Fighting Matters podcast

1:08:28

🎙️ The UFC has become more than a fight promotion—it’s a political statement. In this episode of Fighting Matters, Jeff Shaw, Stephan Kesting, and Steve Kwan sit down with journalist Albert Samaha to unpack his explosive Washington Post article, “Two Nights in Vegas with the Fan-Bros of the UFC.” What begins as a story about fandom becomes a deep dive into the cultural and political forces shaping fight sports today. From MAGA hat sightings to Dana White’s unwavering support for Trump, the crew explores how the UFC became a haven for right-wing ideology—and what that means for the young men growing up in its orbit. This conversation isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about understanding how power, masculinity, and media converge in the cage—and what kind of future we’re fighting for. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Albert Samaha – Journalist & Author Jeff Shaw @BellinghamBJJ Stephan Kesting @StephanKesting Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • Why the UFC embraced Trumpism • The blurred lines between sport, spectacle, and propaganda • How fight sports influence young men’s identities • The grifter economy and “hustle culture” in MMA • What responsibility promoters have in shaping culture ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 02:55 The Intersection of Sports and Politics 06:17 Understanding the UFC Fanbase 09:14 The Role of Authenticity in Politics 12:04 Masculinity and the Appeal of Simplicity 14:56 The Complexity of Political Messaging 17:54 The Andrew Tate Phenomenon 21:07 Human Stories in Fight Sports 24:12 The UFC's Political Landscape 27:13 Conclusion and Reflections on the Future 33:25 UFC's Controversial Support for Problematic Figures 36:08 The Shift in UFC's Image and Strategy 40:21 The Wrestling Influence on UFC's Marketing 44:36 Free Speech and the UFC's Ethical Dilemmas 47:13 Economic Class and Masculinity in the UFC 01:01:47 Navigating Modern Masculinity and Influencer Culture…

Fighting Matters

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🚨 B-Team Bans Jay Rod: Our Reaction 28:48

7 days ago28:48

28:48

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan, Jesse Walker, and Shelby York react to the breaking news that B-Team Jiu-Jitsu has officially banned Jay Rod. The team discusses the statements made by both B-Team and Jay Rod and the implications for gym culture. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels Jesse Walker @roughhandsbjj Shelby York @roughhandsog ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • What B-Team’s statement actually said • How Jay Rod responded and what it reveals • Why Craig Jones’s reaction surprised us • The importance of protecting victims • What other gyms should learn from this • The broader problem of abuse in Jiu-Jitsu…

Fighting Matters

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🏳️‍⚧️ Molly Reis: Life as a Trans Black Belt in BJJ 1:22:15

9 days ago1:22:15

1:22:15

🎙️ A powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and resilience in the martial arts community. In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan and Mike Mahaffey are joined by special guest Molly Reis, a three-stripe black belt and one of the most senior trans women in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Molly shares her journey through the sport, from competing every weekend in Texas to finding belonging in Seattle’s queer BJJ scene. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning mid-career, navigating concern trolling, and why visibility in leadership is key to true inclusion. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels Mike Mahaffey @OldBastardBJJ Molly Reis ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • What it’s like to transition after earning your black belt • How hormone therapy impacts physical performance • Creating safer spaces and inclusive gyms for queer athletes • Concern trolling, etiquette, and rolling while trans • Why allyship in BJJ must go beyond tolerance ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Diversity in Jiu-Jitsu 03:01 Molly's Journey in Jiu-Jitsu and Transition 06:02 Experiences of Support and Rejection 09:19 Navigating the Jiu-Jitsu Community as a Trans Woman 11:59 The Impact of Transition on Jiu-Jitsu 14:52 Understanding Hormone Therapy and Its Effects 18:17 Life Changes Post-Transition 21:04 Adapting Jiu-Jitsu Techniques After Transition 23:56 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Jiu-Jitsu 26:59 The Role of Community in Supporting Trans Athletes 30:11 Conclusion and Future Perspectives 45:40 Mindset and Gender Dynamics in Jiu-Jitsu 47:02 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Martial Arts 47:52 The Power of Representation in Leadership 49:27 Celebration vs. Tolerance in the Community 51:08 Navigating Political Sensitivities in Jiu-Jitsu 52:11 The Role of Allies in Supporting Trans Rights 56:26 Understanding Concern Trolling 01:01:11 Debunking Myths About Trans Athletes 01:05:31 Engaging in Good Faith Conversations 01:10:58 The Hypocrisy of Gender Politics in Sports 01:18:45 Encouragement for Trans and Queer Athletes 01:19:49 Finding Community and Resources in Jiu-Jitsu…

