Better Than Average

This week on Better Than Average, we take on The Life of David Gale — definitely not Uncle Jay’s usual movie choice, and it sparks plenty of conversation. From the film itself to the bigger questions around the death penalty, there’s a lot to get into. We also relive our trip to Westminster to visit Will Stone MP, with plenty of stories from behind the scenes and the usual political detours. As always, it’s movies, politics, questionable opinions, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we dive into a review of American Beauty and try to answer the question: does it still deserve its reputation as one of the greatest films ever made, or has time changed the way we see it? We also celebrate a huge milestone as Circle of Vigour BJJ turns one year old. We look back at everything that’s been achieved, the community that’s been built, and what the future holds for the club, starting with the big one year birthday celebration. Throw in the usual BJJ chat, a few questionable takes, and the inevitable tangents, and you’ve got another classic episode. As always, it’s grappling, movies, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week, Chris and Jay take the Better Than Average Podcast to the Houses of Parliament to catch up with friend of the show, Will Stone MP. We get a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like as an MP, from representing constituents to navigating Westminster, as Will shares the work he’s doing to bring drone manufacturing and high-skilled jobs to Swindon. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Better Than Average conversation without Jay taking a few spectacular detours. Somehow we end up discussing the best way to fight a bear, politics in the Philippines, medical malpractice, TRT, and what it actually means to be “whipped” in Parliament (it’s probably not what you’re thinking). We also catch up on Will’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu progress, squeeze in plenty of movie chat, and get Will’s thoughts on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House before wrapping up another episode that’s equal parts insightful and completely unhinged. If you’ve ever wondered what connects Parliament, BJJ, blockbuster films, bear attacks, medical malpractice and TRT… you’re about to find out. It’s a special episode recorded in the heart of government and, as always, it’s Better Than Average.

After a six-week disappearance, Better Than Average is finally back. Chris finally gets to review The Hunger Games, sparking a surprisingly heated debate as Jay somehow manages to completely miss the point. Is it a modern classic, or are they watching two entirely different films? We also hear all about Jay’s trip to Los Angeles, from the highlights to the inevitable stories that only seem to happen when he’s abroad. To round things off, the lads break down UFC’s Freedom 250, discussing the biggest moments, standout performances, and everything else that caught their attention. As always, it’s grappling, movies, questionable takes, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Jay bags gold at Grappling Industries—but there’s a twist… very little focus on the podium pic for this one. We get into the importance (or lack of it) of the classic medal shot and what it says about the moment and the local competition scene. Chris, meanwhile, finds himself under fire after getting caught pulling a questionable “dick move” on Northern Jonny during a live Primo shoot—expect some justification… and very little remorse. On the film front, we review Role Models and clash over whether it deserves the label of a true 00s classic or if nostalgia is doing the heavy lifting. Finally, the odds swing in Chris’ favour as he lands a long-debated movie recommendation on Jay—one that’s been a source of debate for some time. As always, it’s grappling stories, film debates, and the usual chaos… and as always, it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay recap the recent BJJ Seminar with Junior Silva Atleta & Luciano Araujo sharing key takeaways, standout moments, and why getting on the mats with high-level grapplers never gets old. We also dive into a review of American Pie — a film that, for better or worse, hits a little too close to home. What starts as a nostalgic look back quickly turns into a series of uncomfortable parallels with our own teenage years, questionable decisions, and the realisation that maybe some things were better left in the early 2000s. Seminars, nostalgia, and stories that probably shouldn’t be told. It’s better than warm apple pie and it’s always Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, we dive straight into a review of Rules of Attraction… a film that leaves Chris completely conflicted. Is it underrated? Over the top? A mess? A hidden gem? We genuinely can’t decide—but that doesn’t stop us from trying to bring some sense to the chaos. From there, Jay breaks down his first competition as a black belt at AJP Barcelona. From the pressure of competing at a new level to the lessons learned (especially regarding toe hold orientation), it’s an honest look at what that jump really feels like. Finally, we chat about the recent visit from James Lancaster, Mayor of Milton Keynes, and what that was like behind the scenes. As always, it’s a mix of grappling insight, questionable film analysis, and a little carnage. But, as always, it’s Better Than Average. #betterthanaveragepod #bjjpodcast #moviepodcast

