Max Hanson claimed his first major IBJJF title at black belt, defeating reigning champion Carlos Henrique in a strategic final at No-Gi Pans. His journey to the top included two submission winsâa heel hook and a rear naked chokeâshowcasing his control, skill, and drive.
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Dante Leon, fresh off a win at Polaris and a signing with ONE Championship, is also crushing it. His recent performances at the 2024 ADCC World Championships, where he defeated ADCC champions like Mica Galvao and Giancarlo Bodoni, have solidified his place among the sport's pound-for-pound best.
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These victories are no accident. Athletes like Max and Dante embody the culture, consistency, and training style that have defined Westside Barbellâs approach to strength and conditioning for grappling.
We often get asked what the top exercises are or the âsecret sauceâ to developing grappling strength, but the truth is, thereâs no single exercise or magic set of rules that can make you the best in the world.
What you need is a commitment to a certain mindset, one that has defined every successful athlete at Westside. Hereâs a look at the three pillars we stand by.
Culture
Bringing Out the Best
Being the best requires being surrounded by the best. At Westside Barbell, we focus on cultivating an environment that brings out the best in every athlete. That means training partners who will push you, coaches who tell you the hard truths, and a mindset that challenges you to continually improve.
This isnât about fluffâitâs about dedication to real progress, and sometimes that involves tough love and feedback that others might shy away from. Our athletes arenât just coached; theyâre analyzed and fine-tuned. Most become phenomenal self-coaches because, as Louie used to say, âNobody knows your body better than yourself.â Our athletes know theyâre in an environment where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed.
 
Consistency
Keep Turning Up
Consistency is where most people fall short. Success isnât built on an intense few weeks of training; itâs built on showing up day after day, even when the excitement fades. Many people want the results but rarely understand the years of hard work, sacrifice, and unrelenting effort that lead to those âovernight successes.â
Consistency is what builds strength, technique, and mental endurance to deal with the lows, and trust me, all high-level athletes go through their fair share of adversity. You need to train with purpose every single day, aiming to improve and pushing yourself further each time. Itâs simple: come in with intention, reflect on what you've done, and show up the next day ready to be better.
Conjugate Training
Itâs About Adaptability
The Conjugate Method forms the backbone of our training philosophy at Westside Barbell. This system isnât just about building strength; itâs about adaptability. For athletes like Max and Dante, who may need to be ready to compete on short noticeâsometimes in as little as 7 days to 4 weeksâit enables them to embody the âanybody, anywhere, anytimeâ philosophy.
Conjugate training allows us to assess and adjust daily. Every week, we know exactly where our athletes stand in terms of strength, speed, and conditioning. This constant feedback loop means that no athlete walks into competition underprepared.
Conjugate training isnât just a strength system; itâs a way to build a culture of accountability and intensity. The athletes themselves take ownership of their training sessions, pushing each other and holding each other accountable. As coaches, we can step back and provide minimal, impactful cues, keeping the sessionâs momentum going. This environment requires an insane drive to be the best, but itâs what produces excellence in those who can handle it.
In the end, athletes like Max Hanson and Dante Leon arenât just strong because of their exercises or drillsâtheyâre strong because theyâve embraced a culture of excellence, shown up day after day, and trusted in a system that pushes them to their limits. Thatâs what defines Westside Barbell, and itâs what will continue to drive the next generation of champions.
Congrats, Champs!
Tom
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