The Business of Jiu Jitsu
The Business of Jiu Jitsu explores the business side of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through conversations with gym owners and industry leaders who are doing something unique and special to stand out. Host JP Levesque interviews academy owners and entrepreneurs about their strategies, challenges, and successes in the martial arts industry. The podcast provides insights into marketing, operations, and building a thriving jiu jitsu community.
Episodes
Ep. 115 - If running your BJJ Academy feels like a gamble listen to this.
"Opening a jiu jitsu academy is a gamble." Students come, students go, and you never know what's going to happen — at least, that's the story a lot of academy owners tell themselves. But if a skilled operator took over your academy tomorrow, would it still be a coin flip? If they could grow it with 100% certainty, it was never a gamble. It's a skill deficit.In this episode, I
Ep. 114 - Ryan Hurst - The Mobility Master from GMB Fitness
Movement, Mobility, and Martial Arts: Insights from Ryan HurstRyan offers a free guide on mobility and strength for BJJ click here to check it out: https://gmb.io/bjj-mobility/In this episode, Ryan Hurst of GMB Fitness shares his unique approach to movement training that enhances mobility, strength, and injury prevention—key for martial artists and fitness enthusiasts alike. Discover practical tec
Ep. 112.5 - 10 Years of Academy Owneship - The FULL Episode with - CJ Hollet
We had technical difficulties on the previous recording so this is a NEW recording and the full episode.Most BJJ academy owners burn out somewhere between year 3 and year 7. Not because the jiu jitsu is hard — because the people part is. The communication, the boundary-setting, losing core members, staying in one piece, knowing who to let through the door.Heads up: this is a shorter episode — we r
Ep. 112 - 10 Years of BJJ Academy Ownership with CJ Hollett
Most BJJ academy owners burn out somewhere between year 3 and year 7. Not because the jiu jitsu is hard — because the people part is. The communication, the boundary-setting, losing core members, staying in one piece, knowing who to let through the door.Heads up: this is a shorter episode — we ran into some technical difficulties partway through the recording, but the conversation was too good to
Ep. 111 - The 7 levels of marketing for BJJ Gyms and how to get to the final boss!
Most BJJ academy owners think the answer to growth is hiring a marketing agency. They skip straight to paid ads and end up on the agency treadmill — burning thousands a month for leads they can't convert.In this episode of The Business of Jiu Jitsu, JP Levesque breaks down the 7 levels of marketing every academy owner should be running before they spend a dollar on paid ads. Starting with the
Ep. 110 - Should you care about AI as a BJJ Academy Owner?
AI for Jiu-Jitsu Academy Owners What's Actually Useful Right Now!!Warning!! I had so many thoughts about AI and business and you did so during this episode. It took me three or four takes to record it. So it's not as streamlined as I would like. I will do an AI update in the future, but I think is a point of reference, it's a good place to start, even if it is a little bit jumbled.AI i
Ep. 109 - Why Paid Ads Don't Work For Most BJJ Academies
Why Marketing Agencies Don't Work for Jiu-Jitsu AcademiesAlmost every academy owner JP talks to has tried a marketing agency. Most of them got burned. This episode breaks down exactly why, and what you should be doing instead.In this episode:Why "50 students in 50 days" promises are flat-out lies, and why agencies keep making themWhat agencies actually do (hint: it's just top of
Ep. 108 - Who to hire first, when to fire, and how to build a great team.
