Listen Now

Episode 46 featured Natalie Boss, or as  she's better know as, Nattie Boss.  Nattie Boss is a Sports Dietitian and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu PurpleBelt that competes on a high level of competition.  In fact, she'll be competing in the Fight2Win Pro 81 next weekend in Philly.    Natalie is also a personal trainer and you can find her on YouTube and also at her webpage, Body By Boss.  You can also find her on Facebook.   We're super happy that Natalie came on the show and shared some of her knowledge with us.    As usual, thank you to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps.   Find us on iTunes    Throwin' Down With Andy and Ricardo is a MadSiss Productions podcast.

Andy and Ricardo are back with episode 45.  They discuss the Makenzie Dern weigh-in debacle, Da Firma Training Center's Grand Opening Super Seminar in September, Java Jitsu and more. Here's the Link to Makenzie Dern defeating the Judo black belts Be Sure to check out Professor Rodrigo Artilheiro in the new show Knife or Death. Finally, if you're into coffee check out Nick at Forte Legato.   Thanks again to our sponsors Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps   

We're back with Episode 44.  Professor Ricardo is in Washington DC with the team for the IBJJF tournament, but he calls into the show.   Chad joins us again and we discuss the IBJJF tournament, happenings at the new place, upcoming events and so much more.   Be sure to check out our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps

Professor Ricardo is up in Maryland this week to participate in Kristen DeBruycker's seminar, so Chad stepped up and filled in for him. We had the opportunity to have a gentleman who's Facebook following is rising rapidly.  Mike "Mr. JiuJitsu" Mihas joins us for episode 44.  Mike has a following of around 171,639 on his Facebook page. Mr. Jiu Jitsu posts vlogs related to jiu jitsu and other topics on his page, and he tells it like it is.  Love him or not, his posts are intelligent, thought provoking and entertaining. He's a great guy and it felt like we've known him forever.  If you're in the Ohio area and looking for some great training, stop into Next Level Martial Arts and say hello. Check him out on Facebook, Instagram, and his YouTube channel. As usual, we want to thank our sponsors Da Firma Kimono Company, Menehune Soaps and Madsiss Productions. Also, a special shoutout to MMA Podcast for hosting the show.  Check them out at MMApodcast.com/bjj   Thanks for listening.  Now get back out on those mats and train!

Kristen DeBruycker        Kristen was awarded her black belt this past December by Master Pedro Sauer.  She has a very diverse background in the Martial Arts and trains at Master Sauer's Academy in Herndon, VA. Kristen will be hosting a seminar at Urbania Jiu Jitsu Academy in Monrovia, MD on February 17, so if you're in the area, do yourself and attend the seminar.  You can sign up on the Urbania Jiu Jitsu Academy's facebook page.  Just click the link above. Kristen also has a YouTube channel where she combines martial arts instruction with "all the nerdy references you can hope for."  Check it out here: Throat Punch Thursdays Be sure to check out her website and show her some love.  Kristen's webpage.   As always, big props to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps. Now get back on those mats and train.  

We have a new website!  Check it out  http://madsissproductions.libsyn.com/   Episode 42 brings us back after about a two half week hiatus due to illnesses in the families.  Professor Ricardo was actually sick this past week and not expected to be on the show so Chad stepped up and volunteered.  Lo and behold, Professor "Pretty Ricky" Ricardo escaped his death bed and made it into the show.   The new Da Firma Training Center at 1912 Professional Place in Chesapeake, VA will have their soft opening on March 15th.  Construction and renovation has begun.  If you want to see the "Before" video of the new location, check it out here, or go to MadSiss Productions on YouTube and see it there. If you're interested in the charity seminars that Professor Ricardo is doing, contact the show at Andy@madsissproductions.com or info@dafirmatc.com.   If you're in the are on March 15th, don't miss out on the Eli Knight seminar. Shout out to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and to Menehune Soaps. Thanks for listening. Now get back on those mats and train.      

