We talk about his journey, from starting Judo at the age of 19 in Japan, to competing at the Olympics, winning Bronze at the Sumo World Championships and how his experiences and lessons learnt on the Judo mat have translated into successful business ventures following retiring from competitive Judo.
Following his competitive career, Michael has smoothly transitioned into coaching Judo athletes, initially at Judo Scotland and more recently he works as a High Performance coach at Judo Saskatchewan in Canada.
We discuss his competitive Judo career highlights, how he prepared mentally for competitions and how this has helped him be a better coach.
During our conversation, we discuss her training program, aspirations of competing at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and her mental preparations on the day of a competition.
Following his competitive career, Danny has gone on to set up the incredibly successful Craven Judo Academy (https://cravenjudo.co.uk) and is currently the North West of England Area Manager.
During our conversation, we discuss his journey from athlete to coach, the joys of making weight for competitions, running a highly successful Judo Schools business and the new skills required for a Judo coach in 2021.
During our conversation, we discuss his journey to the 2016 Olympic Games, what it’s like to be an athlete in 2021, how the Olympic qualification process is different this time around and his work with Australian Charity Life Line.
Amongst his other accomplishments, he is 4 time Senior Oceania Champion, 3 time Senior Australian National Champion and medalist at numerous World and European Cup events, including Gold in the Oceania Open.
During our conversation, we discuss his interesting journey to the 2016 Olympic Games, juggling school and qualification events, what it’s like to be an athlete in 2021, how the Olympic qualification process is different this time around and what his plans for the future in the sport are.
During our conversation, we discuss his competitive career and his subsequent transition in High Performance Coaching.
Following he competitive career he has gone on to create Beyond Grappling, which was ranked as one of the best online Judo resources in 2020 by the International Judo Federation. He is an Author, with many of his books ranked number 1 on Amazon. And he also runs one of the largest Judo clubs in Australia.
We discuss his competitive career, dealing with the post Olympic blues, having to relearn Judo following the 2009 rule changes and his transition into being a world renowned coach.
A Conversation With Ivo Dos Santos (Episode #9)
Ivo is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, whose career accolades include 6 Oceania Titles, 5 Australian National Titles, numerous International Medals, and he also represented Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
During our conversation, we discuss his competitive career, his experience of competing at the Olympics and his subsequent transition to Coaching grassroots Judo and for the Australian National Team.
A Conversation with Brian Moore (Episode #10)
Brian is a 7th Degree Black Belt, who has been involved in Judo as a competitor and coach since the 1960s. He is Head Coach at the prestigious Bacup Judo Club, where he has coached players to numerous, European, Commonwealth and and World Championships, as well as multiple Olympic Games.
He was the North West of England Area Coach for 12 years, the Great Britain Squad Coach for the Under 18s team for 15 years and the support coach for the Team GB Senior Squad for over 10 years.
During our conversation, we discuss his coaching career, his experiences working with Tony Macconnell and his thought on the importance of character building.
A Conversation With Nathan Katz Tokyo Olympic Edition (Episode #11)
Nathan returns to the podcast to share his roller-coaster ride of a journey over the past two months ago, to again being in quarantine, however, this time its following his participation in his second Olympic Games.
A Conversation with Sophie Cox (Episode #12)
Sophie is a two time Olympian, representing Team GB at the 2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympic Games. During her competitive career, she won 4 European Championship medals (2 Silver and 2 Bronze), a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal in 2002 (Manchester Com Games), a 7 Time British National Championship Gold medals and numerous other International medals.
Sophie now focuses her attention on coaching, at Bacup Judo Club, Kendal Judo Club and for the England Talent Development Squad.
We discuss her journey as a competitive Athlete, her time away from the sport, why she came back, her experiences competing at the Olympic Games and her transition into Coaching the England Squad.
A Conversation With Ewan Beaton (Episode #13)
Ewan is currently a High Performance Coach in Alberta, Canada, and has previously been a High Performance coach in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well. In addition to this, Ewan was the Canadian Olympic Team coach at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
As a competitive Athlete, Ewan represented Canada at 3 World Championships and at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He won the 1995 Pan American Championships and was a 5 time Canadian National Champion.
We discuss his competitive career, his transition into High Performance Coaching and how the cold weather makes you mentally and physically tough.
A Conversation with David Groom Feat. Special Guest Host Tyler Bell (Episode #14)
I wanted to try something a little different with this episode.
Tyler started learning Judo when he was 4 years old, and I have been coaching him for the past three years. Recently, he asked me if he could be on the podcast and interview me…and I said yes!
Tyler wrote down some questions and we recorded the conversation.
