Thomas Rozdzynski

Frankfort, IL, United States

www.rolacademy.com www.rolacademy.tv www.therolradio.com

Posted

07 Jul 09:00

On June 28, 2025, Coach Mike Mahaffey returned to RŌL Academy for a highly anticipated seminar focused on the key principles of base — both in standing positions and on the ground. With his deep understanding of balance, posture, and control, Mike guided students through a hands-on experience that emphasized how proper base can dictate the outcome of nearly any exchange in jiu jitsu.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-06-28-mike-mahaffey

30lbs that’s huge. Congrats šŸ’„ and still so much aheadĀ 

Reply

06 Jul 11:14

This is a tough question for me… because Jiu Jitsu has truly changed my entire life. But if I had to narrow it down, I’d say it comes down to a few big lessons:

Making decisions under pressure—staying calm when everything feels chaotic. šŸ§ šŸ”„

Embracing the suck—life is hard, but Jiu Jitsu teaches you that you can do hard things. šŸ’Ŗāš”ļø

And maybe the most unexpected one: learning to be approachable as an instructor. This was incredibly difficult for me, as I’ve always struggled with public speaking and being social isn’t naturally my strong suit. šŸŽ¤šŸ˜…

Jiu Jitsu has challenged me in ways I never expected—but that’s exactly what makes it so transformative. šŸ™āœØ

Reply

06 Jul 10:44

Since we had a short week last week, we’ll be revisiting our intermediate curriculum—but don’t let that fool you! šŸ”„ We’re actually diving deeper into the details:

Gi Class: Half-Guard Retention šŸ„‹

NoGi Class: Under hook Control šŸ¤¼ā€ā™‚ļø

This is a fantastic chance to level up both subjects and sharpen your game! šŸš€šŸ”„ See you on the mats!

Reply

05 Jul 18:01

Thank you Pete

Posted

30 Jun 09:00

🧠 Weekly Question Time!

Alright team—let’s get into it! Drop your thoughts in the comments and feel free to tag your training partners šŸ‘‡šŸ‘Š

How do you mentally reset after a tough or not-so-great training session?

We all have those days—what helps you bounce back and keep moving forward? šŸ’­šŸ’Ŗ

4

Posted

27 Jun 16:34

Recent addition to the RŌL TV Library

The gift wrap position is one of the most powerful control points in jiu jitsu, and it opens the door to a variety of high-percentage chokes and submissions. Once you’ve secured your partner’s arm across their body and locked your own arm behind their head, you create a dominant angle that limits their movement and exposes their neck.

11:41

Gift Wrap Chokes

The gift wrap position is one of the most powerful control...

23 Jun 12:38

Alright team, this is the week to dig deep and put in that focused work šŸ’Ŗ

Gi Intermediate will center around Gift Wrap Attacks — we’ll explore how to control our partner with precision and transition into strong finishing options from dominant positions.

NoGi Intermediate will focus on S-Mount Escapes, emphasizing how to take advantage of small spaces and low-friction opportunities to safely exit a compromised position.

I highly encourage you to review the videos ahead of time and come in with a plan. The more prepared you are, the more you’ll get out of each session. Let’s keep leveling up — see you on the mats!

Reply

23 Jun 12:32

This is such a deep question—my mind is spinning in ten different directions. Are we talking about the last roll because we’re no longer here… or the last one because we physically can’t anymore? I guess either way, the end is the end. Grrr, Scott Tresch you’re really messing with my head on this one.

But if I’m being honest—and getting a little sentimental—I’d choose my kids. If it’s truly my final roll on the mats, I want to share that moment with them. I’d want them to remember the connection, the joy, and the love that Jiu Jitsu brought us together. What better way to say goodbye to the mats than with them by my side?

20 Jun 08:42

Over the past 25 years on the mat, I’ve learned so many lessons—but the one that stands out the most is the ability to make rational decisions and solve problems under intense stress.

Making choices was something I always struggled with when I was younger. But Jiu Jitsu gave me a way to develop that skill. It taught me how to pause, evaluate a situation, come up with different options, and—most importantly—choose the one that fits best in the moment.

That ability has carried over into every part of my life.

Jimmy Sinclair - you it

Reply