Conversations with a Backfist!
Social Gelo with Angelo Podcast
275-Why are people so obsessed with exposing fake black belts?
Why are people so obsessed with exposing "fake black belts"? Is the black belt still meaningful, or are medals and competition results all that matter? After more than 25 years in the martial arts, I've trained in traditional belt systems, non-belt systems, and submission wrestling in Japan—their version of catch wrestling. In this episode, I break down why this debate never seems to go away. I share my own journey, conversations with martial artists from every background, and the psychology behind why exposing "fake black belts" has become such an obsession. Whether you're a white belt, black belt, coach, competitor, or simply a martial arts fan, this episode might change the way you think about rank, experience, and what it really means to earn a black belt.
274-Kudo Isn't as Popular in Japan as You Think
Is Kudo really as popular in Japan as many martial artists think? After living in Japan for over 13 years and running a martial arts gym, my experience has been very different from what I often hear online. In this episode, I share my firsthand observations, a brief history of Kudo, and why perception doesn't always match reality. I'd love to hear your thoughts—especially if you've trained Kudo. Let me know in the comments!
273-HAS FITNESS CULTURE LIED TO US ABOUT FIGHTING?
The biggest guy in the room isn't always the toughest. The guy with the six-pack isn't always the best fighter. So why do we keep assuming muscles equal fighting ability? In this episode, we discuss one of the biggest myths in martial arts and fitness: the difference between looking dangerous and being dangerous. From Larry Wheels to everyday gym stories, we break down why strength matters, but skill still rules. Have we been fooled by fitness culture? Let me know what you think in the comments.
272-That's Not Kajukenbo!
That's Not Kajukenbo!" We've all heard it before. Show a kickboxing combination? "That's not Kajukenbo." Teach a closed guard escape? "That's BJJ, not Kajukenbo." Demonstrate a traditional technique from another lineage? "That's not Kajukenbo." In this episode, join Carlos Del Valle as we break down three techniques and tackle a question that has divided martial artists for decades: Who gets to decide what Kajukenbo is? Is Kajukenbo a fixed collection of techniques, or is it an art built on adaptation and evolution? Watch the episode and let us know: When somebody says, "That's not Kajukenbo," are they really saying, "That's not the way I learned it?"
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
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