Jun 15, 2026
In this episode of The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For Entrepreneurs, host Nick Lamagna sits down with John “Beef” Keefe, drummer for the multi-platinum rock band Boys Like Girls, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Shawn Williams, coach, entrepreneur, and performer. From touring the world on sold-out stages to overcoming serious injuries and earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, John shares the mindset, discipline, and habits that create long term success in any field.
John breaks down the lessons he’s learned from over 20 years in the music industry, how Jiu Jitsu transformed his approach to life, business, and relationships, and why consistency beats motivation every time. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, business owner, musician, or someone looking to level up personally and professionally, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
You’ll learn how to stay calm under pressure, develop elite habits, improve leadership skills, manage ego, build strong partnerships, overcome setbacks, and create a life centered around growth and purpose.
In this episode, we cover:
✅ How consistency beats motivation – and why the best performers show up even when they don’t feel like it
✅ Pressure management – the self-talk, breathing routines, and mental frameworks that help you perform under bright lights (or in front of thousands of fans)
✅ Why musicians make great grapplers – the surprising connection between drumming with four limbs and flowing in jiu-jitsu
✅ Recovering from a broken neck – how Beef went from being told he’d never train again to earning his black belt
✅ The ego trap – why the best coaches (and bandmates) say “I don’t know” and why that builds more trust than faking it
✅ Band dynamics as a business – how to maintain 20-year partnerships, navigate hierarchy, and handle conflict without blowing up what you’ve built
✅ Smelling the roses – how to stay present and grateful when the grind makes it easy to miss the moment
Connect with John:
Connect with Boys Like Girls:
Boys Like Girls on Apple Music
Connect with Renzo Gracie Nashville:
Renzo Gracie Nashville on Instagram
Renzo Gracie Nashville on Facebook
Connect with Nick Lamagna
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