David Cronenwett is the owner of Helena Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a third-degree black belt under American Jiu-Jitsu legend Rafael Lovato Jr. David started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in Seattle in 1996, back when finding a place to train was like stumbling upon a secret society. Over the years, he’s not only refined his own game but has shared this art with hundreds of students in Montana’s capital city since opening his academy in 2016.
But David’s path to Jiu-Jitsu wasn’t exactly a straight shot. He grew up in New Jersey, made his way west to study classical guitar at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle right as the grunge scene was taking over, and eventually found himself in Montana, drawn by the wilderness and a deep-rooted need for something more. That “something more” turned out to be a mix of conservation work, backcountry living, and, of course, Jiu-Jitsu—an art that would come to define much of his life.
In this conversation, we go deep into the philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu: why it grabs certain people and won’t let go, how it humbles you, how it teaches you to remain calm under pressure, and how it can serve as a vehicle for self-improvement. But beyond that, we explore how Jiu-Jitsu teaches lessons that stretch far beyond the mats—lessons about patience, resilience, adaptability, and how to wisely face challenges in life. We also talk about the importance of culture in an academy, how a good training environment can shape people beyond the gym, and how the shared purpose and community of Jiu-Jitsu has a way of bringing together folks from all walks of life.
And for those of you who might be on the fence about trying Jiu-Jitsu, David has plenty to say about why it’s never too late to start and how it can change not just how you move, but how you see the world.
So whether you’re a seasoned grappler or just curious about what makes this martial art so addictive, there’s a lot to learn from this conversation. Enjoy!
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Photos courtesy of David Cronenwett & Helena BJJ
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RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 2:15 – Getting to know David
- 4:30 – Seattle to Montana
- 6:30 – And from music to conservation
- 7:45 – Early outdoor interests
- 10:00 – First Jiu-Jitsu memories
- 12:30 – Getting into Jiu-Jitsu
- 16:30 – What is it about Jiu-Jitsu?
- 21:00 – Community on the mat
- 26:45 – Importance of having new trainees
- 29:45 – Where the growth happens
- 31:30 – Maintaining culture
- 35:30 – Lessons from practicing and teaching
- 42:30 – Obsessive types
- 45:15 – Not for the bullies
- 47:30 – Maintaining the practice as life goes on
- 53:30 – Self-defense as an insurance policy
- 1:01:00 – What Jiu-Jitsu gives you
- 1:04:45 – Losing ego
- 1:08:45 – Peaks and valleys
- 1:12:30 – Not about the belts
- 1:14:45 – Book recs
- 1:21:30 – Thoughts on therapy
- 1:23:45 – Parting words
Information Referenced:
- David Cronenwett
- Helena Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Old Salt conservation with Hal Herring. A rare occurrence when Ed wasn’t talking to Hal about Jiu Jitsu at the festival.
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. David’s pro-tip is to pick it up, put it down and come back to it often.
- Musashi’s Book of Five Rings
- Origins of Jiu Jitsu
- Jocko Willink on self defense and the young man’s psyche.
- The Gift of Violence by Matt Thornton
- Bad Therapy. And a conversation with author Abigail Shrier on a podcast about the book.
- Tribe, which might be one of the most important written, according to Ed.
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these too:
- Hal Herring Returns – Live at the Old Salt Festival
- George Hodgin Returns – On Risk-Taking, Leadership, and the Future of Cannabis
- Scott Hulet: Reading + Writing + Surfing + Fishing + Traveling
- Jason Gardner – A Life of Purpose & Service
- Iris Gardner – Living with Intention
- Walt Morgan – Helping People Discover Their Best Selves
- Nick Offerman – Empathy, Nuance, & Good Hard Work
- Joe Schobert – From NFL Pro Bowler to Western Conservation Advocate
- Jesse Smith – A Regenerative Approach to Land and Life
Visit the podcast page for a full, searchable list of episodes
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