Gordon Ryan and Nathalia Santoro on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About this interview

Jiu Jitsu Dummies co-host Junior Vega caught up with Gordon Ryan and Nathalia Santoro at the weigh-ins before the SubStars event at the Fillmore in Miami on February 21, 2020. At the time, Gordon was training at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City with John Danaher.

Gordon talks about his first taste of grappling at daycare, what Jiu Jitsu does for his confidence, the legacy he wants to leave, and his work with We Defy helping veterans. Nathalia shares how she went from about ten years as a pro bodybuilder to Jiu Jitsu, and the two explain how they train together.

/ What we talked about

0:07 Where it started
A daycare teacher who watched the UFC, and Gordon starting Jiu Jitsu at 15.

2:13 What Jiu Jitsu gives him
Confidence, problem solving and less stress about everyday problems.

2:54 Gordon's legacy
Raising the technical level, and athletes earning a living without owning a gym.

5:11 Making grappling exciting
Submissions are the knockouts of grappling, and his work with We Defy.

7:16 Nathalia's start
About four years of training and getting comfortable on the big stage.

8:01 Life on the road
Seminars, travel and living like a pro athlete after a bodybuilding career.

10:16 How they train together
Why Nathalia was Gordon's main drilling partner, and how he handicaps himself.

12:24 Growing women's Jiu Jitsu
Women training together, being professional and supporting each other.

14:40 Why he competes so often
Staying sharp, big crowds, building the brand and getting paid.

/ The belt question

How do Gordon Ryan and Nathalia Santoro train together?

Gordon said Nathalia was his main drilling partner, partly because he is lazy, and partly because training with someone smaller forces precise movement. He starts in bad positions on purpose and works his weak side. Nathalia said he makes things hard in a way that still lets her find the answer. Hear it at 10:16.

/ Quick questions

When did Jiu Jitsu Dummies interview Gordon Ryan?

Co-host Junior Vega interviewed Gordon Ryan and Nathalia Santoro at the weigh-ins before SubStars at the Fillmore in Miami on February 21, 2020.

How did Gordon Ryan get started in grappling?

Gordon said it started at daycare, where a teacher who watched the UFC got the kids wrestling. He started training Jiu Jitsu at 15.

Is this a full podcast episode?

No. It is a short bonus interview recorded on location, available on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies YouTube channel.

/ This episode was brought to you by

• FightBack CBD 15% off, code JJD

• Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast Store 10% off, code DUMMIES-SUB

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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.