Episode 41 That Others May Live featuring retired PJ Brent Episode 41 features retired USAF Pararescueman (PJ) Brent.  Due to security reasons, we've purposefully kept Brent's last name private.  I first met Brent twenty-one years ago in Amphibious Reconnaissance School.  Brent started his career as a Navy Corpsman serving with Marine Corps infantry. After the first Gulf War, Brent screened for and was accepted into the Marine Corps Reconnaissance community.  After meeting and working with Air Force PJs, Brent decided to get out of the Navy, join the Air Force and become a Pararecueman.  And the rest, as they say, is history. Brent talks to us about going through the training pipeline, his time as a PJ and his recommendation for those wanting to take the PJ path. To listen to the podcast with Mike, click here.   Thanks for listening and be sure to check out our sponsors.  Da Firma Kimono Company  and Menehune Soaps. Also, check out MMA Podcast

TDWAAR Episode 40: Last Podcast of 2017 Episode 40 is our last podcast for 2017, and we decided to do something a little different.  We had our buddy, coach, and training partner Chad Hamm guest-host with us.  Chad is a two-stripe purple belt under Professor Ricardo.  What else did we do different?  Well, instead of having a regularly scheduled guest on the show, we decided to "surprise" call several people. The other big change going into the new year is our name change.  It's not a huge change but, we've gone from Throwin Down With Andy to Throwin Down with Andy and Ricardo. Our first guest was Professor Rodrigo Artilheiro.  Check out his YouTube Channel, and if you want to contact him for seminars, you can check out his Facebook page. Our next guest was Belton Lubas.  Belton is the owner of Warrior Strength Martial Arts.  This was the second time that Belton has been on the show.  Be sure to check out his YouTube Channel and his Facebook page if you want to contact him for seminars. Our next guest Jonathan Duncanson.  What an amazing story he has.  Jonathan's company is Duncanson Construction.  So if you're looking for some work in his area, look him up. And lastly, Brown Belt Dan is back on the show and as always, he's very entertaining. The last big thing that we hinted around was a new YouTube show but, we're not going to give away too many details until it's final. Thanks again to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps.  Also, check out our friends at MMA Podcasts. Thanks for listening, and as always...Get back out on those mats and train!    

Listen Here Episode 39 featuring D&M Paranormal Investigation Group As stated in our intro, we're the podcast that brings you Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, MMA and just about any other damn thing we feel like talking about.  Well, this episode is one those "Other" topics.  Do you like spooky stories?  Who doesn't?  Our featured guests for this episode are Dane Eckelman and his wife Jennifer from D&M Paranormal. Also, we had a special co-host for this episode; my wonderful wife Connie. Dane and Jennifer got into the paranormal investigation world around three years ago and have been going strong ever since.  They've been on some pretty interesting investigations.  Some of the locations that they've investigated include Waverly Hills Sanitarium , Edinburgh Manor and several other locations famous for being "haunted". Now personally, I'm a skeptic; a non-believer.  Granted, I want to believe, but until I see unrefuted proof, I will probably remain a skeptic.  Some people may think that Dane and his wife are crazy, but to me, they genuinely want to help people, and I tip my hat to them.  I will remain open-minded about the whole possibility of spirits and ghosts. If you're a believer (I'm not judging), and you need some help or, just want to reach out to Dane and Jennifer, you can contact them on their Facebook page D&M Paranormal or on their website D&M Paranormal. Take a listen to the show, and let us know what you think in the comments.  

  As stated in our intro, we're the podcast that brings you Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, MMA and just about any other damn thing we feel like talking about.  Well, this episode is one those "Other" topics.  Do you like spooky stories?  Who doesn't?  Our featured guests for this episode are Dane Eckelman and his wife Jennifer from D&M Paranormal. Also, we had a special co-host for this episode; my wonderful wife Connie. Dane and Jennifer got into the paranormal investigation world around three years ago and have been going strong ever since.  They've been on some pretty interesting investigations.  Some of the locations that they've investigated include Waverly Hills Sanitarium , Edinburgh Manor and several other locations famous for being "haunted". Now personally, I'm a skeptic; a non-believer.  Granted, I want to believe, but until I see unrefuted proof, I will probably remain a skeptic.  Some people may think that Dane and his wife are crazy, but to me, they genuinely want to help people, and I tip my hat to them.  I will remain open-minded about the whole possibility of spirits and ghosts. If you're a believer (I'm not judging), and you need some help or, just want to reach out to Dane and Jennifer, you can contact them on their Facebook page D&M Paranormal or on their website D&M Paranormal. Take a listen to the show, and let us know what you think in the comments. www.madsissproductions.com

