Starting Jiu Jitsu late in life, training through chemotherapy, why BJJ is important and more

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Rick training Jiu Jitsu at Stout PGH – Team Renzo Gracie

This podcast guest is someone that most people have not heard of.  He isn’t a Jiu Jitsu celebrity or coach.  Rick is an insurance professional in his 50s who is battling cancer.  He has been a long-time supporter of the Local Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA scene in Pittsburgh.  He has supported Stout Fights events via sponsorship since our first event 3 years ago.  His insurance company  The Thompson Gusic Insurance Group specializes in insuring extreme sports businesses and participants among other things. He’s also an inspiration at Stout PGH – Team Renzo Gracie.  For many of the past months he’d be on the mats training with a special chest shield that protected his chemo port.  In the podcast we talk about what its like starting Jiu Jitsu later in life and being one of the older people on the mats.  We talk about training through Cancer and why Rick feels his mat time has helped him.  We discuss the perspective shift that happens when you get a diagnosis of cancer and living with it day to day.  We discuss some of the non-obvious benefits of Jiu Jitsu training.  This is a powerful podcast and there are takeaways for everyone.  There are some heavy subjects but Rick manages to keep it light and fun.