Mostly Yoga - with Aaron Tan

Had a great time doing this with my good friend Namtaow, whom I’ve known for close to 7 years now. It’s amazing to see his growth as a friend, father, doctor and jiu-jitsu practitioner. 

Stuff we talked about: 

• Connecting through BJJ 
• Learning who you are (and who others are from) rolling
• You can’t be the tough guy in jiu-jitsu 
• Giving back to the community
• Gato Studio and jiu-jitsu in Chiang Mai
• Watching everyone grow and get promoted
• The metaphor of BJJ
• Music is for everyone = BJJ is for everyone
• Being remembered in a positive way
• Being a part of everyone’s growth
• Being a good partner 
• Being a responsible higher belt
• Countering the counter
• Struggles through covid
• The importance of finding a good jiu-jitsu community 
• You will never be White Belt again
• Overcoming failure quickily
• There are no lies in jiu-jitsu
• Viewing sparring as a sport 
• Accept the failures and move on
• Everyone lives different lives
• You are important

Thanks for listening,
Aaron

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Follow Namtaow on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/namtaow/

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SUPPORT THE PODCAST :)

https://ko-fi.com/mostlyyoga 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/aaaroning/

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyyogapodcast/

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I’ve made a lot of interesting friends from jits and Urmish is one of them. We talk about the balance between strength and technique, his struggles of being the ‘big guy’ at the gym and insights from his first BJJ competition.

Stuff we talked about: 

• Gi vs. Nogi
• Playing the game of ‘Jiu-jitsu’
• Technique > Strength?
• Being the ‘big’ guy at the gym 
• Asking the right questions
• Being ‘aggressive’ and playing to your strengths
• Finding an enemy and having a goal
• More on our BJJ journey
• The boys at GATO
• His first competition
• Sticking to the plan
• To compete or not to compete, that is the question.
• Getting my Blue Belt
• Refining what you already know
• Learning how the pieces move
• Urmish’s tiny (but strong) legs 
• Changing nothing
• Jiujitsu is indeed ‘not gay’

Oss,

Aaron

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Follow Urmish on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/fitness_povs/

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SUPPORT THE PODCAST :)

https://ko-fi.com/mostlyyoga 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/aaaroning/

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyyogapodcast/

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I knew Rapha from way back during our yoga teaching days. So it was truly special reconnecting with him again for this raw and unfiltered conversation. We delved about his life’s journey of martial arts, spirituality and fatherhood, and reflected on the importance of taking responsibility for yourself while respecting the unknown, as well as setting boundaries to protect your space. 

Stuff we talked about: 

• Fatherhood
• Masculinity and the role of a man
• Being able to protect someone physically
• Jiu-jitsu journey
• Staying calm in deep waters
• Mr Not-so-Nice Guy
• Aggression and setting the tempo
• Accept and compose Learning to say ‘No’ in Jiu-jitsu
• The exchange of energy and protecting your space
• Having a plan and setting intentions for each roll 
• Worshiping the Jiu-jitsu gods
• The endless pursuit 
• Death and Rebirth
• Dealing with suffering and seeking spirituality 
• Running from robbers in Peru
• Integrating with plant medicine
• There is no purpose 
• Respecting the space around you
• Acknowledging the unknown 
• Who you are when no one is watching
• Being responsible for yourself
• Everything is your fault

Sawadikap,

Aaron

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Follow Rapha on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/sunceremony/

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SUPPORT THE PODCAST :)https://ko-fi.com/mostlyyoga 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/aaaroning/https://www.instagram.com/mostlyyogapodcast/

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In this episode, I'm joined with fellow Singaporean, Rio Lim, whom I had the pleasure of meeting here in Chiang Mai. We both share a passion for jiu-jitsu and finance, so in this episode we dive into those worlds while exchanging stories about our journeys along the way.

Always exciting to connect over shared interests and similar vibes... oss! 

Stuff we talked about: 

• Knowing who you are through Jiu-Jitsu
• Being humbled
• Sacrifices
• Parallels on and off the mat
• Trusting the process, trusting yourself
• Warmups before class zzz
• Competition stories
• Power of compounding
• Catching the crypto wave
• Embracing volatility
• Love the failures
• Pay the price, learn the lesson
• Awaking the heart chakra
• Seeking spirituality
• The view from the top of the mountain
• Time>Money
• The courage to forge your own path
• Nothing matters, we’re all going to die

Till the next one,

Aaron ------------------------------------

Follow Rio on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/rrriiiooo0/

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SUPPORT THE PODCAST :)https://ko-fi.com/mostlyyoga 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/aaaroning/https://www.instagram.com/mostlyyogapodcast/

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The first podcast Meiyan and I did was back in 2020 (See episode 29). Now, four years later, her house still remains as brightly coloured as ever, and the ambient noises are still as immersive, with the rain making a guest appearance once more. In this episode, we mostly catch up and reminisce about the good old days when we were young, though perhaps not so wild or free. How the past couple of years have been for us, our relationship with yoga and how it’s changed, oh and some other stuff about me almost getting her killed, the usual… Stuff we talked about:  Catching up Contemplations on life and yoga Teacher Training stories and our time at HOM Reflecting on the past and wanting to connect Our relationship with yoga and how it’s changed Yoga, gym, going back to HOMThe absurdity of being “exactly where you need to be Balance of Feminine and Masculine Leaving the yoga world behind The hedgehog’s dilemma My black-black energy and how Meiyan always scolds me Human design and Meiyan’s bright bright house Playing with the meow meows Hating yourself / Loving yourself More catching up… More contemplations on life and yoga Fortune Teller’s predictions and the time I almost killed Meiyan My unfathomable loyalty to her Borrowing money and having kids To another 10 more years of friendship,Aaron   [Rest in peace Roku, your gentle presence and stoic strength will always be remembered.]   ------------------------------------ Follow Meiyan on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bohospiritmei/ ------------------------------------ SUPPORT THE PODCAST :) https://ko-fi.com/mostlyyoga  FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/aaaroning/ https://www.instagram.com/mostlyyogapodcast/ ------------------------------------