From Surgery to ADCC Trials: How Alex Enriquez Trains, Recovers, and Wins

Alex Enriquez is a jiu-jitsu black belt, ADCC Trials champ, and former All-American wrestler with a story every serious athlete should hear. The journey includes starting jiu-jitsu at age 11, switching gyms with maturity and grace, overcoming multiple injuries, and learning how to train smarter, not just harder.

This episode dives into what it takes to become a world-class competitor while maintaining mental health, proper recovery, and long-term performance. If you’re navigating burnout, injury, or the emotional rollercoaster of elite training, this conversation is gold.

Timestamps + Headlines:
00:00 – From Alpharetta to ADCC: Meet Alex Enriquez
01:06 – Day One Competitor: How Jiu-Jitsu Became a Lifestyle
03:36 – Switching Gyms Without Burning Bridges
07:16 – Managing Anxiety and Building a Champion’s Mindset
09:49 – The Competition Routine That Reduces Adrenaline Dumps
11:56 – Lessons from Overtraining and Career-Threatening Injuries
13:39 – How a Pro Athlete Team Was Built (PT, S&C, Nutrition, MFR)
17:15 – Trigger Point Dry Needling, Ice Baths, and Recovery Routines
19:57 – The Bucket Handle Tear That Changed Everything
25:29 – Rebuilding After Surgery and Restoring Confidence
26:32 – What’s Next: West Coast ADCC Trials and Elite Prep