Tatami Talk Podcast Episode 156: Working with your coach
When a judo athlete and their coach agree on a problem but disagree on the solution, the real challenge isn't who's right—it's how to navigate the relationship without breaking trust. Juan and Anthony, hosts of the Tatami Talk podcast, dive into this tension with raw honesty, revealing that blind obedience to a coach can waste years—like Juan’s five-year detour down a flawed Uchimata path. Yet they also warn against arrogance: if you're relying on YouTube tutorials to second-guess your coach, you're not ready to make that call. The answer lies in partnership: communicate, experiment safely, and let your coach see your ideas in action. As one host puts it, 'If it’s not dangerous, go ahead and try it.' But if your dojo feels like a cult of obedience—where students fake compliance behind the coach’s back—then it’s time to move. Southern California may be full of dojos, but not all of them are growing places. The real lesson? Excellence isn’t found in blind loyalty or ego—it’s in the messy, collaborative dance between mentor and student.
If your coach and you agree on the problem but disagree on the solution, try both approaches in training before deciding—treat it like navigating a maze.
Never use YouTube or Instagram videos to evaluate your coach’s competence; if you need external validation, you’re not ready to question them.
A coach’s job isn’t to be infallible—it’s to create space for safe experimentation; if they reject all new ideas, they’re likely stuck in outdated methods.
Blindly following a coach for years can waste your development—Juan spent five years on a flawed Uchimata technique that delayed his growth.
If your dojo demands obedience without discussion, and students secretly do things behind the coach’s back, it’s a red flag that the culture is broken.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Tatami Talk: On the Floor, Off the Grid
The hosts begin the episode on the tatami floor, explaining their unconventional setup due to Anthony’s knee surgery and a missing memory card. They’re using a laptop’s webcam and a gimbal camera, resulting in a low-angle, slightly awkward recording. Despite technical issues, they embrace the imperfection, joking about editing and audio quality.
Ronda Rousey’s 17-Second MMA Comeback: Success or Spectacle?
The hosts react to Ronda Rousey’s 17-second knockout of Gina Carano at MVP’s first Netflix MMA event. They debate whether the fight was a waste of time or a strategic win for exposure. Anthony argues that even though the fight was short, it drew in non-MMA fans—like his father-in-law—who were intrigued by the hype and ad campaign.
The Problem with 'Stuffed Cards' and the Illusion of Competition
The hosts critique the MVP card for relying on past legends rather than current talent. They argue that while the event attracted viewers, it lacked depth and technical skill. Anthony notes that most fights were quick knockouts, which he sees as a sign of a dying pipeline in MMA—where promoters keep squeezing old stars instead of developing new ones.
The Golden State Open: A Smaller Turnout, Better Experience?
The hosts reflect on the Golden State Open in LA, noting a smaller crowd despite 1,200+ registrants. They attribute this to multiple registrations and better crowd management. Juan praises the new venue’s lighting and private restroom access for coaches, while both agree the event felt less chaotic and more organized than previous years.
The State Championship Debate: How Many Are There in California?
A heated but humorous discussion erupts over whether the Golden State Open counts as a state championship. The hosts conclude that California has no official state championship—only multiple large tournaments with overlapping claims. They mock the idea of someone calling themselves a 'state champion' without a unified system.
“Yeah, the second half of what I was going to say was if you are looking at YouTube videos for guidance, then you should not be evaluating whether your coach is right or not.”
“You go down all these wrong paths and you gather all this knowledge. You know what's bullshit, what's not when you see it online.”
“Where I've always been when I compete, this might sound weird to people, but I always felt more comfortable being the smaller guy in a weight class because I feel like I've always had more endurance that way.”
Hosts
Juan
person
Anthony
person
Uchimata
other
Ronda Rousey
person
Golden State Open
other
other
MVP
organization
YouTube
other
Ajax
person
Netflix
organization
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