A Conversation With Mike Liptrot (Episode #15)
Mike is Head Coach at the prestigious Kendal Judo Club located in the idyllic Lake District National Park in the Northwest of England. As a player, Mike was coached and mentored by the great Tony Macconnell, and as a coach, Mike has continued his legacy of creating brutal training programs that utilise the great outdoors.
Since 2010, Mike has played an active role in coaching and assisting athletes, not just Judoka, but also Boxers and Wrestlers, from the Oceania Region. In 2012, he hosted the Pre-Olympic Training Camp for qualified athletes competing in the London Olympics and was the coach for the Kiribati Judoka, Kinaua Biribo, at the recent Tokyo Olympic Games.
We discuss his work with the Oceania athletes, his recent trip to the Tokyo Olympic Games as coach for Kiribati, how he developed one of the UKs most successful Judo Clubs and what his plans are for the future.
A Conversation with Justine Bishop (Episode #16)
Justine has medaled 5 times at the Oceania Continental Championships, taking the Gold in 2016. She has fought in 4 World Championships, has won numerous medals at Continental Open’s and has won 7 New Zealand National Championship titles.
Leading into the Tokyo Olympics, Justine qualified for The Games through the IJF Continental Quota, however, did not meet the Judo New Zealand requirements and so unfortunately did not compete at the Games.
During our conversation, we discuss Judo in New Zealand, what it was like trying to qualify for the Olympics with the extra challenges the past two years have thrown at athletes, her journey to try a secure selection and what’s next for her as an athlete and coach.
A Conversation With Wayne Phipps (Episode #17)
Wayne Phipps, originally started learning Judo in South Africa. He went on to win the South African National Championships and from this he represented South Africa Internationally, with the highlight being competing at the 1993 World Championships in the -60kg category.
In 2010, Wayne relocated to Australia and after being diagnosed with a visual impairment, his coach suggested he consider competing in Para-Judo.
During our conversation, we discuss his journey learning Judo, dealing with his Visual Impairment diagnosis and his road to competing in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
A Conversation with Matt D’Aquino Part 2 (Episode #18)
Matt D’Aquino is an Australian Representative, who has won numerous National Championships, Oceania Championships and who also represented Australia at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Matt was a guest on Episode #8 of the podcast (https://youtu.be/VgUizubaG-Q) where we primarily discussed High Performance Judo and his Olympic experience.
In this episode, we talk about grassroot Judo, how to develop as a recreational player, how to set up your own Dojo and building an online coaching platform.
A Conversation With Mark Brewer (Episode #19)
Mark Brewer is a New Zealand Representative, who has won numerous National Championships, the 2013 Oceania Championships and represented New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he placed seventh.
Mark is now based in Sydney, Australia, where he is honing his craft as a Strength & Conditioning Coach. His company, Fighters Performance, specialises in developing combat athletes and as he puts it, “Makes them harder to kill”!!
In this episode, we talk about S&C for elite and aspiring elite level Judo players, how to build a program and what not to include. We talk about how important S&C is for hobbyist Judo players and whether or not stretching is a waste of time.
A Conversation with Dave Roman – Host of the Judo Chop Suey Podcast (Episode #20)
Dave is the host of the long running and highly successful Judo Chop Suey Podcast.
In our conversation, we discuss why he started his own podcast, new and old IJF Rules, what we thought about the Tokyo Olympics, what we’re looking forward to seeing at the Pairs Games and how we think Judo will develop as a sport in the future.
A Conversation With Dr Derek Mueller (Episode #21)
Dr Derek Mueller is a psychologist who researches, writes, and speaks about the science of sports performance for Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Pacific University in Oregon and began his Judo study at Portland Judo Club during this time. He competes at the local, regional and national levels in Judo and BJJ, currently training at Yungwirth Judo Academy and Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
We talk about the mental side of training in Judo and BJJ, competition preparation, how to handle the pressure on the day of the competition and dealing with the post comp blues/euphoria.
Derek has a book, “The Mental Game”, which is a workbook designed to assist Judo and BJJ athletes increase their performance, with a step-by-step method, backed by science and research. At the time of uploading this episode, Derek is also conducting research on the Self-Efficacy of Judo/BJJ players and also competition anxiety levels. The information for this can also be found using the link below:
A Conversation with Ivica Pavlinic (Episode #22)
Ivica originally started Judo in New Zealand, and went on to represent his country, nationally and internationally, winning multiple National and Oceania Championships. He had a top 16 finish at the 2013 World Championships, competed for New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and was on the edge of competing in the Olympic Games twice, at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Ivica is the current coach of the NSW State Team, Australian Cadet Squad and still finds the time to coach grassroots Judo at the UNSW judo Club in Sydney.
A Conversation With Vince Skillcorn (Episode #23)
Vince represented Great Britain as a Cadet, where he fought at both the European Championships and Youth Olympic Games, as a Junior and Senior level Athlete.
