🎙️ Giles Garcia Unleashed: Jiu-Jitsu's Voice of Reason

Fighting Matters

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and the incomparable Giles Garcia (Ronin Grappling) for a raw, unscripted deep dive into the political and cultural fault lines running through the Jiu-Jitsu world.
From media manipulation to fascist creep in martial arts, Giles brings the fire with unfiltered commentary on how the right hijacked the narrative, why conspiracies thrive in the fight scene, and what it really means to stand for something as a coach and leader.
If you’ve ever wondered why “just stick to Jiu-Jitsu” is a cop-out, or what role you play in the bigger fight, this one’s for you.
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👥 Featuring:
Giles Garcia – Ronin Grappling
Stephan Kesting – Grapplearts
Jesse Walker – Rough Hands BJJ
Steve Kwan – BJJ Mental Models
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🧠 Topics We Cover:
• The rise of fascism in martial arts culture
• Why conspiracy theories thrive in Jiu-Jitsu
• Media consolidation and fake neutrality
• How coaches can lead without preaching
• Culture war vs. class war in BJJ
• Giles responds to Nazi commenters (for real)
• What real leadership looks like in hard times
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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions
02:50 The Role of Martial Arts in Society
05:36 Personal Stories and Experiences with Organizations
08:43 Global Perspectives on Societal Threats
11:51 Media Control and Government Overreach
14:41 The Illusion of Left and Right Politics
17:54 Conspiracies and Their Impact on Society
20:24 The Influence of Popular Media Figures
23:11 The Fight Community and Its Dynamics
26:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
36:00 The Rise of New Media and Its Impact
39:02 The Challenge of Truth in Media
42:10 Understanding the Left's Struggles
47:01 The Need for a Political Reset
48:49 Addressing Real Concerns in Society
52:53 Navigating Power Dynamics in Coaching
58:40 The Importance of Safe Spaces in Training
01:01:45 Responding to Controversial Comments