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Jimmy Pedro: Judo | Take It Uneasy Podcast
37 segments available
Jimmy Pedro is an American judo competitor and coach, World champion, 3x World medalist, 2x Olympic medalist; we talk about his father (Big Jim Pedro Sr), his early career, the times he wanted to quit, overcoming a neck injury, coming back from retirement, the life of an athlete vs the life of a coach, a system for developing elite-level judoka, Japanese vs Russian judo, periodization, a weekly program for an elite-level judoka, toughest moment as a coach, watching Travis Stevens lose the semifinals at the Olympics, mental game, visualization, IJF, judo as a spectator sport, the future of judo in the United States and the rest of the world, and more. CONNECT: - Subscribe to this YouTube channel - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman
Segments Timeline
Choosing Between Russian and Japanese Judoka
In a hypothetical scenario, Jimmy Pedro discusses the challenge of choosing to fight either a top Russian or Japanese judoka for a million-dollar prize. He reflects on his past successes against Russian competitors, highlighting their technical prowess and explosive power, and shares insights into his competitive mindset.
"let's throw a curveball at you first let's try a quick hypothetical question uh if I told you right now that I have with me I brought um I told you I'm Russian I brought with me back in the car two gu..."
The Influence of Big Jim Pedro Sr.
Jimmy Pedro shares his early experiences in judo under the guidance of his father, Big Jim Pedro Sr. He describes the mandatory nature of judo training in his childhood and how his father's demanding approach instilled discipline and life lessons through the sport, shaping him into a better athlete and person.
"the Russian oh wow and the reason is they're so much more technical um you the Russians obviously have great Judo explosive power um don't get me wrong I mean it's a tough decision either way but when..."
Balancing Pressure as a Parent and Coach
Reflecting on his role as a father and coach, Jimmy Pedro discusses the pressures his children face as they pursue sports. He contrasts his parenting style with that of his father, emphasizing the importance of allowing his kids to choose their paths while still instilling the values learned from judo.
"so um nice uh your first Judo coach was your dad still your Judo coach always will be always will be can you talk about your relationship with your dad when you first started Judo did he put a lot of ..."
The Path to Self-Motivation
Jimmy Pedro recounts his journey to self-motivation in judo, particularly during his teenage years. He explains how he transitioned from feeling pressured by his father's expectations to embracing the sport for himself, ultimately finding joy and fulfillment in competition.
"Judo and what it would do to to help me become a better better person person yeah build character yeah you know many many parents want their kids to eat vegetables because it's good for them and eat h..."
The Role of Coaches in Athlete Development
Discussing the role of coaches, Jimmy Pedro emphasizes the importance of exposing athletes to various training environments and mentors. He reflects on how his father encouraged him to learn from other coaches, which helped him grow as a judoka and understand the value of diverse experiences.
"pressure cuz the whole world is watching them because they're Jimmy Pedro's son and you know there's a lot of parents that are that can be obnoxious and when their kid beats my kid it's it's the bigge..."
Facing Adversity: The Desire to Quit
Jimmy Pedro opens up about the moments he considered quitting judo, sharing personal stories of defeat and disappointment. He highlights the emotional struggles athletes face and the importance of perseverance in overcoming challenges and setbacks.
"years everybody's different I think everybody is different in response to that pressure differently um you know had I been given a choice I could tell you right now I probably wouldn't never have made..."
Learning from Losses
In this segment, Jimmy Pedro discusses the reality of losses in an athlete's career. He reflects on how champions are often defined by their ability to learn from failures and the mindset required to continue striving for success despite setbacks.
"great coach somebody that that had a wealth of knowledge that knew how to train athletes that knew how to get the most out of his athletes and that that actually exposed me to the world I think the bi..."
The Importance of Perseverance
Jimmy Pedro shares insights on perseverance and tenacity in judo. He recounts his experiences of overcoming defeats and the determination it takes to rise above challenges, ultimately leading to success in his competitive career.
"dad sent me to all the best coaches in America at the time which were Irwin Cohen who who recently passed away and Patrick burus who was on two Olympic teams and uh I went to Neil in England and I lea..."
