Fighters Drinking Coffee
The hosts, Scott and Mike, discuss Jiu-jitsu training, competition and lifestyle while exploring topics such as training regimens, recovery, training for competition, and coaching styles. They share this journey with you, guests, friends and other interesting people.
Their combined decades of experience in the Jiu-jitsu space, along with expert guests, leads to strong debates and conversations with the goal of assisting the listener in their jiu-jitsu journey as well.
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Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
This episode is coming to you from the road, where we were still joined by Andrea and Kate, while enroute to the Chicago Open.
on this episode we discussed training with men vs. women, the value of bigger training partners for building physicality, but the unique benefit of female partners when you want a realistic look at your weight class. We also dive into the mindset of women who train by discussing the experiences of Kate and Andrea on the mats, looking at how men and other members of the gym can be better at creating a comfortable space for women in the gym.
We get into gym culture and leadership and why top-down behavior sets the tone, how leaders need to be open to feedback, and practical ways communities can police themselves so problematic behavior doesn’t fester.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Apr 28, 2026
Tuesday Apr 28, 2026
On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, hosts and guests Kate, Andrea, Scott and Leo recap the Chicago Open weekend: match results, immediate rematches, and what went right (and what didn’t) on the mats.We dig into match-by-match breakdowns and key takeaways — including tactical adjustments, live coaching captured with mic’d coaches for post-match film review, and lessons learned from running it back. Plus the food stories: our pre-fight steak-and-potatoes ritual, post-fight feasts, and deep-dish showdowns (Pequod’s vs. Lou Malnati’s) — and the pastry detours that made the trip memorable.Expect practical training takeaways, candid competitor reflections, and plenty of travel-and-food banter — with results (Scott and Leo gold, Kate silver, Andrea and others earning podium finishes), coaching insights, and next-step homework for the team.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
On today's episode we are joined by a few fellow competitors as we were on the road to Chicago. We focused on the topic of managing your weight cut during travel. Using our plan for the ten hour drive we were on. We also get into discussions about the types of food we bring for travel, adhering to the Fighters Drinking Coffee Rules of the Road and Systematically Maintaining the Weight Cut. Hope you enjoy the show and our road rants!
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee the hosts discuss how gyms can welcome newcomers and help them become long-term jiu-jitsu students, and how new members—whether white belts or experienced visitors—can fit into a new community.Topics include reading the room, expectations for experienced visitors, how existing members can include and mentor newcomers, preventing injury and burnout, and practical tips to build lasting training relationships.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
On this episode David Bergida joins the show to discuss his transition from Division I wrestling to MMA, his training and fight-week rituals, and how he balances competition with family life.
They also dig into health and optimization — David’s experience with a pituitary condition, sleep strategies he uses (including the creation of his Hibernation Honey supplement), diet approaches, travel routines, and the launch of his Farm to Fuel/Hibernation Honey product. Find Hibernation Honey at www.farmtofuelfood.com now available for pre-order!
Follow David on Instagram @bergidamma
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
On today’s episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we wrap up our Dallas trip, share the "rules of the road" for competing and traveling for jiu-jitsu, and trade practical tips on weight management, pre- and post-competition meals, venue logistics, and in-event rituals.
We also announce upcoming stops like Chicago and Nationals, and reflect on travel mishaps, Delilah’s supper club, Terry Black’s barbecue, and lessons learned from competition on the road.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Recorded in the hotel lobby after day one of the IBJJF Dallas Open, Scott and Mike talk tournament rituals, pre- and post-competition meals, hotels, restaurants and the road life around jiu-jitsu events — including a deep dive on steakhouses.
We also cover our visit to CRUZ CMBT, the Patreon launch, and travel stories from Dallas to New Orleans and Japan.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we unpack sandbagging — when someone hides their true skill to enter lower divisions or downplay experience in the gym. The hosts share real stories, why people do it, and how it affects training partners and local competitions.They also discuss how coaches and teammates should respond, contrast reverse sandbagging and humble elites, and end with clear advice: be honest, compete at your level, and protect the integrity of the mats.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
We celebrate the one-year anniversary of Fighters Drinking Coffee with reflections on weekly consistency, improvements in editing and sound, favorite guest episodes (Big John, Tim Dawson, Raf), and the show’s stronger focus on jiu-jitsu.Plus: listener topics like open-mat policies, the podcast’s international reach, endorsements for Nova Barbell Club, and plans for a Patreon—short updates and gratitude for a growing community.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Welcome back to Fighters Drinking Coffee with guest John Christian — double gold Masters World champion and licensed clinical psychologist. In this episode John discusses how jiu-jitsu hooks athletes, the role of community and quick feedback loops, and how competition amplifies arousal and reward.They riff on nerd lore (Star Wars and Lord of the Rings) and then dive into psychology topics: addiction versus reinforcement, Yerkes–Dodson arousal law, stress inoculation, mental toughness, impostor syndrome, and how coaches and athletes can structure training and goals.Practical takeaways include using exposure to discomfort to build resilience, shifting from ego to process-focused goals, setting small achievable training targets, and tuning arousal for competition with routines and deliberate practice.
Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXksGet some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY