Off the Mats Podcast #264- Chess is Jiu Jitsu for the Mind feat. Adisa Banjoko

2025-06-16

What's up, people? This week on the podcast, I sit down with the profoundly inspiring Adisa Banjoko—a true renaissance man whose life bridges martial arts, music, philosophy, and youth empowerment. As the founder of Hip Hop Chess Federation and 64 Blocks, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, philosopher, author, educator, and podcaster, Adisa brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the conversation. We explore his journey through martial arts and hip-hop, the creation of the HHCF and how it spawned 64 Blocks, and how chess, BJ...

What's up, people? This week on the podcast, I sit down with the profoundly inspiring Adisa Banjoko—a true renaissance man whose life bridges martial arts, music, philosophy, and youth empowerment.

As the founder of Hip Hop Chess Federation and 64 Blocks, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, philosopher, author, educator, and podcaster, Adisa brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the conversation. We explore his journey through martial arts and hip-hop, the creation of the HHCF and how it spawned 64 Blocks, and how chess, BJJ, and lyrical expression combine to elevate at-risk youth.

Adisa shares powerful stories about mentorship, the mental game of jiu-jitsu, and the role Stoic philosophy plays in life both on and off the mats. We also dig into his community-focused initiative, 64 Blocks, and what it means to build programs that cultivate resilience, creativity, and responsibility.

From chaining submissions to composing rhymes, Adisa draws surprising parallels between combat and art—and he even reveals what’s more mentally taxing: rolling with a world champ or playing a deep chess match.

This episode is packed with wisdom for coaches, grapplers, creatives, and anyone striving to live with greater purpose and presence.

For more on Adisa, head over to @bishopchronicles and @real64blocks on Instagram. Head over to his Substack, as well https://adisabanjoko.substack.com/

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