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    Lex Fridman Podcast

    #427 – Neil Adams: Judo, Olympics, Winning, Losing, and the Champion Mindset

    Sat Apr 20 2024
    JudoAthleticsCompetitionTrainingOlympics

    Description

    This episode features Neil Adams, a legendary figure in Judo, sharing his experiences and insights. The episode covers various topics including the importance of sleep, nutrition, and training adjustments as athletes age. It also delves into the evolution of judo styles, rule changes, and the emotional impact of winning and losing in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics. The episode highlights the competitive drive of athletes, the challenges they face, and the transition from being a competitive athlete to 'normal' life. It also explores the adaptability and strategy required in martial arts and the dedication and proper technique needed for success in Judo. The episode concludes with discussions on Judo fans, high-stakes competitions, and the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

    Insights

    The job of a leader or manager in business involves constant innovation, pivoting, and making tough decisions.

    Neil Adams, a successful judoka, shares his experience preparing for the 1980 Olympics where he made the decision to drop weight categories.

    Left-handed fighters have more opportunities to fight right-handers due to the population distribution.

    Losing an Olympic final on a split decision still haunts the speaker years later.

    Different styles of judo have evolved over time, with traditional Japanese judo focusing on timing, position, and momentum, while other countries introduced wrestling techniques into judo.

    As athletes age, they need to adjust their training and intensity to prevent injuries.

    Banning leg grabs in judo aims to promote more epic throws and dynamic judo instead of stalling tactics.

    Judo is seen as a way of life that instills respect, reverence, and calmness in practitioners.

    The importance of judo jackets in establishing control and the difference they make in training and competition.

    The speaker reflects on a judo match where he lost in the final of the Olympics to Frank Vinica of Germany, despite being close to winning.

    Great champions handle losing in the right way, which is crucial for success.

    Finding the cause of what brings you down can make a difference in your life

    Judo fans can access top judo events and matches on judotv.com for a yearly fee of $100.

    Teddy Reneere is considered the greatest judo winner of all time, with impressive achievements in world championships and Olympics.

    In Japan, top judo athletes have to battle it out in trials to qualify for major competitions like the Olympics.

    The speaker reflects on the frustration and learning process of working towards becoming a top athlete.

    Travis Stevens is an example of adapting techniques from Jiu Jitsu to judo for success

    Roger Gracie's mastery of judo pins and techniques is highlighted, showcasing his power and control in grappling.

    The podcast snippet discusses the intense work ethic and dedication of two individuals who hate losing.

    The speaker recalls crossing the finish line of a race and the challenges faced during the event.

    Chapters

    1. Neil Adams: A Legendary Figure in Judo
    2. Left-Handed Fighters and Olympic Final Loss
    3. Evolution of Judo Styles and Rule Changes
    4. Mindset and Transitions in Judo
    5. Judo Jackets, Rule Changes, and Olympic Losses
    6. Handling Loss, Overcoming Struggles, and Transitioning
    7. Teddy Renaire: The Greatest Judo Winner of All Time
    8. Training in Japan and Frustration of Becoming a Top Athlete
    9. Adapting Techniques and Styles in Martial Arts
    10. Hard Work, Dedication, and Proper Technique in Judo
    11. Training Regimen and Challenges Faced by Athletes
    12. Passion of Judo Fans and High-Stakes Competitions
    Summary
    Transcript

    Neil Adams: A Legendary Figure in Judo

    00:00 - 15:45

    • Neil Adams is a legendary figure in Judo, known for his achievements and commentary in the sport.
    • 8 Sleep emphasizes the importance of sleep for performance and efficiency.
    • Masterclass offers courses from experts like Martin Scorsese on filmmaking.
    • Element provides an electrolyte drink essential for fasting and diet approaches.
    • NetSuite is highlighted as an all-in-one cloud business manager to facilitate communication within a business.
    • The job of a leader or manager in business involves constant innovation, pivoting, and making tough decisions.
    • Neil Adams, a successful judoka, shares his experience preparing for the 1980 Olympics where he made the decision to drop weight categories.
    • Adams faced challenges with cutting weight for the 71 kg division and believes it impacted his performance due to poor nutrition.
    • Despite winning matches with throws and arm locks in earlier rounds, Adams struggled in the final against an Italian opponent who was left-handed, a style he disliked facing.
    • An eight-hour break between the semi-final and final at the Olympics disrupted Adams' momentum and affected his performance in the final match.

