Jocko Underground: Issues With Training Jiu Jitsu with Women Partners.

A listener asks for advice on a relationship issue: his wife is uncomfortable with him training jiu-jitsu in close positions (mount, closed guard) with female training partners, even though she trusts him completely. She admits to feeling insecure about his training with athletic women. The man rarely trains with women anyway and wonders whether he should simply avoid it or handle the situation differently.

Jocko's response is straightforward: stop training with women. He emphasizes that there is no upside to continuing, no training benefit is gained, and the relationship with his wife and family should be paramount. He stresses that no one in a jiu-jitsu class is obligated to train with anyone else and that declining to roll with certain partners is completely normal and acceptable. He advises the man to simply say no without over-explaining or bringing personal details into the gym conversation—it's between him and his wife.

Echo Charles initially agrees but adds nuance by acknowledging the cultural loyalty aspect some martial artists feel toward their sport and training community. However, he ultimately reinforces that family priorities supersede gym etiquette. Echo notes that while he still trains with women (including world-class athletes like his daughters and professional competitors), he's trained with fewer women over time simply due to fewer women being present in his training circles.

A significant part of their discussion focuses on the physical intimacy of jiu-jitsu. Echo points out that jiu-jitsu is arguably the most physically intimate sport, with positions like mount bearing striking similarities to sexual positions. This observation contextualizes why the wife's concern, while stemming from insecurity, has a legitimate physical basis that doesn't require judgment.

The episode concludes with a transition to promoting Jocko Underground, a subscription service designed to reduce reliance on external platforms and provide better community engagement, priced at $8-18 per month with assistance available for those who cannot afford it.