Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

Neurodivergence on the Mats – Rolling Through Myths, Meltdowns & Self-Advocacy

In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Blu—purple belt competitor and the voice behind Neurodivergent Grappler—for a deep and refreshingly honest conversation about what it’s really like to train, compete, and thrive in Jiu Jitsu as a neurodivergent athlete.
 
The three of us will unpack the realities and misconceptions of neurodivergence in the gym. Spoiler: no, not everyone is “a little autistic/ADHD/OCD” and no, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically a “natural” at Jiu Jitsu.
 
Expect:
🧠 Myths we’re tired of hearing
💬 How to advocate for yourself with coaches and teammates
🥋 What inclusive training spaces actually look like
⚡ The power of routine, sensory awareness, and rest days
📣 Why neurodivergent athletes are not broken—and how we’re shifting the culture one mat at a time
 
Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, coach someone who is, or just want to create a more supportive space in your gym, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and practical tools for showing up with empathy and intention.
Follow @neurodivergent_grappler for some great, insightful content and meaningful conversations surrounding all things jiu jitsu and neurodivergence. 
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The Rafa Effect: Jiu-Jitsu, Striking, and Chasing Greatness

In this episode, we sit down with Rafael, a dedicated purple belt, world competitor, and striking coach based in Atlanta. Rafa takes us through his Jiu-Jitsu journey, his love for traveling, and how training around the world has shaped his game. We also dive into his latest venture, The Rafa Effect—a passion project designed to elevate athletes in and out of the gym.
Tune in for insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into what drives Rafa’s relentless pursuit of greatness.
Grab your gi, tighten your belt, and get ready for Chokeholds and Chill! 
 
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Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

Fighting Forward: Remembering Shirley's Strength, Story, & Legacy

Rest in love, Queen <3
In this powerful and deeply human episode, Mallory and Jenn sit down with Shirley—a white belt from San Diego with a black belt in resilience. We learned of her passing just months after recording. 
 
Shirley’s story isn’t just about Jiu Jitsu. It’s about surviving cancer, overcoming a brain tumor, navigating neurodivergence, and choosing sobriety every single day for over five years. Alongside her husband Dustin—her middle school sweetheart and co-owner of Studio 33 Jiu Jitsu—Shirley has built a life filled with strength, service, and second chances.
 
From the mats to motherhood to managing properties by day and health battles by night, Shirley’s journey is a testament to grit, grace, and the power of community. Even when Jiu Jitsu had to take a backseat, she never stopped finding her way back to it.
You can follow Shirley's journey at her CaringBridge here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/a99128b8-8e32-11ef-9494-350da6b5041c
 
Follow Dustin and Shirley on Instagram @studio33bjj 
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Email us: chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

Maddy Jones: Growth, Grit, and the Journey to Brown Belt PART 2

Maddy Jones has lived a life of movement—both on the mats and across state lines. From growing up with a passion for dance to discovering Jiu-Jitsu, managing a gym, and navigating major life shifts, she’s always found a way to adapt and evolve.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Maddy to talk about her journey from blue belt party days to brown belt discipline, the highs and lows of training in Eugene’s unique martial arts scene, and the reality of balancing personal and professional relationships in Jiu-Jitsu. She takes us through the COVID lockdown era, where she earned her purple belt in a house, and the pivotal decision to leave her gym, her city, and a long-term relationship behind for a fresh start in California.
 
Now in recovery from hip surgery, Maddy shares how ice baths, mindset shifts, and goal setting have helped her reshape her life. Is she settling into stability, or is she still searching for the next adventure? Tune in to find out!
If you enjoy this, or our other episodes, please feel free to share with a friend, like our episodes, and subscribe to Chokeholds and Chill. Your 5 star reviews help others find our content. 
 
Follow Maddy Jones @careofmaddy
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Email us @chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com 
 

Maddy Jones: Growth, Grit, and the Journey to Brown Belt PART 1

Maddy Jones has lived a life of movement—both on the mats and across state lines. From growing up with a passion for dance to discovering Jiu-Jitsu, managing a gym, and navigating major life shifts, she’s always found a way to adapt and evolve.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Maddy to talk about her journey from blue belt party days to brown belt discipline, the highs and lows of training in Eugene’s unique martial arts scene, and the reality of balancing personal and professional relationships in Jiu-Jitsu. She takes us through the COVID lockdown era, where she earned her purple belt in a house, and the pivotal decision to leave her gym, her city, and a long-term relationship behind for a fresh start in California.
 
Now in recovery from hip surgery, Maddy shares how ice baths, mindset shifts, and goal setting have helped her reshape her life. Is she settling into stability, or is she still searching for the next adventure? Tune in to find out!
If you enjoy this, or our other episodes, please feel free to share with a friend, like our episodes, and subscribe to Chokeholds and Chill. Your 5 star reviews help others find our content. 
 
