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The Judo Way of Life

The Judo Way of Life

By David Groom

Self-defence?
Olympic sport?
Japanese pyjama wrestling?
Over 20 million people across 200 different countries practice Judo worldwide. Let's talk about what it takes to maximise your judo performance, and how it can guide your everyday life.

For more info: thejudowayoflife.com/
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Gavin Kelly

The Judo Way of LifeMay 18, 2021

00:00
31:38
Julien Brulard || The Judo Nomad Part 2

Julien Brulard || The Judo Nomad Part 2

Julien Brulard, aka The Judo Nomad,  is a French Judoka who has undertaken the greatest of Judo adventures.

Travelling solo, Julien has set out to visit and practice Judo in every single country around the World…that’s 197 countries.

The last time we spoke, Julien had just reached Kazakhstan and was only able to find wifi in a local Starbucks coffee shop (so you may be able to hear some milk being frothed in the background)!

Now he has made his way around to Sydney Australia and we can share a coffee together whilst we catch up on the highs and lows of Juliens journey since Kazakhstan and what's keeping him focused on continuing with the project!

If you want to follow or help support Julien’s project, you can find all that information via https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_

Mar 28, 202456:50
Romina Titanti

Romina Titanti

Romina is a highly accomplished grappler, specialising in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

As a Judoka, Romina has trained around the world, learning various styles of Judo, before reaching Sydney Australia, where she recently attained her Dan Grade. She won the 2021 Australian National Championships in the -52kg category.

Romina is also a BJJ Brown Belt and in 2021 she won the ADCC National Championships Pro Division and the UAEJJF Oceania Continental Pro Championships, which she also won in 2020. She also won the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championships and IBJJF Sydney International Open in 2019.

We talk about how she got involved in Judo and BJJ, why she took some time away from Judo and what brought her back to the sport, how the two disciplines align for her and the Australian Grading process.

Oct 17, 202259:12
Aoife Coughlan

Aoife Coughlan

 Aoife is an Australian Judoka who competes in the -70kg category.

In 2021, Aoife fought in the Tokyo Olympics, placing in the Top 16 at her debut Games and followed up this in 2022 where she won Gold at her debut Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Since 2012, Aoife has won 9 Continental Championship medals, including 2 Golds.

We talk about her current training program and how it has evolved over the years, the interesting road to the Tokyo Olympics and Birmingham Commonwealth Games and her plans for the future.

Oct 05, 202253:50
The Judo Nomad - Julien Brulard

The Judo Nomad - Julien Brulard

 Julien Brulard, aka The Judo Nomad,  is a French Judoka who has undertaken the greatest of Judo adventures.

Travelling solo, Julien has set out to visit and practice Judo in every single country around the World…that’s 197 countries.

With several limitations, including no flights and no hotels, at the time of recording, Julien has visited 24 countries so far and we catch up just as he reaches Kazakhstan and is only able to find wifi in a local Starbucks coffee shop (so you may be able to hear some milk being frothed in the background)!

If you want to follow or help support Julien’s project, you can find all that information via https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_

Sep 18, 202201:19:01
David Groom - Judo Fanatics Episode

David Groom - Judo Fanatics Episode

This episode was originally recorded for the Judo Fanatics podcast, which has unfortunately taken a long hiatus, and so was not realised on their platform.


Kindly, the Judo Fanatics Team have agreed to let me share this episode with you through The JudoWay of Life.


I (David Groom) have a very enjoyable conversation with American Judoka, Chuck Jefferson, where we talk about how I got started in Judo, key influences in my development as a Judoka, my thoughts on Judo versus BJJ and the content I filmed for Judo Fanatics.

Jun 22, 202201:16:07
Alex Haecker

Alex Haecker

Alex Haecker has extensive coaching experience, working his way up through the German system, to the Sports Director at Hamburg’s Judo Association, before moving on to coach the Luxembourg National Team.

