Weslee Weighs In

About Weslee Weighs In

Weslee Weighs In is a podcast about jiu jitsu, combat sports, and the people who make them worth talking about. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Weslee and Bailey Parker, we go beyond techniques and match results to explore the ideas, experiences, personalities, and sometimes controversial conversations that shape the world of jiu jitsu. From thoughtful conversations with athletes, coaches, photographers, and other voices in the community to technique breakdowns, parenting and training, competition, gym culture, and everything in between—we’re here to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and have the conversations that make you think. Whether you’re deep in the mats or just fascinated by the world of combat sports, there’s something to weigh in on. 🎙️ New episodes, conversations, and jiu jitsu content every week.

Publisher

Weslee and Bailey Parker

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2025

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Fran Papasidero | Bet on Yourself: The Risks that Changed Everything

   Fran Papasidero’s journey in jiu-jitsu is a story of persistence, calculated risks, and learning how to train with purpose. On this episode of Weslee Weighs In, Fran joins us to talk about his path from being a teenager in Mar del Plata, Argentina, to pursuing a career in jiu-jitsu in the United States. Fran opens up about his early days as a teenage white belt, getting overwhelmed by bigger and stronger training partners, and learning that hard work alone isn’t always enough to improve. From the coaching of Pablo Lavaselli to the training culture at AOJ and the opponent-specific preparation he now gets at Brea, Fran breaks down how the right environment and a more intentional approach to training has helped shape his game. We also get into the details of preparing for competition: studying match footage, identifying patterns, developing new skills, and knowing when to stick to your A-game instead of making major changes before a tournament. Fran shares how he handles self-doubt, why confidence comes from knowing you’ve done the work, and what it was like to compete at Crown on just six days’ notice and walk away with third place. Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or jiu-jitsu fan, this episode is packed with insight into the mindset, preparation, and decisions that help athletes reach the next level. In this episode: Fran’s journey from Mar del Plata, Argentina, to the U.S. Overcoming the challenges of being a smaller, less experienced white belt Why training harder doesn’t always mean training better What effective coaching and purposeful training look like How to study opponents and turn match footage into a game plan Building confidence through preparation and managing competition nerves Competing at the Crown on six days’ notice and earning third place Tune in for an honest conversation about the work behind high-level jiu-jitsu and what it takes to keep improving when the competition gets tougher. Follow Fran on socials: @fraanbjj

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Daniel Deeder: The Break that Broke the Internet

   As the first athlete signed to UFC BJJ through the UFC BJJ Opens, Daniel Deeder is making waves in the sport, , and his viral kimura finish has everyone talking. This week, we down with Daniel Deeder, black belt competitor and Kingsway athlete, to break down his journey to UFC BJJ, the opportunity that changed his career, and the viral submission that put him in the spotlight. Daniel takes us behind the scenes of the UFC BJJ Opens, explaining how he went from competing in the events to earning a contract and stepping onto one of the biggest stages in the sport. We talk about how UFC BJJ is changing the competitive landscape, what it takes to stand out, and what the experience has been like for an athlete helping pave the way for future signings. We also get into his viral kimura finish on Kolby Gonzales, the technique and mindset behind taking risks in competition, and the reactions that followed including the backlash and death threats he received. Beyond UFC BJJ, Daniel shares his journey from childhood jiu-jitsu champion in California to black belt, what his time training at B-Team was like, and what he’s learned training under John Danaher at Kingsway. In this episode, we discuss: Daniel’s journey from the UFC BJJ Opens to signing with UFC BJJ What it means to be the first athlete from the Opens signed to a UFC BJJ main card How UFC BJJ is changing opportunities for jiu-jitsu athletes Breaking down his viral kimura finish and the reaction it sparked The backlash and death threats that followed his match against Colby Gonzalez How Daniel approaches risk-taking, leg locks, and creative submissions Training under John Danaher at Kingsway and what makes the system unique Why brown belt is the real proving ground for developing competitors How to turn losses, criticism, and being underestimated into motivation UFC BJJ is creating new opportunities for athletes to turn their competition careers into something bigger, and Daniel Deeder is right in the middle of that evolution. Whether you’re curious about the future of professional jiu-jitsu, the story behind his viral kimura, or what it takes to get noticed on the biggest stage, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Follow Daniel Deeder: Instagram: @danieldeederjj (https://www.instagram.com/danieldeederjj/) 🎙️ Subscribe to Weslee Weighs In for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and personalities shaping the world of jiu-jitsu and combat sports.

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   14-Year Old Prodigy Icaro Moreno: The Future Has a Name

   At just 14, Icaro Moreno has already lived the kind of jiu-jitsu journey most athletes spend a lifetime chasing. In this conversation, he breaks down how a kid from Boston became one of AOJ’s most talked-about young stars, why his family moved across the country to fuel his career, and the mindset that helped him turn criticism, pressure, and a brutal ADCC weight cut into fuel. He opens up about the sacrifice behind the spotlight, from leaving his mom in Boston for a year to chasing training opportunities at Atos and then finding his home at AOJ. He also reveals how a conversation with Gui Mendez changed the direction of his life, why he believes the best athletes are built on trust, basics, and the right circle, and how his dad has become his coach, mentor, and marketing director all at once. You'll hear: - Why Icaro believes copying your idols is the fastest way to become forgettable - The training philosophy AOJ uses for competition, from bad positions to no-emotion performance - How he rebuilt after a devastating ADCC loss and changed his weight-cut strategy forever - Why he thinks flashy jiu-jitsu is overrated compared to dominant, repeatable fundamentals - How faith, family, and a Bible study group keep him grounded through the noise He also shares his thoughts on WNO, UFC BJJ, the state of matchmaking, the future of leg locks, and why he believes the next generation needs more triangles, guard retention, wrestling, and control, not just highlight-reel submissions. And if you want to hear what drives a teenager to train like a veteran, speak like a coach, and compete with the confidence of a world champ, this one delivers. Perfect for jiu-jitsu fans, parents of young athletes, and anyone who wants to understand what it actually takes to build greatness before most people are even old enough to drive. Follow Icaro on socials: @icaromorenojj

Who has been a guest on Weslee Weighs In

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• George Vasquez
• Diego Vasquez
• Roberto Kaelin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Weslee Weighs In

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Weslee Weighs In