Chokeholds and Chill Podcast

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!
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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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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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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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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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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.
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Genevieve’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and finding purpose through heartbreak. From a rough childhood to serving in the U.S. Air Force, from losing her adopted father and jiu-jitsu coach to receiving her purple belt in the mail after his passing, Genevieve has faced more than her share of challenges.
 
In this episode, we sit down with her to discuss how jiu-jitsu shaped her life, what it meant to be adopted by her coach, and the shock of losing him so suddenly. We also dive into her time in the Air Force—what she did, what she learned, and how those experiences shaped her.
 
Genevieve also once took on the challenge of running her own academy. Though she’s moved on from owning a school, the experience gave her valuable insight into leadership, community, and the business side of jiu-jitsu.
 
Now, as she continues her healing journey, who does she hope to become? What’s next for her, both on and off the mats?
 
In our Chill Zone, we’ll talk about the little things that bring her peace, the future she envisions, and what keeps her grounded when life feels overwhelming.
 
This is a powerful episode about loss, resilience, and the fight to move forward.
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In this powerful episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Shawn—a recovering addict, mental health professional, and dedicated white belt who has been training for about a year.
Shawn opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery, how Jiu Jitsu has become a key part of his mental health and healing process, and why he believes it can be a life-changing tool for others struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. This conversation is raw, real, and a deep dive into the mind-body connection that makes Jiu Jitsu so transformative.
TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode, we’ll be discussing trauma, substance abuse and recovery. These are important conversations, but they can also be difficult to hear. If you need to step away or take care of yourself in any way, please do. And if you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone—there are people who care about you and want to help.
 
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In this episode of Chokeholds and Chill, Mallory and Jenn get to talk with Elaine, known as "Jiu Jitsu Grandma" on Instagram and throughout the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community. At a spry 76 years old, Elaine is a 4 stripe purple belt competing her way to black belt and a global inspiration. 
Elaine is a grandmother with a love of horses who is married to her high school sweetheart. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our wholesome chat where Elaine reminds all of us  "not too old & not too late". 
You can follow Elaine on Instagram at @jiujitsu_grandma 
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In this episode of Chokeholds & Chill, Jenn and Mallory sit down with Christian—an incredible hip-hop dancer, instructor, and new competitor in the world of Jiu Jitsu. Born and raised in Coos Bay, Christian shares how movement has always been a part of his life, from mastering rhythm on the dance floor to finding flow on the mats. We dive into his experience as a young dad, what it was like stepping into his first Jiu Jitsu competition, and how dance and Jiu Jitsu surprisingly overlap. Tune in for a fun, insightful conversation about discipline, creativity, and the power of movement.
For more from the Chochi Girls, find us on all major podcasting platforms. On Instagram @chokeholdsandchillpod and email us at chokeholdsandchillpod@gmail.com