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Tapped In: A JiuJitsu Podcast
I am a dedicated practitioner and coach on a mission to help you navigate the complex, rewarding world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you are a White Belt trying to survive your first stripe or a seasoned grappler looking for a competitive edge, I created this show to be your technical and mental mat-side companion. In every episode of Tapped In, I break down the nuances of submission grappling. I dive deep into the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle, discussing how to overcome mat burnout, manage BJJ…
Episodes
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE179 | Mastering the Algorithm: How to Make Social Media Work for Your BJJ
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figuero-Martinez shares his evolution from the early days of dial-up internet and chat rooms to…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE178 | The Power of Micro-Adjustments: How "Annoying" Defense Wins
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figuero-Martinez breaks down the concept of defensive asymmetry and explains why the most…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE177 | The Savannah Bananas Effect: Making Jiu-Jitsu Entertaining
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, host David Figueroa Martinez explores how the viral marketing, fan-first philosophy, and pure entertainment…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE176 | Ridiculous Jiu-Jitsu Traditions That Need to Die
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, host David Figueroa Martinez shares a critique of outdated, archaic, and counterproductive customs that…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE175 | The Jiu-Jitsu Buffet: Structuring Your Game on a Limited Plate
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez breaks down a profound analogy shared during a post-class discussion: looking at the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE174 | Finding Your Flow: Balancing Jiu-Jitsu and Home Life
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, host David Figueroa Martinez from DFM Coaching tackles one of the biggest hidden hurdles for Jiu-Jitsu…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE173 | Bonus | What I’ve Learned About Leadership
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figueroa Martinez reflects on the heavy, rewarding, and often invisible responsibilities of…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE172 | The "Already Knowing the Movie" Concept: Pattern Recognition and Pacing in Jiu-Jitsu
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figueroa Martinez explains a phrase he frequently shares with students after a tough round: "I've…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE171 | The Rule of Three: How to Balance Your Jiu-Jitsu Training Partners for Maximum Growth
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figueroa Martinez dives into the three distinct types of training partners you will encounter on…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE170 | The "Dirty Debater" Concept: How to Interrupted and Reset in Jiu-Jitsu
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, Coach David Figueroa Martinez breaks down the "Dirty Debater" concept—a mindset shift designed to help you…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE169 | Developing Your Own Map: Why You Can’t Use Someone Else’s Jiu-Jitsu to Find Yours
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez breaks down an insightful quote from Rough Hands BJJ: "You cannot use someone else's…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE168 | BJJ Over 40: The Smart Way to Train, Prevent Injuries, and Outsmart the Scrambles
About This Episode Are you training Jiu-Jitsu in your 40s and feeling like your body is playing by a completely different set of rules? You aren’t alone. In…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE167 | The Art of the Psychological Rolling: Why Your Jiu-Jitsu Coach Messes With You (And Why You Need It)
About This Episode Ever feel like your Jiu-Jitsu coach is playing mind games with you? In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez breaks down the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE166 | The Science of Specialization: Ronda Rousey, Systems, and BJJ/Judo Mastery
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, coach David Figueroa-Martinez dives deep into the "One-Trick Pony" fallacy in combat sports, using the recent…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE165 | Finding Your Creative Voice: Why Jiu-Jitsu is More Art Than Science
About the Episode In this episode of Tapped In, coach David Figueroa Martinez shifts the perspective on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a rigid, clinical science to a…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE164 | The Wisdom vs. Weaver Paradox: How Jiu-Jitsu Changes as You Age
About the Episode In this episode of Tapped In, coach David Figueroa Martinez dives into the "Wisdom vs. Weaver Paradox"—the inevitable shift that occurs as a…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE163 | The Art of Mentorship In Bjj
About This Episode In this episode, David Figueroa Martinez discusses the transformative power of mentorship in Jiu-Jitsu. By "adopting" a lower belt…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE162 | Why Hobbyists (Not Pros) Are the Real Leaders of Jiu-Jitsu
About In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez explores the "pro-centric" culture of Jiu-Jitsu and argues that the true leadership potential of an…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE161 | The Bronze Medal Mentality: Finding Joy and Growth in the BJJ Grind
