title

Starting Strength Gyms Library

title

Press Programming Key Principles

title

Press Programming Protocol Reference

title

Press Programming Decision Tree

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UTF-8

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uploadDate

2025-08-18T05:15:00Z

description

In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with John Valentine — BJJ black belt, active-duty military instructor, and founder of the Combatives Association. They discuss the fundamentals of real-world self-defense, the importance of pressure testing in training, and how martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fit into the broader self defense picture. The conversation covers coaching integrity, effective learning methods, and how to build sustainable skills that actually work under stress. John also shares details about the upcoming Combatives Summit (October 24–26 in D’Iberville, MS), plus the launch of the Combatives coaching platform. Whether you’re a coach, martial artist, or someone interested in personal protection, this episode will help you think more clearly about what training really prepares you for. 🔗 Learn more about the Combatives Summit: combativesummit.com ⸻ 00:00 – Introduction and guest background 02:00 – The origin of the Combatives Association 04:30 – Building an honest community around fighting and training 09:00 – Why fighting is simple but training often overcomplicates it 12:00 – Core truths of stand-up clinch, striking, and grappling 16:30 – Positions that matter: parallel vs. perpendicular fighting 18:20 – Weapons considerations and the limits of BJJ 21:00 – Why pressure testing matters more than techniques 24:00 – Wrestling as the foundation of fighting 26:30 – Jiu-Jitsu as the best entry point for most people 28:30 – Has BJJ abandoned self-defense to Krav Maga? 33:30 – Striking, clinching, grappling, and weapons: it’s always “yes” 35:00 – Legal aftermath and what martial arts don’t teach 37:00 – Self-defense vs. fitness classes 39:00 – Why BJJ “on accident” builds fighting ability better than most systems 43:00 – The role of coaching and integrity in self-defense training 46:30 – How most training preserves systems, not effectiveness 48:30 – Why information isn’t the problem — coaching is 51:00 – The dangers of repackaging combatives material 55:00 – Skipping the process gets people hurt 56:00 – Drilling vs. ecological/constraints-based learning 01:00:00 – Good coaching vs. bad teaching in martial arts 01:04:30 – Anecdotes, authority, and developing skill 01:06:50 – Suggested path to becoming self-reliant in self-defense 01:10:30 – John’s advice for beginners starting martial arts 01:13:30 – Situational awareness and reducing vulnerability 01:14:30 – Legal education and concealed carry training 01:15:30 – Combatives Summit 2025 details (Oct 24–26) 01:18:45 – Coaching platform and professional community launch 01:21:20 – Sponsors and community support for the Summit 01:22:30 – The value of surrounding yourself with high-level people 01:23:30 – Closing thoughts and takeaways *Connect With* #startingstrengthgyms https://www.instagram.com/startingstrengthgyms https://www.facebook.com/startingstrengthgyms https://www.linkedin.com/company/starting-strength-gyms 🔗 *Book your free 30-min session:* https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/free-session.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ytreferral 🔗 *Own a Gym:* https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/own-a-gym.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ytreferral 🔗 *Train at a gym:* https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/locations.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ytreferral 🔗 *Coach at a gym:* https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/become-a-coach.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ytreferral 🔗 *Shop for apparel:* https://store.startingstrengthgyms.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ytreferral #startingstrengthgyms #startingstrength #strengthtraining #fitness

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