Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

Master Worlds isn't just about the matches - it's the people, the stories, and the atmosphere that make it unforgettable. In this episode, we take you along with us as we chat with athletes, explore the vendor booths, and share our raw impressions on the highs and lows of competing and spectating, and the energy of Vegas outside of the tournament.
We got to connect with:@tapcancerout @mrjasperwong @worldwidewalls @kekoacollective @drinkflowater @wilneroreilly @jesusandjiujitsu_usa and more!!
Follow us: @chokeholdsandchillpod
Hosts: @jennholmberg and @itsmaltime

Randy Rae’s journey to the mats wasn’t easy—but it’s one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless grit.
 
In this episode, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Randy to talk through his story—from growing up with no supervision, battling addiction from a young age, and cycling through the juvenile justice system—to building a life rooted in purpose, fatherhood, and Jiu Jitsu.
 
After getting sober at 20, Randy spent the next decade helping others do the same. He’s open about what that kind of emotional investment looks like, how he protects his own mental health, and the pressure and heartbreak of watching people he cares about struggle.
 
Now a purple belt and seasoned competitor, Randy shares how Jiu Jitsu became a new lifeline. From daily discipline to competition wins—including a recent gold at the IBJJF Virginia Summer Open—he’s found community and clarity on the mats.
 
This is an episode about grit, growth, and giving back. If you’ve ever felt like it was too late to change your life, Randy’s story will show you otherwise.
Guest: @randyjrae
Follow us: @chokeholdsandchillpod
Hosts: @jennholmberg and @itsmaltime
 

Richmond’s own Seph Smith joins Jenn and Mal for an episode that’s equal parts Jiu Jitsu and comedy. A decorated black belt under Ryan Hall with years of IBJJF competition experience, Seph has built a legacy as both a tough competitor and a beloved coach.
 
We dig into:
• His journey through grappling and competition
• The crossover between comedy, creativity, and Jiu Jitsu
• How animals play such a big role in his life
• And yes… the origin story of “full v*gina passing” (you’ll just have to listen 🤭)
 
If you’re here for the Jiu Jitsu, the laughs, or just some real talk with a genuinely cool human—you won’t want to miss this one.
 
@sephwillkillyou
@upstreambjj

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Scott Miller — a 3rd-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former collegiate wrestler, owner of Evergreen Jiu Jitsu, and world-class coach who’s spent decades refining the art of grappling. With a foundation in wrestling that began at just six years old, Scott has gone on to become a respected mentor to both everyday practitioners and UFC fighters competing at the highest levels.
 
We dive into Scott’s journey from earning his black belt in 2013 to overseeing seven affiliate academies and shaping the games of athletes like Brandon Royval, Anthony Smith, and Cody Brundage. He opens up about what it means to blend wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu for MMA, the lessons he’s carried from training under Neil Melanson, and why he believes efficiency and adaptability are at the heart of good grappling.
 
Scott also shares stories from teaching and training around the world, plus how his YouTube channel helps spread knowledge to grapplers of all levels. If you’re serious about the art—whether as a competitor or a lifelong student—this is one episode you don’t want to miss.
Follow @scottyjiujitsu
@evergreenjiujitsu

This week, we sit down with TJ and Abe, the founders of Lee’s Heart—a nonprofit built on grit, healing, and the power of adventure. As combat veterans and flight paramedics, these two saw the impact of trauma up close. But they also discovered something unexpected: Jiu Jitsu and it's community as a lifeline.
 
What started as a coping tool has become a powerful retreat experience for first responders, helping them reconnect to purpose, peace, and each other. We talk about nervous system regulation, community building, and why movement is medicine—especially for those who’ve spent their lives saving others.
 
💛 Learn more or support their mission: www.leesheart.org
📸 Follow them on Instagram: @leesheart_

What do behavioral science and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode, Jenn and Mal sit down with Alexis Stevenson—BCBA, purple belt, and passionate researcher—whose work explores the intersection between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Jiu Jitsu.
 
From her recent presentation in Iceland to her experiences training around the world, Lex shares insights on values-based living, mental flexibility, and how ACT principles can support athletes inside and outside the academy. Whether you’re a grappler looking to improve your mental game or just curious about how behavioral science can improve your life, this one’s for you.
 
Follow Lex at on Instagram @dsertwildflower 
Follow us on Instagram @chokeholdsandchillpod

Today, we remember and honor our dear friend Shirley.
We’re re-releasing her episode so her voice, her laugh, and her wisdom can be heard again. Shirley, you touched our lives more than words can say. Thank you for every moment. You will be missed, but never forgotten.
 
🕊️ Rest Easy, Babe.
 
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.
 
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.
 
This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if they could keep going. Shirley shows us exactly how it’s done.

You’ve seen the memes. You’ve heard the invites. But why do jiu-jitsu people always want you to train? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mal read a heartfelt post by Tara Thornton (@tara_thornton_)—a love letter to the sport—and break down why we keep coming back to the mats.
 
This isn’t about recruiting bodies. It’s about sharing something life-changing.
 
We get into:
🥋 Why you don’t need to be “tough” to start
🧠 How this sport reshapes your body and your brain
💬 The role of coaches and upper belts in your growth
💥 What real progress actually looks like
 
Whether you’re deep in the game or standing at the door wondering if you belong—you do. Hit play. Then hit the mats.

When Jenn first signed up for Eli Coffey’s nutrition and training program, she wasn’t prepared for how much it would challenge her—or change her. From learning to fuel her body with intention to navigating insecurities and mindset shifts, it wasn’t just about macros and muscle—it was about trust, growth, and coming back stronger after setbacks (including surgery).
 
In this episode, Jenn sits down with Eli to talk about it all:
➡️ The hard parts of starting a structured nutrition plan
➡️ Under-eating vs. overeating in athletes
➡️ Coming back from breast implant surgery
➡️ What makes training different for Jiu Jitsu athletes vs. physique athletes
➡️ The mental side of transformation
➡️ Eli’s long martial arts background and love for 90s country music 🎶
 
If you’re an athlete returning from surgery, struggling with food, or just want to feel stronger on and off the mats—this conversation is for you.
 
Follow & Support:
🎧 @chokeholdsandchillpod
📩 chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com
 
Guest & Mentions:
👊 @elicoffey_
🏋️‍♂️ @teambionic
🏋️‍♂️ @mid_city_gym
🎙️ @bedsonandcoffeyunfiltered
🥼 @clinical_labs – Use code ELI10
🧪 @somachems – Use code ELI20
🥋 @chewjitsu

In this weeks episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with our friend and teammate, Victoria—a white belt who brings quiet strength, open-hearted energy, and unwavering dedication to the mats and beyond.
 
Victoria began training jiu-jitsu in January, and in just a short time, she’s become a powerful presence in our gym community. But her story stretches far beyond the mats.
 
Raised in a homeschooling household and deeply rooted in her Christian faith, Victoria shares how her upbringing, mission work, and current role as a youth pastor have shaped her perspective on life, purpose, and discipline. Fresh off a six-week service trip to Honduras, she reflects on building homes, mentoring kids, and what it means to live out her values through action.
 
This conversation touches on everything from faith and identity to the humility jiu-jitsu demands—and how she navigates all of it with grace, curiosity, and kindness. Whether you connect through belief, service, or simply the love of the grind, this episode is a reminder of the many ways we show up with purpose on and off the mats.
 
Let’s roll.
Thank you for listening to, liking, sharing, and subscribing to our content! You can reach us on Instagram and email.
@chokeholdsandchillpod
chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com