summary: In this episode of the Still Rolling Jiu Jitsu Podcast, Matthew Montgomery interviews Matt Thornton, founder of Straight Blast Gym International. They discuss Thornton's journey in martial arts, the concept of 'aliveness', and the nature of violence. Thornton emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, maturity, and intelligence in self-defense. He also shares insights from his book 'The Gift of Violence', highlighting the significance of training in jiu-jitsu for personal growth and community building. The conversation touches on the Ironman tradition in jiu-jitsu and the importance of finding the right martial arts school.
The Gift of Violence on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Violence-Practical-Knowledge-Surviving/dp/1634312309/
Straight Blast Gym Main Site: straightblastgym.com
Matt Thorntons personal page: mattthornton.org
Where Matthew Montgomery Trains
https://www.instagram.com/gracieohio/
How to follow Matthew and Still Rolling Jiu Jitsu Socials
https://www.instagram.com/stillrollingjiujitsu/
https://www.youtube.com/@StillRollingJiuJitsu
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Apbtl6wN0X89hxbzY4w17?si=d2059484ea4d48d6
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-rolling-jiu-jitsu/id1850809430
https://www.tiktok.com/@still.rolling.jiujitsu
takeaways
martial arts, jiu-jitsu, self-defense, violence, situational awareness, aliveness, training, personal growth, community, maturity
