Scott Burr: Rickson Gracie Black Belt on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 182

Scott Burr is a 3rd degree black belt under Rickson Gracie and the co-author of Lessons from the Mat with Benjamin Chen, a book on 12 martial arts principles for business and life.

Scott shares what it is like writing with two of the most iconic figures in the art, Rickson Gracie and Dirty Dozen member Chris Haueter, and revisits Worth Defending, his book with Richard Bresler, widely considered the first student of BJJ in America. We also get into Rickson's JJF, Jiu Jitsu for law enforcement, and why Scott thinks Academy Safe should be the standard.

/ What we talked about

9:03 Richard Bresler and Worth Defending
The early student, roommate and backer who helped get Jiu Jitsu established in the United States.

13:37 Working with Chris Haueter
Three weeks of daily interviews that turned into a book of more than 300,000 words.

20:13 A writer before a black belt
An English degree, 15 years of fiction, and how to turn a legend's life into one story.

31:33 Lessons from the Mat
Meeting Benjamin Chen while sleeping in a camper outside Chris Haueter's house.

38:40 Finding Rickson
Why Rickson was his true north, and the first nine lessons, eight of them in Rickson's living room.

54:35 Jiu Jitsu for law enforcement
Neutralize and contain, not submit, and why the rules change by jurisdiction.

1:07:20 Rickson's JJF
The mission behind the JJF and what is coming next.

1:13:48 Scott on Academy Safe
Why he calls it absolutely fantastic and thinks it should be the standard.

1:26:38 More books and Black Market Kimono
An audiobook, a novel, and the gear company he started with his students.

/ Quick questions

Who is Scott Burr?

Scott Burr is a 3rd degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who trains under Rickson Gracie. He co-wrote Lessons from the Mat with Benjamin Chen and Worth Defending with Richard Bresler.

What is Lessons from the Mat about?

Lessons from the Mat, by Benjamin Chen and Scott Burr, covers 12 martial arts principles that carry over into business and life.

Has Scott Burr been on the show before?

Yes. Scott's first appearance was Episode 153, where he talked about Worth Defending.

/ This episode was brought to you by

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/ More guest episodes

Scott Burr Episode 153
The story of Richard Bresler, Helio Gracie's first regular student in Los Angeles, his roommate, and the guy who helped bankroll the Gracie Academy. Told by the man who wrote the book on him.

The Current State of Jiu Jitsu Episode 185
No guest this time. Just the two Dummies, a lot of heavy headlines, and an honest talk about what academy owners and coaches owe their students.

Rose Gracie Episode 175
Helio Gracie's granddaughter on growing up Gracie, why she asks instructors what color gi they like, and why you do not have to get knocked out to have a concussion.

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.