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JIU JITSU LOUCommunity, culture and conversation through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Author: Lou Temlett
Welcome to the Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast.Hosted by Lou Temlett, this is a podcast about the people behind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.From world champions, black belts and gym owners to white belts, community builders, coaches, entrepreneurs and everyday grapplers, these are honest conversations about the journeys, challenges and experiences that shape life on and off the mats.The Jiu Jitsu Lou Podcast explores the stories that don't always get told: resilience, confidence, mental health, motherhood, identity, business, belonging, personal growth and the communities that make Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so much more than a sport.With over 130 episodes and guests from across the UK and around the world, Lou shines a light on the people, projects and ideas helping to grow the grappling community.Whether you're preparing for your first class, chasing your next belt, running an academy, or simply fascinated by the human side of Jiu Jitsu, you'll find stories, insights and inspiration here.Real people. Real stories. Real Jiu Jitsu.Follow @jiujitsulou and join the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Hobbies, Leisure, Sports, Wrestling Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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E152: Henry Halford - Blue Belt
Episode 152
Friday, 23 October, 2026
Henry Halford joins the JIU JITSU LOU Podcast to talk competition, community, leg locks, travelling through Jiu Jitsu and why he wants to help more young people find their place on the mats.After starting with Muay Thai and moving into MMA, Henry discovered that getting punched in his “pretty boy face” wasn't for him and fell in love with grappling instead.Now training at 13th Dimension BJJ in Greater Manchester, Henry has become an active competitor. We talk about his experience at POME RAW, where he submitted five of his six opponents before reaching the semi-finals, leading to an opportunity with POME.But competition for Henry isn't simply about winning.Ten members of 13th Dimension recently travelled together to compete at Grappling Industries Berlin, collectively achieving 36 wins. Henry took gold, but what really comes through is his appreciation of the experience around competition - travelling with teammates, testing his Jiu Jitsu and creating memories with friends.We talk about reframing competition nerves as gratitude. Henry recognises that being healthy enough to train and compete isn't something any of us can take for granted. Instead of worrying about what might go wrong, he approaches competition as problem solving and an opportunity to test what he's been learning.That sense of gratitude extends to the community he's found through Jiu Jitsu. Henry talks openly about loneliness amongst younger people and the lack of places where adults naturally meet, socialise and build new friendships. For him, Jiu Jitsu has filled that space - many of his closest friends have come from the mats, and he's now introduced his brother to training too.We also get technical, exploring Henry's No Gi game, bolos, ankle locks and leg lock safety. Despite considering himself very much a No Gi grappler, Henry recently entered his first Gi competition and ankle locked his way to gold.Looking ahead, Henry wants to continue competing, build his own profile and ultimately use Jiu Jitsu to bring people together. Whether that's through coaching, an academy or an online community, he wants to give other people some of what Jiu Jitsu has given him.And ultimately, this episode is a reminder to enjoy the opportunity we have right now. Train, compete, travel, learn, make friends and appreciate what our bodies allow us to do.We won't always have the same opportunities - so while they're here, make the most of them.Topics:• 13th Dimension BJJ• Starting Jiu Jitsu• Muay Thai and MMA• POME RAW• Competition• Grappling Industries Berlin• Competing abroad• Gratitude• Competition nerves• Problem solving• Young people and loneliness• Friendship and community• No Gi• Leg locks• Ankle locks• Bolos• Leg lock safety• Competing in the Gi• Building a personal brand• Giving back• Bringing people togetherFOLLOW HENRYHenry on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/henry_hford/COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT13th Dimension BJJhttps://www.instagram.com/13th_dimension_bjj/OFFICIAL PODCAST PARTNERSoulTaker Fightwear:https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/FOLLOW JIU JITSU LOUYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.louTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jiu.jitsu.louJIU JITSU LOU is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett.PRODUCTIONProduced by Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsourcehttps://www.audiooutsource.co.uk/MUSICMaleki Ram - Just A Little BoyLicensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