Fighting Matters

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"Get Up and Fight", MMA Fighter Nate Quarry vs MAGA and the UFC 1:11:18

12 days ago1:11:18

1:11:18

Nate Quarry fought in MMA, including The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC, between 2001 and 2010. He's currently involved in suing the UFC for anticompetitive and monopolistic practices. He joins us on the Fighting Matters podcast to discuss manhood, responsibility, self worth, and standing up for other people.…

Fighting Matters

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🇨🇦 Canada Just Rejected MAGA 1:08:07

14 days ago1:08:07

1:08:07

🎙️ A deep dive into how Trump’s anti-Canada rhetoric flipped the Canadian election—and what it means for martial artists on both sides of the border. In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan is joined by longtime friend and grappling legend Stephan Kesting for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Canada’s 2025 federal election. They unpack how the rise of MAGA-style politics north of the border sparked a national backlash, ultimately reshaping Canadian leadership—and exposing fractures in the martial arts world. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels Stephan Kesting @StephanKesting ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • Why Trump’s threats to Canada changed the outcome of the election • The rise—and rejection—of MAGA politics in Canadian culture • How COVID and the Freedom Convoy broke the Jiu-Jitsu community • What American martial artists need to understand about their influence abroad • Whether Canada can still trust its southern neighbor ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Canadian Elections and Political Landscape 09:08 Trudeau's Downfall and the Rise of Mark Carney 17:58 The Freedom Convoy and Its Impact on Society 32:58 The Division in the Martial Arts Community 35:12 The Impact of Information Bubbles 39:32 Reality Check: The Pandemic's Influence 43:15 Political Dynamics in Canada 50:05 The Future of Canadian Politics 57:25 Cross-Border Relations and Travel Concerns 01:02:09 Understanding Perspectives: The Info Bubble Challenge…

Fighting Matters

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How Gyms Can Survive Trump’s Tariffs 1:12:05

18 days ago1:12:05

1:12:05

🎙️ A candid roundtable on tariffs, economic disruption, and the fight to preserve Jiu-Jitsu communities during hard times. In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan, Jesse Walker, and Jeff Shaw take a hard look at how Trump’s tariff policies and looming economic challenges are threatening Jiu-Jitsu gyms across North America. Drawing from their experiences as gym owners, content creators, and lifelong martial artists, they explore how Jiu-Jitsu businesses can survive—and even thrive—through solidarity, long-term thinking, and real community-building. This conversation isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about practical survival strategies for the martial arts world—and why now, more than ever, community must come first. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels Jesse Walker @roughhandsbjj Jeff Shaw @bellinghambjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • How tariffs and border restrictions threaten Jiu-Jitsu gyms • Why wealth concentration hurts martial arts communities • How to recession-proof your academy today • The hidden risks of economic downturns for small businesses • Why Jiu-Jitsu must become more than just a sport • How generosity, community, and loyalty can save your gym • Practical ways to support students and staff through hardship ⸻ 📖 Chapters: Chapters 00:00 Introduction and WrestleMania Discussion 05:06 Impact of Current Events on Jiu-Jitsu Businesses 09:56 Challenges Faced by Gym Owners 15:08 Community Building and Brand Loyalty 20:03 Economic Insights and Strategies for Survival 25:01 Opportunities in Crisis 30:04 Concluding Thoughts on Wealth and Responsibility 41:42 Navigating Economic Challenges in Jiu Jitsu 48:24 Building Community Through Jiu Jitsu 57:45 Long-Term Thinking in Business 01:03:19 Supporting Local Businesses Over Corporations 01:04:11 Addressing Misogyny in Jiu Jitsu ⸻ 💬 Notable Quotes: “You don’t save a gym by cutting your people.” – Jeff “Generosity is the strongest brand you can build.” – Steve “Investing in your community pays bigger dividends than saving pennies.” – Jesse ⸻ 🎯 For Listeners Who: • Own or manage a martial arts gym • Want to protect their community from economic shocks • Believe small businesses are worth fighting for • Are looking for real-world survival strategies for martial arts • Value leadership, loyalty, and resilience over short-term profits ⸻ 💬 Your thoughts matter—join the conversation in the comments below. 🎧 Subscribe to Fighting Matters for open, honest dialogue on martial arts, community, and survival in a changing world. #JiuJitsu #MartialArts #Tariffs #Recession #BJJCommunity #FightingMatters #SmallBusiness #CommunityBuilding #BJJPodcast #TrumpTariffs #MartialArtsTalk…

