❝Story00:30
Surviving a 5-Day Binge in Colombia
After the CJI 1 event, Craig Jones and friends flew directly to Cartagena, Colombia for what he describes as a grueling five-day party binge. The group relied on daily IV drips to survive, partied with 73-year-old coach Joe Lopez, who didn’t sleep for three days, and endured an extreme test of endurance that Jones compares to an ultramarathon of partying.
- CJI 1 was followed by a 5-day non-stop party in Colombia.
- Daily IV drips were used to sustain energy and health.
- Joe Lopez, 73, stayed awake for three days during the trip.
- The experience was likened to an endurance sport.
“It was the hardest five days of my entire life. It was grueling in Colombia.”
#travel#jiu-jitsu#party culture
❝Story03:30
Meeting Pablo Escobar’s Sister in Medellín
While in Medellín, Colombia, Craig Jones was contacted via Instagram by someone claiming to connect him with Pablo Escobar’s sister. After verifying the contact’s credibility, Jones met her and had dinner together. The encounter took a turn when he tricked her into wearing novelty 'cocaine sunglasses' for a photo and explained their meaning, which she did not appreciate.
- Jones was DM’d by someone who claimed to know Escobar’s sister.
- He met her in Medellín and toured one of Pablo’s former homes.
- The mood soured after a prank involving drug-themed sunglasses.
- She distanced herself from the Escobar legacy.
“I ventured off down to meet him on a Saturday night in Colombia and he showed me some pictures with the sister and later that…”
#crime#colombia#escobar
❝Story05:50
Being Drugged with 'Devil’s Breath' in Medellín
Craig Jones recounts being unknowingly drugged with scopolamine, also known as 'devil’s breath,' while out with his assistant Seth in Medellín. He blacked out after drinking cocktails, and security footage later revealed he was able to enter his Airbnb and input the code despite being incapacitated. The drug allowed victims to remember numbers, making it ideal for robbers.
- Jones was likely drugged via a drink at a bar in Medellín.
- Scopolamine can leave victims conscious but compliant.
- He remembered PIN codes but not events.
- Seth rescued him from a bathroom, carrying him home despite a neck injury from stem cell treatment.
“I don't know who put it in my drink. Could have been the bartender. Could have been the guy's Tinder date I tried to steal…”
“It's able to completely incapacitate people apart from their ability to do mental arithmetic and remember numbers.”
#crime#colombia#drugs
❝Story14:50
Witnessing a Brutal Coming-of-Age Ritual in Ethiopia
During a trip to Ethiopia with the Guardian program, Craig Jones observed a tribal coming-of-age ceremony where young men ran naked across a line of bulls. Women in the tribe were whipped with branches to prove they could endure pain and were ready for sex. The women, some as young as 12, had to find suitable branches and endure the beating without showing pain.
- Young men ran naked across bulls as part of a rite of passage.
- Women were whipped with branches to demonstrate pain tolerance.
- Girls as young as 12 participated and showed visible scars.
- The ritual was meant to prepare women for sex and marriage.
“The women are whipped to show that they can handle physical pain to show that they're ready for sex.”
#ethiopia#tribal culture#ritual
❝Story18:00
Learning About Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia
Craig Jones was told about a tribal practice in Ethiopia where girls undergo genital mutilation to prevent them from experiencing pleasure during sex. Tools used include scissors, glass, and even fingernails. The procedure is followed by a celebration with animal slaughter and feasting.
- FGM is practiced to suppress female sexual pleasure.
- Tools range from scissors to fingernails depending on availability.
- The event is celebrated with a large feast.
- Jones found the practice deeply disturbing.
“They remove the clitoris and parts of the vagina so that the women will not enjoy sex.”
#ethiopia#female genital mutilation#human rights
❝Story24:30
Giving a Goat Herder a Ketamine-Induced Existential Crisis
While camping with a tribe in Ethiopia, Craig Jones and friends used ketamine nasal spray. A local goat herder joined them, took ketamine, and had a profound experience. He claimed to have visions and announced he would return to his traditional roots, abandoning his new role as a cook.
- Ketamine was used around a campfire with locals.
- A goat herder tried it and had a deep visionary experience.
- He decided to quit his cooking job and return to herding.
- Jones humorously notes it was his first time giving a goat herder an existential crisis.
“I gave a guy an existential crisis with ketamine. I've given a few people existential crisis with a few substances, but uh Ethiopian goat herder…”
#ethiopia#ketamine#tribal culture
❝Story34:50
Entering a Brazilian Favela with a Red Shirt Signal
Craig Jones recounts visiting a favela in Rio de Janeiro with a local bartender. To avoid being robbed, a 15-year-old guide threw a red shirt over his shoulder—a signal to armed residents that the group was safe to pass. The favela residents were welcoming, especially after recognizing Jones as a jiu-jitsu athlete.
- A red shirt over the shoulder signals safe passage in the favela.
- Jones was recognized as a BJJ athlete, granting him respect.
- The favela had armed guards with RPGs and strict rules against filming.
- Residents wanted positive representation in media.
“He'd given us this kid that must have been 15 who threw the red shirt over the shoulder, which was the signal to the people…”
#brazil#favela#jiu-jitsu
❝Story38:30
Visiting Angel Falls in Venezuela
Craig Jones traveled to Venezuela, a country under U.S. sanctions, to host a charity jiu-jitsu seminar. He visited Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall, staying at a remote resort. After breaking his phone while filming, he was off-grid for three days, causing concern among friends and family.
- Jones visited Venezuela despite U.S. travel restrictions.
- He toured Angel Falls and stayed at a local resort.
- He broke his waterproof phone while filming in waterfalls.
- Was unreachable for three days, causing worry.
“I was off the grid for 3 days with people just not knowing where I was, if I was okay, what happened.”
#venezuela#travel#adventure
❝Story43:00
Getting an MS-13 Tattoo in Mexico
Craig Jones got an MS-13 tattoo in Mexico, a bold choice given the gang’s notoriety. He also tattooed his feet with a provocative phrase, inspired by another fighter. The foot tattoo caused prolonged pain during training and healing, making it one of his worst decisions.
- Tattooed 'MS-13' in Mexico, near a dangerous border town.
- Also got feet tattooed with a rebellious message.
- Foot tattoo was extremely painful and hindered training.
- He admits both were poor decisions.
“I was like, 'Oh, [ __ ] it. I'll get my feet tattooed.' So then I had to train with him for his title while…”
#tattoos#mexico#personal stories