How to Hire (and Fire) for Your BJJ AcademyIf a coach is costing you students, that coach needs to go. Doesn't matter how many medals they have. This episode is JP's full breakdown on staffing your academy, who to hire, when to hire them, and how to run a process that doesn't blow up in your face.In this episode:Why toxic, overly strict, or incompetent coaches are a retention killers a
Ep. 107 - The two most important growth levers for BJJ gyms
The Simplicity of Growing Your AcademySummaryGrowing a gym isn't complicated, but it does require you to actually develop the skills. In this episode, JP breaks down the two levers every academy owner needs to master: retention and marketing. Most gyms aren't stuck because they lack leads. They're stuck because they're bleeding students out the back door while ignoring the fundamen
Ep. 106 - Stop Guessing: How to Use Your Gym’s Numbers to Grow
SummaryIn this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque breaks down a real-world case study to show how academy owners can use their numbers to actually grow their business. Instead of guessing what to fix next, this episode walks through how to interpret your metrics, set realistic targets, and make better decisions based on what’s actually happening inside your gym.JP covers how
Ep. 105 - Mark Millare - Hart Jiu Jitsu - How to make social media content that doesn't suck for your BJJ Gym
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque sits down with Mark Millare from Hart Jiu Jitsu to talk about what actually makes a gym stand out today. They dive into the importance of building a strong culture, creating a fun but pressure-tested training environment, and using social media consistently to attract and retain students.Mark shares how Hart Jiu Jitsu approaches cla
Ep. 104 - The Essential Weekly Activities for BJJ Academy Owners
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque breaks down four simple systems that can dramatically improve the way you run your academy. Many gym owners feel busy all the time but still struggle to see real progress. JP explains how small weekly habits like calendar blocking, reviewing your metrics, and consistent lead follow-up can shift your business from chaotic to controll
Ep. 103 - Jason Khalips - Embracing your BJJ Gym as a Business
On this episode we get some great gym owner insights from Jason Khalipa. We explore the journey of turning passion into a sustainable business, focusing on lessons learned from Jason Khalipa's extensive experience in fitness, CrossFit, and Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you're an academy owner or aspiring entrepreneur, discover actionable tips on business mindset, class structure, community building,
Ep. 102 - Best Practices for BJJ Gyms
In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses essential best practices for jujitsu academies, focusing on retention, onboarding, sales, lead generation, and business metrics. He emphasizes the importance of tracking student attendance, creating effective onboarding processes, simplifying sales techniques, nurturing leads, and understanding business metrics to foster gro
Ep. 101 - Marketing 101 for Jiu Jitsu Academy Owners
Summary:How to Grow Your Gym with Simple StrategiesIn this episode, JP Levesque breaks down straightforward marketing tactics that any gym owner can implement to boost growth. From Google reviews to internal engagement and paid advertising, learn how to create a sustainable and effective marketing system without relying on agencies.Key Topics:The importance of Google reviews and how to automate co
Ep. 100 - 10 hot button issues for BJJ academies that just keep coming up
SummaryIn this special 100th episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque reflects on the lessons learned from building GrowJitsu, coaching hundreds of academy owners, and recording 100 episodes of the show. He shares 10 key insights that every gym owner should hear — whether you're brand new or trying to get to the next level.This episode is both a thank-you and a roadmap, packed
Ep. 99 - The best season to add students to your BJJ gym is here.
SummaryIn this episode, JP Levesque shares a strategic month-by-month blueprint for gym owners to boost enrollment, retention, and operational systems during the peak growth season. Whether you're a seasoned owner or just starting out, discover actionable steps to crush it in the first half of the year.Key TopicsImportance of tracking business metrics monthly and how to interpret themTiming an
Ep. 98 - The Top 10 Mistakes BJJ Academy Owners Make
In this episode, JP talks about the ten most common mistakes made by Jiu Jitsu academy owners, drawing from his personal experiences. He emphasizes the importance of tracking metrics, creating standard operating procedures, maintaining student engagement, and managing finances effectively. The conversation also covers the significance of hiring practices, communication strategies, and the necessit
Ep. 97 - The 4 levels of mastery in Jiu Jitsu academy ownership
In this episode, JP Levesque discusses the four levels of Jujitsu Academy business, providing insights into the challenges and strategies at each stage. He emphasizes the importance of balancing artistic integrity with business acumen, and outlines practical steps for growth, retention, and systemization. The conversation is structured around the journey from the initial proving grounds to becomin
Ep. 96 - Andrew Green - How to run a successful kids program in 2026.
Summary In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu Podcast, host JP Levesque talks with Andrew Green from Innovative Martial Arts in Winnipeg about the basics of running a successful kids' jiu jitsu program. They discuss the importance of marketing, community events, the impact of martial arts on children, and strategies for growing a kids' program. Andrew shares insights on staff training
Ep. 95 - Build a new BJJ academy fast with pre-sale offers
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses strategies for opening a new jiu jitsu academy with a focus on becoming cashflow positive from day one. He emphasizes the importance of pre-selling memberships, having a solid business plan, and differentiating your academy in a competitive market. JP shares insights on pricing, marketing, and creating a strong student jou
Ep. 94 - The four buckets of growth for BJJ Academy owners
SummaryIn this episode, JP Levesque discusses the four buckets of growth essential for jujitsu academies, emphasizing the importance of generating leads, effective onboarding, long-term student retention, and the role of staff in business success. He provides actionable insights and strategies for academy owners to implement systems that ensure growth and sustainability in their businesses.Takeawa
Ep. 93 - Grow your BJJ academy in 2026 with a simple monthly focus
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, I break down a full month-by-month marketing and operations plan for your academy in 2026.If you ever feel like you’re just reacting to whatever’s in front of you, this gives you a clear structure to follow. I walk through what to focus on in each month, from pricing reviews and onboarding in January, to marketing kickoffs in February, to reten
Ep. 92 - Don't Wait! Build the systems your BJJ academy needs to grow now.
