Chokes and More

Stop number 4 - Surat, Gujarat! Amidst more seminars, workshops and training, we're treated to a tour of the Atlhetica Fitness Gym by martial arts legend, 17 world records holder and "Steel Man of India" - Vispy Kharadi, as well as take part in a traditional strength and Indian wrestling gym. BJOI is here to stay! My mission is to share my passion. The Indian BJJ Revolution starts from here. Fuelled by: BJOI Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Organisation India. The biggest BJJ organisation in India. Enjoy the episode and subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen

In this unmissable episode of Chokes and More, Miko sits down with the legendary Eugene Robinson for a raw, hilarious, and deeply philosophical conversation that transcends the mats. Whether you’re a white belt or a lifer, you’ll be hooked by Eugene’s incredible storytelling—from the time he accidentally enraged Samuel L. Jackson on a film set to his "nuclear" interview questions with Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. This isn’t just about technique; it’s a masterclass on resilience, the "sport of trust" that is Jiu-Jitsu , and the art of staying dangerous well into your 60s. Eugene Robinson is a true modern-day Renaissance man: a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, author, musician, and former competitive bodybuilder. Born in 1962 and hailing originally from New York, Eugene has spent a lifetime exploring the intersections of art and physical combat. His journey into martial arts began in childhood, inspired by Bruce Lee, eventually leading him through wrestling, Japanese Jujitsu, and Muay Thai under Javier Mendez at the legendary American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). Eugene is perhaps best known in the combat sports world for his "Damage, Inc." column in Grappling magazine, where he famously challenged and sparred with professional fighters—including legends like Dan Henderson, Royce Gracie, and Chuck Liddell—to write about the experience from the inside. He holds a BJJ black belt under Leopoldo Serrao. Beyond the mats, Eugene is a celebrated vocalist and frontman, known for his work with the experimental rock band Oxbow and his current group, Bunuel. He is also an accomplished author of novels and memoirs, including a philosophical monograph on interpersonal combat. A Stanford graduate and former fashion magazine editor, Eugene currently resides in Spain, where he continues to train, write, and host The Eugene S. Robinson Show Stomper podcast. Fun Highlights: Martial Artist: BJJ Black Belt and former amateur MMA/combat wrestling competitor. Musician: Frontman for Oxbow (8 albums) and Bunuel; toured with acts like Mr. Bungle and the Dead Kennedys. Writer: Author of A Long Slow Screw and former columnist for Grappling and Decibel magazines. Podcast Host: Host of The Eugene S. Robinson Show Stomper (formerly Knuckle Up). Tune in to hear why a punk rock vocalist drags himself to the gym days after surgery, how to spot "clubhouse cancers" , and why Eugene believes we are all just "white belts who decided not to quit". Enjoy the episode and remember to subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen

Stop number 3 - Pune, Maharashtra! Whilst we're still on the road teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defence in schools, this stop included bringing the art to a team of close protection security professionals too. For a slight change in tempo, I tried local food ranging from Belgium Waffles to sharing some street food with the crew at a popular local hotspot. BJOI is here to stay! My mission is to share my passion. The Indian BJJ Revolution starts from here. Fuelled by: BJOI Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Organization India. The biggest BJJ organization in India. Enjoy the episode and subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen

Miko Hytonen is joined by Vitalii Stasiv, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and the co-founder of the International Jiu-Jitsu School in Paphos, Cyprus. Vitalii’s martial arts journey began at age six with Judo in the 90s, eventually leading him through Karate, Taekwondo, and Aikido before discovering his true passion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Originally establishing his first academy in Ukraine in 2018, Vitalii moved to Cyprus three years ago to build a unique training environment that now hosts students from over 28 different countries. In this episode, Vitalii dives deep into his philosophy on long-term athletic development for children, the challenges of building a world-class gym from scratch (including importing custom subfloors for safety), and why leaving your comfort zone is essential for growth both on and off the mats. In this episode, you will learn: The Coach's Mindset: How Vitalii transitioned from a competitor to a mentor focused on helping students find their own unique "game" rather than just copying others. Building a Legacy: The story behind transforming an old ballet school into a top-tier BJJ facility with a focus on safety and community. Youth Development: Vitalii's approach to teaching kids, utilising scenario-based training and "prevention" over late-stage escapes. Competition & Growth: Insights on competing at the Black Belt level and the International Jiu-Jitsu School's goal to become a top European team in the next five years. Vitalii’s philosophy goes deeper than just technique; he explains how finding your own unique "game" and embracing the struggle is essential for longevity in the sport. Whether you are a parent looking for the right environment for your child, a gym owner interested in the secrets behind building a world-class facility with "bouncy" safety floors, or someone waiting for the right sign to finally start training, this episode delivers the inspiration you need. Enjoy the episode and remember to subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen

We're in Mumbai baby! The non-stop pace of this city fed into the insane schedule of workshops, visits and ceremonies. Amongst the places visited I taught seminars at: - Mehul Voora Academy - Parekh International School - Kohinoor International School - Mount Litera School and took some time to walk through the streets of Mumbai, and Juhu Beach! BJOI is here to stay! My mission is to share my passion. The Indian BJJ Revolution starts from here. Fueled by: BJOI Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Organization India. The biggest BJJ organization in India. Enjoy the episode and remember to subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen

Andrew Forson is a true polymath who bridges the gap between high-stakes finance and high-level martial arts. A dual Black Belt in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Andrew is currently the President of a NASDAQ-listed company focused on creating investment products from cryptocurrencies. A self-described "nerd" who began computer programming at age seven, Andrew’s professional journey took him from boarding school in Toronto to studying business in Scotland and Financial Engineering in Washington, D.C.. He previously worked with Deloitte Consulting and ran a Venture Capital fund near Zurich before taking on his current leadership role. On the mats, Andrew is a formidable competitor and a long-time training partner of host Mikko Hytönen at Scramble Academy in Southern Spain. His analytical approach to the sport has led to impressive accolades, including winning European titles at every belt level (Blue, Purple, and Brown) prior to earning his Black Belt. Andrew views Jiu-Jitsu as a perfect analogy for business, teaching resilience, systematic problem-solving, and the ability to stay calm under immense pressure. Whether he is navigating capital markets or escaping a heavy mount, Andrew’s philosophy remains the same: panic leads to defeat, but patience and leverage lead to victory. Enjoy the episode and remember to subscribe to the channel. Remember: Jiu-Jitsu Never Dies. Manto 🥋 www.man.to/chokes code: Chokes -15% Find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chokes_and_more/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chokes_and_more BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_miko-hytonen