    Left-Handed Fighters and Olympic Final Loss

    15:17 - 22:51

    • Left-handed fighters have more opportunities to fight right-handers due to the population distribution.
    • Losing an Olympic final on a split decision still haunts the speaker years later.
    • Nutrition was a weak point for the speaker during their athletic career despite good advice in other areas.
    • The speaker's competitive drive to win has been a constant throughout their life, even in non-competitive situations like playing games with family.
    • Even after retiring from competition, the speaker's competitive spirit remains strong, but they have had to adjust their training as they got older.

    Evolution of Judo Styles and Rule Changes

    22:24 - 36:15

    • As athletes age, they need to adjust their training and intensity to prevent injuries.
    • Experiences of competing with world champions at a young age can shape an athlete's future success.
    • Different styles of judo have evolved over time, with traditional Japanese judo focusing on timing, position, and momentum, while other countries introduced wrestling techniques into judo.
    • Changes in judo rules were influenced by the International Olympic Committee to maintain the distinction between judo and wrestling.
    • Banning leg grabs in judo aims to promote more epic throws and dynamic judo instead of stalling tactics.
    • Rules in judo dictate development and can bring back lost forms of judo techniques like using hips for defense.
    • Judo is seen as a way of life that instills respect, reverence, and calmness in practitioners.
    • True champions are defined by how they handle defeat with grace and resilience, as exemplified by a five-time world champion who bounced back after a loss.
    • The speaker shares personal experiences about the emotional impact of winning and losing in the Olympic Games.

    Mindset and Transitions in Judo

    36:01 - 42:38

    • Athletes have different mindsets when competing, some focus on winning while others focus on not losing
    • Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the competition is crucial for success
    • There's a thin line between victory and tragedy in competitive sports
    • Decisions during a match can be critical, especially regarding attacking or defending strategies
    • Transitions from standing to ground in judo are essential for success
    • Transition from standing to ground is crucial in judo, known as naywaza
    • Becoming world champion involved overcoming challenges and disappointments
    • Youthful ambition can lead to underestimating the difficulty of achieving goals
    • Encountering opponents at higher levels can be eye-opening and challenging
    • Feeling of danger in facing skilled opponents adds intensity to competition
    • Different judo styles, like Eastern European and Japanese, have distinct characteristics in gripping and throwing techniques

    Judo Jackets, Rule Changes, and Olympic Losses

    48:46 - 55:42

    • The importance of judo jackets in establishing control and the difference they make in training and competition.
    • Discussion on rule changes regarding grips in judo competitions and the impact on gameplay.
    • Personal reflections on the 1984 Olympics, including struggles during matches and a defeat in the final against Frank Vinica of Germany.
    • The speaker reflects on a judo match where he lost in the final of the Olympics to Frank Vinica of Germany, despite being close to winning.
    • The pressure of being the favorite and losing had a significant impact on the speaker's life, leading to a dark period involving excessive drinking.
    • The speaker still has recurring dreams about trying to correct the Olympic final loss, indicating lingering emotional effects.
    • Despite the loss, the speaker later defeated Vinica in another competition but found little solace in it due to the tighter match and lack of fulfillment.
    • The speaker acknowledges that while winning an Olympic gold medal would have changed his life trajectory, he values his current family and life more than any sporting achievement.
    • The experience of losing at the Olympics shaped the speaker into striving for lasting recognition and excellence in coaching and commentary.