In this episode, I walk through what it really takes to grow a Jiu Jitsu academy — and why lead generation should never be the first step.We cover how to tighten up your retention, onboarding, and sales process before you worry about running ads or chasing new leads. I also talk through simple but effective ways to build trust during trials, communicate better with your students, and use basic too
Ep 91. - The 5 Layer Approach to building a better Jiu Jitsu Academy - JP Levesque
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, I break down a layered approach to building and growing your Jiu Jitsu academy, from setting your big picture goals all the way down to the small plays that actually move the needle. Whether you're just getting started or trying to fix a gym that's already running, this episode walks you through the exact framework I use when helping academy ow
Ep. 90 - Run a Black Friday Speical...without shooting yourself in the foot.
Spoilers, yes you should run a Black Friday special at your Jiu Jitsu Academy...But there is both a right way and a wrong way to do this. This episode breaks down what actually makes a good offer, not just for Black Friday, but year-round.I talk about:– Why you should always have some kind of offer running– What makes a promo actually valuable (without giving discounts)– What to do for current mem
Ep. 89 - Should your Jiu Jitsu academy run a black friday special?
In this episode, JP Levesque discusses the critical role of pricing strategy in maintaining a sustainable business. He emphasizes the need for business owners to evaluate their pricing in relation to their operational costs and the potential impact on student retention. The discussion highlights the balance between affordability for customers and the necessity for businesses to ensure their long-t
Ep. 88 - Zach Forrest - How to build an awesome gym and where to start.
In this conversation, Zach Forrest emphasizes the critical role of regular check-ins with clients in a gym setting. He discusses the importance of understanding clients' frustrations and excitements, particularly for new members. By fostering open communication and feedback, trainers can adapt their approach to better meet clients' needs and enhance their overall experience. This ongoing dialogue
Ep. 87 - What you need to open a successful Jiu Jitsu academy.
In this episode of The Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque breaks down the realities of opening a Jiu Jitsu academy in today’s saturated market.He shares why “just being a good coach” isn’t enough anymore, and why having a marketing budget is no longer optional if you want to grow.From Meta ads to Google search, JP explains how to think about paid marketing, how to budget for it, and why yo
Ep. 86 - Know your numbers, CEO time, and asking the right questions to grow.
SummaryIn this episode of the Business of Jiu-Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses how Jiu-Jitsu academy owners can achieve consistent growth and turn their academies into successful businesses. He emphasizes the importance of understanding key metrics such as student retention, revenue, and profit margins. JP also highlights the need for dedicated CEO time to strategize and plan for the future, e
Ep. 85 - Glyn Powditch - SBG Rossendale/Dream Agility
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu, JP Levesque interviews Glenn Powditch, a seasoned jiu jitsu practitioner and gym owner. They discuss the duality of running a gym as a hobby versus a business, the importance of professionalism, and the challenges gym owners face. Glenn shares insights on how to navigate the commercialization of jiu jitsu while maintaining integrity, the significance o
Ep. 84 - Are you a business white belt?
Are you a black belt on the mats but a white belt in business?In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque explores the concept of belt levels in business, drawing parallels to the martial art of jiu jitsu. He discusses the challenges faced by business owners at different stages, from the 'white belt' stage of struggling to establish systems, to the 'black belt'
Ep. 83 - BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes - Part 2.
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque dives into various hot takes regarding the operation of BJJ academies. He discusses the value of kids programs, the importance of quality control in scalable businesses, and the necessity of balancing business acumen with jiu jitsu skills. JP also addresses common pitfalls faced by academy owners, the ethics of recruitment during op
Ep. 82 - Summer is over, now what?
