The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio

Dave Camarillo has been training in the martial arts since he was five years old. He started Jiu-Jitsu when he was 19 years old. He is also known for coaching some of the best in the world of MMA. He also shares a story of a robbery that happened to him on a bus in Brazil.

Some highlights from the interview:

“I really don’t think that martial arts is for sport first, I sincerely believe that it is for self defense and self awareness.”

“Competition is not for everyone because it definitely has a psychological positive and negative.”

“I would rather a child be a good person than win a tournament.”

“I see an over emphasis on winning, that’s not good for kids, kids need to be happy.”

About students wanting to do MMA, “For 99% of people out there trying to fight, it should not be for a career…. It is for people who want to test themselves in that arena…. If your goal is to be famous (doing MMA) I won’t train you.”

When asked about goals for new students “Your first goal is attendance.”

“Jiu-Jitsu is not just about armbars… it is about being a better person… You will increase the quality of your life in all aspects, because you are in a safe environment around like-minded people.”

We also talk about:

His involvement with a combatives program

How his situational awareness in Brazil helped him avoid making a big mistake

Dealing with weapons in a street fight

Self defense and jiu-jitsu

Advice on how to flow your jujitsu techniques

The power of family members training together

Kids and martial arts

Forcing kids to take a martial art and other life skill

Having a positive training environment for kids to train

The differences between Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

How hard he was pushed as a kid doing Judo

Advice for someone wanting to do MMA

Advice for someone transitioning from Jiu-Jitsu to MMA

Some of the rules of Judo and how people adjust to them

How it is important for a kids program to have a rewards system

Goals for new students

Want more Dave Camarillo? Here is how you keep up with him:

Quote of the week: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” English proverb. Sometimes you need to be pushed and go through some hard times in order to become better. When you are on the mat, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

Article of the week: The All Time Best 5 Submissions In MMA /UFC

Want a better Guillotine Choke? Check out this seminar by our friend Roy Marsh!

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast