222-The Black Belt Burnout: Why So Many Quit After Getting Ranked
In this episode, I sit down with Tom Theofanopoulos — a veteran martial artist with over 30 years of experience running MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kajukenbo programs. We talk about the real struggles martial artists face when they hit burnout — whether you're a black belt, blue belt, or just starting out. Tom shares how he’s helped his students (and himself) stay motivated, focused, and committed through the ups and downs of training. From mindset to management, his insights are real, raw, and based on decades in the game.