In this episode our guest Maria Rios shared her experiences competing at the Worlds as a newly minted black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She discusses the nerves and challenges of competing at such a high level, the importance of training partners, and the dynamics of competition. The conversation also touches on her recent trip to Las Vegas, where she enjoyed the sights and experiences outside of the typical party scene. Finally, Maria reflects on family traditions during the holidays, emphasizing the joy of togetherness and the nostalgia of childhood memories. In this engaging conversation, we reflected on our childhood winter memories, express gratitude for the support we receive in our athletic pursuits, and discuss the importance of coaching and tough training. We delve into the realities of handling confrontations, the necessity of consistent practice in self-defense, and the role of training in law enforcement. The conversation is peppered with humor and critiques of self-defense techniques found online, emphasizing the need for realistic training and preparation. Chapters

00:00 Maria's Experience at Nogi Worlds

02:56 Competing as a Black Belt

05:48 Training Partners and Female Competitors

08:24 The Dynamics of Training

11:10 Experiences in Las Vegas

16:28 The Unique Aspects of Las Vegas

22:18 The Evolution of Sports in Las Vegas

26:30 Gambling Stories and High Stakes

30:02 The Dark Side of Gambling

32:44 Family Traditions and Christmas Spirit

34:00 The Santa Claus Dilemma

37:46 Christmas Memories and Family Gatherings

42:04 The Joy of Christmas Traditions

44:37 Music and Memories in the Holiday Season

49:19 Nostalgic Christmas Memories

50:29 Gratitude for Support and Sponsorships

52:58 The Importance of Coaches and Teammates

54:39 Training and Real-Life Applications

58:12 Handling Confrontations and Personal Safety

01:03:38 The Nature of Fights and Confidence

01:08:07 Critique of Online Self-Defense Techniques

01:10:02 Humor in Martial Arts and Self-Defense

01:12:41 Critique of Self-Defense Techniques

01:15:29 The Importance of Consistent Practice

01:18:37 Training for Real-Life Scenarios

01:22:37 The Role of Law Enforcement Training

01:25:20 Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement

01:28:43 The Need for Humility in Training