# Matt Ketterer | The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Episode - Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer) - Published: 2026-10-02 - Length: 58m - Episode: 41 - Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode ## Summary Matt Ketterer, a Principal Controls Engineer at Pipeline Design & Engineering and a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, discusses his 20+ years of training with host Aaron Moncur. They explore how BJJ teaches that technique overcomes strength, the importance of tapping early to avoid injuries like torn ligaments and ACLs, and the psychological benefits of managing claustrophobia and stress through the sport. The conversation highlights the strong community bonds formed through shared struggle and the realization that narrowing focus to a few key moves accelerates learning and mastery. ## Chapters - [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=0) Introduction: Matt Ketterer and the Appeal of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - [3:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=217) Matt's Journey: From Martial Arts Curiosity to BJJ Black Belt - [7:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=466) The Humbling First Six Months: Technique vs. Strength - [13:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=814) Why People Train: Physicality, Safety, and Biological Drives - [15:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=913) Injuries and Risks: Broken Bones, Stubbornness, and Tapping Early - [21:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=1279) Community, Trauma Bonding, and the 'Simulated Murder' Aspect - [27:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=1663) Specific Injury Stories: Ankle Tears and ACL Rips - [32:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=1939) Being Put to Sleep: Strangles, Unconsciousness, and Recovery - [38:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=2329) Learning Strategies: Narrowing Focus and Mastering Key Moves - [47:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=2822) Managing Claustrophobia, Panic, and Imposter Syndrome - [52:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode#t=3132) Advice for Beginners: Starting Now and Inclusivity in BJJ ## Topics - [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design) - [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering) - [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes) - [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design) - [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping) - [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics) - [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design) - [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools) - [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware) - [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms) - [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas) - [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power) - [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf) - [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors) - [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement) - [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis) - [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot) - [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy) - [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning) - [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy) - [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices) - [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech) - [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing) - [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners) - [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production) - [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield) - [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain) - [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations) - [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance) - [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment) - [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity) - [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company) - [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit) - [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding) - [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising) - [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics) - [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution) - [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer) - [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand) - [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property) - [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture) - [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce) - [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions) - [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs) - [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education) - [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community) - [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft) - [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business) - [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware) - [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing) ## Most relevant to early-stage companies ## Mentioned - Pipeline Design & Engineering (company) - Matt Ketterer (other) - Aaron Moncur (other) - Gracie family (other) - UFC (other) - Black Belt Theater (other) - Rickson Gracie (other) - Fight Club (other) ## Related episodes from other shows - [Episode 080: Go where you don’t fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-07-22-episode-080-go-where-you-dont-fit) (Making It) - [Episode 074: They’re not gonna take away your birthday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-06-10-episode-074-theyre-not-gonna-take-away-your-birthday) (Making It) - [444: Folding Time Back On Itself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-05-31-444-folding-time-back-on-itself) (Making It) ## Citing this page If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-10-02-matt-ketterer-the-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-episode. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.