Lecture Notes: Podcast Interview with John Danaher

Introduction

• Jake Shields interviews John Danaher, acclaimed Jiu-Jitsu and MMA trainer.
• Danaher has trained renowned fighters like Gordon Ryan, GSP, and Chris Weidman.

Danaher's Background

• Born in the USA, raised in New Zealand.
• Father was a pilot in the New Zealand Air Force, stationed in the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.
• Grew up in a beautiful, natural, and innocent New Zealand of the 1970s.

Academic Journey

• Studied philosophy at Columbia University in New York.
• Philosophy taught him to value the questions in any enterprise more than just the answers.

Transition to Jiu-Jitsu

• Started training in 1994 at Renzo Gracie's gym in New York.
• Emphasizes the importance of immersion in training to excel quickly.

Training Philosophy

• Dedication to training is crucial; trained 7 days a week, multiple sessions a day.
• Worked with passionate, committed students at high levels of competition.
• Believes in breaking down complex materials and deriving solutions from first principles.

Coaching Greats

• Trained Georges St-Pierre (GSP), who became a two-division UFC champion.
• Praised for creating a supportive environment where team members elevate each other.
• Believes the measure of a coach is the quality of the average students, not just the best.

Training Methods

• No round timers in training to encourage reliance on technique rather than the clock.
• Emphasizes positional sparring to focus on winning from advantageous positions.

Insights on MMA Greats

• Considers GSP, Jon Jones, and Khabib Nurmagomedov as the top MMA fighters of all time.
• Notes their shared style of effective takedowns and minimal damage in fights.

Personal Reflections

• Never aspired to be a top athlete due to personal disposition and physical limitations.
• Finds joy and fulfillment in coaching and witnessing his students’ growth.

New Wave Team

• The team split post-COVID, but Danaher rebuilt a strong team in Austin, Texas.
• Continues to train both professional and amateur students, emphasizing a balance of roles in training.

Cultural Observations

• Discusses New York's transformation from high crime in the early '90s to a safer city.
• Shares experiences of training with diverse groups and observing changes in martial arts culture.

Historical Perspectives

• Values the historical contributions of Japanese martial arts to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
• Uses traditional Japanese terminology to honor the origins of the techniques.

Closing Thoughts

• Sees Jiu-Jitsu as a transformative process akin to forging a blade: from raw potential to polished skill.
• Encourages students to learn and adapt, fostering a culture of mutual growth and respect.