The Judo Way of Life

A conversation with Aoife Coughlan...Part 2!! Aoife is an Australian Judoka who competes in the -70kg category. We first talked back in 2022 shortly after Aoife won the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. If you haven't listened to this episode yet, go check it out!! In this episode we talk about her current training program and how it has evolved following the Tokyo Olympics, ho

Julien Brulard, aka The Judo Nomad, is a French Judoka who has undertaken the greatest of Judo adventures. Travelling solo, Julien has set out to visit and practice Judo in every single country around the World…that’s 197 countries. The last time we spoke, Julien had just reached Kazakhstan and was only able to find wifi in a local Starbucks coffee shop (so you may be able to h

Romina is a highly accomplished grappler, specialising in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a Judoka, Romina has trained around the world, learning various styles of Judo, before reaching Sydney Australia, where she recently attained her Dan Grade. She won the 2021 Australian National Championships in the -52kg category. Romina is also a BJJ Brown Belt and in 2021 she won the ADCC N

 Aoife is an Australian Judoka who competes in the -70kg category. In 2021, Aoife fought in the Tokyo Olympics, placing in the Top 16 at her debut Games and followed up this in 2022 where she won Gold at her debut Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Since 2012, Aoife has won 9 Continental Championship medals, including 2 Golds. We talk about her current training program and how

 Julien Brulard, aka The Judo Nomad,  is a French Judoka who has undertaken the greatest of Judo adventures. Travelling solo, Julien has set out to visit and practice Judo in every single country around the World…that’s 197 countries. With several limitations, including no flights and no hotels, at the time of recording, Julien has visited 24 countries so far and we c

This episode was originally recorded for the Judo Fanatics podcast, which has unfortunately taken a long hiatus, and so was not realised on their platform. Kindly, the Judo Fanatics Team have agreed to let me share this episode with you through The JudoWay of Life. I (David Groom) have a very enjoyable conversation with American Judoka, Chuck Jefferson, where we talk about how I

Alex Haecker has extensive coaching experience, working his way up through the German system, to the Sports Director at Hamburg’s Judo Association, before moving on to coach the Luxembourg National Team. More recently, Alex has relocated to Australia to coach his wife and Australian representative, Katharina Haecker, who under Alex’s guidance, has won 6 Continental Championship

 Michael Horley represented Great Britain for a number of years, with career highlights including competing at the 2010 world championships in Tokyo, ranking number 1 on the European ranking list in 2013 and also winning numerous European Cup medals including gold at the prestigious German Open. Following his competition career, Michael has smoothly transitioned into High Perf

Andy Hung began his Judo journey in his home State of Hawaii as part of the High School system there. From here, he continued his learning at the prestigious San Jose College, where he also graduated with a Business Management Degree. Andy has medalled at  numerous competitions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic trials for the US Team, the US Miami Nationals, the NCJA Florida

Vince represented Great Britain as a Cadet, where he fought at both the European Championships and Youth Olympics, as a Junior and Senior Level Athlete. Following an early retirement at 24years old, Vince transitioned into coaching, initially at the prestigious Camberley Judo Club, before going out on his own to build one of the UKs biggest Judo Clubs, Fighting Fitness Judo. Vince