[siteorigin_widget class="WP_Widget_Media_Audio"][/siteorigin_widget]  TDWA episode 38 featuring Master Pedro Sauer On Episode 38 of TDWA, we had the opportunity to travel to Pace, Florida to support our friend and brother, Professor Marcello Alcantar's grand opening of Pace Gracie Jiu Jitsu and to attend a seminar conducted by coral belt Master Pedro Sauer.  What an honor it was to be able to support Marcello and his family and to meet and get to know Master Sauer both on and off the mat. This was one of our shorter podcasts, and our first ever Facebook live podcast.  If you want to watch the video, you can here. It was such an honor to have all of these gentlemen on the show.  If you want to contact Master Sauer, you can find him on the internet at Pedro Sauer and on instagram.  If you want to see the fight with Mr. Utah that we talked about, check it out here. To contact any of the guests on the show, see the links below. Professor Marcello:  Website: Pace Gracie Jiu Jitsu,  Facebook, instagram or call them directly at (850) 816-0065. Professor Ernesto Anguesto: Website: BJJ Revolution  Professor Ricardo Tubbs: Da Firma Training Center, Facebook or by phone at (757) 333-3287. Professor Ricky Semeglia: instagram or by phone (954) 864-9174. Coach Dan Steere: Facebook and instagram. Here's a couple of links to Dan's combatives videos: First match   Second match Finals  and of course, you can find your's truly at Andy@madsissproductions.com, our Facebook page, instagram and our YouTube channel. Thank you to you, the listeners and thank you to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps. Now get back out on those mats and train. [siteorigin_widget class="WP_Widget_Media_Gallery"][/siteorigin_widget]

Roger "The Silverback" Narvaez and his wife Brandi Roger "The Silverback" Narvaez and his wife Brandi are our guests for episode 37 of TDWA.  Roger is a retired Mixed Martial Artist that has fought in several organizations including Legacy Fighting Championship, Fury FC and most notably, the UFC.  Brandi has fought in several amateur organizations and has just recently turned pro. Roger is the real deal folks.  Not only does he train and teach, he is a full time fireman.  Roger and Brandi train at Weapons at Hand Mixed Martial Arts out of Corpus Christi, Texas.  If you're in the area, drop in and say hello.  Also, check them out at Narvaez BJJ.       In other news, Professor Ricardo is back from Colorado and reclaims his spot on the mic. Many thanks to our sponsors Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps.  Be sure to follow us on iTunes and on Google Play.   Thanks for listening, now get back out on those mats and train.

TDWA Episode 36 with Clinical Psychologist and BJJ Purple Belt Dennis Proffit   Our guest for this episode of the podcast is Dennis Proffit.  Dennis is a clinical psychologist and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt.  We discuss many things but, the highlight/main theme of the show is pre-competition nerves.  Dennis explains the physiological changes that occur when the body reacts to the "Fight or Flight" response and reviews some of the techniques that we can incorporate to combat our competition jitters. Professor Ricardo was unable to join us for this episode, but never fear, he'll be back. Thank you to our sponsors Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps for their continued support. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and on Facebook. For questions, send an email to andy@madsissproductions.com Thanks for listening, now get back on those mats and train.

TDWA Episode 35: Royce Gracie Black Belt, Eli Knight Our featured guest for episode 35 is Professor Eli Knight.  Professor Eli trains and teaches out of Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy in Paducah, Kentucky. Professor Eli is the senior supervising instructor at Three Rivers. He has 22 years experience in martial arts and 18 years teaching, and he's a Royce Gracie Black Belt. Professor Eli also has a new DVD series out entitled "The Bladed Grappler" which can be found at Funker Martial Arts.  Be sure to check out his other great instructional videos on his YouTube Channel. You can find Eli on his Facebook page or on his instagram account. It was great having him on the show.  As usual, we'd like to thank our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps. If you talk to Eli, be sure to ask him about #KnightGoo Thanks for listening, now get back on those mats and train.  

TDWA Episode 34 Jake and Kimberly Fox from Fox Fitness Episode 34 features Jake and Kimberly Fox from Fox Fitness in Wichita, Kansas.  Professor Jake shares his story of his short stint in the World Championship of Wrestling (WCW) and there may even be a video floating around of his early days.  Kimberly is a blue belt in brazilian jiu jitsu and an accomplished kettlebell athlete with two world records under her belt. Fantastic interview with fantastic people.  Be sure to check them out at Fox Fitness.com, and if you're in the Wichita, Kansas area, drop in and say hello. Click here to see the video of the fox and unicorn that Kimberly was talking about. credit to Sir Mix A Lot Baby Got Back. Once again, thanks to our sponsors Da Firma Kimono Company and Menehune Soaps. Thanks for listening.  Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review.  We're also now on Google Play   for the Android users out there. Now get back on those mats and train.

