As we head into a new year, millions of people around the world set fresh goals and resolutions. I do it too, but before looking forward, I’ve found it incredibly valuable to look back.
Reflecting on the past 12 months gives you the chance to see what worked, what didn’t, and where your attention truly needs to go next. Honest analysis isn’t about beating yourself up it’s about understanding the patterns that shape your progress.
And equally important is taking the time to acknowledge your wins.
Many of us who care about self growth tend to downplay our successes, focusing instead on everything we should have done. But celebrating what went right is just as essential as identifying what needs improvement.
With that, here’s a look at some of the best content, ideas, and breakthroughs from Order & Progress in 2025.
And I’d love to hear from you—reply with your biggest win of the year.
Top BJJ Performance Article of 2025
Try This BJJ Strength Aerobics Protocol For Better Grappling Performance
One of my early inspirations in strength training was Pavel Tsatsouline, the legendary Russian coach whose work shaped much of my foundation as a BJJ performance coach.
While I’ve moved beyond strictly following the StrongFirst system, I continue to pull from Pavel’s principles, especially his programming, minimalist approach, and of course, kettlebell training.
In early 2023, I completed his Strength Endurance course and immediately recognized how well this methodology translates to grapplers and fighters. Since then, I’ve been developing a full program based on this system to be released soon, but this article offers a powerful preview of what’s possible—specifically for BJJ athletes.
If you want to generate high force repeatedly without burning out, this is a protocol you don’t want to miss.
Top BJJ Resilience Podcast Episode of 2025
Building BJJ Strength with Kettlebells & Clubs w/ Pat Damiano
While I didn’t release nearly as many episodes as I’d have liked in 2025, I was able to drop a few gems with some of the greatest minds in unconventional training and sport BJJ.
The most listened to episode was with kettlebell expert, Pat Damiano. Not only is Pat a grappler himself, he has amassed a huge following for his coaching and programming expertise specific to kettlebells.
Be sure to give this one a listen if you’re interested in:
- Building strength, resilience, and longevity with kettlebells
- Common myths about kettlebells
- The real benefits of club training
- Strength protocols that actually transfer to BJJ
- Why mental discipline matters more than motivation
- How physical training supports entrepreneurship
Most Viewed Order & Progress Social Post of 2025
The most viewed post of the year was “3 Heavy Club Squats for Better Hip Mobility.”
For grapplers, hip mobility isn’t optional, it’s essential for both performance and long-term resilience in the lower back, hips, and spine. Improving my own hip mobility is what allowed me to return to the mats after a debilitating back injury and continue training relatively pain-free into my 40s.
The three squat variations in this video function as loaded mobility drills, using the heavy club to help you access deeper ranges of motion in the hips. By adding external load, you not only increase mobility, you also build strength within those new ranges.
And that combination is exactly what keeps you durable on the mat.
Most Shared Order & Progress Social Post of 2025
While views are nice, they’re not always a reliable indicator of true interest. A post can pick up traction simply by catching the algorithm at the right time.
Shares, on the other hand, reflect genuine engagement. People only share something if they find it valuable enough to pass along.
The most shared post of the year was “Do This for Better BJJ Hip Mobility.”
No surprise there, as hip mobility is essential for grapplers, martial artists, and really any athlete.
(And yes… a dedicated hip mobility program is coming in 2026. Keep that between us.)
This post featured a loaded Shin Box sequence using the heavy club. The Shin Box is a powerful movement for grapplers, offering benefits far beyond hip mobility alone.
This sequence was direct from an O&P program, and if you want to take the benefits to the max, consider Shin Box Hip Power.
Most Purchased Order & Progress Program of 2025
In 2024, our focus was primarily on heavy club training for grapplers. The heavy club quite literally changed my life, helping me overcome hidden movement limitations that had been holding back my performance and durability for years.
But in 2025, we expanded. We partnered again with Mark Wildman to release our first kettlebell program—a natural evolution, given how many people already train with kettlebells.
BJJ Kettlebell Resilience became our most popular program of the year by a wide margin. It’s a loaded mobility system designed to build strength, mobility, and resilience in the exact positions grapplers encounter on the mat.
There’s nothing else on the market quite like it.
Bonus
Top BJJ Book I Read in 2025 – Breathe by Rickson Gracie
If you’re a student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this is a must-read. We’ve all heard the legends of Rickson, but this book goes deeper—sharing the story of his rise, the struggles he faced, and the mental resilience required to help shape Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into what it is today. The lessons, takeaways, and inspiration in these pages are invaluable.
Top Training Tool of 2025 – Haephestus Clubs
This brand entered the market in 2025 and solved a big problem: premium heavy clubs built to last a lifetime. The Cadillac Club is, in my opinion, the ultimate heavy club. And since I got mine earlier this year, they’ve already improved the design even further.
Final Thoughts
As another year passes, it’s important to pause and reflect on what we’ve accomplished.
We only truly learn from our past if we take the time to recognize the lessons hidden inside our experiences.
For me, the achievement I’m most proud of in 2025 was receiving my black belt, after years of being sidelined, working through pain, and being forced to rebuild my body.
The growth that came from that difficult period is something I never would have accessed without going through it. And the lessons I learned along the way are exactly what I try to share each week in this newsletter to help you stay resilient—on the mat and in life.
What was your biggest accomplishment in 2025?
WHENEVER YOU’RE READY, THERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU:
1. Start improving your BJJ durability and performance with Foundations of Rotational Strength.
2. Fortify your body for BJJ with this free course on BJJ Resilience.
3. Join the free weekly newsletter here.
4. Apply for personal online coaching here.
