The Current State of Jiu Jitsu with Milton Campis and Ben Stark

/ About episode 185

This is a solo session. Milton and Ben, both black belts and academy leaders, dig into the allegations and controversies that have surfaced across the Jiu Jitsu world and what they mean for the culture of the sport.

They talk about the need for better boundaries and professional standards inside academies, holding owners and coaches to a higher standard, and how the community can move toward a more transparent future. Central to the conversation is Academy Safe, and why formal accreditation and safety standards are no longer optional.

/ What we talked about

1:44 The Academy Safe mission
What Academy Safe is and why it exists.

5:34 How academies get onboarded
What it takes for a school to go through Academy Safe.

9:20 Events and collaboration
Working together across academies instead of in silos.

12:35 Lineage and safety resources
Verifying who is teaching and what resources are available.

16:14 The recent allegations
The headlines hitting major names and camps in the sport.

20:31 The ethics of public allegations
How the community should handle accusations made in public.

25:30 Regretting silence
The cost of people staying quiet when they should have spoken up.

28:37 Media scrutiny of BJJ culture
What happens when outside media turns its attention to Jiu Jitsu.

/ Quick questions

What is Academy Safe?

Academy Safe is a nonprofit that sets safety standards and accreditation for martial arts academies, including background checks and safety training for owners and staff.

Who hosts the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast?

The show is hosted by black belts Milton Campis and Ben Stark.

Where can I watch the full episode?

The full in-studio video is on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies YouTube channel, and the audio is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every major podcast app.

/ This episode was brought to you by

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/ More guest episodes

Scott Burr Episode 182
The guy who writes the books for Jiu Jitsu legends. Rickson Gracie, Chris Haueter, Richard Bresler, and eight private lessons in Rickson's living room.

Javier Vazquez Episode 190
Former UFC and WEC fighter, author of The Master Plan, and the guy who will tell you that controlling the hands fixes everything. Including your love life.

Kevin Gallagher Episode 193
He opened a gym with $10,000 after bartending, grew it to about 400 students, and still does not wash his belt. Not for tradition. He is just lazy.

See every guest episode

/ More from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast

Jiu Jitsu Dummies is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for people who love the sport and do not take themselves too seriously. Follow on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, or browse every episode.