More recently, Alex has relocated to Australia to coach his wife and Australian representative, Katharina Haecker, who under Alex’s guidance, has won 6 Continental Championships, multiple IJF World Tour medals, placed 7th at the 2018 World Championships and competed at two Olympic Games, 2016 and 2020.

We discuss the German Judo system, differences between Judo in Germany, Luxembourg and Australia, the importance of doing the right training at the right time in an Athletes development and the amazing opportunities that Judo offers.

May 31, 202259:42
Michael Horley pt. 2

Michael Horley pt. 2

 Michael Horley represented Great Britain for a number of years, with career highlights including competing at the 2010 world championships in Tokyo, ranking number 1 on the European ranking list in 2013 and also winning numerous European Cup medals including gold at the prestigious German Open.

Following his competition career, Michael has smoothly transitioned into High Performance Coaching, initially at Judo Scotland and now in Saskatchewan, Canada, where he works with the Talent Squad and Development Squad.

May 03, 202258:17
Andy Hung

Andy Hung

Andy Hung began his Judo journey in his home State of Hawaii as part of the High School system there. From here, he continued his learning at the prestigious San Jose College, where he also graduated with a Business Management Degree. Andy has medalled at  numerous competitions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic trials for the US Team, the US Miami Nationals, the NCJA Florida Championships, NCJA Illinois Championships and the USA Fall Classic in Harlingen.

Following his competitive career, Andy created the Dojo Outfitters where he sells his own brands of Martial Arts apparel and gear through his online store. Andy holds a Black Belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and runs academies in BJJ and Judo called PDXBJJ and Portland Judo.

Apr 19, 202254:41
Vince Skillcorn

Vince Skillcorn

Vince represented Great Britain as a Cadet, where he fought at both the European Championships and Youth Olympics, as a Junior and Senior Level Athlete. Following an early retirement at 24years old, Vince transitioned into coaching, initially at the prestigious Camberley Judo Club, before going out on his own to build one of the UKs biggest Judo Clubs, Fighting Fitness Judo.

Vince has a MSc in Advanced Sports Coaching Practice, a BJA Level 5 and UKCC Level 4 Coaching Award.

We discuss coach development, how to get more people interested in coaching Judo and what we think needs to happen to grow the sport.

Apr 05, 202201:18:24
Ivica Pavlinic

Ivica Pavlinic

Ivica originally started Judo in New Zealand, and went on to represent his country, nationally and internationally, winning multiple National and Oceania titles. He had a top 16 finish at the 2013 World Championships, competed for New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and was on the edge of competing in the Olympic games twice, in both London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Ivica is the current coach of the NSW Judo Team, Cadet Coach for the Australian Team and still finds time to coach grassroots level Judo at UNSW Judo Club, in Sydney Australia.

Mar 22, 202252:32
Dr. Derek Mueller

Dr. Derek Mueller

Dr. Derek Mueller is a psychologist who researches, writes, and speaks about the science of sports performance for judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Pacific University in Oregon and began his judo study at Portland Judo during this time. He competes at the local, regional, and national levels in Judo and BJJ, currently training at Yungwirth Judo Academy and Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

We talk about the mental side of training in Judo and BJJ, competition preparation, how to handle the pressure on the day of a competition and dealing with the post comp blues/euphoria.

Mar 08, 202201:06:13
Dave Roman

Dave Roman

Dave is the creator and host of the long running and highly successful podcast, Judo Chop Suey, which has recorded and released almost 100 episodes.

In our conversation, we discuss why he started the podcast, talk about the new and old rule changes and there impact on the sport, our thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics and what we are looking forward to seeing at the Paris Games.

Feb 24, 202202:03:47
Mark Brewer

Mark Brewer

Mark Brewer is a strength and conditioning coach, specialising in judo and combat sports. He builds from his own basis of a career as a high level judo athlete, representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 at -81kg.