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, David Figaro Martinez explores the psychological difference between the silver and bronze medal mentalities…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE160 | Embracing the Invisible Season: How to Navigate the Jiu-Jitsu Plateau
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figaro Martinez dives deep into the "Invisible Season"—that quiet, often discouraging phase of your BJJ journey where the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE159 | Bonus | Cultivating the "Lizard Brain": Building True Intuition on the Mats
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez explores the critical shift from analytical "thinking" to instinctive "feeling" in Jiu-Jitsu. Drawing…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE158 | Why You Should Stop Chasing the Jiu-Jitsu "Meta"
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez of DFM Coaching breaks down the common trap of "chasing the meta." While high-level…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE157 | The Weight of the Belt: Why Your BJJ Lineage Isn't Your Identity
About This Episode In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez dives into the "loaded topic" of lineage in Jiu-Jitsu. He challenges the traditional…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE156 | Finding the BJJ Sweet Spot: Balancing Aggression and Passivity
About This Episode In this episode, Dave Figueroa-Martinez explores the delicate balance between being too aggressive and too passive during live rounds…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE155 | The Blueprint for Training Days: Balancing Recovery and Performance for Bjj
In this episode, I pull back the curtain on how I structure my training week as a coach and athlete. I’ve learned that the "go hard every day" mentality is a…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE154 | Why Multiple Jiu-Jitsu Coaches Accelerate Your Progress
In this episode, David Figueroa-Martinez explores the traditional "one-coach" model versus the modern approach of learning from multiple instructors. He delves…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE153 | Why Safety Must Always Outrank Politeness in Bjj
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa-Martinez dives into the delicate balance between martial arts etiquette and personal safety. He challenges the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE152 | Bonus | Being in Love with Imperfection: The Secret to Long-Term Jiu-Jitsu Growth
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez challenges the pursuit of perfection in Jiu-Jitsu. He shares personal stories from his 14-year journey…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE151 | Skill Stacking vs. Skill Chasing: Building a Cohesive Jiu-Jitsu Game
David Figueroa Martinez breaks down the common pitfalls of "skill chasing"—the habit of jumping from one flashy technique to another without building depth. He…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE150 | The Restaurant Strategy: Streamlining Your Jiu-Jitsu Inventory
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez explores a unique analogy for skill development: the "Mexican Restaurant" inventory strategy. He…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE149 | The Pivots That Change Everything
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez explores the critical junctures of his 15-year Jiu-Jitsu career. He moves beyond simple techniques to…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE148 | From Collecting Moves to Learning Jiu-Jitsu: Mastering the Map of Grappling
About This Episode In this episode, David Figueroa-Martinez explores the critical turning point in a grappler's journey: the transition from memorizing…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE147 | The Black Belt Illusion: What Really Changes When You Reach the Top?
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez pulls back the curtain on the most coveted milestone in Jiu-Jitsu: the black belt. He deconstructs the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE146 | BJJ Guest Etiquette: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting New Gyms
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez breaks down the essential "unwritten rules" of being a respectful and mindful guest at a new Brazilian…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE145 | Bonus | How to Research a Jiu-Jitsu Gym: Red Flags & Expert Vetting Tips
This episode dives into the essential, yet often overlooked, legwork of researching a Jiu-Jitsu gym before you ever step onto the mats. As an instructor and…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE144 | Jiu-Jitsu: The Adult Playground for Rediscovering Play and Curiosity
In this episode, David Figueroa-Martinez explores the often-overlooked aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: its ability to let adults "be a kid again." Between the…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE143 | Maximizing Your Mat Time for Bjj
In this episode of Tapped In, David Figueroa Martinez shares his personal journey of reaching black belt by training an average of three days a week. He dives…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE142 | Demystifying Democratic Jiu-Jitsu Coaching
Join host David Figueroa-Martinez of DFM Coaching as he delves into the democratic Jiu-Jitsu coaching approach. Learn about the differences between…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE141 | BJJ Safety and the Role of Rank: Managing Risk on the Mats