Fighting Matters

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Identity Politics Is Killing the Martial Arts 1:09:36

22 days ago1:09:36

1:09:36

🎙️ A candid roundtable on tribalism, culture wars, and the struggle to preserve community in Jiu-Jitsu and beyond. In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, Jesse Walker, and Timothy Lee Peterson take a hard look at how identity politics and ideological polarization are affecting the martial arts world. Drawing from their own experiences as coaches, practitioners, and community leaders, they explore how social division is creeping onto the mats—and how we can push back with empathy, respect, and clarity. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels Mike Mahaffey @OldBastardBJJ Jesse Walker @roughhandsbjj Timothy Lee Peterson @timothyleepeterson ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • Why identity has become central to modern conflict • How online behavior and purity tests are dividing gyms • The difference between ignorance and harm • How to handle mistakes without driving people away • Why modeling values is more powerful than policing language • Creating psychologically safe spaces for real learning and growth • How martial arts can teach us to communicate across ideological lines ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Identity in Political Discourse 05:53 The Impact of Tribalism on Communication 11:00 Navigating Conversations with Empathy 17:36 The Role of Language in Identity 22:26 Building Bridges Through Understanding 36:35 Navigating Identity and Respect 39:16 Mistakes and Forgiveness in Communication 40:37 Bridging Divides Through Understanding 42:36 The Importance of Interests Over Positions 46:00 Creating a Culture of Tolerance for Mistakes 50:18 Psychological Safety in Conversations 54:10 Modeling Behavior for Change 01:00:15 The Power of Language in Understanding 01:04:06 Asking the Right Questions to Understand Perspectives…

Fighting Matters

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Why Women Quit Jiu-Jitsu 1:13:57

23 days ago1:13:57

1:13:57

Why do so many women quit Jiu-Jitsu—and what can we do to fix it? In this candid and eye-opening episode, Fighting Matters sits down with Shelby York of Rough Hands BJJ to talk about the real reasons women leave the sport. From casual misogyny to unsafe training environments, Shelby shares the often overlooked struggles women face in martial arts—and what coaches, training partners, and gym owners can actually do to make things better. Also featuring hosts Steve Kwan, Jesse Walker, and Mike Mahaffey. ✅ Topics include: • The subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways women are pushed out • Why some gyms feel unsafe—and how to fix that • How to build a culture where women want to train • The difference between intimacy and sexualization on the mats • Shelby’s own stories of navigating the martial arts world as a coach 👉 Whether you run a gym or just want to be a better training partner, this conversation is a must-listen. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:23 Women in Martial Arts: Experiences and Challenges 07:07 Shelby's Martial Arts Background and Perspectives 10:29 The Misogyny Problem in Martial Arts 16:13 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Gym 24:41 Addressing Subtle Forms of Misogyny 26:09 Understanding Victim Blame in Self-Defense 27:16 The Role of Physical Attributes in Martial Arts 28:11 Gaslighting in Martial Arts Training 30:14 Communication Styles in Self-Defense Training 32:19 Addressing Sexual Assault in Self-Defense 35:07 The Importance of Women's Voices in Martial Arts 36:45 Recognizing Trusted Aggressors 39:14 The Reality of Self-Defense Situations 40:21 Empowering Women to Speak Up 42:26 Navigating Male Receptivity in Conversations 47:45 Creating a Safe Training Environment 53:02 Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Sports 55:04 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Training 57:53 Empowerment and Consent in Martial Arts 01:00:14 Creating Safe Spaces in Jiu-Jitsu 01:03:01 Building an Inclusive Gym Culture 01:10:10 The Importance of Genuine Interactions #jiujitsu #bjj #womensbjj #martialarts #selfdefense #grapplingculture #fightingmatters…

