☠️ The Dangerous Rise of Bro Science in Jiu-Jitsu

Fighting Matters

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Stephan Kesting are joined by scientist and author Kristi Charish to investigate how Jiu-Jitsu became a hotbed for pseudoscience, supplement scams, and influencer grifts.
We explore how a culture of male insecurity and anti-intellectualism has opened the floodgates to misinformation—fueled by algorithm-chasing gurus and podcast personalities more interested in profit than truth. From testosterone fads and supplement sponsors to sunning your testicles (yes, really), we unpack the deep societal forces that make grapplers uniquely vulnerable to snake oil.
If you’ve ever been told that breathing through one nostril will double your growth hormone, this episode is for you.
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👥 Featuring:
Kristi Charish – Scientist & Novelist
Stephan Kesting @StephanKesting
Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels
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🧠 Topics We Cover:
• Why Jiu-Jitsu is especially vulnerable to pseudoscience
• The myth of the supplement “quick fix”
• How science actually works (and why grifters hate it)
• Why confidence sells better than expertise
• The parasocial trap of podcast influencers
• What “adaptogens” actually mean (hint: nothing)
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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:06 Kristi's Science Background and Transition to Fiction
04:25 The Challenge of Science Misinformation
10:03 The Role of Influencers in Misinformation
16:02 Regulation of Supplements vs. Prescription Drugs
24:03 Understanding Scientific Research and Publication
38:32 The Nature of Expertise and Certainty in Science
46:54 The Risks of Superfoods and Supplements
48:46 Trust in Science and Misinformation
50:19 The Dangers of Distrust in Institutions
53:13 The Impact of Influencers on Health Perception
01:02:47 Misinformation Targeting Young Men
01:09:44 The Dangers of Male Beauty Standards
01:19:27 Improving Science Literacy in Society