Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal sit down with entrepreneur, action actor, fight coordinator, producer, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Damien Tanenbaum.
Damien didn’t begin his jiu jitsu journey until his mid-30s after his son introduced him to the sport. What started as supporting his child quickly became a lifelong pursuit—one that eventually led to earning his black belt, helping build Triple Crown Athletic, coaching the fundamentals he loves, and discovering an unexpected career in film.
In this episode, we talk about:
Starting jiu jitsu later in life and embracing the beginner’s mindset
Why the fundamentals never stop mattering
How jiu jitsu opened doors to acting, fight coordination, and producing
His upcoming film projects, including A Dish Best Served.
His passion project, Shattered, a film centered on a father’s relentless fight to rescue his daughter from human trafficking, where Damien serves as producer, actor, and fight coordinator
Why success isn’t about giant leaps—it’s about taking small steps consistently and refusing to quit
Whether you’re a brand-new white belt, someone considering trying jiu jitsu for the first time, or simply chasing a new dream later in life, Damien’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to begin.
Learn more about Shattered at www.shatteredthemovie.com.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndy Base Camp | July 9–11, 2027 | Indianapolis, IN🌐 www.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 OFF registration.
🌿 MilUsos SkincarePremium skincare made for grapplers.📲 Instagram: @milusos_skincare🌐 www.milusosskincare.com
Code: CHOCHI
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-performance tape built for athletes.📲 Instagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLD🌐 https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

Well... the news is out. Soon enough, our podcast will become bicoastal as Mal starts to plan and prepare for a big move back east, sadly leaving Jenn behind on the west. Don't worry though!! The ChoChi gals ain't going anywhere. Here's a quick update as we head into Season 7.

A little love letter to Roll Model Women's Only Grappling Camp.. Mal recaps an unforgettable weekend surrounded by women who love jiu jitsu, chats with Jenn to reflect on the experience and shares some of the Mat Chats from the weekend. From incredible seminars, round tables and workshops, to vulnerable conversations, big laughs, and a lot of jiu jitsu, this episode is all about the magic of women’s jiu jitsu community and why this camp left such a mark.
 
Start planning and get there next year!! You won't regret it. Go to rollmodelswanted.com to sign up and use the code CHOKE50 to get $50 off your registration!
 
HUGE thank you to everyone who put together this incredible weekend and to everyone who contributed to this podcast! Looking forward to more Roll Model experiences in the future.
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2027 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndianapolis, IN - July 9-11, 2027www.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
🌿 MilUsos SkincareSkincare made for athletes who live on the matsInstagram: @milusos_skincareShop: https://milusosskincare.com
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hardInstagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLDShop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

Sometimes the best things in jiu jitsu come from the plans that never worked out.
This week, we sit down with Mike “Coach Lobes” Frausto, founder of New Ground Jiu Jitsu, to talk about building something meaningful from the ground up. From pursuing the dream of opening a 10th Planet academy, to relocating and navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, and eventually teaching out of a one-bedroom apartment and a garage before opening New Ground’s doors in 2021, Mike shares the journey behind one of Southern California’s fastest-growing no-gi academies.
We also dive into coaching philosophy, creating a gym culture where beginners feel welcome and experienced grapplers continue to grow, the evolution of modern no-gi jiu jitsu, and what it really means to lead a community.
Whether you’re a gym owner, coach, competitor, hobbyist, or someone chasing a dream that hasn’t gone according to plan, this conversation is full of perspective, resilience, and plenty of laughs.
Grab a coffee, hit play, and enjoy this episode of Chokeholds & Chill.
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, INwww.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
🌿 MilUsos SkincareSkincare made for athletes who live on the matsInstagram: @milusos_skincareShop: https://milusosskincare.com
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hardInstagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLDShop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

In this episode, Mallory got to sit down with Laura Kent, a 10th Planet Black Belt, after dropping into one of her women's classes in Allentown, PA a couple of months ago. We talked about Lauras BJJ journey, the women's program she coaches, building up the ladies community in this sport and some upcoming events she has on the calendar!
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, INwww.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
🌿 MilUsos SkincareSkincare made for athletes who live on the matsInstagram: @milusos_skincareShop: https://milusosskincare.com
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hardInstagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLDShop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal sit down with Chris Vazquez — better known online as @burro_bjj on Instagram, training out of Goodyear 10th Planet in Arizona
Chris represents a side of jiu jitsu a lot of people connect with right now: authentic, community-driven, technical, funny as hell, and not overly polished for the internet.
In this episode, we get into:
The story behind “Burro BJJ”
Social media, gym culture, and the weird side of internet jiu jitsu
Building community in a sport that can sometimes take itself way too seriously
The difference between “content jiu jitsu” and real training room culture
Competition, pressure, and why people actually stay in the sport long-term
This conversation feels like hanging around after open mat with people who genuinely love training — equal parts funny, thoughtful, and brutally honest about the current state of jiu jitsu.
If you’ve ever wondered whether jiu jitsu is becoming too polished online while still being beautifully chaotic in real life… this episode is for you.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, INwww.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
🌿 MilUsos SkincareSkincare made for athletes who live on the matsInstagram: @milusos_skincareShop: https://milusosskincare.com
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hardInstagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLDShop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Kauhane Harding — Native Hawaiian, United States Coast Guard law enforcement officer, wrestler, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt training out of Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Kauhane grew up in a strict household where discipline wasn’t optional. Between wrestling, family expectations, and eventually finding his way back to jiu jitsu, his path was built on structure, accountability, and learning how to handle pressure early.
In this episode, we get into:
Growing up in Hawai‘i with a strict father and traditional values
How wrestling shaped his mindset long before jiu jitsu
Working law enforcement in the U.S. Coast Guard
The crossover between combat sports, discipline, and service
What training means to him mentally and physically
The realities of balancing duty, family, and life on the mats
Kauhane brings a no-excuses mentality and a grounded perspective that comes from both the mats and real-world responsibility. This episode is about discipline, identity, pressure, and the work it takes to carry all of it well.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling CampIndy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, INwww.rollmodelswanted.comUse code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
🌿 MilUsos SkincareSkincare made for athletes who live on the matsInstagram: @milusos_skincareShop: https://milusosskincare.com
🩹 Limitless TapeHigh-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hardInstagram: @limitless_tapeUse code CHOKEHOLDShop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn sits down with Adam Benayoun — competitor, coach, dad, and the man behind Black Cat Jiu Jitsu.
 