Fighting Matters

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The UFC’s Fascism Problem 1:12:39

4 weeks ago1:12:39

1:12:39

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models) is joined by Tim Lee Peterson for a candid conversation about the UFC’s growing alignment with far-right politics. They discuss how combat sports are being used as a cultural vehicle for political extremism, including the visible support of authoritarian figures and the platforming of openly fascist athletes. The discussion explores how these developments impact the broader martial arts community, the role of disinformation, and the danger of normalizing political violence and exclusionary ideologies in a sport that should be about inclusion, discipline, and mutual respect. 🎙️ Follow Steve: @bjjmentalmodels on Instagram and Threads 🎙️ Follow Tim: @timothyleepeterson on Instagram and Threads…

Fighting Matters

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What is Fascism (aka The 10 Pillars of Fascist Movements and Governments) 28:12

5 weeks ago28:12

28:12

The word fascism gets thrown around a lot, but words have meanings and fascism does not mean “ all the things that I don’t like”. in this video, I go through the 10 pillars of fascism as laid out by Jason Stanley in his book, How Fascism Works.

Fighting Matters

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Joe Rogan, Jiu-Jitsu, and the Manosphere 57:02

5 weeks ago57:02

57:02

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and Mike Mahaffey (Magic BJJ) discuss the backlash to a recent viral post about Jiu-Jitsu’s historical links to fascism, and how that history continues to shape the culture of the sport today. They also talk about Joe Rogan’s evolving role in martial arts media, the influence of the manosphere, and the challenges of having honest conversations in a polarized environment. Topics include: – Why critiques of Jiu-Jitsu history often feel personal – Whether and how to separate the art from its founders – Joe Rogan’s influence and responsibility as a media figure – The impact of social media, tribalism, and identity – The manosphere’s reach into martial arts culture – What it might take to build a more open and inclusive community #BJJ #JoeRogan #JiuJitsu #Manosphere #MartialArts #FightingMatters #BJJPodcast…

Fighting Matters

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BJJ, Politics & Helping People: What Can One Person Really Change? | Fighting Matters Podcast 1:09:09

6 weeks ago1:09:09

1:09:09

Is Jiu-Jitsu just about choking people—or can it actually make the world better? In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models), Jeff Shaw (Bellingham BJJ), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and Mike Mahaffey (Old Bastard BJJ) dive into how martial artists are stepping up to support their communities during turbulent times. From running charity seminars for LGBTQ+ and immigrant groups, to facing political backlash and online trolls, the crew lays it all out—with jokes, passion, and a bit of Moon Knight cosplay. 🌀 What does “conservatism” mean on the mats? 🔥 What happens when martial artists use their platforms to fight for more than just submissions? 🤝 How can YOU make a difference in your gym, even if you’re “just” a white belt? Drop a comment with your own stories or ideas. Let’s build something better—together. #BJJCommunity #FightingMatters #JiuJitsuForGood #MartialArtsPodcast #SteveKwan #JeffShaw #JesseWalker #MikeMahaffey #BJJFundraisers #TransRights #ImmigrantSupport #BJJMentalModels #BJJPodcast…

Fighting Matters

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Conor McGregor, Dana White, Andrew Tate, Hero Fantasies and More 55:57

6 weeks ago55:57

55:57

Stephan Kesting, Mike Mahaffey, Jeff Shaw, and Jesse Walker have an unfiltered, deeply personal conversation about the growing political divide in the combat sports world. They discuss recent developments with Conor McGregor, Dana White, Andrew Tate, and Cain Velasquez, and the reaction of the MMA community to those events. They also address how hero fantasies can have negative and unintended consequences, how children of all nationalities should be protected, and how real change requires genuine commitment and action from individuals. 👉 Like, share, and subscribe if you want to see more honest conversations like this. 📌 Featuring: • Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts) • Mike Mahaffey (Old Bastard BJJ) • Jeff Shaw (Bellingham BJJ) • Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ) #BJJ #Politics #JiuJitsu #MMA #MartialArts #Fascism #ProgressiveJiuJitsu #CombatSports #BJJMentalModels…

Fighting Matters

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Fighting for Our Values: Politics, Fascism & the Future of Jiu-Jitsu 1:12:30

6 weeks ago1:12:30