Following an early retirement at 24years old from competitive Judo, Vince transitioned into coaching, initially at the prestigious Camberley Judo Club, before going out on his own to build one of the UKs biggest Judo Clubs, Fighting Fitness Judo.
Vince has an MSc in Advanced Sports Coaching, a BJA Level 5 and UKCC Level 4 Coaching Award.
A Conversation with Andy Hung (Episode #24)
Andy Hung began his Judo journey in his home State of Hawaii as part of the High School system there. From here, he continued his learning at the prestigious San Jose College, where he graduated with a Business Management Degree. And has medalled at numerous competitions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Trials for the US Team, the US Miami Nationals, teh NCJA Florida Championships, NCJA Illinois Championships and the USA Fall Classic in Harlingen.
Following his competitive carrer, Andy created the Dojo Outiftters, where he sells his own brands of Martial Arts apparel and gear online and through his own brick and mortar store. Andy holds a Black Belt in both Judo and BJJ and runs academies in Judo (Portland Judo) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (PDXBJJ).
A Conversation With Michael Horley – Part 2 (Episode #25)
Michael represented Great Britain for a number of years, with career highlights including competing at the 2010 World Championships in Tokyo, ranking number 1 on the European Ranking list in 2013 and also winning numerous European Cup medals, including the prestigious German Open.
Following his competitive career, Michael has smoothly transitioned into coaching Judo athletes, initially at Judo Scotland and more recently he works as a High Performance coach at Judo Saskatchewan in Canada.
We discuss High Performance Coaching, Long Term Athlete Development for Judo and how to prepare younger Judoka physically and mentally for the stresses of training at an elite level.
A Conversation with Alex Haecker (Episode #26)
Alex Haecker has extensive coaching experience, working his way up through the German system to the Sports Director at Hamburg’s Judo Association, before moving on to coach the Luxembourg National Team.
More recently, Alex has relocated to Australia to coach his wife and Australian representative, Katharina Haecker, who under Alex’s guidance, has won 6 Continental Championships, multiple IJF World Tour medals, placed 7th at the 2018 World Championships and competed at two Olympic Games, 2016 and 2020.
We discuss the German Judo system, differences between Judo in Germany, Luxembourg and Australia, the importance of doing the right training at the right time in an athlete’s development and the amazing opportunities Judo has to offer.
A Conversation With David Groom & Chuck Jefferson – Judo Fanatics Edition (Episode #27)
This episode was originally recorded for the Judo Fanatics podcast, which has unfortunately taken a long hiatus, and so was not realised on their platform.
Kindly, the Judo Fanatics Team have agreed to let me share this episode with you through The JudoWay of Life.
I (David Groom) have a very enjoyable conversation with American Judoka, Chuck Jefferson, where we talk about how I got started in Judo, key influences in my development as a Judoka, my thoughts on Judo versus BJJ and the content I filmed for Judo Fanatics.
A Conversation with Julien Brulard aka The Judo Nomad
(Episode #28)
Julien is a French Judoka who has undertaken the greatest of Judo adventures!
Travelling solo, Julien has set out to visit and practice Judo in every single country around the World…that’s 197 countries.
With several limitations, including no flights and no hotels, at the time of recording, Julien has visited 24 countries so far and we catch up just as he reaches Kazakhstan and is only able to find wifi in a local Starbucks coffee shop (so you may be able to hear some milk being frothed in the background)!
If you want to follow or help support Julien’s project, you can find all the information via: https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_
A Conversation With Aoife Coughlan (Episode #29)
Aoife is an Australian Judoka who competes in the -70kg category.
In 2021, Aoife fought in the Tokyo Olympics, placing in the Top 16 at her debut Games and followed up this in 2022 where she won Gold at her debut Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Since 2012, Aoife has won 9 Continental Championship medals, including 2 Golds.
We talk about her current training program and how it has evolved over the years, the interesting road to the Tokyo Olympics and Birmingham Commonwealth Games and her plans for the future.
A Conversation with Romina Titanti
(Episode #30)
Romina is a highly accomplished grappler, specialising in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
As a Judoka, Romina has trained around the world, learning various styles of Judo, before reaching Sydney Australia, where she recently attained her Dan Grade.
She won the 2021 Australian National Championships in the -52kg category. Romina is also a BJJ Brown Belt and in 2021 she won the ADCC National Championships Pro Division and the UAEJJF Oceania Continental Pro Championships, which she also won in 2020. She also won the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championships and IBJJF Sydney International Open in 2019.
We talk about how she got involved in Judo and BJJ, why she took some time away from Judo and what brought her back to the sport, how the two disciplines align for her and the Australian Grading process.