In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss how to keep randori safe. They explore key principles of self-preservation, fostering a safe training environment, and the role of instructors in maintaining controlled practice intensity. Shintaro shares insights on how to tailor training based on skill level, weight differences, and individual goals, em…

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in the martial arts world: "What am I doing wrong?" Drawing from personal experiences and examples, they explore the critical importance of context and detail in asking meaningful questions. Shintaro shares insights from recent seminars and how asking well-formed …

Shintaro recently participated in special training sessions with the Olympic Wrestling Gold Medalist Rei Higuchi as the translator, and shares this incredible experience with Peter. They dive deep into the technical side of wrestling, highlighting the unique challenges and nuances of grappling terminology across languages. Shintaro recounts how the…

After a 14-year absence, certain prestigious tournaments, including the All Japan Open Championship, are experimenting with reintroducing leg grabs. Shintaro and Peter discuss this groundbreaking rule change, potential IJF adoption, and what this means for judo practitioners globally. They also explore how this rule change might attract more wrestl…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with long-time judo competitor and coach, Ramon Hernandez, to discuss the evolving landscape of USA Judo. They dive into Judo politics, including the removal of Joe Ragan from the board, USA Judo elections, and the financial challenges facing the sport in the United States. Ramon shares his thoughts on the need f…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Matthew Parker to dive deep into the inner workings of USA Judo. Matthew, a former national team member and current candidate for USA Judo’s at-large board position, offers a unique perspective on the organization's challenges and future. They discuss the fragmented state of USA Judo, the need for improved c…

In this episode, Shintaro is joined by the legendary Jimmy Pedro, a two-time Olympic medalist and world champion in Judo, to discuss his campaign for the USA Judo Board. Jimmy opens up about his extensive experience as a coach and businessman, emphasizing the urgent need for structural reform in USA Judo. They explore topics ranging from developing…

In this special extra episode, Shintaro sits down with Nicole Stout, a four-time national champion and USA Judo board member. Nicole opens up about her fight for transparency and reform within USA Judo's leadership, offering an inside look at boardroom conflicts and governance issues affecting athletes. From advocating for athletes’ funding and tra…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with two-time Olympian and Grand Prix medalist Colton Brown to discuss the important issues that are on the ballot in the upcoming USA Judo election. They dive deep into the various challenges facing USA Judo and the importance of athlete representation. Colton offers candid insights on how the board operates, th…

​​USA Judo's board elections are fast approaching, and they could significantly shape the future of American Judo. In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Chris Round to discuss why this election is the most crucial in recent memory, particularly with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon. Chris explains the importance of voting, how the bo…

In this episode, Shintaro and Peter explore the concept of "Still Got It" training—a strategy for grapplers who can't train as consistently as before but want to maintain their skills and confidence. They discuss how this training style involves strategic choices in sparring partners, prioritizing less challenging opponents to get a good workout wi…

The much anticipated Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) concluded last month, and it really challenged the status quo of submission grappling as a sport. In this episode, Shintaro recaps what really stood out to him while watching CJI– its accessibility through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, the high-stakes million-dollar cash prize, and the str…

In this solo episode, Shintaro dives deep into the economics of hosting martial arts seminars, drawing from his extensive experience as both a clinician and a gym owner. Shintaro breaks down the various pricing strategies, including flat fees and percentage splits, and discusses how to evaluate the value of a seminar, not just as a moneymaker but a…

Here’s Part 2 of Shintaro and Peter’s Paris Olympics Judo recap! Shintaro and Peter talk about Abe Hifumi’s dominant performance, Hashimoto’s bronze medal, brutal final between Heydarov and Gaba, Nagase’s masterclass performance, and an exciting match between Murao and Bekauri. Shintaro and Peter then look into the statistics of Judo at the Paris O…

In this solo episode, Shintaro dives deep into the core principles of judo instruction. Challenging traditional methods, Shintaro advocates for a fundamental shift in teaching judo, emphasizing the importance of context, positional understanding, and movement over static drills. Drawing comparisons with wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shintaro s…

The Paris 2024 Summer Games have just wrapped up, leaving Judo fans with unforgettable moments. From Teddy Riner’s legendary gold medal win to Uta Abe’s heartbreaking loss, this first installment of our Paris 2024 series dives into the highs, lows, and everything in between. Join Shintaro and Peter as they break down their favorite moments, the big…