    Handling Loss, Overcoming Struggles, and Transitioning

    1:01:40 - 1:09:35

    • Great champions handle losing in the right way, which is crucial for success.
    • Handling difficult situations, like divorce and personal struggles, requires facing them head-on.
    • Overcoming depression and alcohol abuse involves making a conscious decision to stop and seeking support.
    • Stopping drinking can lead to physical and mental improvements, helping individuals break free from dark places.
    • Finding the cause of what brings you down can make a difference in your life
    • Gratitude for what you have is important, even the little things like food and family
    • Transitioning from being a competitive athlete to 'normal' life can be challenging
    • Deciding when to stop competing is a difficult decision for athletes
    • Transition options post-competition include coaching or media involvement
    • Commentary career development from voiceovers to event commentary over time

    Teddy Renaire: The Greatest Judo Winner of All Time

    1:16:21 - 1:23:11

    • Judo fans can access top judo events and matches on judotv.com for a yearly fee of $100.
    • Teddy Reneere is considered the greatest judo winner of all time, with impressive achievements in world championships and Olympics.
    • Despite his age, Teddy Renaire remains a strong contender in judo competitions, but faces challenges from younger fighters.
    • Comparisons are made between Teddy Renaire and legendary judoka Yamashir regarding their techniques and styles in judo matches.
    • Adaptability and strategy play crucial roles in high-level judo matches, where fighters make adjustments to succeed.
    • Tactical insights and strategies from a judo match between Teddy Reneer and a Korean opponent are discussed.
    • Penalties for stalling and rule violations in judo matches are explained.
    • Pressure and expectations faced by athletes like Teddy Reneer in high-stakes competitions are highlighted.
    • The Korean judoka is praised for his passionate and relentless performance in a match.
    • Golden score in judo is explained as a tiebreaker when there are no points scored from throws or holds.
    • Commentator shares that athletes generally appreciate his commentary, even when pointing out mistakes.
    • Discussion on great judo athletes like Koga, Ono, and Nomura who excelled not just in winning but also in their approach to the sport and off-mat behavior.
    • Importance of presenting oneself well both on and off the mat as a champion is emphasized.

    Training in Japan and Frustration of Becoming a Top Athlete

    1:36:07 - 1:43:24

    • In Japan, top judo athletes have to battle it out in trials to qualify for major competitions like the Olympics.
    • Training in Japan involves experiencing and defending against the danger of being thrown, which heightens defenses and skills.
    • A judo athlete shares a personal story of facing challenges and adapting his ego through intense training experiences in Japan.
    • The process of training with skilled opponents in Japan involves frustration, competitiveness, and a drive to improve and succeed.
    • The speaker reflects on the frustration and learning process of working towards becoming a top athlete.
    • Training in Japan involves facing skilled but unknown judo practitioners who may never become world champions.
    • Anecdote about a businessman joining a judo practice session and impressing by challenging and being challenged by the British team.
    • Discussion about judo genius Keshe Wazaki's techniques and success in the World Championships, showcasing his skill in groundwork transitions.
    • Importance of transitions in judo highlighted through examples from teaching experiences and competitive strategies.

    Adapting Techniques and Styles in Martial Arts

    1:50:04 - 1:57:07

    • Travis Stevens is an example of adapting techniques from Jiu Jitsu to judo for success
    • Understanding the sport, art, competitors, styles, and culture is crucial for winning in martial arts
    • There are interesting crossovers and adaptations between different martial arts styles like wrestling, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu
    • Judo emphasizes quick transitions and catching opponents immediately, while Jiu Jitsu allows more time for building moves
    • Judo is described as more exhausting with short bursts of intensity compared to the relaxed pace of Jiu Jitsu
    • Roger Gracie learned the importance of throwing techniques from Judo for transitions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
    • Roger Gracie's mastery of judo pins and techniques is highlighted, showcasing his power and control in grappling.
    • The importance of weight distribution, balance changes, and control in judo and jiu-jitsu is discussed.
    • The significance of ground control in martial arts like judo and jiu-jitsu, especially in mixed martial arts settings, is emphasized.
    • The evolution of martial arts showcased through UFC fights where different skills clash together is mentioned.
    • The transition from traditional judo to UFC-style fighting is explored, highlighting the adaptation required for success.