In this episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses strategies for Jiu Jitsu academy owners to regain momentum as summer ends. He emphasizes the importance of planning events for revenue generation, student retention, and recruitment. JP outlines effective marketing strategies, including reactivation campaigns and the use of Facebook ads, to attract new students and keep cu
Ep. 81 - Starting Small And Building Smart - Deven Needles of Ground Control Academy
SummaryIn this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, Devin Needles shares his journey from a Jiu Jitsu practitioner to the owner of Ground Control Academy. He discusses the challenges and successes of running an academy, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, structured curriculums, and effective lead generation strategies. Devin highlights the significance of creating a welcoming en
Ep. 80 - BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes - Part 1.
SummaryIn this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses various hot takes related to gym ownership and the business side of jujitsu. He addresses common complaints from the jujitsu community, such as the importance of transparency in pricing and scheduling, the debate over gi requirements, and the challenges of managing students. Levesque emphasizes the need for gym owners
Ep. 79 - Joshua Janis - White Lotus Jiu Jitsu
In this episode, I sit down with Joshua Janis, owner of White Lotus Jiu Jitsu.We talk about what it means to build a Jiu Jitsu academy around intention, clarity, and culture. Joshua shares how his background and philosophy have shaped the way he runs his gym and how important it is to create an environment where the right students thrive.We also dive into the evolution of Jiu Jitsu, how to lead wi
Ep. 78 - JP Levesque - Everything you want is on the other side of cringe
A quick episode for once, and clearly a click bait title, but worthwhile if you're still stuck trying to grow your BJJ academy and haven't quite cracked the code. SummaryIn this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses the importance of embracing discomfort and cringe in order to achieve personal and professional growth. He shares anecdotes about overcoming societa
Ep. 77 - Bobby & Amanda McMcaster - Open Source BJJ
In this episode I chatted with Bobby and Amanda McMasters of Open Source BJJ in Ashville NC. They have not only built a place with a good vibe, amazing coaches and team members but they are doing something very unconventional with their Jiu Jitsu academy. They are giving back to their community with a pricing model that allows anyone who wants to train to be able to afford it. Considering most of
Ep. 76 - Bad Drop-ins and Good Business
In this solo episode, I rant a little about a bad drop in experience and talk about the main point of this episode which is to embrance change in your business.I share a quick story about a terrible experience I had at a gym recently. I don't name any names or call anyone out, but I tell the story to make a point about professionalism, first impressions, and what your academy is actually sayin
Ep. 75 - Jeff Shaw - Bellingham BJJ
In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ.Jeff shares how he built a Jiu Jitsu academy that he runs based on his own compass. Which incidentally exploded in popularity within the first few months of opening, creating a wait list. We talk about building a culture that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones.But the real gold? Jeff breaks down his onboarding process an
Ep. 74 - JP Levesque - Asking the big question...
In this solo episode, I kick things off with a simple but important question "What do you actually want out of academy ownership?"A lot of people jump in for the love of Jiu Jitsu, but if you want your academy to succeed long-term, you’ve got to get real about what you’re building and how you're doing it.We break it down into three key areas:Invite: How to get people in the door with
Ep. 73 - Rob Biernacki - Island Top Team
In this episode, I sit down with Robert Biernacki from Island Top Team! You may know Rob from his work with Stephan Kesting and he's got a great perspective to share on academy ownership and Jiu Jitsu in general.We get into:Finding a balanace when coaching students who are training for fun that helps them improve but not feel picked onHow to stay passionate about teaching when your room isn’t
Ep. 72 - JP Levesque - The systems every BJJ Academy needs for growth.
In this episode, I go over the core framework every academy needs to grow: Invite, Enroll, Deliver, Retain, GrowIf you’re not putting time into these five buckets, your business is probably stuck.I also talk about the actual time commitment it takes to see progress. While putting in MORE hours would be great the truth is, you just need to carve out SOME hours to work on the business side if you ac
Ep. 71 - Jesse Walker - Rough Hands BJJ
Jesse and I covered a lot of topics on todays show but here are some major topics and points of interest. How to run a good women's program without having to run a ladies only class.Using games to help students learn faster without changing your entire teaching style.Keeping new students longer with basic reach outs.Setting expectations with new students to keep your academy drama free. It was
Ep. 70 - Are you a black belt on the mats but a white belt in business?
