Beyond the Belt
Beyond the Belt
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes surrounding the benefits of practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, and the stories of individuals who excel in their professions beyond the sport. Example episodes include discussions with a member of parliament about how BJJ influences public service and a freelance photographer sharing lessons learned from travel and health challenges. Other topics include the therapeutic nature of hobbies, overcoming personal hardships, and the intersection of martial arts with various professional fields.

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.
This is a conversation with Nora Schoenthal, a black belt out of Cologne, Germany currently living in Barcelona, Spain. Nora is a mother and career person who has taken a hiatus from jiujitsu. She works in HR and is a head of People with a focus on Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development.
Episode Links:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/noranavigator
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noraschoenthal/
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Journey to Black Belt
03:59 Teaching vs. Competing in Jiu-Jitsu
06:22 Building a Community for Women in Jiu-Jitsu
09:20 Being Accepted in BJJ
14:22 Balancing Teaching and Personal Growth
21:08 Dealing with FOMO in the Jiujitsu Community
30:23 Finding Balance in Jiu Jitsu and Life
34:21 The Art of Talent Acquisition
40:32 Leveraging Internal Talent Markets
46:26 Motivating Employees for Continuous Learning
55:14 Balancing Automation and Human Touch in Hiring
59:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Development
01:06:41 The Role of HR Business Partners in Strategy
01:13:30 Learning and Development
01:18:16 Measuring Success in Learning and Development
01:23:24 Favorite Parts of the Job
01:27:00 Finding Your Own Path
01:32:49 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

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.