Podcast
The Stillpoint Podcast
Hosted by Angelo Coates · EN
Tying Stoicism and jiu jitsu philosophies into becoming a better man.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 14 Meaning Over Motivation
4d ago00:15:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode I break down the ideas in Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and connect them directly to three things I know every man in this audience is living. The suffering that comes with hard training. The responsibility I believe every coach carries to keep practitioners from quitting before they find out what they're capable of. And what it actually means to be a husband and father who refuses to negotiate his health and his purpose away. This episode is a departure from my usual format but the through line is the same. Stoicism, jiu jitsu, and what it looks like to be a man who does the work because he has a reason strong enough to sustain it. Frankl survived the worst conditions in human history and came out with one conclusion. Meaning is not found. It is built. In small moments. On hard days. By men who decided their why was worth protecting. That's what I want to talk about today.
Transcribe →
Ep. 13 No Surprises Here
1w ago00:07:36Tap to summarizeHere I break down one of the most common patterns I sees in jiu jitsu — guys getting promoted and immediately posting about how they don't feel ready. It looks like humility. It isn't. In this episode I make the case that performed humility is just ego in a different outfit, that publicly doubting your promotion is a quiet way of calling your coach incompetent, and that the stoic principle of internal versus external validation is the thing most practitioners are missing when they shrink for the room. Direct, no excuses, and grounded in ten years on the mat.
Transcribe →
Ep. 12 The Ask
1w ago00:08:10Tap to summarizeMost men are terrible at asking for what they need. From their friends. From their wives. From anyone. In this episode, I try to draw a straight line from a concept every jiu jitsu practitioner knows — ego — to what's quietly breaking down in men's relationships. The guy who won't tap on the mat and the guy who won't speak up at home are the same man. This episode is about what it costs to stay silent, why the conversations most men are avoiding are the one's that actually matter, and what it looks like to lead without the ego getting in the way.
Transcribe →
Ep. 11 You're why has to be bigger than you.
2w ago00:09:33Tap to summarizeWhy do you work out? Why do you train? Why do you push yourself when you can just not? If your answer is only about you, it will not hold when things get hard. In this episode, I get into what it actually means to be a protector, why a man who is not actively working on himself, is actively failing the people who depend on him, and what the stoics would say about a man who sees the gap between who he is, and who was family needs him to be, and still does nothing about it. This one is direct. It's supposed to be
Transcribe →
Ep. 10 White Belt Brain
2w ago00:07:36Tap to summarizeI have been training at the same gym for ten years. I know the room, I know the people, and I know what I am capable of on the mat. Three weeks ago I walked in for my first Muay Thai class and forgot a four-count combo mid-drill while everyone around me kept moving. And then I did something I have never done in that building before. I apologized. In this episode I get into what was actually underneath that reaction, what the Stoics called preferred indifferents, why competence in one area creates blind spots in another, and what the dichotomy of control has to do with being the most experienced beginner in a familiar room.
Transcribe →
Ep. 9 The Uncomfortable Yes - Parenting Beyond Preference
Apr 24, 202500:05:56Tap to summarizeThis episode dives into the uncomfortable truth about modern parenting: too many of us are opting out of our children's worlds simply because they don't entertain us. Angelo unpacks two real conversations—one with his wife, and another with a fellow parent—that reveal how easy it is to dismiss our kids' passions when they don't align with our own. Through the lens of Stoicism, Jiu Jitsu, and cognitive behavioral truth, this episode challenges the listener to face their own avoidance patterns and to step into discomfort—not for the sake of interest, but for the sake of connection. If you're serious about becoming the parent your child remembers, this one will hit deep. And maybe piss you off. That's the point.
Transcribe →
Ep. 8 The Connection Paradox - How Detachment Deepens Our Bonds
Apr 15, 202500:08:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Still Point Podcast, we dive deep into the paradox that's often overlooked in today's hyper-connected world: the idea that in order to form stronger, more meaningful relationships, with others, with our goals, and even with ourselves, we have to detach. Drawing from Stoic philosophy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we explore how clinging to ego, distorted thoughts, or emotional narratives can quietly destroy connection. Real strength, we argue, lies in letting go, not in giving up, but in creating space for clarity, honesty, and presence. We'll also confront the weight of unspoken apologies and the power of owning our flaws. This episode ends with a hard truth: it's never too late to apologize, and dying with regrets born from pride isn't the legacy anyone wants. Whether you're trying to rebuild trust, reconnect with purpose, or just make peace with yourself, this one's for you.
Transcribe →
Ep. 7 What Is Stoicism - Jiu Jitsu, Relationships and Service applications.
Mar 25, 202500:08:22Tap to summarizeIn this foundational episode, we introduce the philosophy of Stoicism—not as an abstract idea, but as a daily practice for clarity, composure, and purpose. We trace its origins through ancient thinkers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, and explore its core principle: to focus only on what is within our control. Through the lens of Jiu Jitsu, parenting, marriage, and social work, we examine how Stoic thought equips us to respond rather than react, to build internal discipline, and to stand grounded in moments of chaos. This episode offers a clear, accessible introduction for anyone curious about Stoicism and its relevance in modern life, especially for those who carry the weight of responsibility in their families, communities, or professional roles. This is more than philosophy—it's a way of moving through the world.
Transcribe →
Ep 6. The Weight of Trust: Parenting, Stoicism, and Jiu Jitsu
Mar 13, 202500:11:40Tap to summarizeParenting is about more than just providing-it's about creating a space where kids feel completely safe, unguarded, and free to beat themselves. In this episode, I reflect on a simple but powerful moment: carrying my son to bed and realizing the deep trust placed in me. We explore our historic philosophy, attachment theory, and even Jiu Jitsu, tired into raising resilient, confident hits plus, a special shout out to the Tattoo train and have the lessons from the maths and cheapest into a better father. If you've ever questioned what true strength looks like in parenting, this one's for you.
Transcribe →
Ep. 5 What Kind of Training Partner Are You? - The Ethics of Being a Good Partner.
Mar 11, 202500:04:04Tap to summarizePodcast Episode Description: What kind of training partner do you want to be? Are you helping others grow, or are you just trying to dominate every roll? In this episode of The Stillpoint Podcast, we break down the difference between being a teacher and a bully on the mat. We'll explore how ego can stunt your progress, why great training partners make a gym thrive, and how to create an environment where everyone improves. Jiu Jitsu isn't just about your own growth—it's about sharpening those around you. So, are you the kind of partner people seek out, or the one they avoid? Let's talk about it.
Transcribe →