Reflections on Early Judo Training
Reflecting on his early judo training, Jimmy Pedro discusses the balance he maintained by participating in multiple sports. He emphasizes the value of diverse athletic experiences during his childhood and how they contributed to his development as an athlete.
"years old I went to the US Open in Judo it's at the time it was one of the hardest tournaments on in the world because the whole world loved coming to America to compete so we had Japanese and we had ..."
The Dark Days of a Champion
Jimmy Pedro reflects on the struggles every champion faces, emphasizing that the public often only sees their victories. He shares his own experience of wanting to quit after a disappointing performance, highlighting the importance of perseverance and learning from losses in the journey to becoming a champion.
"I went 0 and2 in the C cup after being in Japan for six weeks dieting and losing a lot of weight made all this sacrifice and remember sitting on on the steps at the budokon you know at 19 years old th..."
Perseverance in Judo
Pedro discusses the significance of perseverance in judo and sports in general. He recounts his journey of overcoming early losses and the mindset that drove him to succeed, illustrating how champions are defined not just by their victories but by their ability to bounce back from defeat.
"those days where they struggled or they lost or they failed or the or or the day in training where they got their butts whooped yeah right uh or those tournaments where they just fought miserable nobo..."
Balancing Sports and Life
In this segment, Jimmy Pedro talks about his early years in judo and the importance of balancing multiple sports. He reflects on how participating in various activities helped him develop teamwork skills and a strong work ethic, ultimately shaping his approach to judo and competition.
"goal and quite honestly um that same guy Co minion you know he beat me in the 91 Worlds the next year and then in finally in ' 92 I I I got him in the finals of the the Italian tournament the guido si..."
The Pressure of Undefeated Streaks
Pedro shares the pressure he felt during his undefeated streak in judo until the age of 11. He discusses the anxiety that came with maintaining that record and how the expectations placed on him by his father and himself influenced his early experiences in the sport.
"than I wish I I I could have enjoyed it more as a child you know I I had I went undefeated in Judo until I was 11 years old I fought when I was six so I fought 6 7 8 9 10 11 I didn't lose a match unti..."
The Value of a Balanced Life
Jimmy emphasizes the importance of having a life outside of judo for athletes aiming for Olympic success. He argues that pursuing education and other interests can provide emotional balance and resilience, helping athletes cope with the highs and lows of competitive sports.
"the Olympics absolutely with unquestionably I believe that athletes who live live a balanced life who don't put all of their energy into just sport end up becoming better athletes because it when you ..."
Overcoming Injury: A Personal Journey
In this powerful segment, Pedro recounts a devastating neck injury that nearly ended his judo career. He describes the physical and emotional challenges he faced during recovery, including the doctor's grim prognosis and his determination to return to the sport he loved.
"that's not you don't think that's a negative distraction to that One Singular Focus towards the I think there's certain times where you know obviously six months before the Olympic Games it's time to ..."
The Road to Recovery
Pedro shares the details of his recovery process after his neck injury, including the intense pain and rehabilitation he endured. He highlights the importance of perseverance and the gradual return of his strength, ultimately leading him back to the judo mat.
"for a reason and everything plays into what you ultimately become um my injury was pretty devastating can you describe that by the way for people that don't know I actually was in a tournament in the ..."
From Injury to Olympic Bronze
Reflecting on his journey, Pedro discusses how he managed to return to competitive judo after his injury and the eventual success he achieved, including winning a bronze medal at the Olympics nearly a decade later. His story exemplifies resilience and the power of determination.
"that chest muscle and tricep shrunk to zero all the nerve damage was happened on the right side so I slept many of nights just sitting in a traction unit with a a weight over the door in my dorm room ..."
The Evolution of Jimmy Pedro
Pedro contrasts his mindset and approach to judo from his early years to his later career. He discusses how his experiences shaped him into a more strategic and technically skilled athlete, emphasizing the growth that comes with time and experience in the sport.
"doctor and I said doc I know you said I'm never going to do Judo again but like I can move my head now and the guy was like you've made a lot of progress and you know he he said okay now still I don't..."
