In a series of outspoken comments, Andrew Wiltse, one of the most beloved personalities in the world of Jiu-Jitsu, has opened up about the rift between him and the Daisy Fresh team. Wiltse, who was previously a prominent figure in the Daisy Fresh videos, reveals that he was gradually phased out and excluded from various team activities.
“Even when I was there all day every day, I was phased out of Daisy Fresh YouTube Videos,” Wiltse explained. “Just like I wasn’t invited on trips to camps, and I wasn’t informed about local tournaments or virtually anything that everyone else knew.”
Wiltse cites several reasons for the growing divide, including his tendency to “call out people for acting stupid or harmful” and his disagreements on training methodology and various other issues. Notably, Wiltse was pro-mask and pro-vaccine, while some Daisy Fresh members were anti-mask and anti-vaccine.
However, Wiltse believes the “stupidest reason” for the rift was that the Daisy Fresh team was upset that he and his training partner, Bird, had their own YouTube channel. “They thought we were competing for views or something silly but super harmful,” he said. “We were flat out told we were not allowed to record in the gym anymore. That’s why rolling videos stopped happening.”
Wiltse recounts an incident where a popular BJJ YouTuber reached out to him and Bird, asking to collaborate on a video at the Daisy Fresh gym. “Of course I said hell yes!” Wiltse said. “He made a story or a post or something about it, and Daisy Fresh members messaged him and told him no, he wasn’t allowed to film in there and some other ridiculous bullshit. Because he was a direct competitor.”
Despite the challenges, Wiltse maintains that he still goes to the Daisy Fresh gym to train, and most people there are friendly. However, he admits that there are some individuals he “hates with a very justified fiery passion” and will likely never interact with again.
Wiltse acknowledges that the Daisy Fresh team has changed since he first joined, with the older, more influential members no longer there. “Now it’s just the young dudes,” he said. “No one acts as the sanity checker anymore. It’s sad because the reason me and Bird both decided to move in permanently after trying the gym out was specifically because of those members and how intelligent everyone seemed to be.”
Wiltse believes that the Daisy Fresh team may be “annoyed” at him for calling out the “dips*ittery” he sees online from certain groups and individuals. “I’m sure that Heath [Pedigo] has gotten some angry phone calls/messages from people telling him to control his athletes or something,” he said. “Good thing I don’t care.”
Despite the rift, Wiltse continues to focus on his own endeavors and personal growth. As he navigates the challenges of the past year, Wiltse remains resilient and determined to move forward.