This conversation ranges through judo-specific topics, including benefits and differences in strength and conditioning for competitive athletes vs. recreational judoka; nutrition for performance; and mobility for judo.

Based in Sydney, Mark now runs The Fighters Performance Podcast alongside his strength and conditioning and judo coaching roles.

Feb 07, 202201:09:03
Matt D'Aquino part 2

Matt D'Aquino part 2

Matt D'Aquino is an Australian judoka, coach, author, Olympian, 2 times Australian National Champion, 3 x Oceania Champion, and the Founder of Beyond Grappling. Which in 2020 was ranked as one of the top online judo platforms in the world by the International Judo Federation.

Nov 08, 202149:42
Wayne Phipps

Wayne Phipps

Wayne Phipps competed at the Tokyo Paralympics representing Australia in the -66kg category.

He was born in South Africa, and grew up learning Judo there. Wayne went on to win the South African National Championships, and from here went on to represent South Africa internationally, with the highlight being competing at the 1993 World Championships in the -60kg category.

In 2010, Wayne relocated to Australia and after being diagnosed with a visual impairment, his coach suggested he consider competing in Para-Judo.

During our conversation we discuss his journey learning Judo, dealing with his Visual-Impairment diagnosis and his road to competing in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Oct 25, 202146:21
Justine Bishop

Justine Bishop

Justine is a Judo New Zealand representative who has medaled 5 times at the Oceania Continental Championships, taking the Gold in 2016. She has fought in 4 World Championships, has won numerous medals at Continental Open’s and has won 7 New Zealand National Championship titles.

Leading into the Tokyo Olympics, Justine qualified for The Games through the IJF Continental Quota, however, did not meet the Judo New Zealand requirements and so unfortunately did not compete at the Games.

During our conversation, we discuss Judo in New Zealand, what it was like trying to qualify for the Olympics with the extra challenges the past two years have thrown at athletes, her journey to try a secure selection and what’s next for her as an athlete and coach.

Oct 10, 202144:43
Mike Liptrot

Mike Liptrot

Mike is Head Coach at the prestigious Kendal Judo Club, located in the idyllic Lake District National Park in the Northwest of England. As a player, Mike was coached and mentored by the great Tony Macconnell, and as a coach, Mike has continued his legacy of creating brutal training programs that utilise the great outdoors.

He has coached numerous International level athletes, as well as having one of the strongest grassroot Judo Clubs in the Country and for over a decade, he was Head Coach of the highly successful, Northwest of England Cadet Squad.

Since 2010, Mike has played an active role in coaching and assisting athletes, not just Judoka, but also Boxers and Wrestlers, from the Oceania Region. In 2012, he hosted the Pre-Olympic Training Camp for qualified athletes competing in the London Olympics and was the coach for the Kiribati Judoka, Kinaua Biribo, at the recent Tokyo Olympic Games.

Sep 27, 202151:51
David & Tyler

David & Tyler

I’m trying something different with this episode. I’m being replaced as host by Tyler Bell and has interviewed me instead.

Tyler started learning Judo when he was 4 years old and I have been coaching him for three years now. Recently, he asked if he could be on the podcast and “interview” me...and I said yes!

Tyler wrote down some questions and we recorded our conversation.
Sep 16, 202141:52
Ewan Beaton

Ewan Beaton

Ewan is currently a High Performance Coach in Alberta, Canada, and has previously been a High Performance coach in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well. In addition to this, Ewan was the Canadian Olympic Team coach at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.

As a competitive Athlete, Ewan represented Canada at 3 World Championships and at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He won the 1995 Pan American Championships and was a 5 time Canadian National Champion.

Sep 06, 202143:30
Sophie Cox

Sophie Cox

Sophie is a two time Olympian, representing Team GB at the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics. During her competitive career, she won 4 continental championship medals, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2002, 7 British National championship gold medals and numerous other international titles.

