Dr. Wendy Rouse is a historian who has studied the origin of the women's self defense movement, as well as early jiu-jitsu in America -- including how President Theodore Roosevelt played a role in changing perceptions of this new-to-Americans art as an "unmanly" art. She's a professor of history at San Jose State University and the author of a book and many articles on these subjects. Check out some of the materials we reference in the conversation, including Dr. Rouse's article "Jiujitsuing Uncle Sam: The Unmanly Art of Jiujitsu." https://online.ucpress.edu/phr/article/84/4/448/81155/JiuJitsuing-Uncle-SamThe-Unmanly-Art-of-JiuJitsu Dr. Rouse's book, "Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women's Self Defense Movement." https://nyupress.org/9781479828531/her-own-hero/ Dr. Rouse's Presentation at the California State Historical Society. https://youtu.be/Nu0FjzlXPXg?t=2373 And this presentation by May Whitley, whose video we reference in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLIE1GKfluk

It's a time of upheaval and uncertainty in the jiujitsu community. We talked to four academy owners (five including Jeff) from both coasts and a wide range of experiences about how they're responding to the crisis -- by serving students in new ways and thinking about supporting the BJJ community at large. Our panel included James Foster (Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, open 17+ years), Cody Maltais (Elevate MMA Academy, open 4 years), Hillary VanOrnum (Unicorn Jiujitsu, open 10 months) and Cindy Hales (Sleeper Jiujitsu, open 6 months). Check it out to hear us share ideas about how we can weather this storm together and come out stronger on the other side. Thanks as always to our sponsors! US Grappling is our favorite tournament organization for many reasons, and usgrappling.com is the place to find all the news about upcoming events. We're also sponsored by Intellitonic. Rooted right here in Bellingham, Washington, Intellitonic is a Bellingham SEO and digital marketing agency with national reach. If you’re interested in Search Engine Optimization or Pay Per Click marketing, Intellitonic is a great choice.

Ever wanted window inside a black belt test? A few months ago, Jeff -- and two other brown belts from his school -- were told to be prepared for anything on Dec. 15. Betsy talked to each of them before, during and afterward. Check this show out for an inside look at one of the most important days in a jiu-jitsu journey. Thanks as always to our sponsors! US Grappling comes to Atlantic City, NJ on April 4, Richmond VA on April 2, and Greensboro NC on May 2. Support the tournament that's by grapplers, for grapplers, and has the best competitor experience around. Remember, black belts compete for free -- and register early for the Richmond, Virginia event in April! Tell them we sent you. We're also sponsored by Intellitonic. Rooted right here in Bellingham, Washington, Intellitonic is a Bellingham SEO and digital marketing agency with national reach. If you’re interested in Search Engine Optimization or Pay Per Click marketing, Intellitonic is a great choice.

Oliver Taza is already one of the best no-gi grapplers in the world just 7 years after starting jiujitsu. He talks with us about how great instruction contributes to his success, about the mental and physical challenge of recovering from ACL surgery, about the similarities and differences between Firas Zahabi and John Danaher, and much more. We also talk about the new podcast he's launched with Pierre-Olivier LeClerc, the Off Balance podcast, which you can check out wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks as always to our sponsors! US Grappling comes to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 4. Support the tournament that's by grapplers, for grapplers, and has the best competitor experience around. Remember, black belts compete for free -- and register early for the Richmond, Virginia event in April! Tell them we sent you. We're also sponsored by Intellitonic. Rooted right here in Bellingham, Washington, Intellitonic is a Bellingham SEO and digital marketing agency with national reach. If you’re interested in Search Engine Optimization or Pay Per Click marketing, Intellitonic is a great choice.