Hear me out here, I'm not here to poke the bear. What I am here to do is highlight that your BJJ academy has two totally separate sides. There is the fun side of "teaching, training, coaching side" which is why most people open gyms to begin with. Then you have the other side of the business which is the "a bunch of shit I don't want to do like marketing, sales, creating SOP
Ep.69 - JP Levesque - Keeping students on track for success
This is an expansion on the onboarding episode from two weeks ago and through all my caffinated ramblings really asks one question of the BJJ Academy owner...What could you be doing for your students to keep them on the path to success?Easier said than done like most things. But these processes and systems start with the idea, then an outline and they become real with one single action. You don
Ep.68 - Mike Sweeney - SBG Calgary
I'm excited to have Mike back on the show to talk about his first year in business. While this isn't his first dive into owning a martial arts school this is the first school he has opened in Calgary. Anyone who owned a gym has had the thought, "if I startefd from scratch again what would I do to make my business successful?" Well Mike has been able to answer that question for hi
Ep. 67 - JP Levesaue - Summer Survival Guide
If you've owned a Jiu Jitsu academy for more than a year you know summers can be brutal. Once students start to cancel and no one is coming into replace them you start to feel the financial squeeze. Well the good news is you can plan around it, you can engineer summer to be one of your most profitable seasons with kids camps, or just a great season if you plan ahead. From one gym owner to anot
Ep. 66 - JP Levesque - Policy changes, class hours, and events.
This episode is me speaking from experience on a few topics so hopefully you can avoid stepping on the same rakes as I did. I start by talking about an IG post I saw where a gym was asking it's members if it "failed" by closing over the holdidays. The short answer is "yes" if that person wanted to come train. Then I go a little deeping into how to handle bigger policy chang
Ep. 65 - Eli Knight of Knight Jiu Jitsu
With 30 years of Jiu Jitsu experience under his belt Eli does everything from instructionals to seminars and private lessons. Eli saw the need for online Jiu Jitsu content before the big online boom and has since become a successful online name due to his consistency, persevernce and approachable teaching style.We also go into some detail about his back ground (which is an impressive lineage), his
Ep. 64 - The Systems of a Successful Jiu Jitsu Academy
I think in systems and I love structure. I also find it really helpful to create a common language to talk about business, the same way we talk about Jiu Jitsu. That common language/understanding helps move everyone forward. And so I made this episode in hopes that I could share some of that language and structure about the business side of Jui Jitsu. I also want it to make it easy for Jiu Jitsu a
Ep 63. - Chris Burns - Zero Point Academy
Chris is a polarizing figure in Jiu Jitsu for a lot of reasons, he swears like a sailor which some find endearing and others off putting, he’s got a dry sense of humor and he is trying very hard to preserve the roots of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. All in all Chris is very smart, incredibly passionate about Jiu Jitsu and teaching his students. If you want to learn more about Chris I’d highly recommend follow
Ep. 62 - JP Levesque - Planning ahead to ride the seasons
After being in business for two summers I was over it. I had a bad July and a worse August as members went on hold or quit. So I decided right then and there I wouldn't be caught again next summer in the same situation, scraping the bottom of my savings to pay bills until members came back. The craziest part is it worked! I was no longer a reactive business owner riding this roller coaster wai
Ep.61 - JP Levesque - What to do when the season changes.
The season is changing right now from winter to spring. This is another 'new year's like' vibe that shifts people to both reflect back and look forward. Naturally it is a great time to reconnect with former students who have taken breaks and even trial students who didn't join. Seasonal changes are also a good time to run events and promotions with your current student base. Lastly
Ep. 60 - Josh Mckinney - Competitor, Academy Owner, Podcaster!
