E141: Angie Vogel - Black Belt

Angie Vogel is a second degree Black Belt who has been training Jiu Jitsu for around 15 years. Alongside her husband Josh, Angie co-owns The Jiu Jitsu Company in Philadelphia and is also the creative force behind much of The Jiu Jitsu Company Fightwear.

Angie spent years watching Jiu Jitsu from the sidelines before eventually stepping onto the mats herself. What followed became much more than training, developing into a lifestyle, business and community. A significant injury during her journey also changed the way Angie approached Jiu Jitsu, moving her focus towards longevity, teaching and creating space for people to experience the sport in their own way.

The conversation explores belonging and the responsibility we have within our academies to bring people into the community, alongside the trust that exists between training partners, coaches and students. Angie shares her approach to coaching people through different stages of life, meeting them where they are rather than expecting everyone to train towards the same goal.

Angie also shares some brilliant thoughts around communication, learning to impose our own game on the mats and giving ourselves permission to want to win. Angie challenges the idea of leaving your ego completely at the door, instead making the distinction between the ego that prevents us from failing and the ego that drives us to learn, problem solve and become better.

And ultimately, Jiu Jitsu should be fun. That philosophy extends into Angie's creativity with The Jiu Jitsu Company Fightwear, from gummy bears and Bearoids to reversible rash guards and trying ideas simply to see what happens.

Topics:

• Jiu Jitsu longevity

• Injury

• Belonging

• Gym culture

• Leadership

• Trust