Professor Justin Lesko, a former professional MMA fighter who now works in finance and hosts That Jiu-Jitsu Podcast, talks with Pete, who is hosting solo while Professor Lucas Rubbo is home with his first child. Justin explains how he drifted from music school to restaurants and banking before jiu-jitsu gave him direction, and how a first amateur MMA fight about a year into training, won by rear-naked choke in the third round, changed everything. He took a second fight a month later, called off a planned move to Florida, and traces his wife, his kids and his whole life since back to that one decision.

A former percussionist, Justin credits music for his pattern recognition and his habit of drilling both sides, even forcing himself to play half guard on his weaker side. He believes everyone should try competing once but no one should be forced to, and describes coming back from serious knee surgery in his mid-30s with a heel hook win in about 30 seconds. He talks candidly about the calm, unsettling thoughts that surface mid-match, why jiu-jitsu is his mental health, and why he posts clips of himself getting tapped, suggesting that for every three submissions on Instagram you should have to post one of yourself getting caught.

In this episode

• 00:00 Introduction and Host Update
• 01:05 Guest Introduction: Professor Justin Lesko
• 02:43 Justin's Journey to Jiu Jitsu
• 05:44 The Thrill of Competition
• 10:28 Balancing Life and Jiu Jitsu
• 14:28 Musical Background and Jiu Jitsu
• 18:16 The Value of Competition for Everyone
• 22:51 Memorable and Significant Fights
• 25:00 The Beginning of a Fighting Journey
• 25:52 A Life-Changing Decision
• 27:09 Psychological Impact of Fighting
• 28:51 Lessons from the Cage
• 31:50 Jiu Jitsu and Personal Growth
• 35:48 The Equalizing Power of the Mat
• 40:46 Connecting with the Jiu Jitsu Community
• 42:40 The Reality of Social Media

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