A Second Chance at Glory
In this segment, Pedro shares his decision to return to judo after initially retiring. He describes the joy and fulfillment he found in competing again, leading to a successful run leading up to the 2004 Olympics, where he made it to the finals of every tournament.
"different from the one of 2004 so at the beginning of the dominance to the end of the the I would say that the young Jimmy Pedro was Fearless um was raw talented just gritty and you got after it just ..."
Retirement and the Call to Compete Again
Pedro discusses his decision to retire after the 2000 Olympics, feeling the weight of expectations and the desire to start a new chapter in life. However, inspired by the 2002 Olympic Games, he shares how he found the motivation to return to competition, leading to two of the most enjoyable years of his athletic career from 2002 to 2004.
"championships as a result of that so but 99 I was 98 99 I I don't think I lost maybe two three times in that whole run you know and really it was because I competed so many tournaments right in a row ..."
The Hunger of Experience
In this segment, Pedro reflects on the difference between his younger self and his mindset as an older athlete. He emphasizes the importance of hunger and experience in competition, contrasting his feelings of pressure in the 2000 Olympics with the freedom and eagerness he felt going into the 2004 Olympics, showcasing the evolution of an athlete's mental game.
"and you can be selfish you can focus on your focus on yourself you can train you feel great you never get that same feeling out of anything else in life as being a winner or a champion or having the c..."
The Pressure of Expectations
Pedro shares insights into the immense pressure athletes face, particularly when they are expected to win. He draws parallels between his experiences and those of fellow competitors like Kayla Harrison, discussing how the pressure to repeat success can lead to unexpected challenges and how losing can sometimes set the stage for future victories.
"this um just drive absolutely you know it it I think it's a good balance it depends on how the athlete deals with the pressure you know going into the 19 going into the 2000 Olympics I was 99 world ch..."
Facing Tough Competitors
In this segment, Pedro reflects on the toughest opponents he faced throughout his judo career, including Udo Quell and Yukimasa Nakamura. He emphasizes the importance of matchups in judo and shares his mentality of never backing down, regardless of the challenges faced in competition.
"don't have to admit this um but have you ever been broken on the Madden competition for whatever reason you lost hope or confidence in the match has there ever been a guy tough enough uh to have broke..."
Life After the Olympics
Pedro discusses the emotional aftermath of competing in the Olympics, particularly the feelings of failure and depression that can follow a loss. He contrasts the highs of winning with the challenges of returning to normal life and the pressures of being a public figure, illustrating the complexities of an athlete's journey beyond competition.
"nobody ever just ran over me uh so I remember I talked to teraji Williams and he said he was really depressed after his Olympic run I think second uh what is that life after the Olympics were you haun..."
Destiny and the Journey of Coaching
In this reflective segment, Pedro shares his belief in destiny and how his experiences shaped his role as a coach. He discusses the significance of Kayla Harrison's success and how it felt like a culmination of events that connected his past with her future, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the journey of guiding athletes to greatness.
"every day of the week over not right so of course then Sydney was devastating losing in Sydney was the worst ever it really was a dark and you retired and I retired so I felt like a failure and I felt..."
Building a System for Success in Judo
Pedro outlines the systematic approach he believes is necessary for developing elite judo athletes in the United States. He discusses the importance of a structured training program, the mentality required for success, and how his experiences have informed the training of champions like Kayla Harrison and Travis Stevens.
"yeah to and to me I believe in that Destiny and I believe in karma and good things so and repeat in 2016 that's hope let's hope it's setting up nicely so uh in the United States a country where Judo h..."
Training Philosophy: Intensity and Strategy
In this segment, Pedro elaborates on his training philosophy, contrasting the training methods of different countries. He emphasizes the need for intense focus and strategic training to compete against stronger judo nations, highlighting the importance of conditioning, grip fighting, and a championship mindset in developing successful athletes.
"that's the that's the thing that most most other places in America don't have and that's really the problem with the entire USA judo is that we don't have a system to produce High Lev athletes we've d..."
The Importance of Periodization in Training
Pedro elaborates on the concept of periodization in athletic training, explaining why athletes cannot maintain peak performance year-round. He shares insights on balancing intense training with necessary recovery periods, emphasizing that mental and physical rest is crucial for achieving optimal performance in competitions.
