Episode
#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
3:43:23
Published: Sun May 09 2021
Description
John Danaher is a coach, scholar, and educator of jiu jitsu, submission grappling, judo, MMA, and the martial arts. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit - SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera - Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit - Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit EPISODE LINKS: John's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaherjohn PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:02) - Fear of death (17:18) - The path to greatness (22:57) - Judo (27:07) - Seoi nage judo throw (39:21) - Fundamentals of jiu jitsu (45:34) - Developing new techniques (53:24) - Value of training with lower belts (1:03:23) - Escaping bad positions (1:10:18) - Submissions (1:14:30) - Reinventing yourself in 5 years (1:30:38) - Drilling (1:49:10) - Leglock system (2:08:44) - How hard is it to break a leg? (2:12:52) - Greatest jiu jitsu player ever (2:17:42) - Roger Gracie (2:22:25) - Gordon Ryan (2:27:16) - Georges St-Pierre (2:36:26) - Superintelligent Robot vs Cyborg Gordon Ryan (3:12:07) - Advice to white belts (3:15:24) - What does it take to get a black belt (3:16:09) - Best martial art for street fighting (3:23:23) - Tie chokes (3:27:44) - Austin (3:32:23) - Meaning of life
Chapters
John Danaher, a widely acknowledged coach and mind in the martial arts world, discusses his expertise in jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as his knowledge in history, psychology, philosophy, and even artificial intelligence.
00:00 - 01:38 (01:38)
Summary
John Danaher, a widely acknowledged coach and mind in the martial arts world, discusses his expertise in jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as his knowledge in history, psychology, philosophy, and even artificial intelligence. The conversation delves into the value of training and competing in jiu-jitsu for recreational practitioners and listeners alike.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the host talks about maintaining a connection with humans and deep dives into the importance of customer service to businesses like SimpliSafe and Linode.
01:38 - 07:30 (05:51)
Summary
In this episode, the host talks about maintaining a connection with humans and deep dives into the importance of customer service to businesses like SimpliSafe and Linode.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
John Donahue reflects on his fear of death and the ultimate fate of the universe.
07:30 - 13:33 (06:03)
Summary
John Donahue reflects on his fear of death and the ultimate fate of the universe. He discusses the concept of the "third death," where one is forgotten by the entirety of consciousness in the universe.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of a great life is subjective and varies from person to person.
13:33 - 22:03 (08:29)
Summary
The concept of a great life is subjective and varies from person to person. It can refer to a single outstanding performance or a life of longevity, and even someone like Stalin could be considered great from a Machiavellian point of view.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this episode, the guest Travis Stevens talks about the sport of Judo, the attributes that lead to longevity, and how they can conflict with those that bring a powerful single performance.
22:03 - 25:35 (03:31)
Summary
In this episode, the guest Travis Stevens talks about the sport of Judo, the attributes that lead to longevity, and how they can conflict with those that bring a powerful single performance.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Travis Stevens shares his experience of being dominated by a Judo player who was not only good at throwing, but also at frustrating and strategically overpowering his opponents.
25:35 - 30:24 (04:49)
Summary
Travis Stevens shares his experience of being dominated by a Judo player who was not only good at throwing, but also at frustrating and strategically overpowering his opponents.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Learn about the standing Sanagi, a difficult shoulder throw in Judo that is rarely seen in modern competition due to the higher success rates of drop Sanagis.
30:24 - 34:41 (04:16)
Summary
Learn about the standing Sanagi, a difficult shoulder throw in Judo that is rarely seen in modern competition due to the higher success rates of drop Sanagis.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The choice of martial arts techniques is not solely based on aesthetic or beauty preferences, but also on effectiveness judgments.
34:43 - 39:13 (04:30)
Summary
The choice of martial arts techniques is not solely based on aesthetic or beauty preferences, but also on effectiveness judgments. Choosing the right techniques is a way to express oneself and achieve maximum performance.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In Jiu-Jitsu, the body lock is a controlling position used to exert a high percentage of strength against the opponent's low percentage of strength at a critical point.
39:13 - 47:04 (07:50)
Summary
In Jiu-Jitsu, the body lock is a controlling position used to exert a high percentage of strength against the opponent's low percentage of strength at a critical point. By applying around 40 units of strength, one can easily shut down most of their entries during combat.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The history of scientific development illustrates the tension between protecting and nurturing new theories versus rigorously testing them with harsh testing methods to verify or falsify them.
47:04 - 51:04 (04:00)
Summary
The history of scientific development illustrates the tension between protecting and nurturing new theories versus rigorously testing them with harsh testing methods to verify or falsify them. This discussion also applies to Jiu-Jitsu where simplistic assessments of scientific methods work better in training rooms versus advanced levels of science.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The key to getting more competitive in martial arts is to divide training cycles into non-competition periods and to work with people who are slightly below your skill level.
