The Chewjitsu Podcast ADCC Veteran and BJJ Black Belt John Hansen (Episode 382)
Sep 22, 2025
In this engaging discussion, ADCC veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt John Hansen shares his unique journey through various gyms before settling in at Dojo Omaha. He reveals the five key pillars of grappling and how aging has shaped his training routine. John talks about his biggest regret of not wrestling in high school and the relentless focus necessary for success. Discover how his experiences and teaching style have evolved, alongside insights on goal setting and the importance of finding a signature move in your game.
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Technique Over Raw Strength
- John calls himself a 'weak, feeble man' who compensated with technique and mobility rather than brute strength.
- He trimmed weight to 240–250lbs and focused on maximizing his technical gifts like flexibility.
COVID Took His Cardio
- John lost cardio after COVID and struggled for two years to regain his VO2 and second wind.
- He experimented with swimming and varied conditioning before slowly recovering his comfort with exertion.
Prioritize Focused Hard Sessions
- Train five days with two or three very hard sessions instead of daily maximal effort to improve recovery.
- Use focused 60–90 minute sessions with 30 intense minutes rather than chasing volume you can't recover from.