JitsCast #51 features a legend of the New York City hardcore punk scene, Cro-Mags founder Harley Flanagan. Although music is Flanagan’s first love and the avenue that he’s pursued as a career, he’s also a lifelong Jiu-Jitsu practitioner as well. Flanagan first started training in the sport back in 1996 and was one of the earliest adopters of it in New York City at the time. He started training under Renzo Gracie when he first came to the city, becoming one of his first students at the time. Flanagan has continued training under him since then, earning his black belt from Renzo and becoming close friends with him over the years.
Flanagan spoke to Jits Magazine about his relationship with Renzo and how discovering Jiu-Jitsu changed his life at a pivotal moment. He talked about what actually drew him to grappling initially, and why he has stayed with the sport for so long despite a busy schedule as a musician. Flanagan then spoke about training with legendary figures like John Danaher and Matt Serra back when they were blue belts, and his time as a fighter on the underground circuit when MMA was illegal in New York. Although he stopped competing, Flanagan has never stopped training in the sport and even became a coach at Renzo Gracie New York.
Flanagan spoke about what led him in to the world of coaching and why it was important to him to be able to share Jiu-Jitsu with his children. He was also open and honest about how having children changed his outlook on life, and why Jiu-Jitsu fitted in perfectly alongside that. Flanagan also shared some insight into what it’s like to be still training and actively rolling as he approaches 60, including why he’s not slowing down any time soon. Lastly, Flanagan spent some time talking about his new film ‘Harley Flanagan: Wired For Chaos’; and how Jiu-Jitsu factors into it.
JitsCast #51 with Harley Flanagan is now available to watch on the official Jits Magazine YouTube channel, click here to subscribe for more or check out the interview below:
