Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number

Jiu-jitsu isn’t just for the young — it’s for anyone willing to step on the mats. I’m Conor Whelan, and each week I talk with fellow BJJ practitioners about what it’s really like to train as adults. From dads discovering jiu-jitsu in their 40s to black belts competing at the highest level, we share stories of aches, breakthroughs, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance training, family, and life while still chasing growth on the mats, this podcast is for you.

Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number is a sports podcast hosted by Conor Whelan, with 27 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Conor Whelan hosts Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number, a sports show with 27 episodes published.

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  Rolling over 40: The podcast for jujitsu practitioners who are proving that age is just a number

  Apparently There's an Iowa Sweep with 42yo Purple Belt Vitalie Scurtu

  Aug 18, 20261h 2m

  In this episode, I sit down with a 42-year-old father and purple belt whose martial arts journey began long before he ever stepped onto a jiu-jitsu mat. Originally from Moldova, he spent years training in judo, sambo, and kickboxing before moving to the United States and discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a gym in the Bay Area. His career took him back and forth between Europe and the U.S. several times before he eventually settled in Northern California, where he now trains at the academy he calls home. We discuss how his background in traditional grappling and striking has influenced his jiu-jitsu, the differences he's noticed training in different countries, and plenty of BJJ topics along the way; including a sweep I've never heard of called the Iowa Sweep?! Theres something for everyone to enjoy in this episode!

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  Episode #27

  Ten Competitions before Blue Belt with 49yo Johnny Cheng

  Jul 21, 20261h 44m

  In this episode, I sit down with a 49-year-old three-stripe white belt who has packed a lot into just two years of training. Despite being relatively new to jiu-jitsu, he's already competed seven times and has set a personal goal of reaching double digits before earning his blue belt. We talk about what drives him to compete so often, his evolving game, and how he somehow seems to know the name of every guard—from octopus and rubber to williams and coyote. If you enjoy hearing a lot of white belt insight, this episode is packed!

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  Episode #26

  Rolling Clean: The Fighter, The Cleaner, and the CLA with Scott Boehler

  Jun 23, 20261h 7mS1

  In this episode, I sit down with a longtime practitioner whose jiu-jitsu journey has taken him all over the country. After beginning his martial arts career in Montana more than 15 years ago, he stepped into the cage for several MMA fights before ultimately deciding to focus exclusively on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Along the way, he took an unconventional path, spending a year living out of his van and traveling across the United States, visiting and training at gyms of all styles and affiliations. His journey has taken him from Montana to Arizona and eventually to San Diego, where he found the academy he now proudly calls home. Outside of training, he is also the owner of Combat Sports Cleaning, a specialized deep-cleaning company that serves martial arts academies and combat sports facilities. We discuss the realities of running a business within the martial arts community and how his experiences as both a practitioner and entrepreneur have shaped his perspective. We also take a deep dive into the increasingly popular Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to training, why he's become such a strong advocate for it, and how it differs from more traditional methods of instruction. We discuss the value of learning through experimentation, the evolution of coaching methods, and how different training environments can dramatically influence a practitioner's development. Whether you're interested in the evolution of jiu-jitsu training, the business side of martial arts, or hearing stories from someone who has spent more than 15 years immersed in the art, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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  Episode #25

  Never Too Late: Starting at 52 and Winning Gold with Mark Alexander

  May 28, 20261h 31mS1

  In this episode, I sit down with 56-year-old blue belt Mark Alexander. Although Mark didn’t begin his journey until his early 50s, he has already made a serious impact on the competition scene. In a relatively short time, he’s gone on to win gold at multiple major competitions around the world, proving that it’s never too late to begin. Outside the gym, Mark is a father of six, with kids ranging in age from 9 to 30, and a former Marine who served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He brings that same discipline, resilience, and mindset into his jiu-jitsu journey. We talk about his approach to “big guy” jiu-jitsu, his experiences competing at a high level, and the mental side of training; especially when it comes to managing ego and staying focused. Mark also shares what drives his competitive edge and what it really means to have a winner’s mentality, regardless of when you start. I have to say this was one of my most inspirational episodes. Hope you enjoy!

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  Episode #24

  More Than Training: Building a BJJ Community Beyond the Gym with Vince Pacleb

  Apr 30, 20261h 27mS1

  Welcome to Episode 24 of RO40 with Vince Pacleb. Vince is a 49-year-old brown belt who’s been in the martial arts world for over 20 years, works in the fitness industry, and runs his own (much more established) BJJ podcast called the Bizjitsu Podcast. We got into: His journey through jiu-jitsu as an adult and what’s kept him training for decades The crossover between podcasting, business ownership, and jiu-jitsu Why he focuses on interviewing not just grapplers, but grapplers who run businesses His vision of building a real community within BJJ to help people connect, network, and grow outside the gym One of the coolest parts of the episode was hearing about a major “aha” moment he had as a blue belt that still shapes his game today as a brown belt, especially around patience and control when taking the back which he calls, “Going for a ride.” If you’re into jiu-jitsu, business, or just trying to stay consistent on the mats long-term, there’s a lot in this one. Hope you enjoy!

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