In this episode of Tapped In, I explore the often-overlooked dynamics of safety in Jiu-Jitsu and how the responsibility for a safe round shifts between…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE140 | Mastering the Inner Coach: Transforming Your Jiu-Jitsu Mindset
In this episode of Tapped In, I explore the profound impact of the inner voice and how it acts as a silent coach—or critic—during our Jiu-Jitsu journey. I…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE139 | The Jiu-Jitsu Arc: What I Wish I Knew as a White Belt
In this episode of Tapped In, I reflect on my journey as a white belt and the pivotal lessons that shaped my progression. I dive into the "big picture"…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE138 | Jiu-Jitsu and the Economic Squeeze: Finding Ways to Stay on the Mat
In this episode, I dive into the current economic challenges affecting the Jiu-Jitsu community; from gym owners and gear manufacturers to the students…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE137 | BJJ Training Is Never a Waste: How to Level Up Against Lower Belts
In this episode, I share my perspective on why every session on the mats is a valuable opportunity for growth, regardless of who you’re rolling with. I dive…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE136 | The Laws of Top Control For Bjj
About This Episode In this episode, I break down the fundamental "laws" or rules I follow to maintain and weaponize top position. I discuss how top control…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE135 | Bonus | The Black Belt Blues: Redefining Success Beyond the Rank
About This Episode In this episode, I dive deep into the "Black Belt Blues"—that unexpected emotional letdown that often follows one of the greatest…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE134 | Bonus | Everything You Want is Downstream: Stop Forcing, Start Flowing in BJJ
About This Episode In this episode, I dive into the concept of "Downstream" Jiu-Jitsu. I explore how fighting upstream, forcing techniques that aren't there…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE133 | Jiu-Jitsu Burnout: Identifying the Quiet Signs and How to Recover
About This Episode In this episode, I dive deep into a topic that hits close to home for many of us on the mats: burnout. I’ve personally navigated burnout…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE132 | Positional Playbook | Managing Tension for Better Cardio in Bjj
About This Episode In this episode, I break down why new students often feel like their "cardio" is failing them, when the real culprit is excessive physical…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE131 | Bonus | Building Your Bjj Network Before You Need It
About This Episode In this episode, I reflect on the power of building a Jiu-Jitsu network long before a crisis hits. I share my personal journey from feeling…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE130 | How to "Let People Work" in Jiu-Jitsu
About This Episode In this episode, I dive into the nuance of "letting people work" on the mats and why it’s a fundamental tool for both student development…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE129 | Positional Playbook: The Turtle
About In this episode, we dive deep into the Turtle Position—a spot that’s often controversial in the BJJ community. While not technically a guard, David…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE128 | Bonus | Doors That Open With Reputation
About I’ve spent 14 years in the BJJ world, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your reputation is far more important than your rank. In this…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE127 | You Don’t Need a Super Gym. You Need a Solid Bjj Guide
About This Episode In this episode, I challenge the common belief that you need to train at a world-renowned "super gym" to get high-quality Jiu-Jitsu…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE126 | Positional Playbook: North South
About This Episode In this installment of our Positional Playbook series, I dive deep into the strategic advantages of the North-South position. I share why…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE125 | Bonus | The Life of a Bjj Instructor
About This Episode In this candid episode, I pull back the curtain on the realities of being a Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Beyond teaching techniques and coaching…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE124 | Bonus Ep | The Hidden Upside of Being the Uke In Bjj Class
Lets talk about the benefits of being the Uke in class. There are some major benefits and uncomfortable moments. Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE123 | Jiu-Jitsu's Dirtiest Moves
These are the dirtiest moves in Jiu-Jitsu. One of which, I find incredibly vile and disgusting. I unfortunately have been the victim of it. Let's chat. Are You…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE122 | Positional Playbook | The Kimura
Let's talk about the "skeleton key" of JiuJitsu that allows practitioners the ability to transition, attack, defend, restrain and sweep all in one. Are You You…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE121 | Bonus | Who’s Left Standing: The Real Test in Jiu-Jitsu
In this episode I explore my thoughts surrounding the phrase, "It's not who's best, but who's left” and why It’s governed so much of what drives me as an…
Tapped In: A JiuJitsu PodcastE120 | What 45 Years Taught Me About Jiu-Jitsu and Life
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! In this episode I talk about the changes I went through with Jiu-Jitsu and how I view it as a 45 year old athlete and instructor. Are You…