239-Why your Kajukenbo/Kenpo needs Jiujitsu

🎙️ Why Your Kajukenbo / Kenpo Needs Jiu-Jitsu In this week’s episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, I sit down with Tom Theofanopoulos and Ron Baker to talk about why every Kajukenbo or Kenpo practitioner needs to understand Jiu-Jitsu. We break down a hard truth — a lot of people in Kajukenbo claim their system “already has Jiu-Jitsu,” but when you look closely, they really don’t. We explain why that’s the case, and why it matters more than ever in 2025. We also dive into why so many Kenpo people have an aversion to Jiu-Jitsu, where that resistance comes from, and how that mindset limits growth. Fighting isn’t just striking anymore — it’s striking and grappling. If you still think you can ignore the ground game, you’re setting yourself up to get your ass kicked in a real fight — or worse, to become an irrelevant coach while everyone else evolves. 💥 Don’t get left behind. Tune in and join the conversation.

238-Fighters, Athletes, and Brain Trauma: What You Need to Know

Don’t miss this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo. I sit down with William Person from Team USA, a former Olympic bobsledder, who shares his firsthand experiences and expertise on the dangers of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). We talk about how brain trauma can sneak up on you, why helmets don’t always protect you, and how repeated impacts — from bobsledding, martial arts, and combat sports to military training — can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). William breaks down how trauma accumulates over time, the warning signs to watch for, and introduces an affordable, accessible treatment option available at many local wellness centers to help those struggling with TBI symptoms. If you’re a fighter, athlete, coach, or trainer, this is essential knowledge for protecting your brain and your future. 🎧 Watch the full conversation now on Social Gelo with Angelo.

237-Kajukenbo Then and Now

In this episode, I sit down with martial artists from different backgrounds — Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Kenpo, and Combat arts — to talk about where martial arts used to be, and where it is now. We break down how each part of the Kajukenbo acronym connects to what’s happening in the martial arts world today — how some arts are seen as “old school,” how modern applications have changed, and why that shift happened. Real talk, real perspectives — the past, present, and future of martial arts. 🥋🎙️

236-The Future of Kajukenbo

In this episode of Social Gello with Angelo, I sit down with Joseph Bautista, a true generational Kajukenbo practitioner who comes from a long line of martial artists. Joseph’s background is unique—he’s worked with KSDI, the Gaylord Association, and has trained with several other Kajukenbo branches. We talk about what it means to grow up “in between” different Kajukenbo families and how that perspective gives him a broader view of the art’s evolution. From there, we get into the real talk—what went down at the KSDI Tournament, why turnout numbers have changed, and what the community can do to bring Kajukenbo back into the spotlight. Joseph shares ideas on how we can make Kajukenbo a household name again—through unity, visibility, and the kind of collaboration that stays true to the roots while moving the art forward. If you care about where Kajukenbo’s been and where it’s heading, this is one you don’t want to miss.

235-What is Kajukenbo? The Sequel Nobody Asked For

Here we go again, another episode about Kajukenbo. I know, it feels like beating a dead horse at this point, but sometimes the horse just won’t stay down. Call it the sequel nobody asked for, but you’re getting it anyway. In this episode, I sit down with two different generations — Will Deutschendorf and Anthony Miele — and we talk about how Kajukenbo has its issues. The big one? It’s not really definitive on what it is, because it changes depending on the practitioner. We also dig into some of the questionable history around people who left Kajukenbo and ended up blending into Kenpo circles. That includes the rise of Fred Villari, who created Villari’s Studios of Self-Defense and Shaolin Kempo Karate. From there, some of his black belts and students branched off and eventually helped form organizations like United Studios of Self-Defense. Along the way, there were stories of people going overseas, coming back with new grandmaster titles, and presenting themselves in ways that raised a lot of eyebrows — even inside the Kajukenbo community. And Villari wasn’t the only one tied to that kind of drama. From there, we talk about what real self-defense actually is — and how that answer shifts depending on where you live, who you train with, and what you’re training for. 👉 Stick around if you want the raw, unfiltered side of martial arts. 🔔 Like, drop your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe if you actually did want this sequel.

234-BJJ Isn’t Just For Pros

Most people who train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu aren’t chasing a professional career — they’re recreational athletes who love the art, want to challenge themselves, and sometimes dream about representing their country. That’s where the JJIF (Ju-Jitsu International Federation) comes in.

234-Who Owns Jiu Jitsu? Brazilian vs Japanese vs American

In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, I sit down with martial artist and author Weston Simonis to talk about his new book The Blue Belt — a curriculum that blends Danzan Ryu, Kajukenbo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We dive deep into: The roots of Jiu-Jitsu at Kodokan and how it split into Japanese, Brazilian, and American branches. Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu communities can be harsh toward people who compete outside IBJJF (like Combat Jiu-Jitsu or other formats). The problem with traditional Jiu-Jitsu schools that get so rigid they lose effectiveness. The controversy of calling something “Jiu-Jitsu” when there’s no real ground game involved. How to teach Jiu-Jitsu in the modern world so it’s effective, marketable, and respected by the BJJ community. As a BJJ brown belt, I brought my perspective to the conversation, while Weston — a BJJ purple belt — shared how his cross-training background shaped his approach. 🔥 Expect some controversial takes, especially on what should count as real Jiu-Jitsu today. Buy the Book Here: https://a.co/d/9g11vEc