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 Mike McLean, a black belt out of Torquay, Victoria, Australia. Mike is an artist who focuses mostly on painting on reclaimed materials. He has painted hundreds of thousands of Wagtails that have made it around the world. He’s also an art teacher and a poet.
Episode Links:
* Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanartist
* Will the Wagtail Instagram: https://instagram.com/@willythewagtail
* World Wide Wag Tails: https://instagram.com/@worldwidewagtails
* Mike’s Poetry: https://instagram.com/@mikemcleanpoet
* YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MikeMcleanArtist
Contact:
* Be a Guest: https://btb.fan/newguest
Outline:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Journey to Black Belt
03:28 Training for Longevity
08:29 Reflections on Life and Jiu Jitsu
14:25 Getting Into Jiujitsu
16:53 Balancing BJJ, Family, and Relationships
19:51 Family Road Trip
24:52 Artistic Journey and Career
36:11 Getting Into Art
45:23 Artistic Materials and Economic Choices
50:35 The Wagtail Phenomenon
59:02 An Emotional Painting for Jamie
01:02:40 Immersive Activities
01:04:55 Getting Into Poetry
01:11:32 Living a Life of Happiness
01:15:53 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.