After disappearing for six weeks, Chris and Jay are back — and the rust is barely noticeable. This week, we attempt to catch up on everything we’ve missed, including Jay’s bold attempt to get the Mayor of Milton Keynes into a gi, and a visit from comedian, podcaster, and BJJ blue belt Chris Ramsey. We also look ahead to Netflix’s big MMA event and dive into a review of Remember the Titans — revisiting the speeches, the team dynamics, and why this might be one of the our favourite sports films ever. There’s rust, there’s rambling, and plenty of “what were we talking about again?” energy — but it’s good to be back. Unstructured, unpredictable, and slightly unhinged — but still Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay take on the hard-hitting American History X, reflecting on its themes, performances, and why it remains such a powerful — and uncomfortable — watch. We also get a full update on the Plymouth BJJ interclub competition, covering standout moments, team performances, and the ever-present lessons learned on the mats. And in a truly unforgettable training moment, Jay attempts to take Chris out mid-workout… by coughing all over him, raising serious questions about gym etiquette, survival instincts, and whether training partners should come with hazard warnings. Heavy topics, hard rounds, and questionable hygiene — it’s unmistakably Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay tackle one of the all-time great sequels: Terminator 2: Judgment Day. We revisit the action, the effects, the surprisingly emotional moments — and the creeping realization that some of those apocalyptic future scenes might not be as far off as we’d like to think. We debate whether Skynet is currently on schedule, why T2 manages to outshine the original, and what makes it such a landmark in sci-fi cinema. Naturally, we also weave in the usual MMA and BJJ chat, with training talk, fight breakdowns, and the standard conversational detours that keep things… unpredictable. Robots, doomsday forecasts, and martial arts musings — just another week of Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive headfirst into Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 sci-fi classic Total Recall. We break down the film’s unforgettable action, practical effects, mutant side characters, and the eternal question: was it all real… or wasn’t it? Along the way, we also squeeze in the usual MMA and BJJ chat, covering training updates, fight talk, and whatever else is rattling around in our heads before inevitably circling back to Mars. From Schwarzenegger one-liners to Martian politics, implanted memories, and explosive set pieces, we revisit why this film still holds up — and where it goes completely off the rails in the best possible way. Strap in, grab some oxygen, and get ready for a nostalgia-fuelled deep dive — it’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, the conversation starts with Jay’s evolving views on TRT, how his perspective has changed, and what that means for training, aging, and performance. We also check in on recent happenings at Circle of Vigour BJJ, covering training updates, team momentum, and life on (and off) the mats. To round out the episode, we review Starship Troopers — a film that, against all odds, has aged surprisingly well, sparking a discussion on satire, spectacle, and why it still hits decades later. As always, it’s a mix of BJJ, big ideas, and movie talk — unmistakably Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Jay fills us in on his recent trip to the Philippines, including a memorable hike into a volcano. Back on the mats, we recap COV BJJ’s competition trip to Pisa, covering the performances, the lessons learned, and the post-comp reflections. To round things out, we dive into a review of the cult classic The Lost Boys, revisiting vampires, sax solos, and why this film still holds up decades later. Travel stories, tournament talk, and movie nostalgia — all wrapped up in one episode that is unmistakably Better Than Average.

With Uncle Jay off in the Philippines climbing a volcano, Nigel steps into the co-host seat for episode 132 and he does not disappoint. We catch up on Nigel’s life as BJJ purple belt, the joys, pains, and mild existential crises that come with it. We dive into the spectacle that is Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, break down what we think might happen. And to round things out, we review the 90s classic Falling Down, exploring its themes, madness, and why it still hits today. Volcanoes, purple belts, boxing chaos, BJJ and movie mayhem, all in a days work, and all Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay are joined by the only man whose voice could calm a storm or charm a crowd: Nigel, the man with the voice of an angel. We dive into a breakdown of Fatal Attraction, explore Nigel’s growing adventures (and occasional misadventures) in BJJ, and weigh in on the UFC’s biggest upcoming matchups — including the huge Harrison vs. Nunes showdown. And just when things seem normal, Jay takes an eye test he’ll never forget, sparking confusion, laughter, and possibly a need for a second opinion. It’s fun, it’s fight-filled, it’s slightly chaotic — in other words, it’s unmistakably Better Than Average.

This week’s description is part stanza, part episode bonanza. As Jay’s time in Vietnam comes to a close, we review the movie he chose. A humble a critique, of charisma at its pique. Our film’s an eighties tale, that will never fail. One for the dreamers, filmed before the era of streamers. It’s part cocktail review, part story of two. If you’re a fan of Coughlin law, or rolling on the floor. If you’re interested in surviving a monsoon, or making the ladies swoon. Check it out, with doubt. It’s Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into the chaotic brilliance of Tropic Thunder, breaking down the movie’s wild moments and timeless one-liners. Jay also shares the unforgettable story of Dave and the lady with no teeth — and yes, it’s exactly as bizarre as it sounds. Somehow, between the laughter and confusion, we manage to get philosophical about what it really means to be an entrepreneur, before circling back to the usual mix of BJJ, MMA, and unapologetic man chat. It’s ridiculous, reflective, and reliably Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay tackle the apocalyptic chaos of This Is The End — a film that somehow makes the end of the world look like the ultimate lads’ night in. Meanwhile, Hercules makes his long-awaited studio debut… and immediately reminds everyone why that might have been a bad idea. Between climbing all over the hosts and demanding attention mid-conversation, it’s fair to say professionalism takes a back seat. Somewhere between the mayhem, there’s still time for a bit of Jiu-Jitsu talk (obviously) and the usual blend of nonsense, insight, and unexpected philosophy. It’s messy, funny and reliably Better Than Average.

This week on Better Than Average, Chris and Jay hit record with absolutely no plan — and whether that shows or not, we’ll let you decide. The chaos kicks off with a review of War Dogs, where we revisit our favorite moments from the film and ask some surprisingly thoughtful questions about life on an army base and the mysterious Triangle of Death. We also react to President Trump’s big announcement — one that might just inspire the next generation of grapplers — before wrapping things up with some spectacularly bad predictions for UFC 320. It’s unfiltered, unstructured, and unmistakably Better Than Average.

In this episode of Better Than Average, Chris and Jay dive into Jordan Peele’s Nope — breaking down the movie’s mystery, symbolism, and whatever that whole alien-chimp-cloud situation was. Jay also recaps his dominant performance at AJP Hamburg, where he took home double gold, proving once again that he’s the athletic one of the duo. Somewhere between movie talk and medal talk, Jay also gets a brief physics lesson on terminal velocity, and the two proudly display their complete ignorance of the impact of World War II. It’s movies, medals, and mild embarrassment and it’s all Better Than Average