Randy McCarty, Black Belt, Electronics Tech, Hunter, MMA Fighter - Beyond the Belt #31
This is a conversation with "Wreck It" Randy McCarty, a black belt out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Randy is a electronics technician, outdoorsman, lifelong rifle and bow hunter, and retired professional MMA fighter.
Episode Links:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/wreck_it_randy_mc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randy.mccarty.58
Jesse Briggs MMA Academy: https://www.instagram.com/briggsmma/
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Journey to Black Belt
03:22 Teaching and Learning in Jiu-Jitsu
06:20 Overcoming Challenges and Injuries
09:07 The Role of Jiu-Jitsu in Life
12:24 Fighting Background and Transition to MMA
24:46 Mental Warfare in Combat Sports
27:44 The Origin of Wreck-It Randy
32:12 The Impact of Knockouts on Health
37:44 A Life of Hunting
53:26 The Silence of Hunting and Self-Reflection
57:30 Hiking
01:02:57 Parenting Lessons and Personal Growth
01:05:26 Embracing Pain and Consistency in Life
01:13:19 Future Aspirations and Life Goals
01:19:43 Outro
Podcast Links:
* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod
* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social
* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
--------
1:20:04
--------
1:20:04
Paris Lee, Black Belt, Immigration Lawyer, Gym Owner - Beyond the Belt #30
This is a conversation with Paris Lee, a black belt out of Howell, New Jersey, USA. Paris is an immigration lawyer in the US. His practice focuses on families, but he also supports BJJ athletes with their American immigration needs. He also is also the co-owner of Holles Gracie Edison.
Episode Links:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjjvisalawyer
* Website: https://www.njimmigrationattorney.com
* Rolles Gracie Academy Edison: https://www.instagram.com/rollesgracieedison
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-lee-3b920b24/
Reference Links:
* US EB1 Visa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-1_visa
* US O Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_visa
* US P Visas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P_visa
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Journey to Black Belt
03:19 Finding Passion in Jiu-Jitsu
09:07 Injuries in Jiujitsu
12:59 Smaller Bodies and Understanding Jiujitsu
22:25 Life as BJJ Visa Lawyer
26:49 Athlete Immigration
30:03 Understanding Visa Qualifications for Athletes
34:40 Challenges in Sports Immigration
39:01 Visa Types: O, P, and H1B Explained
43:22 Coaches and Support Staff in Sports Visas
46:53 Running a Small Immigration Law Firm
51:56 The Journey to Immigration Law
58:11 Long-Lasting Client Relationships
59:55 The Fulfillment of Helping Others
01:02:18 Transitioning to Immigration Law
01:05:21 Navigating Vulnerability in Immigration
01:11:15 Finding Hope in Adversity
01:14:59 Preparing for Change in Immigration
01:19:44 Building a New Jiu-Jitsu School
01:22:09 Creating a Positive Training Environment
01:27:54 Outro
Podcast Links:
* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod
* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social
* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
--------
1:28:19
--------
1:28:19
Paulus Steyn, Black Belt, Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Scuba Diver, Professor - Beyond the Belt #29
This is a conversation with Petrus Paulus Steyn, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Paulus is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Assistant professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and life long Scuba diver.
Episode Links:
* Hospital: https://www.chop.edu/doctors/steyn-petrus-paulus
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/southpaulu
* Teaching: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p9279638
* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=36588
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Journey to Black Belt
06:17 The Difficulty of Good Coaching
10:53 Life and Jiujitsu
18:34 Working with Children in Medicine
24:08 Navigating Patient Interactions
30:42 Being a Patient
32:20 The Reality of Anesthesia: High Stakes Moments
37:43 The Journey to Becoming a Doctor
42:22 The Impact of Malpractice Concerns
53:59 Teaching the Next Generation of Medical Professionals
01:07:57 The Fascination and Limitations of AI
01:15:48 Humility and Communication
01:29:59 The Joy of Scuba Diving
01:37:09 Overcoming Fear in Diving and Skydiving
01:43:07 The Thrill and Risks of Skydiving
01:50:36 The Importance of Humility in Life
01:56:28 Life Advice and the Future
02:02:55 Outro
Podcast Links:
* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod
* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social
* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
--------
2:03:15
--------
2:03:15
Steve Jolly, Black Belt, Minister, Non-Profit Founder - Beyond the Belt #28
This is a conversation with Steve Jolly, a black belt out of El Paso, Texas, USA. Steve is a Minister, traveled the world helping to provide clean water, and is the Founder/Director of the Rio Bravo project.
