Conversations with a Backfist!
Social Gelo with Angelo Podcast
271-The Hard Truth About Opening a Martial Arts Academy
Every week, I meet martial artists who tell me they want to quit their job and start running martial arts programs. The dream sounds amazing. Teach martial arts, be your own boss, build a community, and make a living doing what you love. But after more than 20 years teaching martial arts, running programs in both the United States and Japan, and interviewing over 200 martial artists ranging from garage instructors to academy owners like John Hackleman, I've learned that the reality is far more complicated. In this episode, I break down the hard truths about running martial arts programs, the financial realities, the hidden responsibilities, the emotional costs, and why so many instructors struggle despite loving what they do. If you've ever thought about turning martial arts into a business, watch this before you make the leap.
270-Has Modern Karate Forgotten How to Fight?
Has modern karate forgotten how to fight? In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, I sit down with Robert Shimonski, a black belt in both karate and judo, to discuss one of the most controversial questions in martial arts today. Has karate drifted too far into forms, point fighting, and tradition, or are critics completely missing the point? We discuss sparring, self-defense, grappling, kata, judo, and what today's karate practitioners can learn from the past. Do you think modern karate still produces effective fighters, or has something important been lost along the way? Let us know in the comments. We expect some disagreement on this one.
269-Online Martial Arts Training Is Either The Future… Or A Scam
Is online martial arts training legit… or is it turning martial arts into a scam? In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, I sit down with police officer and martial artist Ephraim Cheever to debate whether online martial arts training actually works. We talk about distance learning, online coaching, fake black belts, martial arts gatekeeping, and whether someone can realistically become a fighter through online training. This conversation is probably gonna piss some people off. #Kajukenbo #BJJ #MMA #MartialArts #OnlineTraining
268-Do Americans Use Too Much Japanese in Judo?
Do Americans Use Too Much Japanese in Judo? This one got HEATED. On this panel, I sit down with experienced judo black belts Steve Scott, Justin Smith, and T. Lee to tackle a question that martial arts people almost never ask out loud: Has American judo become MORE obsessed with Japanese terminology than actual Japan? As somebody teaching martial arts in Japan, I’ve noticed something strange: Most normal Japanese people don’t even use or understand a lot of these judo terms unless they actually train. So why are American dojos built around endless Japanese vocabulary? Are terms like Osoto Gari and Seoi Nage helping preserve tradition… or making judo harder for beginners to learn? We also get into: • Why American judo culture feels different from Japan • Whether terminology helps or hurts growth • The difference between teaching for understanding vs. teaching for tradition • Why wrestling and MMA communicate differently • Whether martial arts sometimes confuse vocabulary with skill • The weird reality of teaching in Japan vs. teaching overseas This wasn’t just internet opinions either. These are experienced judo black belts, including internationally experienced competitors, giving real perspectives from years on the mat. Whether you agree or completely disagree, this conversation is guaranteed to make martial artists think. Drop your thoughts in the comments: Do Americans use too much Japanese in judo?
267-BJJ Exposes Fake Timing
Most martial artists think they have timing… until somebody starts fighting back. Tony Malgiero joins the show to talk about how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exposed holes in traditional martial arts training, changed his understanding of pressure and tempo, and completely reshaped the way he approaches fighting. We discuss Kenpo, BJJ, pressure testing, fake timing, live resistance, and why some martial artists freeze under pressure.
266-Why BJJ & Muay Thai Are Growing, While Kenpo Falls Behind
Why are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai blowing up, while Kenpo is getting left behind?
In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, I break down what’s really going on, and it’s not just about fighting. It’s about pressure testing, competition, and why some styles are easier to understand, watch, and market today.
Most people are pointing fingers. I’m not just doing that. I’m talking about what Kenpo practitioners can actually do to adapt, grow, and stay relevant, especially when it comes to how they present their training.
This isn’t about disrespect. It’s about reality.
265-Kajukenbo to BJJ, The Myth of the Complete System
In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, we break down the myth of the “complete system” in martial arts. Joined by a panel of black belts with backgrounds across multiple styles — Pat Griffith, Carlos del Valle, Claude Lawson, and Ron Esteller — we discuss whether any system truly has all the answers. With experience spanning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kajukenbo, kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, and Judo, we challenge the idea of a “complete” martial art and talk about what actually works when you pressure test it.
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