"they're lucky if they do 15 in a month right because it's very technical um but two different schools of thought we do really intense focus training here and we we're smart with the periodization of o..."
Family and Coaching Balance
In this segment, Pedro reflects on the challenges of balancing family life with his coaching responsibilities. He discusses the impact of his commitment to judo on his family and how he has adjusted his focus to ensure he remains present for his children while still supporting elite athletes in their training.
"body come down so that it can build from somewhere right right so you see that a lot and boxers are actually pretty good at that I mean they take it to an extreme where they get so fat and so out of s..."
Weekly Training Program for Elite Judokas
Pedro outlines a typical weekly training schedule for elite-level judokas, detailing the structure of their technical sessions, strength training, and randori practice. He emphasizes the rigorous training regimen that includes multiple sessions each day, showcasing the dedication required to excel in judo.
"these athletes to to become great they need to train more than once a day so my dad is down here with the every single morning he runs a morning technical training session for all of our Elite guys ye..."
The Pain of Olympic Loss
Pedro shares the emotional experience of watching Travis Stevens lose in the semifinals of the Olympic Games. He reflects on the sacrifices athletes make and the fleeting nature of such pivotal moments in their careers, highlighting the deep connection between a coach and their athlete during high-stakes competitions.
"then they come back at night and they'll train uh randori at night we do another hour and a half randori session at night so they're minimally doing three trainings almost every day yes they go Monday..."
Evolving from Athlete to Coach
Pedro discusses how his experiences as an athlete shape his coaching philosophy today. He contrasts his mindset as a competitor with his current approach as a coach, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation and strategy in achieving success in judo.
"ramping up again here and we're just about to turn 2015 there's going to be a lot more traveling coming with the team and but my dad's picked up I've put my dad in that role you know because the best ..."
Impact of IJF Rule Changes on Judo
In this segment, Pedro analyzes recent rule changes by the International Judo Federation aimed at differentiating judo from wrestling and making the sport more spectator-friendly. He critiques these changes, arguing that they may not enhance the sport's appeal and discusses the inherent challenges of making judo engaging for a broader audience.
"after that and then he had to fight for bronze and normally nine times out of 10 he'll beat that Canadian you know he beat the boy before the Olympics many many times just he had physically drained hi..."
The Challenge of Popularity
In this segment, Pedro reflects on the inherent challenges judo faces in becoming a popular spectator sport. He compares judo to other sports, noting that without a personal connection to the athletes or teams, viewers may find it boring. He argues that the sport's complexity and the need for a deeper understanding limit its appeal.
"very boring and it always will be no matter what rules you put in I love I love wrestling but wrestling if you don't know who is wrestling it's boring yeah you don't and it's and same with the elite l..."
The Future of Judo in America
Pedro discusses the future of judo in the United States, expressing concern over the lack of investment in youth programs and the increasing costs associated with training elite athletes. He warns that without significant changes, judo may struggle to maintain its presence in America, potentially leading to a decline in participation and competition.
"Slam tournaments in Abu Dhabi and there's nobody stands right you know you go to all these tournaments and there's nobody watching everybody's watching online but nobody's watching so I think the rule..."
A Shrinking Sport
In this segment, Pedro elaborates on the shrinking landscape of judo, particularly in the U.S. He highlights the disparity in funding and resources between countries, predicting that without a drastic change in support for junior programs, judo will continue to diminish in popularity and participation across various nations.
"that's okay that's what if you want to make the sport popular everybody has to be able to do it yeah and right now Judo has become a sport that only the young can do that's why I think it's failing th..."
Reflections on the Interview
As the conversation wraps up, Pedro expresses his appreciation for the thoughtful questions posed during the interview. He reflects on the insights shared throughout the discussion and hints at future engagements, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in understanding the complexities of judo and its evolution.
"really don't see the pipeline coming up yeah I I hope that doesn't come to uh reality but me either on that dark note uh uh people can find you on Jimmy pad.com on Facebook uh where else uh I'm I'm a ..."