Menehune Soaps: Throwin Down With Andy Episode 33 Episode 33 Our co-host, Professor Ricardo is back and our featured guest is the Owner/Operator of Menehune Soaps, Leinani Pang.  Lei tells us how she got into the soap biz and how you can pick up her products. Check out her facebook page and her instagram page. Professor Ricardo discusses the latest ADCC competition.  Special Shout Out to JT Torres  2017 ADCC Champion.  You can watch it and other tournaments on FloGrappling. Be sure to check out our friends at Bjj Graphics and Fox Fitness BJJ We had an unexpected call in from Professor Marcello Alcantar.  Professor Marcello has opened a school in Florida, and if you're in the area, you need to drop in and see them at  Pace GJJ.  Be sure to check out their YouTube channel. Again, thanks to our sponsors at Da Firma Kimono Company and Da Firma Training Center.     We want to wish Professor Ricardo a very Happy Birthday!

TDWA Episode 32 Featuring Dr. Christopher Hardy Episode 32 features Dr. Christopher Hardy, author of Strong Medicine: How To Conquer Chronic Disease And Achieve Your Full Genetic Potential.  Chris is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and trains out of Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Everett, Washington so, if you're in the area drop in and say hello.  Chris walks us through his book and we discuss his future plans that are directly related to the Jiu Jitsu community.  You can read more about Chris' background in our previous blog here. For those of you youngsters out there that have no idea about what the Thigh Master is or who Suzanne Summers is, click here. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Chris' book at Amazon.com or at Dragon Door.com If you have a question for Dr. Chris, he would be more than happy to answer it for you.  Just send an email to the show at andy@madsissproductions.com or at madsissproduction@gmail.com. As always, a big shoutout to our sponsor at Da Firma Kimono Company and thanks to you, for listening. Please follow us on iTunes.  If you liked the podcast, please leave us a review.  Also, checkout our YouTube channel and subscribe. Now get back out on those mats and train!

TDWA Episode 31 featuring Professor Sophia McDermott Episode 31 brings you Australia's first female Black Belt, Professor Sophia McDermott.  Also on the show, Professor Ricardo makes his long overdue return.  We did our first mobile podcast at Da Firma Training Center in Chesapeake, VA, and were fortunate enough to catch Sophia right before her women's workshop. Sophia was in Virginia to conduct a coed seminar and women's workshop at Da Firma Training Center, and let me tell you, if you weren't able to attend then you really missed out. We discussed how Sophia got her start in Jiu Jitsu and what she is doing currently.  Be sure to find her on her Facebook page and on instagram.  You can also learn more about her nutrition programs on her website SophiaFit. As always, we want to thank Professor Ricardo for co-hosting and our sponsor Da Firma Training Center. Don't forget to find us on iTunes    

TWDA Episode 30: Erick Rodriguez Erick Rodriguez joins us for episode 30 of Throwin Down With Andy.  Erick is an active duty soldier serving out of Fort Hood, TX.  Erick is a purple belt under Professor Jamir Toledo out of Twin Wolves Martial Arts Academy.  Eric just competed and won his match in the Fight to Win Pro 46 grappling tournament which was streamed live on Flo Grappling. Please show some love to Erick and follow him on Instagram @eazy_e_bjj. If you have any questions for Erick, you can find him at his Facebook page. Be sure to subscribe to us on iTunes.  

TDWA Episode 29 Live Podcast Trial We tested our first live stream podcast today with limited success.  I say limited because we announced it last minute and had no followers to test the interaction portion.  The stream was strong and successful from that standpoint.  Episode 29 is basically a commercial for our true first Live Stream podcast coming on Sunday   Throwin Down With Andy Episode 30 will be live on YouTube this Sunday at 2pm Eastern Standard Time. Our guest for this episode will be Erick Rodriguez. Erick is a purple belt and will be competing in the Fight 2 Win tournament this Saturday (tomorrow) in San Antonio, TX. The competition will be streamed on Flo Grappling, so if you have an account, check it out. Below is the link to see the live stream of the podcast on YouTube.   Link to follow Episode 30 of TDWA Tune in and say hello to Erick.