51:04 - 59:34 (08:30)
Summary
The key to getting more competitive in martial arts is to divide training cycles into non-competition periods and to work with people who are slightly below your skill level. It's important to remain open to new techniques and play around with a variety of belt types for development purposes.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Gary Tonen shares how escaping bad positions is crucial in order to demonstrate psychological dominance over one's opponent.
59:34 - 1:04:53 (05:18)
Summary
Gary Tonen shares how escaping bad positions is crucial in order to demonstrate psychological dominance over one's opponent. He also talks about his high level of skill in grappling and how it sets him apart from others.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Knowing how you're likely to lose in jiu-jitsu can help you make strategic decisions in a match and prevent those losses from occurring.
1:04:53 - 1:09:40 (04:47)
Summary
Knowing how you're likely to lose in jiu-jitsu can help you make strategic decisions in a match and prevent those losses from occurring.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares a lesson he learned from judo on focusing on preventing the opponent from passing his guard instead of working on escapes.
1:09:40 - 1:15:16 (05:35)
Summary
The speaker shares a lesson he learned from judo on focusing on preventing the opponent from passing his guard instead of working on escapes. He also touches on the importance of training for a variety of positions in order to increase the chances of finishing an opponent.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Evidence shows that with a well-planned training program, one can go from a beginner to a top-tier competitive level in a sport within five years.
1:15:17 - 1:23:15 (07:57)
Summary
Evidence shows that with a well-planned training program, one can go from a beginner to a top-tier competitive level in a sport within five years. The sport of jiu-jitsu does not favor one particular body type over another.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
To achieve progress in training, it is important to identify clear goals marked in time increments and build short-term goals into a program of long-term goals.
1:23:15 - 1:29:20 (06:05)
Summary
To achieve progress in training, it is important to identify clear goals marked in time increments and build short-term goals into a program of long-term goals. It is also essential to make sure that the training program changes over time and the level of challenge increases parallel to progress.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the importance of drilling in achieving mastery is discussed, emphasizing the need for continuous repetition, but not for the sake of numbers, rather for a better understanding of technique and innovation.
1:29:21 - 1:34:07 (04:45)
Summary
In this podcast, the importance of drilling in achieving mastery is discussed, emphasizing the need for continuous repetition, but not for the sake of numbers, rather for a better understanding of technique and innovation.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
High repetition training against a non-resisting opponent allows for a deeper understanding of body movement and technique application, but it requires a long-term commitment to drilling and perfecting a specific technique.
1:34:08 - 1:40:47 (06:39)
Summary
High repetition training against a non-resisting opponent allows for a deeper understanding of body movement and technique application, but it requires a long-term commitment to drilling and perfecting a specific technique. Simply drilling for numbers without dedication to technique will not lead to improvement.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
John Danaher discusses the art of drilling and the importance of being efficient with training time, as well as the opportunity cost of focusing solely on one technique.
1:40:47 - 1:45:30 (04:43)
Summary
John Danaher discusses the art of drilling and the importance of being efficient with training time, as well as the opportunity cost of focusing solely on one technique.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In jiu-jitsu training, drilling should make up a significant portion of a student's time in class to develop their repertoire.
1:45:30 - 1:52:23 (06:53)
Summary
In jiu-jitsu training, drilling should make up a significant portion of a student's time in class to develop their repertoire. Despite being underutilized and overshadowed by sparring, drilling is an effective way to introduce and expand a student's skills.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explores the concept of control through the legs in leg locking, leading to new entanglements and a shift from surprise and power-based attacks to controlled techniques.
1:52:23 - 1:59:29 (07:06)
Summary
This episode explores the concept of control through the legs in leg locking, leading to new entanglements and a shift from surprise and power-based attacks to controlled techniques.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast explores the emergence of new directions in leg locking and back attacks in Jiu Jitsu, as well as the discovery of an entire science and system of leg locks.
1:59:29 - 2:08:48 (09:18)
Summary
This podcast explores the emergence of new directions in leg locking and back attacks in Jiu Jitsu, as well as the discovery of an entire science and system of leg locks.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In combat sports, particularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, inside heel hooks can be incredibly dangerous and can easily break bones and tear ligaments if not properly defended against.
2:08:48 - 2:11:52 (03:04)
Summary
In combat sports, particularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, inside heel hooks can be incredibly dangerous and can easily break bones and tear ligaments if not properly defended against.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The greatest jiu-jitsu player of all time is arguably Hoxha Gracie, having proven himself across the four elements of the sport and achieving a top 10 ranking in mixed martial arts.
2:11:52 - 2:17:42 (05:50)
Summary
The greatest jiu-jitsu player of all time is arguably Hoxha Gracie, having proven himself across the four elements of the sport and achieving a top 10 ranking in mixed martial arts.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Hodger Gracie's use of simple jujitsu techniques, focus on perfect victory and strong passing game to mount and the back helped him to control and submit the best people in the world for many years, including winning in his return from retirement.