You asked and we answered! Shintaro and Peter answer some of the pressing questions asked by subscribers from what camera they use to how to do foot sweeps. If you liked this episode, please let us know and ask your questions, so we can do another Q&A episode in the future. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:38) What camera are you using? (00:03:08) Sh…

Recently, Shintaro hosted some special guests from Japan who are high-level Judokas. It was such a unique experience where they shared so many out-of-the-box Judo ideas to Shintaro and his students. In this episode, Shintaro tells Peter about this experience and what he learned from it. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:19) Visitors at the Dojo (00:03…

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro dives into the rising trend of "traincations"—vacations centered around intensive martial arts training. He discusses various traincation opportunities, from BJJ cruises to specialized camps like Camp Vertex, offering insights into the benefits and experiences of combining travel with dedicated…

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro and Peter delve into the challenges and strategies for getting back into judo after a long break. They discuss the psychological barriers that prevent practitioners from returning, the importance of identifying why you stopped in the first place, and practical steps to ease back into training. …

In this solo episode, Shintaro shares a quick update on his Judo life. From experimenting with new Judo and BJJ techniques to navigating the challenges of launching his Higashi Brand, Shintaro details the intricacies of his daily routines, training themes, and the creative process behind his innovative gi pants and other products. Whether you're a …

Filming instructional videos for martial arts can be a complex and intriguing process. In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Peter to share his personal experiences and insights into the world of grappling instructionals. Shintaro recounts his recent filming trip to Boston with BJJ Fanatics, exploring the evolving trends in nogi judo, the logist…

Endurance in grappling and martial arts is a crucial aspect often overlooked. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter dive deep into the intricacies of building and managing endurance specific to grappling sports like judo and BJJ. How do you improve your gas tank? What role does efficient movement play in conserving energy? Shintaro shares personal an…

The BJJ world has the latest and hottest rivalry, and it’s not between two athletes but two tournaments: ADCC vs. CJI! In this episode, Shintaro and Peter conduct a comparative study of Judo’s professional circuit and BJJ’s professional circuit in light of the ADCC vs. CJI controversy. From athlete compensation to rule changes and the future of gra…

No-Gi Judo has become exponentially more popular over the past year, and its evolution into its own discipline has been accelerating. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss Shintaro's recent seminars focusing on No-Gi Judo and how they've been received by grapplers. What’s the difference between The conversation highlights the differences betw…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with Chris Round for the second time to discuss his coaching strategies and pedagogy. They discuss Chris's nonprofit initiatives, and the growth of his judo club, High Noon Judo, based in Alexandria, Virginia. The conversation also dives into the pedagogical approaches in judo training, particularly the ecologica…

As many of you know, Shintaro grew up with a Judo parent (his father), and he himself is a Judo parent. In this episode, Shintaro goes into the details of his relationship with his father and Judo, and how it has affected him in raising her daughter. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon:…

Shintaro sits down with Dr. Doug Krohn, MD from CLn Skin Care to talk about skin care for grapplers. Dr. Krohn debunks common skin care myths among grapplers, offers recommendations on treating skin diseases and basic hygiene protocols. You can find CLn Skin Care products on https://www.clnwash.com/ or Amazon! Join our Discord server and start chat…

Shintaro and Peter sit down to do an extensive debrief of Shintaro’s recent trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Antalya, Turkey, where he had the opportunity to experience and commentate on the exhilarating world of high-level judo competition. Shintaro shares behind-the-scenes insights into event organization, athlete professionalism, and the evolving l…

In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro sits down with Robert Eriksson, the head coach for the new US Judo National Resident Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Robert shares insights into his transition from being the Swedish national team's head coach to taking on a pivotal role in USA Judo. They discuss Robert’'s coachin…

As some of you may know, Peter has been a PhD student since he quit his job as a software engineer back in 2020. During this time, he’s gained a lot of insight in scientific research and innovation, and how they are related to Judo. In this episode, Peter and Shintaro discuss how Peter has utilized his learnings from AI research into Judo, and vice…

In this episode, Shintaro sits down with legendary Dr. Rhadi Ferguson to talk about his journey through the world of Judo, BJJ, wrestling, Olympics and MMA. Dr. Ferguson shares his approach to coaching, and how his experiences as an athlete and coach have informed his perspective on success, both on and off the mat. Join our Discord server and star…

In modern society, with so many competing interests, martial arts also needs strong branding to survive. In this episode, Shintaro and Peter delve into effective ways to brand yourself in the martial arts world and beyond. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreo…