Follow Maddy Jones @careofmaddy
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod 
Email us @chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com 
 

Jumping Out of Helicopters and Into Triangles: Branch's Wild Ride

Meet Branch—a guy who’s done it all: born in Ukraine, raised in Germany, Coast Guard rescue swimmer, soccer player, and now full-blown jiu-jitsu enthusiast. In this episode, we get into his globe-spanning story, what it takes to survive one of the toughest military trainings out there, and how meeting his birth mom at 19 impacted him. We also talk about what it’s like being a Black man training jiu-jitsu in a very white town, and how he’s found community through the chaos.
 
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Email us at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com
Be sure to like, subscribe, and share if you can get down with our content! 

Law Abiding Goat Herder, World Traveler, and the Quiet Storm on the Mats: Kenny

In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Kenny—a career in law enforcement , world traveler, and the poster child for free spirit with a recently shaved mustache that had us doing a double take.
Despite the uniform, don’t be fooled—this guy’s a tough roll and a quiet storm on the mats. We’re diving into Kenny’s early life, his path into Jiu Jitsu, and all the wild, unexpected turns along the way. Get ready for locker room banter, a fun roll call, and our Chill Zone as we get to know Kenny better!
You're gonna want to light your favorite candle and put on your coziest sweats. Kenny's over here dropping deep thoughts and profound insight. 
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Bet’s Comeback: Jiu-Jitsu, Loss, and the Will to Keep Fighting

From standing on the podium at IBJJF No-Gi Worlds to facing life’s toughest battles, Bet has proven that resilience isn’t just for competition—it’s for life. In this episode, we sit down with Bet, a fierce purple belt and competitor, to talk about her journey through jiu-jitsu, competition, and personal loss.
 
After losing both her mother and sister in recent years, Bet stepped away from the mats to be with family. But despite the heartbreak, she found her way back to training, proving that sometimes the hardest fights happen off the mat.
 
We’ll also lighten things up with the story of her Master Worlds fiasco, featuring a last-minute gi crisis, a major shoulder injury, an ER trip, and Jenn somehow ending up in a bikini top at the Las Vegas Convention Center (twice).
 
In our Chill Zone, we’ll talk about what keeps Bet grounded outside of jiu-jitsu, and she’ll share what’s next on the horizon for her. Tune in for an episode full of heart, grit, and some absolutely wild competition stories!
Follow Bet @fruitjitsu
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Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

From Chokes to Chalk: Aaron’s Jiu-Jitsu Retirement Plan

This week on Chokeholds & Chill, we’re catching up with Aaron—Jenn’s #1 training partner, best bud, and all-around legend who decided to ditch Jiu-Jitsu for rock climbing. Once the guy who dominated the mats with us, he packed up, left the Coast Guard, and went home to chase adulting and free mom’s cooking. Now he’s scaling cliffs while we’re left reminiscing about the glory days.
 
Get ready for locker room banter, a recap of that epic bar showdown when Jenn nearly went off for his honor, and an update on his life in Palmdale.
It’s all in good fun—let’s roast our favorite rock-climbing renegade!
Follow Aaron @bandanaclimbs for updates on his climbing adventures.
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What a Roll! Season 1 Recap and Season 2 Preview

Season One of Chokeholds & Chill was anything but chill—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
 
In this recap, Jenn and Mallory take a victory lap through the chaos, camaraderie, and catharsis that made Season One unforgettable.
 
We did our first edition of Mat Chats with lots of training partners when we went to hero academys camp in costa Rica.
We fell in love with Jiu Jitsu Grandma, whose years on the mats humbled us all.
Sewer Rat showed us that being a devoted girl dad and a mat savage aren’t mutually exclusive.
Christian had us rethinking base and balance thanks to his background in dance.
Genevieve cracked us wide open with her story of loss, growth, and grit.
Shawn and Elise reminded us that navigating life, love, past trauma and healing is no small feat.
And we took a powerful pause with our episode on sexual assault and accountability in Jiu Jitsu, creating space for hard truths and real change.
 
Then we set our sights on what’s next…
 
Season Two is coming in hot.
We’re talking:
 
Maria Ruffato—tenacious, technical, and tearing up the competition scene.
Maddy Jones—brown belt, dancer, survivor—her story is full of twists and grit.
Kenny—our soft-spoken law man who hits like a freight train and heals like a monk.
And then there’s Branch…
Quiet. Mysterious. Brilliant. He’ll sit across from you with a kind smile—and then hit you with stories about being adopted, growing up overseas, and meeting his birth mom at 19. You won’t want to miss that episode.
Rafael - one of our favorite old training partners who we dearly miss, currently in atlanta, who really impacted mals bjj game
Aaron - jiu jitsu blue belt, Coast Guard veteran, Rock climber, and the karaoke king 
Bet - a resilient grappler who has faced adversity, loss, and has found healing on the mats. You don’t wanna miss the fiasco at IBJJF World Master 2022. This one will have you on the edge of your seat.
& of course, another edition of Mat Chats!
 
 
Season One was our origin story. Season Two is the plot twist.
Let’s roll.
Please share this episode with a friend if you enjoy it! 
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Email us at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com