2:17:43 - 2:27:11 (09:28)
Summary
Hodger Gracie's use of simple jujitsu techniques, focus on perfect victory and strong passing game to mount and the back helped him to control and submit the best people in the world for many years, including winning in his return from retirement.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Fearlessness in the ring is not the only sign of mental strength in MMA fighters.
2:27:11 - 2:32:27 (05:16)
Summary
Fearlessness in the ring is not the only sign of mental strength in MMA fighters. Instilling discipline to consistently train and improve is critical for success in the sport.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The challenge in building an AI system to defeat a Jiu-Jitsu champion, such as Gordon Ryan, lies in the human artistry that cannot be easily formalized in an engineering discipline.
2:32:27 - 2:38:31 (06:04)
Summary
The challenge in building an AI system to defeat a Jiu-Jitsu champion, such as Gordon Ryan, lies in the human artistry that cannot be easily formalized in an engineering discipline. An AI system that beats a human in a sport highlights the level of difficulty of formalizing this art as a science.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The complexity of chess is so great that no computer could ever evaluate all possible moves in a given time frame.
2:38:32 - 2:45:29 (06:56)
Summary
The complexity of chess is so great that no computer could ever evaluate all possible moves in a given time frame. Instead, machine learning is being used to create a basic framework and observe which moves lead to success.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Cyborg chess or centaur chess, the pairing of human and artificial intelligence, has emerged as a powerful force in the world of chess.
2:45:29 - 2:56:24 (10:55)
Summary
Cyborg chess or centaur chess, the pairing of human and artificial intelligence, has emerged as a powerful force in the world of chess. This combination of human insight and heuristics with computers' ability to rapidly calculate numbers has proven to be one of the strongest combinations, overwhelming even the best humans and computers alone.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The development of a robot that can grapple like a human has proved challenging beyond just figuring out the biomechanics as all of the senses required for perception have also had to be replicated, and it remains difficult to build such a system that would be able to perceive the world as richly as a human can.
2:56:24 - 3:04:39 (08:15)
Summary
The development of a robot that can grapple like a human has proved challenging beyond just figuring out the biomechanics as all of the senses required for perception have also had to be replicated, and it remains difficult to build such a system that would be able to perceive the world as richly as a human can.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Humans and AI alike rely on heuristic rules and principles in decision-making, but as we increasingly rely on artificial systems, we run the risk of forgetting how to supervise and oversee edge cases where software bugs can have catastrophic consequences.
3:04:39 - 3:11:48 (07:09)
Summary
Humans and AI alike rely on heuristic rules and principles in decision-making, but as we increasingly rely on artificial systems, we run the risk of forgetting how to supervise and oversee edge cases where software bugs can have catastrophic consequences.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker emphasizes the significance of pin escapes, guard retention, and half guard bottom as crucial skills to master in jiu-jitsu.
3:11:48 - 3:16:22 (04:33)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the significance of pin escapes, guard retention, and half guard bottom as crucial skills to master in jiu-jitsu.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Combat sports, which involve competitive live sparring, provide better physical, mental conditioning, and skill development compared to non-sporting martial arts that rely on theoretical knowledge reinforced by passive drilling.
3:16:22 - 3:22:09 (05:46)
Summary
Combat sports, which involve competitive live sparring, provide better physical, mental conditioning, and skill development compared to non-sporting martial arts that rely on theoretical knowledge reinforced by passive drilling. In altercations outside of sports, tactical modifications derived from combat sports experience can increase one's chances of success.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker suggests wearing a clip-on tie for security jobs, as it can easily come off in case of a fight.
3:22:08 - 3:27:43 (05:34)
Summary
The speaker suggests wearing a clip-on tie for security jobs, as it can easily come off in case of a fight. He also mentions a type of tie called the "Texas bow tie," which is thin and short with a simple pendant in the middle.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The challenge of teaching a global and diverse group of students on location, while also being limited by a set schedule and location.
3:27:43 - 3:32:47 (05:03)
Summary
The challenge of teaching a global and diverse group of students on location, while also being limited by a set schedule and location.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode discusses how humans embrace danger to find meaning in life and take charge of their lives through their own authorship.
3:32:49 - 3:41:39 (08:49)
Summary
This episode discusses how humans embrace danger to find meaning in life and take charge of their lives through their own authorship. It also highlights how humans, when survival is guaranteed or if they kill themselves in vast numbers, it is usually linked back to the idea of meaning in life.
Episode#182 – John Danaher: The Path to Mastery in Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, Judo, and MMA
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The deepest sense of meaning in life is to find something that does little harm to others and mostly benefits them, becoming part of a community and living for something larger than oneself.
3:41:39 - 3:43:19 (01:40)
Summary
The deepest sense of meaning in life is to find something that does little harm to others and mostly benefits them, becoming part of a community and living for something larger than oneself. John Donahr also shares tips on training and skill development in this episode.