If you have the financial ability to donate to the Rio Bravo Project, go to https://www.riobravoproject.com/give where you can either do a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution. Or if you have the ability to donate kids Gis or other BJJ gear, reach out to Steve directly on Instagram.
Episode Links:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenjolly
* Rio Bravo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riobravoproject
* Rio Bravo Project: https://www.riobravoproject.com/
* Rio Bravo Donations: https://www.riobravoproject.com/give
* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=16487
* Give Clean Water Charity: https://givecleanwater.org/
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:47 Journey to Black Belt
03:46 Getting into BJJ
09:48 Ego and Tapping in Jiujitsu
12:56 Teaching Kids Jiujitsu
15:45 Discipline and Self-Control in Martial Arts
25:00 The Rio Bravo Project
33:24 Funding the Dream: Grassroots Support
36:15 Going Beyond Jiujitsu
41:08 Comprehensive Programs for Kids
50:17 Getting Clean Water to Fiji
59:40 Living Life for Others
01:09:01 Education to Ministry
01:11:41 Finding Your Own Definition of Ministry and Service
01:15:31 Connecting Through Service
01:22:01 Global Perspectives on Life
01:28:31 Looking Ahead
01:32:05 Outro
Podcast Links:
* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod
* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social
* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
--------
1:32:46
--------
1:32:46
Heidi Cheng, Black Belt, 3D Fashion Engineer, Seamstress, Reclaimer - Beyond the Belt #27
This is a conversation with Heidi Cheng, a black belt out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Heidi is a Fashion Engineer and Technical Designer, a seamstress, and a reclaimer of goods.
Episode Links:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi.im_heidi
* Beltchecker: https://www.beltchecker.com/profile.php?id=45315
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-cheng-449792a/
* Training Academy: "The Jiujitsu Company" - https://www.instagram.com/thejiujitsucompany
* Decorative Embroidery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashiko
* Mending Pottery with Gold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:17 Journey to Black Belt
01:18 Heidi's Seminar
06:58 Discovering the Love for Jiu-Jitsu
12:49 Advice for Women in Jiu-Jitsu
17:58 Overcoming Challenges in Training
20:10 The Joy of Learning and Problem Solving
23:11 Crafting and Creativity Beyond the Mat
26:54 Getting into Sewing
35:03 The Role of a Technical Designer
39:32 Navigating Challenges in Fashion Design
42:22 Seeing Your Work in the Real World
44:31 Transitioning to 3D Design
47:00 Personal vs. Professional Sewing
48:58 The Pursuit of Perfection
52:10 Embracing New Hobbies
56:27 Life Advice: Stick with It
01:02:19 Outro
Podcast Links:
* Podcast Website: https://www.beyondthebeltpod.com/
* Spotify: https://btb.fan/spotify
* Apple Podcasts: https://btb.fan/apple
* RSS: https://btb.fan/rss
Social:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondthebeltpod
* Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Youtube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthebeltpod
* Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/beyondthebeltpod.bsky.social
* Facebook: https://btb.fan/fb
Welcome to Beyond the Belt, a podcast that explores the intersection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and everyday life. In each episode, we sit down with black belts who don’t have Jiujitsu as their primary source of income. They are practitioners (and sometimes also coaches) who balance their love for BJJ with successful careers, family life, and personal passions.
In each conversation, we dive into how BJJ has helped their life, share stories that represent who they are as a person and show that there is more to them than just jiujitsu. We nerd out about the things important to them on and off the mats.
Whether you’re a BJJ enthusiast, someone curious about the sport, or just looking for inspiration in balancing your passions with life’s demands, Beyond the Belt offers insights and stories that resonate on and off the mats.