The Tortoise's Journey

In this episode, host Pete Deeley sits down with Jim Dieckman to talk about a lifetime of jiu-jitsu and the way the art has shaped both of their lives on and off the mats. Much of the conversation centers on what it means to keep training as an older practitioner — the challenges, the persistence it demands, and the mental and physical rewards that make it worth it.

Jim shares anecdotes from his early years, including intense training and real-life challenge matches, and both men reflect on how jiu-jitsu builds a mindset that prepares you for life’s pressures and difficulties. They talk about training in beautiful St. George, the famous “Kung Fu Theater” saga, the evolution of jiu-jitsu training over the decades, and the joys and challenges of being a grandfather — and of balancing family life with a passion that never really lets go.