Wagner
Nicole Potteiger
Dr Larry Funke
Gabriel Sanchez
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
25
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Barbells and Black Belts
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Barbells and Black Belts?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
