White Lotus coach

Meet Joshua Janis.

A second degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, front headlock specialist and advocate for hobbyist jiu jitsu. Josh has been training since 2000 and coaching since 2012.

2000started training
2012started coaching
2nd degreeblack belt under Jay Pages
3 instructionalson BJJ Fanatics

Getting started

Josh began his martial arts journey in September 2000 as a college freshman, training in MMA under former UFC fighter Dave Strasser. After a period away from training, he continued learning under Henry Matamoros before joining Jon Friedland at Neutral Ground in Milwaukee in 2006.

His earliest experience was mostly no-gi grappling, which eventually expanded into traditional gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

What hooked him was the depth of the art.

Every technique, position and training session

offered another chance to learn something new.

Beyond the technical side, the friendships, community and personal growth that came with jiu jitsu became important parts of his life. What started as an interest in martial arts became a lifelong passion for learning, teaching and connecting with people through grappling.

Joshua Janis laughing mid-roll in a White Lotus rash guard at an outdoor training camp

His path to black belt

Josh received his black belt from Jon Friedland on February 11, 2021, after about 16 years of cumulative Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, and has competed at every belt level from white through black.

But his proudest achievements aren't measured in medals. In a 2022 BJJ Globetrotters interview, he highlighted the lifelong friendships he's built around the world and his role as an advocate for hobbyist jiu jitsu. He strongly believes people can become highly skilled grapplers without sacrificing their physical well-being or their enjoyment of the sport.

Sept 2000Starts trainingMMA under Dave Strasser
2006Joins Neutral GroundUnder Jon Friedland in Milwaukee
2012Starts coaching
Feb 11, 2021Black beltPromoted by Jon Friedland
Nov 18, 2023First degreePromoted by Jay Pages at BJJ Globetrotters Arizona Camp
Nov 7, 2026Second degreePromoted by Jay Pages at BJJ Globetrotters Arizona Camp

His style

The front headlock system

Josh's grappling runs on leverage, precise mechanics and positional control, not strength or athleticism. He looks for efficient ways to control an opponent, create reactions and capitalize on openings.

His expertise goes beyond the finish: entries, control, posture manipulation, defensive reactions, transitions, and attacking opponents of every size and experience level.

Front
headlock

GuillotineHis favorite subject to teach

D'arce

Anaconda

How he teaches

Painless. Precise. Playful.

Good instruction goes beyond memorizing techniques. Josh wants students to understand why movements work and adapt them to their own bodies, attributes and goals.

Painless

Highly effective jiu jitsu in an environment where people can train safely and enjoy themselves.

Precise

Understanding why movements work and how different concepts connect.

Playful

Positional games, creative problem-solving and experimentation, with precise technical instruction.

He also teaches seminars and camps for practitioners from many gyms and backgrounds.

On BJJ Fanatics

His instructionals

Guillotine Glossary · Vol. 1Finishing MechanicsTraditional, arm-in, high-elbow and other guillotine finishes, and the leverage, structure and positioning that make each one work.View on BJJ Fanatics → Guillotine Glossary · Vol. 2Setups, Sweeps, and EscapesEntries, sweeps, transitions, combinations and defensive applications for a complete guillotine game.View on BJJ Fanatics → Front headlock systemRethink Front HeadlocksControl and submit larger people by connecting guillotines, D'arces and anacondas. Accessible at different experience levels.View on BJJ Fanatics →

BJJ Globetrotters in Action

Watch Josh teach

Full camp classes from the BJJ Globetrotters YouTube channel, most watched first.

Fall Camp 2021 · 82K views Sweeps that work on big people

Arizona Camp, March 2022 · 17K views Painless and precise D'arces

Arizona Camp 2021 · 14K views Guillotine setups and finishes

BJJ Globetrotters

Around the world

For Josh, the relationships and memories made off the mats can be just as meaningful as what happens on them.

Arizona
Iceland
Tallinn, Estonia a favorite
Heidelberg, Germany
St. Barthélemy

Gentle Art Lifestyle

Camps in Milwaukee

Josh and Meghan organize camps for people who love jiu jitsu and also value friendship, exploration and life beyond training, especially hobbyists and traveling grapplers. Summer camps pair seminars and open mats with lakefront days and social events.

Both follow one idea: jiu jitsu should enrich people's lives, not consume them.

Josh's advice

Nervous to start?

Walking into a jiu jitsu gym for the first time can feel intimidating. Even experienced grapplers get nervous in unfamiliar situations.

1
Don't wait until you feel ready
Fitness and confidence come from training, not before it. Embrace the discomfort.
2
Write down one win
After every session, write down one thing you did well. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
3
Keep it up for 30 training days
You'll see your progress and build a healthier inner voice along the way.

You don't have to be athletic, competitive or in shape. Just show up, learn, and enjoy the process.

On and off the mats

A little more about Josh

The AI Steward

At Janis Consulting he helps organizations adopt AI thoughtfully and responsibly, and he hosts The AI Steward podcast on AI, ethics and governance. Like his teaching, it's about principles over procedures.

Cold & breathwork

He's practiced Wim Hof-style breathwork and cold exposure for years, and has led group breathing sessions and winter plunges into Lake Michigan. For him it's about staying present and practicing discipline.

Philosopher

He has a background in philosophy, became an entrepreneur at 22, and seeks out hard challenges like extended fasting. His favorite book is Man's Search for Meaning.

The frequency of love

His philosophy for living: connection, compassion and intention. For someone who specializes in chokes, he's built a whole approach around kindness, curiosity and helping others grow.

Train with Josh

See you on the mats!

Follow along, check out his instructionals, or come train with him.

BJJ FanaticsInstructionals Instagram@joshua_bjj

BeltCheckerVerified black belt

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