OFF THE MAT: Recent Episodes
Justine & Karina
Karina Zaldivar and Justine Payton, collaborators in choking each other, met at their very first Brazillian jiu-jitsu class. Hear them discuss sweaty men, feminism, the bruises of fighting, challenges of life and all things jiu-jitsu!
In this final episode, Karina and Justine take a look at where they are now, where they came from at the start of their jiu-jitsu journey, and what the future holds. With Karina leaving to study abroad in London and Justine moving out of Gainesville with plans to hike the Appalachian Trail, they each bring to the discussion their reflections on their time spent training on the mat, as well as the experience of filming Off the Mat. For a chance to say goodbye to your two favorite co-hosts, take a listen!
In this special episode, Justine and Karina interview Paul and Meg — husband and wife Jiu-Jitsu partners and physical therapy entrepreneurs. Engaging in athletics throughout their lives, they found their way to jiu-jitsu, a sport where their in-depth knowledge of the physical body and how to care for it both on and off the mat allows them to excel. From attending Jiu-Jitsu camps around the country to their unique expertise as physical therapists, this is an episode you don't want to miss!
In this episode, Justine and Karina explore the growing recognition that engagement in a martial art such as jiu-jitsu can contribute to healing from trauma. In overcoming an experience of powerlessness, the reclamation of power on the mat coupled with a connection to and autonomy over one's own body and mind has proven time and again to be an empowering exploration. Through her own experience as a survivor of sexual assault, Justine brings personal reflections and thoughts to the discussion — challenges, the successes, and, ultimately, the lasting rewards and transformation.
In Off The Mat's 9th episode, jiu-jitsu coach Marybeth joins Karina and Justine for an incredible discussion! A third-degree black belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, Marybeth brings over two decades of martial arts knowledge to the conversation. We discuss her interest in martial arts, trends she's noticed over the years, the importance of mastering the fundamentals, and ultimately, how to go the distance on the mat!
In this episode, Karina and Justine recount the six weeks of training, absurd levels of bruising, sweat, tears, and determination that brought them into the arena for their first Pan American IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Listen as they take you through their journey from start to finish — an experience that challenged, inspired, and pushed forward their jiu-jitsu goals.
In this week's episode, Justine and Karina explore an idea that is talked about but often neglected in practice - self-care. From recovery days to hot showers, yoga, and dealing with sickness while training, there are inevitable ups and downs that come with engaging in such an active sport. With the physical and mental challenges that jiu-jitsu presents, self-care is an important component of success - not just on the mat, but off the mat as well.
Get to know your two favorite co-hosts with this week's special Q&A episode! From places traveled and favorite drinks to the importance of family and the frequency of washing their gis, Karina and Justine answer a series of questions from each other in this back-and-forth conversation. Dive deeper into the lives of these two - off the mat!
Join Karina and Justine in welcoming their first guest speaker, Austin B! Their friend and training partner, Austin brings his unique perspective to the table as a guy who rolls with girls, as well as being a father who has his own daughter enrolled in jiu-jitsu classes. From what crosses his mind when he faces a girl on the mat to the clothing mishaps that are inevitable, this episode is filled with laughs and insights into the world of dicks & chicks both on and off the mat.
"Rolling" is a term used in jiu-jitsu to indicate sparring or drilling at varying degrees of intensity - perhaps the most intense part of any class! It can be confusing at first, ridiculous to observe, and yet, for Karina and Justine, it's the most instructive part of their training. Listen to them describe their realizations, trepidations and hopes for rolling through their jiu-jitsu journey!
In their third episode, Karina and Justine hit a milestone in their jiu-jitsu journey - their first competition! Listen to them discuss their expectations and preparation, as well as the details of what actually happened on the mat. Spoiler alert: someone pukes in the end.
Justine and Karina kick off their second episode with a compiled list of "Do's and Don'ts" for a successful jiu-jitsu class! From wearing skin-tight clothes to nipple piercings, they cover it all with some amusing personal anecdotes along the way.
In this first episode, Justine and Karina introduce you to who they are, why they started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and what their first class was like!