Jenn and Adam first connected out in Costa Rica at Hero Academy BJJ, and this conversation picks up right where that energy left off — grounded, honest, and full of laughs.
 
In this episode, they talk about:
 
• Adam’s recent competition and what he’s focusing on for the 2026 season
• His upcoming summer camp at Hero Academy and why that experience hits different
• The release of his brand new Skool program and what he hopes it brings to the community
• Building Black Cat Jiu Jitsu and creating a culture that people earn their way into
 
Jenn also dives into a more personal side of Adam, talking about fatherhood and what he hopes his daughter takes from watching him train.
This episode is equal parts thoughtful, funny, and real — a look at someone building something meaningful both on and off the mats.
Host: @jennholmberg
Guest: @adambenayoun
@blackcatjiujitsu
⸻
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling Camp
@rollmodelgrappling
Indy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, IN
www.rollmodelswanted.com
Use code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
 
🌿 MilUsos Skincare
Skincare made for athletes who live on the mats
Instagram: @milusos_skincare
Shop: https://milusosskincare.com
 
🩹 Limitless Tape
High-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hard
Instagram: @limitless_tape
Use code CHOKEHOLD
Shop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Lucy Berman — MMA fighter, content creator, and the force behind Combat Candy @combatcandies and Combat Crap @combatcrap supplements.
 
Lucy brings a mix of grit, humor, and honesty that’s hard to ignore. From stepping into the cage to building brands in the combat sports space, she’s doing it all — and doing it her way.
 
In this episode, we get into:
 
• Her journey into MMA and what keeps her fighting
• Building businesses while actively training and competing
• The reality of being a woman in combat sports
• Dealing with trolls, inappropriate comments, and online nonsense
• And how she stays grounded through it all
 
We also talk about Combat Candy — and yeah, we’ll say it now: Combat Candy is bomb af. Built for fighters who actually train, it’s one of those products that just makes sense when you’re in this life. 
 
This conversation is real, unfiltered, and full of the kind of perspective that only comes from someone living it every day.
 
⸻
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
🥋 2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling Camp
@rollmodelgrappling
Indy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026 | Indianapolis, IN
www.rollmodelswanted.com
Use code CHOKE50 for $50 off registration
 
🌿 MilUsos Skincare
Skincare made for athletes who live on the mats
Instagram: @milusos_skincare
Shop: https://milusosskincare.com
 
🩹 Limitless Tape
High-quality tape designed for grapplers who train hard
Instagram: @limitless_tape
Use code CHOKEHOLD
Shop: https://limitlesstape.square.site/s/shop

This week we’re joined by Jenna Mattera, a physical therapist, high-level competitor, and brown belt who knows what it means to fight through adversity. Jenna shares her journey from becoming one of the top-ranked rooster weights in IBJJF competition to suffering a shocking arm fracture at World Masters while entering as the #1 seed.
We talk about the heartbreak of having a title run cut short, what it was like going from treating patients to becoming one herself, and how she attacked rehab with the same intensity she brings to competition. Just a few months later, Jenna returned to the mats and captured gold at a major tournament.
We also dive into treating grapplers and combat athletes, common injury mistakes in jiu-jitsu, building Mattera PT, and her mission to help athletes stay healthy through her Mat Ready Method.
This episode is about resilience, discipline, identity, and proving that setbacks don’t have to be the end of the story.
 
Sponsors:
MilUsos Skincare
Created for grapplers, by grapplers. Keep your skin healthy on and off the mats.
Instagram: @miluso_skincare
Shop: www.milusoskincare.com
 
Limitless Tape
High-quality finger tape and custom gear trusted by athletes and academies.
Instagram: @limitless_tape
Shop: www.limitlesstape.com
 
2026 Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling Camp
Indy Base Camp | July 10–12, 2026
Indianapolis
Website: www.rollmodelswanted.com
Use Code CHOKE50 for $50 off