Shintaro recently traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia as one of the IJF commentators for 2024 Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi. In the midst of his busy schedule, he was able to find some time to sit down in his hotel room and reflect on his experience so far. What does it take to run a huge event like a IJF Grand Slam? What do the IJF staff members think about th…

In this episode, Peter sits down with the Ruotolo brothers Kade and Tye. The brothers talk about how they started BJJ as babies and their professional careers, as well as their upcoming fights at ONE Fight Night 21 on 4/5/2024. You can catch their fights on Amazon Prime!Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by suppo…

Mattia Galbiati is a decorated Judoka from Italy who's had great success after transitioning to Sambo. In this episode, Shintaro and Mattia discuss who the transition was for him, and what the differences are between Judo and Sambo. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://…

How do you become a good Judo teacher, and what does a good Judo teacher even look like? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter critically examine the teaching methods of Judo in America. How valid is the "traditional" way of teaching that was imported from Japan? Is there a better approach? Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other…

Shintaro sits down with Nicky Yonezuka, the second generation of the famous Yonezuka family. Nicky shares what it was like growing up in a Judo family with his father, Yoshisada Yonezuka, who was a highly accomplished Judoka in Japan, and making it to the 1980 Olympics at 16 years old. Shintaro and Nicky also discuss what it has been like to be the…

Shintaro introduces a new video series—The Private Lesson Series! This series aims to replicate the experience of a private lesson with Shintaro. Moving away from the traditional lecture format, where Shintaro would typically explain a technique, the videos in the Private Lesson Series adopt a more interactive approach. Here, Shintaro concentrates …

Shintaro and Peter have extensively discussed the 'everyday Judoka,' for whom competition and randori may not be the most effective ways to learn and enjoy Judo. But what about those hobbyist Judokas who wish to take Judo more seriously and compete at local levels or beyond? How can they best train with limited time? Which tournaments should they c…

Running a kids' program is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of managing a successful martial arts school. Essential for growth and sustainability, these programs, however, are frequently seen by many martial arts instructors as secondary to adult programs. What does it take to run a fun, educational, and successful kids' progr…

Shintaro and Peter have extensively discussed the economics of Judo in the United States. Now that we understand the current status quo, what can we do about it? More specifically, how can we grow our gyms to in turn help Judo expand at the grassroots level? Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on …

It's a simple reality: the more money that flows into Judo, the more popular it becomes. But how do the economics of Judo in America compare to those in other parts of the world? Is there room for improvement? In this special episode, sponsored by ⁠FUJI Sports⁠, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro for the third time to discuss the economics of Judo…

Judo, and grappling in general, is usually thought to be a long journey. But is there a way to shorten it? Shintaro believes there is! In this episode, he shares his idea of a fast track to success in Judo and grappling. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by supporting us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.…

Shintaro sits down with Austin Cook, a Stanford-trained medical doctor whose illustrious Judo career includes gold medals at the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Open, along with a bronze medal at the Panamerican Open. They delve into Austin's grappling journey, discussing his unorthodox and innovative training methods. Join our Discord server and start cha…

Uke appreciation episode! Being an Uke is a huge part of Judo, but it's often not the most popular role, and many Judoka never bother to work on their Uke skills. Is it time for us to change that? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter what we can do to become a good Uke. Join our Discord server and start chatting with us and other grapplers by suppor…

How do you actually make it to the Olympics in Judo? Is it just a matter of being skilled at Judo, or does it involve much more? In this special episode, sponsored by FUJI Sports, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro, a 2-time Olympic bronze medalist and world champion, to discuss what it really takes to become an Olympian in Judo. How should you tr…

Shintaro is now a dirty guard puller! We Judokas, and some BJJ'ers, love to make fun of guard pullers, but is the ridicule really warranted? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss pulling guard, especially Shintaro's recent experience in his BJJ journey. Is pulling guard useful? If so, when is it useful, and how can we do it most effectively? …

With no-gi grappling's meteoric rise, no-gi Judo has recently been gaining attention. What exactly is no-gi Judo? Is it basically just Judo without the gi, or is it an entirely different sport that deserves its own spotlight? In this episode, Shintaro and Peter discuss no-gi Judo: how they have been approaching it, and how we as Judokas should appr…

In this special episode sponsored by FUJI Sports, Shintaro sits down with Jimmy Pedro to discuss the most important demographic in Judo—the everyday Judoka. Jimmy goes into detail about how hobbyists, everyday Judokas, can get the most out of Judo, and what the broader Judo community can do to help them succeed. Check out American Judo System for v…