    Hard Work, Dedication, and Proper Technique in Judo

    2:03:46 - 2:10:36

    • The podcast snippet discusses the intense work ethic and dedication of two individuals who hate losing.
    • The focus is on training methodology, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success.
    • The trainer preferred having multiple hard-working athletes over one skilled individual to create a strong team dynamic.
    • Training involved physical workouts, judo skills practice, and repetition of techniques under pressure for perfection.
    • A key aspect of training was the ability to focus specifically on skills without time constraints.
    • Jimmy Pedro's dedication to practice and improvement in Judo techniques had a significant impact on his own skills and those of others like Kayla and Ronda.
    • The key to successful Judo throws lies in proper coordination, balance, and technique, starting with the hands to pull the opponent off balance.
    • Training partners play a crucial role in learning Judo techniques correctly by reacting appropriately during practice.
    • Proper body movement and positioning are essential for effective Judo training, as demonstrated by the Russian national team's impressive skills.
    • Effective coaching in Judo involves focusing on correct technique rather than just conditioning exercises like running.

    Training Regimen and Challenges Faced by Athletes

    2:16:40 - 2:24:03

    • The speaker recalls crossing the finish line of a race and the challenges faced during the event.
    • Training regimen included varied workouts like weight training, judo, and running with phases for building up speed, power, and base conditioning.
    • Emphasis on the importance of randoris (live training) in sports science and how some countries prioritize it with high frequency per week.
    • The speaker reminisces about tough but valuable training partners in judo, including Nixida who was a great technician.
    • European training camps provided diverse opponents to fight against, pushing the speaker to dig deep mentally and physically.
    • Instances where exhaustion pushed the speaker to their limits during competitions, such as fighting multiple matches in a day.
    • Golden score in judo can lead to extended matches with multiple rounds of four minutes each.
    • Japanese judoka Hashimoto is now representing Japan at 73 kilograms after Ono's retirement.
    • Technique and strategy play a crucial role in winning matches, as demonstrated by Hashimoto's approach.
    • Maintaining fitness and training while traveling for competitions can be challenging, requiring creative workout solutions like using hotel stairs.
    • Good instruction, club atmosphere, and a balance between competition and enjoyment are essential for beginners in judo.
    • Building a strong foundation in technique is key to long-term success in judo.

    Passion of Judo Fans and High-Stakes Competitions

    1:16:21 - 1:23:11

    • The crowd at Judo events in Paris is highly passionate and biased towards their own competitors.
    • Surprising moments in Judo, like top athletes losing, can happen even during team events.
    • The upcoming Olympics in Paris is a big deal for Judo, especially with the strong French team and the high stakes involved.
    • Commentators feel the pressure to celebrate triumphs while also showing empathy for athletes experiencing defeats.
    • Judo fans can access top judo events and matches on judotv.com for a yearly fee of $100.
    • Teddy Reneere is considered the greatest judo winner of all time, with impressive achievements in world championships and Olympics.
    • Despite his age, Teddy Renaire remains a strong contender in judo competitions, but faces challenges from younger fighters.
    • Comparisons are made between Teddy Renaire and legendary judoka Yamashir regarding their techniques and styles in judo matches.
    • Adaptability and strategy play crucial roles in high-level judo matches, where fighters make adjustments to succeed.
    • Tactical insights and strategies from a judo match between Teddy Reneer and a Korean opponent are discussed.
    • Penalties for stalling and rule violations in judo matches are explained.
    • Pressure and expectations faced by athletes like Teddy Reneer in high-stakes competitions are highlighted.
    • The Korean judoka is praised for his passionate and relentless performance in a match.
    • Golden score in judo is explained as a tiebreaker when there are no points scored from throws or holds.
    • Commentator shares that athletes generally appreciate his commentary, even when pointing out mistakes.
    • Discussion on great judo athletes like Koga, Ono, and Nomura who excelled not just in winning but also in their approach to the sport and off-mat behavior.
    • Importance of presenting oneself well both on and off the mat as a champion is emphasized.
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