BJJ Balance

Shawn Melanson joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern jiu-jitsu. We dive deep into the PGF season, the Phenom team controversy, social media strategy in BJJ, building a personal brand, BJJ Fanatics instructionals, competition culture, gym ownership, training philosophies, and why Sean believes most athletes are leaving money and opportunities on the table.

Shawn talks about being underestimated during the PGF draft, using controversy to build storylines, the realities of sponsorships in jiu-jitsu, why social media matters more than titles for most athletes, and how he built a loyal following by being authentic online.

We also get into old-school pressure passing, knee slice passing, route drags, competition training, hobbyist gyms vs competition gyms, coaching women in jiu-jitsu, seminars, building a gym culture, and the future of the PGF.

If you’re into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no-gi grappling, BJJ culture, PGF, CJI, ADCC, gym ownership, instructionals, or social media growth for athletes — this episode is packed.

#BJJ #JiuJitsu #NoGi #PGF #shawnmelanson #BJJFanatics #Grappling #BrazilianJiuJitsu #ADCC #CJI #BJJPodcast #JiuJitsuLife #BJJTraining #MMA #SubmissionGrappling

Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:

IG: @BJJBalance

Discord: discord.gg/bjjbalance

Tik Tok: @BJJBalance

YouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalance

Kenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJ

Matt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This episode of BJJ Balance After The Roll gets HEATED
.Matt returns from Vegas with stories about Morgan Wallen, gambling losses, and expensive concerts before the conversation completely shifts into one of the most passionate jiu-jitsu debates we’ve had yet.
The guys dive deep into:
Are jiu-jitsu belts getting watered down?
Should “gym belts” be held to the same standard as competitors?
Attendance-based promotions in BJJ
Old-school gauntlets & shark tanks
Fake belts and gym politics
Why difficult training creates stronger teams
Sean Strickland vs Khamzat predictions
Open mats, competition mentality & proving yourself
This episode is funny, chaotic, brutally honest, and packed with strong opinions about the current state of jiu-jitsu culture. If you love raw BJJ conversations and uncensored gym talk, this one is for you.Subscribe for weekly episodes covering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, UFC, grappling culture, competition mindset, gym stories, and listener questions.#BJJ #JiuJitsu #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MMA #UFC #SeanStrickland #KhamzatChimaev #BJJPodcast #NoGi #Grappling #IBJJF #BJJBalancePlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In this solo episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, Kenny goes off-script and lets the audience run the show.From belt progression and imposter syndrome to dealing with wrestlers, shark tanks, and the realities of training—this episode is raw, honest, and unfiltered.This is one of the most real conversations about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—covering the struggles, mindset, and lessons that every grappler goes through.Whether you're a white belt, blue belt, or beyond… this one will hit.🔥 Topics Covered:Kenny’s journey into jiu-jitsuThe truth about the BJJ belt systemImposter syndrome at blue beltHow to deal with wrestlers in classGuard development & weaknessesShark tank & belt testing cultureMusic, lifestyle & training mindsetPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

This episode of BJJ Balance starts off completely unfiltered… and somehow turns into one of our most relatable conversations yet.
We kick things off with a hilarious (and chaotic) debate about “White Boy of the Year,” dive into nostalgia from the 90s and early 2000s, and eventually bring it back to what really matters—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training, and growth on the mats.
From old-school iPods to childhood music memories, to real talk about injuries, training progression, and how long it actually takes to reach black belt… this episode covers it all.💬 We also want YOUR input:
What’s the one song that defines your childhood?🥋
In this episode:
Ranking “White Boy of the Year” candidates 😂
Nostalgia: iPods, music, and growing up
Training updates + evolving your jiu-jitsu game
How long it REALLY takes to earn a black belt
Injuries, consistency, and staying on the mats
Should you follow your coach if they leave?
📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes on:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu • Training • Culture • Real Life👇
Comment below:
What’s YOUR “song of your childhood”? We might use it in a clip 👀Please Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj

In this episode of the BJJ Balance Podcast, things go completely off the rails early… but somehow circle back into real, valuable jiu-jitsu insight.
We talk about gym culture, early morning training sessions, competition prep, and what it really means to grow in jiu-jitsu—both as a student and as a coach. Along the way, we get into some wild side tangents, old-school nostalgia, and the kind of conversations you only have with your training partners.
If you’ve ever trained at 6AM, struggled to stay consistent, or wondered how to level up without burning out—this one’s for you.
Topics include:
The reality of early morning classes (4AM/6AM grind)How to keep students from falling through the cracks
Competition mindset & why signing up changes everything
Training intensity vs. learning as a white/blue belt
Gym culture, coaching responsibility, and retention
Why wrestling builds a different kind of toughness
Plus… a LOT of chaos in betweenPlease Follow BJJ Balance on all of our socials:IG: @BJJBalanceDiscord: discord.gg/bjjbalanceTik Tok: @BJJBalanceYouTube: YouTube.com/@BJJBalanceKenny IG: @FreakPartyBJJMatt IG: @oss_nation_bjj