The GRYND

by Mac Digital

Society & Culture

Season 1

012 - Journey to Purple | Cancer, Loss, and Rebuilding a Life with Casey Lee

This is one of the heaviest and most powerful episodes we’ve ever recorded on The GRYND. We sit down with Casey Lee — 28-year-old cancer survivor, dog mom, traveling Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, and certified personal trainer. Casey shares the raw, emotional story of: • Receiving her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis on June 29, 2022 • Losing her boyfriend and soon-to-be fiancé just 7 days later in a tragic shooting • The darkest days of chemo, overwhelming grief, and the decision to fight for the life she wanted • Starting her Jiu-Jitsu journey just weeks after her chemo port was removed • What “Journey to Purple” really means — both chasing her purple belt and her 5-year cancer-free milestone She also talks about the light she’s created from the darkness — competing at a high level (100+ matches and a pro win), rebuilding her body and life from the ground up, and pouring her energy into giving back through Tap Cancer Out, women’s BJJ initiatives, and volunteering. This episode is heavy. There were a lot of tears. But it’s also full of hope, resilience, purpose, and proof that even after your world falls apart, you can rebuild something powerful. If you’ve ever faced loss, fought through a health battle, or needed a reminder of how strong the human spirit can be — this one is for you.

011 - BJJ Brown Belt and Two-Time Cancer Survivor – Ian’s Relentless Grind

On this powerful episode of The GRYND we welcome Ian — a humble kid from beautiful Idaho who has faced and overcome some of life’s heaviest battles. Ian shares • His roots in Idaho, playing college sports at the University of Idaho, and his early career as a strength & conditioning coach • His transition into the energy and energy efficiency world • The raw journey of being a two-time cancer survivor — the fight to get the all-clear, the devastating day he learned the cancer was back, and how he kept pushing forward • His Jiu-Jitsu journey, recently earning his brown belt, stepping into a teaching role at AForce BJJ, and becoming the fun, lovable, yet scary-good and scary-big mat enforcer everyone respects This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, showing up when life hits hardest, finding joy and purpose on the mats, and turning pain into power. Ian’s story is proof that the grind never stops — even when your body tries to make you quit. If you’re fighting through health challenges, starting over, or pushing for the next level in life or on the mats — this episode will hit you deep. Drop a comment: What’s one battle you’ve had to grind through that made you stronger?

010 - From the shop floor to the C-Suite with Randy

On this episode of The GRYND we welcome Randy — a man who climbed from the shop floor all the way to C-suite leadership at a large local company through pure hard work and grit. Randy shares: • His journey growing up, finding work, and steadily rising through the ranks to executive leadership • Real leadership lessons learned in the corporate world and how they apply on and off the mats • His Jiu-Jitsu journey — starting later in life, pushing through injuries, and what it’s taken to keep showing up • How he’s deeply involved in the AForce BJJ culture, especially now in retirement, and what keeps him coming back to the mats This is a powerful conversation about grinding through every stage of life, leading by example, overcoming setbacks, and staying connected to something bigger than yourself. Randy lives the powerful idea: “Where joy is a habit, love is a reflex.” — Bob Goff If you’re climbing the ladder at work, starting something new later in life, dealing with injuries, or trying to stay sharp in retirement — this episode is full of honest wisdom and motivation. Drop a comment: What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that carries over to your personal grind?

009: From Fallujah to the Mats – Marine Vet Matt Hay’s Second Half Grind

On this powerful episode of The GRYND we welcome Matt Hay (@heyitsmatthay)— U.S. Marine Corps Combat Engineer (2003-2007), Fallujah veteran, former blackjack dealer, powerlifter/strongman, and now a white belt competitor at AForce BJJ (@afmobjj) in his 40s. Matt opens up about: • Growing up and his intense combat tour in Fallujah, Iraq (2004-2005) • Transitioning from the Marine Corps to civilian life, years of powerlifting and strongman, tactical training, and teaching military leadership • The current grind of his second half of life — getting back into elite shape, becoming a competitive athlete again, and transforming his body and mind in his 40s • How the whole family trains BJJ together, his rapid progress since October 2024, and what it’s like competing as a brand-new white belt • The real motivation behind it all: Being strong and capable for his wife, daughter, and bonus son This is a raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, fatherhood, brotherhood, second acts, and refusing to accept “getting old.” Matt lives the Aristotle quote he loves: “It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” #staycapable If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and feel like you’re fighting for a comeback — or you just respect people who refuse to quit — this episode will hit you hard. Drop a comment: What’s your “second half” grind right now? #thegryndpod #afmobjj #secondhalfgrind #40+

008 - From College Basketball to BJJ Black Belts – Co-Owner Mike Pranker on Building AForce Missouri

On this episode of The GRYND we sit down with Mike Pranker — co-owner of AForce BJJ in Webb City, Missouri. Pranker takes us through: His love for baseball growing up and his transition to playing college basketball. His personal journey into Jiu-Jitsu and what pulled him deep into the art. The real story behind building AForce BJJ into what it is today alongside Coach Mike. His big vision and dreams of making AForce the go-to BJJ academy in the entire Four-State area.How he balances a full-time job, single dad life, running the academy, and still competing at a high level. This is a raw, inspiring conversation about transitions, leadership, fatherhood, and the relentless grind it takes to build something meaningful while still showing up as a dad, athlete, and business owner. If you’re a parent trying to balance life, someone chasing big goals in your 30s/40s, or part of the AForce family — this episode is packed with perspective and motivation. Drop a comment: What’s the biggest transition you’ve had to grind through in life? #AFMO #thegryndpod #GRYND #BBJ