Felicia Oh is a legend of jiu-jitsu, the sixth woman outside of Brazil to earn a black belt -- but her origin story in the art involves the Y2K scare, the LA Marathon and Rudy Fischmann. The masters world champion and ADCC silver medalist talks to us about what training with Jean-Jacques Machado and Eddie Bravo was like, and how 10th Planet came about; about starting at 33 years old and becoming an elite grappler, competing against all-time-greats like Leticia Ribeiro, Megumi Fujii and more; nearly having to walk away from jiu-jitsu and MMA due to chronic fatigue, and how she beat the illness and came back; and way, way more. Thanks to Felicia Oh for this interview! US Grappling comes to Frederick, Maryland this weekend, June 29! Support the tournament that's by grapplers, for grapplers, and has the best competitor experience around. Remember, black belts compete for free -- and register early for the Richmond, Virginia event on Aug. 3! Tell them we sent you.

One of our first guests, Andrew Smith, returns to discuss how project — an online learning site called BJJ Path. Listen for details on how you can get a deal on the site. We also discuss best practices for learning jiujitsu, including why drilling classes are great.

You first heard from adaptive athlete Jess Munter a year ago, on the "Adaptive X-Men" episode. A lot has changed in a year, and Jess just notched a landmark win. We talked to her right after. Huge thanks to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ and Cageside MMA! Register online for 2019 tournaments at usgrappling.com, and remember that black belts compete for free. If you need gear to compete, the best products, prices and customer service can be found at cageside.com and torobjj.com.

Cindy "Sleeper" Hales is one of the first ever women to earn a black belt in jiu-jitsu, and is opening her own school in Lynnwood, Washington, this spring. One of the famous "dirty dozen" first 12 women black belts, Cindy talked with Jeff & Lourdes about jiu-jitsu history, training philosophy and vegan straight edge punk rock, among other things. Plus, we got to talk about Bikini Kill. Check out Cindy on instagram at @sleeper96! Huge thanks to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ and Cageside MMA! Register online for 2019 tournaments at usgrappling.com, and remember that black belts compete for free. If you need gear to compete, the best products, prices and customer service can be found at cageside.com and torobjj.com.

Special show: It's the 2018 Dirty White Belt Awards! We tell you who our distinguished panel of 7 judges voted for, and we play your voicemails about some of the winners and honorable mentions. Plus, an interview with Show the Art Finishers winner Austin "DuckJitsu" Daffron, who has a busy 2019 planned. A longer post will follow on the blog detailing the winners. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ and Cageside MMA!

It's the final show of 2018! At Toro Cup 12, Lourdes interviews four young women who represent the future of grappling -- and the present as well, since all four competed on the superfight card. That card raised funds for the family of Rudy Fischmann, a member of the jiu-jitsu community who is battling brain cancer. You can support the Fischmanns' Fight here: https://www.gofundme.com/the-fischmanns-fight Huge thanks to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ and Cageside MMA! Register online for 2019 tournaments at usgrappling.com, and remember that black belts compete for free. If you need gear to compete, the best products, prices and customer service can be found at cageside.com and torobjj.com. Also major good luck this weekend to all friends of the show competing at no-gi worlds, including sponsored athletes Junny Ocasio and CJ Murdock! New season drops in 2019.

Were you at Toro Cup 11? Lourdes did a bunch of interviews with competitors -- and with the people behind MMA For Africa, the beneficiary of the charity event. Hear about what inspired them, the centuries old Senegalese wrestling style that may be helping BJJ evolve, the possibility of African athletes on Toro Cup, and how YOU can volunteer to help. Register online at usgrappling.com to compete on Sep. 29 in Virginia Beach, or in Greensboro, NC on Oct. 27. Both are Submission Only tournaments -- and if you need gi or nogi gear to compete, find the best products at cageside.com! Plus, get ready for Sub Only Worlds on Dec. 1. Thanks as always to our sponsors, US Grappling, Toro BJJ, and Cageside MMA -- and welcome to our latest sponsor, Gold BJJ! To get a discount on anything at GoldBJJ.com, just enter DirtyWhiteBelt10 at checkout or follow this link and it will be directly applied: goldbjj.com/discount/DirtyWhiteBelt10 If you want access to bonus content, you can support us at patreon.com/dirtywhitebelt, as Cody Maltais, Karl Krebs, Jason Wingate and Betty Broadhurst did this month -- thanks, y'all!