Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

What does it mean to be part of the Jiu Jitsu community—even when you’re not on the mat every day? In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Dante, the voice behind @bjj.wiki and the host of the heartfelt and hilarious @offthematspodcast.
 
Dante is a blue belt who’s been training on and off for over a decade. His journey isn’t defined by medals or mats, but by the power of perspective—and the ability to build community through conversation. We talk about longevity in Jiu Jitsu, finding humor in the grind, and showing up authentically, even when life doesn’t follow the playbook.
 
He also opens up about living with a colostomy bag—something he’s had since birth—and how that’s shaped his approach to training and to life. With a deep understanding of both physical and mental resilience, Dante shares how he’s used storytelling and connection to keep himself (and others) close to the sport he loves.
 
From meme curation to honest conversations with grapplers of all stripes, Dante’s presence in the BJJ world is a reminder that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room—or the highest ranked on the mats—to make an impact.
 
Whether you’re rolling every day or sitting out a season, this episode is for you.
FOLLOW DANTE @offthematspodcast and @bjjwiki
FOLLOW US @chokeholdsandchillpod
EMAIL US at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

Season Two of Chokeholds & Chill pulled no punches—emotionally or otherwise.
 
In this recap, Jenn and Mallory reflect on a season that wasn’t afraid to get real. We dove into stories of personal transformation, healing from the inside out, and what it actually means to find your way back to the mats—over and over again.
 
We covered topics that don’t usually make it to open mat: mental health, recovery, sobriety, injury, burnout, boundaries, and the often messy middle between quitting and keeping the gi on. There were tears, laughs, breakthroughs, and some hard but honest conversations.
 
This season reminded us that jiu jitsu is so much more than technique or tournament prep—it’s a mirror. And when you’re willing to look in it, there’s so much power in what you’ll see.
 
Season Three is coming—and we’re ready to keep the conversation rolling.
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod 
Email us at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

In this special main episode, Mallory sits down with Jenn to unravel the rollercoaster journey from white belt to brown. From fumbling through early rolls to finding her footing as a higher belt, Jenn reflects on the lessons, losses, and laughs along the way.
But purple belt? That one hit different.
Physically and emotionally, it was the hardest season of her Jiu Jitsu life—and it just so happened to coincide with major life changes off the mat.
In this conversation, Jenn opens up about discovering her autism diagnosis and how it completely reframed her understanding of herself, her learning style, and how she trains. It’s honest, vulnerable, funny, and full of “ohhh, that makes sense now” moments.
Because sometimes, growth in Jiu Jitsu has nothing to do with submissions—and everything to do with self-awareness.
 
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod
Email us at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com
 

In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, we sit down with Maria Ruffatto, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Gustavo Bessa and Ighor Horta. Maria has taken the BJJ world by storm, securing multiple IBJJF titles and dominating the South American ADCC Trials in 2024. We’ll delve into her journey from Brazil to the United States, her rapid ascent through the ranks, and her experiences training in Oregon.
 
But that’s not all—Maria isn’t just a force on the mats, she’s also navigating life as a newlywed! We’ll talk about how she and her husband, also a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, balance life, love, and training.
 
Join us for an engaging conversation with one of the sport’s most promising athletes.
Follow Maria @ruffattogilpinbjj
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod
Email us chokeholdsandchill@gmail.com

In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Dr. Meagan Jimenez—orthopedic surgeon, U.S. Army Major, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. Known as “Doctor Jiu Jitsu,” Dr. Jimenez brings a unique blend of medical expertise and martial arts mastery to the conversation.
 
From her early days balancing orthopedic surgery residency with Jiu Jitsu training, to her first deployment with the US Army coming this June, Dr. Jimenez shares her journey of resilience and dedication.  As the first Latina and osteopathic-trained orthopedic surgeon to join the Women Orthopedist Global Outreach (WOGO) team, she discusses her commitment to empowering women globally through physical and intellectual means.
 
In this episode, we delve into:
• The intersection of orthopedic surgery and Jiu Jitsu
• Strategies for injury prevention and recovery tailored for grapplers
• The importance of mental strength and resilience in both medicine and martial arts
• Her upcoming book, Dr. Jiu Jitsu: A Combat Athlete’s Guide to Mental Strength and Physical Resilience, set to release in 2026 
 
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a medical professional, or someone navigating the challenges of balancing multiple passions, Dr. Jimenez offers invaluable insights into achieving peak performance and living a fulfilled life.
Follow Dr. Jimenez at @drmeganjimenez Sign up for her newsletter at www.doctorjiujisu.com
Check out her newly launched podcast at www.meganjimenez.com/podcast
Follow us @chokeholdandchillpod 
Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

In this episode, Mal sat down with Michael Karam, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and owner of MK Martial Arts in Marcy, NY. Michael shares his journey through martial arts — from doing in TKD as a kid, to wrestling in high school, to finding jiu-jitsu in his twenties and earning his black belt ten years later.
We talk about what it takes to build a gym, the influence of his Lebanese immigrant father, and the importance of discipline, work ethic, and community in life on and off the mats.
💥 Bonus: MK Martial Arts is hosting a wrestling seminar with UFC veteran Matt “The Hammer” Hamill on June 21st at 9647 River Rd, Marcy, NY. Check it out!!
Follow @mk_martialarts on Instagram 
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod
Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

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. 
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod
Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

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! 
 
Follow us @chokeholdsandchillpod 
Email us chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

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 
Follow Chokeholds and Chill on Instagram @chokeholdsandchillpod 
Email us: chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com

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