Built to Roll: The Story of Inverted Gear
Inverted Gear’s journey began in 2025 when Nelson launched the brand from his mom’s basement with a vision to create high-quality, functional gear for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. The game changed later that year when Nelson met Hillary. Bonding over their shared passion for BJJ, Hillary joined the team and immediately became the brand’s creative force—taking over as the "design department."
Together, Nelson and Hillary grew Inverted Gear from a small operation into one of the most trusted brands in the BJJ community. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and the values of Jiu-Jitsu has shaped the brand into what it is today. Inverted Gear continues to evolve, but its core mission remains unchanged: to support and elevate the BJJ community with exceptional gear.
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 33 - Favorite places we have/haven’t been to
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Hillary and Nelson talk about five places they loved traveling to and five places they’d be excited to visit. Beaches, food, castles, and camels are a must. Let us know what your list is.
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 32 - Rene Sousa talks about his BJJ journey and seminars
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Hillary and Nelson talk to the globetrotting, buggy-choking BJJ black belt, Rene Sousa. They discuss Rene’s first experiences with BJJ, training full-time, camps, kangaroos, and more!
You can find Rene’s work here:
https://www.instagram.com/rene_sousa/
https://linktr.ee/rene_sousa
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 31 - Life at the Inverted Gear Academy and Tomato Sauce
The Inverted Gear Podcast is back! In its 31st episode, Hillary and Nelson talk about the Inverted Gear Academy and the relationship between a tomato sauce study and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They discuss being a year out from opening the Academy, the challenges it represents, and more!
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 30 - Max Neukäufler talks martial arts, crafting, and culture
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson talks to Max Neukäufler, craftsman/martial artist/photographer/woodsman extraordinaire. They discuss immersing in a culture when traveling and training, crafting, the importance of seizing the moment as a youth, and more!
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 29 - Alex Sterner talks conditioning and training volume for BJJ
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson talks to Alex Sterner, head coach at Electrum Performance. They discuss managing lifting weights and training BJJ, conditioning and the importance of rest, injury prevention, and more!
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 28 - Steve Kwan talks podcasting, trusting the process, and specialization in BJJ
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson talks to Steve Kwan, host of the BJJ Mental Models podcast and BJJ Black Belt. They discuss the importance of training right as a white belt, the best warm-ups, how the BJJ Mental Models podcast started, and more!
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 27 - Ryan Hurst talks about living in Japan, gymnastics, and more!
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson talks to Ryan Hurst, black belt in Kendo, Judo, and Shorinji Kempo. They discuss Ryan’s life in Japan as a young kid, his gymnastics career, being an Uchi-deshi, and more!
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 26 - Jarrell Garcia talks coaching vs. instructing and social media presence
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson and Hillary talk to Jarrell Garcia, BJJ Black Belt with a doctorate of education. They discuss his social media presence, sports psychology, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu popularizing, what’s needed to open a gym, and more!
Video version
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!
Inverted Gear Podcast Episode 25 - Javier Palomo talks Combat Wrestling and traveling to Japan
In this episode of the Inverted Gear Podcast, Nelson and Hillary talk to Javier Palomo, lifelong martial artist. They discuss Japanese culture, training in the Kodokan Judo Institute, a championship trip to Japan, and more!
Video version
We hope you enjoyed this episode! Stay tuned for more Brazilian jiu-jitsu talk, behind-the-scenes look at our brand, and conversations with fascinating people in the community!