007 - Building an Empire and Making a BJJ Community with Coach Mike

On this episode of The GRYND, we sit down with Coach Mike — owner of AForce BJJ in Webb City, Missouri, an affiliate gym under Andre "Tim" Monteiro. Coach Mike shares: • The full origin story of AForce BJJ and his personal journey progressing through Jiu-Jitsu • What it really takes to build and protect a strong gym culture • The honest highs of gym ownership — the wins that make it all worth it • The brutal lows that most people never see • The daily GRYND of keeping classes running consistently, getting coaches to show up, and driving real engagement from students From the early days to the ongoing challenge of making it all work in a southwest Missouri town, this is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to run a successful BJJ academy. If you train Jiu-Jitsu, dream of opening your own gym someday, or just want to understand the work that goes into keeping the mats open for the rest of us — this episode delivers real perspective and hard-earned lessons. Drop a comment: What’s the best (or worst) part about your gym culture? AForce MO - https://www.afmobjj.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/afmobjj/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/afmobjj/

E006 – Dr. Dani on Chiropractic, Healing, Mobility & Keeping Misfits Moving

On this episode of The GRYND we sit down with Dr. Dani — the dedicated chiropractor from Southwest Missouri who’s been keeping our crew of misfits grinding through rolls, injuries, and the daily grind. Dr. Dani shares: • Her journey from Nebraska Cornhusker to healing in the Show-Me State • What it really takes to keep police officers, BJJ athletes, and busy dads moving pain-free • Her well-rounded approach to healing that goes far beyond just adjustments — blending chiropractic care with multiple disciplines and a whole lot of heart • Practical advice for anyone dealing with aches, pains, old injuries, or just trying to stay active while grinding through life Whether you already see a chiropractor, you’re brand new to it, or you’re just pushing through constant soreness from training, work, or fatherhood — this episode is packed with real insight and perspective. Dr. Dani isn’t just treating backs… she’s helping people stay in the fight. This is for everyone who wants to move better and feel better. Drop a comment: What’s one thing you do (or want to do) to take better care of your body? Go see Dr. Dani @ Active Health Chiropractic (https://acthealthchiro.com/) and mention the GRYND crew and your session is only $29.99

005 - Peptides, Police Fitness & the Injury That Changed Everything – Jeremy’s Story

On this episode of The GRYND, we sit down with Jeremy — a veteran police officer out of Southwest Missouri — for a real, no-BS conversation about fitness in law enforcement, recovery, peptides, and the injury that forced him to change everything. Jeremy breaks down: • The truth about fitness in policing — why so many officers struggle with weight, injuries, and burnout, and what’s actually going on behind the badge. • The injury that stopped him in his tracks and pushed him to completely rebuild how he trains, recovers, and shows up. • His experience with peptides — what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how they fit into real-world performance, recovery, and fat loss for guys working long, demanding shifts. • Training for an Ironman while still on the job, dialing in his health, and becoming the kind of dad his boys can look up to — someone who shows up every day with discipline and purpose. We keep it honest: the culture issues around fitness in law enforcement, the mix of science and trial-and-error with peptides, and the mindset it takes to make real, lasting change. If you’re in law enforcement, battling injuries, trying to level up your health while working a tough job, or just want to show up better for your family — this one hits. Drop a comment: What’s one change you’ve made (or need to make) to level up at home or in your health?

004 - State of the pod

This week on The GRYND, we take a step back and give you the full State of the Podcast. What’s working, what’s growing, and where we’re taking this thing next. We talk about building something bigger than just episodes — creating a real community of guys who are in the trenches, grinding through life, and showing up every day. We get into what’s ahead: more guests, tighter conversations, and new ways to bring you into it — listener stories, Q&As, and eventually meeting up in person. Matt shares what he’s lining up behind the scenes — guests from law enforcement, BJJ, hunting, and people who truly live the grind. And we keep it real about what it takes to make this happen while balancing real life — detective work, task force schedules, long days, and still finding a way to hit record. No fluff — just the wins, the challenges, and the “why” that keeps us showing up and staying consistent when life gets chaotic. If you’re trying to build something meaningful while juggling a demanding job and real responsibilities, this one’s for you. Drop a comment and let us know what you want to see more of — guests, topics, anything. We read it all.

003 - Family Update

This week on The GRYND, we keep it close to home. What started as a quick pull-up turned into something real — Matt and Colten came by to meet the new baby, and next thing you know, we fired up the Rodecaster and away we go. No script, no filter — just real talk about what life looks like right now. New parenthood, no sleep, shifting priorities, and figuring out how to keep pushing while everything changes, and why having a solid crew around you matters more than ever. It’s short and on the lighter side — just three guys talking about the grind that actually matters: family, and friends. If you’re in the thick of it — raising kids, building something, or just trying to keep it all together — this one’s for you.

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