Aug 3, 2026
In this episode of The A Game Podcast, Nick Lamagna sits down with Brandon Mccaghren (aka “B Mac”) – double black belt under Eddie Bravo of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and Carlos Machado, head instructor at 10th Planet Decatur, elite grappling commentator for EBI, CJJ, UFC Fight Pass, and co-founder and commissioner of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) – for a conversation packed with mindset gold, business wisdom, and Jiu Jitsu philosophy.
Brandon opens up about the blunt conversation with his wife that got him on the mats in the first place, the eight years he spent as a youth minister before finding martial arts, and how a “corny little redneck” from Lawrence County, Alabama became one of the most recognizable teachers and voices in grappling. He shares why he refuses to build his identity around any one title, how his background as a musician shaped the way he teaches and improvises on the mat, and why first principles thinking – not memorizing moves – is what actually creates mastery.
Brandon also gets into the real story behind PGF, the league he’s building with co-founder Keelan, Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltan Bathory, and Gracie family member Heather to become the first true team-and-season sports model Jiu Jitsu has ever had, and why he believes it’s the key to finally giving grapplers a sustainable career path.
In this episode you’ll discover:
✅Why taking feedback without tying it to your identity is the real key to growth
✅The first principles approach to teaching that makes complex moves simple
✅How his background as a musician shaped his creativity and improvisation on the mat
✅The “document don’t create” philosophy that built his personal brand
✅Inside the Professional Grappling Federation and the plan to scale to 32 teams
This isn’t just a story about Jiu Jitsu. It’s about mentorship, reinvention, first principles thinking, and building something built to outlast you.
Connect with Brandon:
Brandon Mccaghren on Instagram
Connect with Professional Grappling Federation:
Connect with 10th Planet Decatur:
www.decaturbrazilianjiujitsu.com
10th Planet Decatur on Instagram
10th Planet Decatur on Facebook
10th Planet Decatur on Twitter
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