Chess with Chokes: Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Is Smarter (and Harder) Than You Think

In this episode of Top of Mind, Dr. Patrick Slowinski dives into the brutal, beautiful world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with two seasoned practitioners: Scott Dance, a black belt, elite competitor, and head coach at ⁠District Martial Arts⁠, and Roman Slowinski, a brown belt with over a decade of training across the U.S., Russia, and Central Asia.

Together, they unpack what makes BJJ so uniquely challenging—from the long, grueling belt progression (only 5 belts!) to the intense physical toll of training and the mental resilience it demands. You’ll hear real stories of injury, discipline, and growth—including Roman’s two-year layoff after a white belt accident and Scott’s reflections on building champions in one of the world’s toughest sports.

https://districtmartialarts.com/

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