Sophie is now the coach for the England Talent Development Squad.

Aug 25, 202137:48
Nathan Katz pt.2 Tokyo Olympics Edition

Nathan Katz pt.2 Tokyo Olympics Edition

Nathan Katz is a Tokyo 2020 (2021) and 2016 Olympian and Australian representative in the -66kg category. He is a 3 time Senior Oceania Champion, 2 time Australian senior National Champion and has medalled at numerous World Cup events, including a Silver at the Asian Open.

Aug 09, 202131:49
Brian Moore

Brian Moore

Brian Moore is a 7th degree black belt, who has been involved in Judo as a competitor and coach since the 1960s. He is head coach at the prestigious Bacup Judo Club, where he coached players to multiple European, Commonwealth and World Championships, as well as multiple Olympic Games. He was the North West of England Area Coach for 12 years, the Great Britain Squad Coach for the under 18s team for 15 years, and the support coach for the Team GB Senior Squad for over 10 years.

Aug 04, 202101:23:21
Ivo Dos Santos

Ivo Dos Santos

Ivo Dos Santos is a third degree black belt, whose career accolades include 6 Oceania Titles, 5 Australian National Titles, countless International Medals. Ivo represented Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Ivo now runs Senshi Academy in Melbourne and coaches for the Australian National Team.

Jul 20, 202136:14
Matt D'Aquino

Matt D'Aquino

Matt D'Aquino is an Australian judoka, coach, author, Olympian, 2 times Australian National Champion, 3 x Oceania Champion, and the Founder of Beyond Grappling. Which in 2020 was ranked as one of the top online judo platforms in the world by the International Judo Federation.

Jul 08, 202136:46
Gavin Kelly

Gavin Kelly

Gavin Kelly is a 14 times Australian Senior National champion across 6 different weight groups, as well being 4 times Oceania Champion and a bronze medallist at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Gavin now coaches the Australian National team and runs the Queensland high performance hub.

May 18, 202131:38
Josh Katz

Josh Katz

Josh Katz is a 2016 Olympian, Australian representative in the -60kg category, and one of the youngest ever judoka from Australia to compete at the Olympic Games. Josh is also a 4 time Senior Oceania Champion, 3 time Australian senior National Champion and has medalled at numerous World and European Cup events, including winning a Gold at the Oceania Open.

May 04, 202132:11
Nathan Katz

Nathan Katz

Nathan Katz is a 2016 Olympian and Australian representative in the -66kg category.

Amongst his accomplishments, he's a 3 time Senior Oceania Champion, 2 time Australian senior National Champion and has medalled at numerous World Cup events, including a Silver at the Asian Open.

Apr 23, 202129:15
Danny Harper

Danny Harper

Danny Harper is a former Great Britain representative, who was a full time athlete at Kendal Judo Club for many years. Danny is now the Head Coach of the Craven Judo Academy and area Coach for the Northwest of England.

Apr 06, 202134:34
Abigail Paduch

Abigail Paduch

Abigail Paduch is an Australian Team representative and was the 2019 Junior Asian Champion. She placed 7th at the 2019 Junior World Championships and has won numerous Junior European Cup medals, including Silver in Romania and Bronze in Poland and Spain.

Because of these results, Abigail is currently ranked 2nd in the World in her age and weight group.

She is also a multiple Oceania and Australian National Champion.

Today we discuss her current training routine, Olympic and Commonwealth aspirations and her choice of music on the day of a competition to get her prepared.

Mar 22, 202120:34
Michael Horley

Michael Horley

Michael Horley represented Great Britain for a number of years, with career highlights including competing at the 2010 world championships in Tokyo, ranking number 1 on the European ranking list in 2013 and also winning numerous European Cup medals including gold at the prestigious German Open.  Following his competition career, Michael has smoothly transitioned into coaching judo athletes, initially at Judo Scotland and he is now based in Canada.

Mar 09, 202128:04