I'm a fan of Josh's podcast, so naturally I was stoked to have him on as a guest. We covered a range of topics in this episode but there were a few that stood out as significant. The first being to keep things simple in your business, and the second is understanding what makes your academy special and being able to put it into words as a valuable differentiator? Josh has great insight and
Ep. 59 - JP Levesque - How to turn free trials into new students
Ever wonder why someone takes a free trials class, seems to enjoy it but then doesn't join?I can say from personal experience it's pretty frustrating when this or some variation of this happens. This can happen for a variety of reasons but if you create a good process around your free trials it will happen less and less often. The net result of having a better free trial process is consist
Ep.58 - Ollie Kelly - Mattador Seminars
If the pet rock was a million dollar idea, I think this one is even better. As a BJJ practicioner Ollie once missed out on a phenomal seminar he wanted to attend, being held right in his city. The problem was he had no idea there was a seminar being held in the first place.Out of frustration he decided to solve a problem he sees in the BJJ community. Not being able to easily find good seminars to
Ep. 57 - The Unstuck Academy - Audio Book
This episode is a full reading of my book "The Unstuck Academy". There is some additional color commentary, rabbit holing, and ad libbing in the audio version.The goal of this book is really simple, help Jiu Jitsu Academy owners get Unstuck in their business. In my own personal experience from running my gym the first step in running a successful business was realizing it was much more t
Ep. 56 - Ken "Revoy" - The Old Way Jiu Jitsu
Revoy and I are old training partners and though he was always significantly better than me at jiu jitsu, he was always kind about it. On this episode he reminded me that we were both promoted to blue belt the same day, and while I am still a blue belt, he's gone on to earn his black belt and open his own academy. We have a great conversation about his take on running a Jiu Jitsu academy which
Ep. 55 - JP Levesque - Unlocking Business Growth
As the saying goes, you don't know what you don't know. On this episode I talked about my journey through understanding my business, its various parts and functions, and ultimately how to run it better. In these caffinated ramblings there were three big sections I stumbled upon which were: 1. Gaining general awareness of what your entire business needs. 2. Learning how the "machinery" of your busi
Ep. 54 - Nico Bajerski - BMA-MMA
I have to appologize the audio in this episode does change pitch a few times but it clear without static.I don't want that to take away any attention from today's guest as Nico is one of the most hard working and determined people I've ever met. I had never heard of door to door karate or martial arts sales before this episode, but what a way to cut your teeth and learn sales. Aside fr
Ep. 53 - JP Levesque - How not to spend your time
I've made just about all the mistakes you can in gym ownership. In the early days of gym ownership I was so wrapped up in teaching classes that was all I focused on. So much so that outside of class times I didn't do much else. It was partly because I was unaware of what it actually took to run my gym like a real business and partly because I was so wrapped up in the role of technician. &q
Ep. 52 - Tim Goodwin - TNT Martial Arts
Right from the start I knew Tim was going to be a great guest. His inspiration to start martial arts came from old school UFC tapes. He fought MMA professionally for 10 years before transitioning into academy ownership.We cover a range of topics in the podcast but the highlights were high background and experience, his experience and thoughts on what it takes to run a successful business. Lastly h
Ep. 51 - JP Levesque - The red pill of success.
After a a year and a half of strugglign in in my gym I'd had enough. Though I loved the people and the environment I created I certainly wasn't as successful as I wanted to be in my business.The first step towards my own personal success was learning how to think. I did this in multiple stages the first of which was getting the right perspective on my business. The second of which was bein
Ep. 50 - Dan Uyemura - PushPress
Funny enough I was actually a customer of his for years using Pushpress to run my gym, but he wasn't on my radar until long after I sold my gym. What brought Dan to my attention was his social media presence, he's very outspoken in his beliefes and values.
His content really isn't political or devicive, but it is honest. If he sees BS in the gym/software industry hes going to point it
Ep. 49 - Keeping your momentum in business
There are natural ebs, flows, and seasons in your Jiu Jitsu academy. We are in a high season right now where new students are seeking you out at a rate that won't be the same in a month or two.
So while most BJJ gyms have gotten some good momentum early in the year the trick is keeping it. Not letting your foot off the gas too long or too often.
Keeping momentum is pretty simple, keep doing wha
Ep. 48 - Jeremy Brick - How Jiu Jitsu changes lives
Jeremy Brick has a heck of a comptetive resume as a world champion having won the following titles.
2024 M3 Brown Belt Grandslam Winner
4x Master World Champion
2x No-Gi World Champion
5x Pan American Champion
The list literally continues...
What's just as inspiring as his accomplishments in tournaments is the story of how he came to Jiu Jitsu and the impact it had on his life.
We also tal
Ep. 47 - JP Levesque - You don't have to sell out to sell.
I know you didn't open a Jiu Jitsu school to sell memberships. The people, the training, the learning, and the growth! There are so many great reasons to train Jiu Jitsu.
But owning a school means you've got to keep the lights on some how to enjoy the fun training part. I know as an owner you understand the need to to pay your bills. But you can do a lot better than that, your academy can
Ep. 46 - Kyle Scappaticci - PCG Academy
In this episode we cover a lot of ground from how Kyle became an academy owner to how he's achieved consistent growth and success in his business.
Kyle's knowledge from his other business has carried over and served him well. So he can not only own a business he is passionate about but do it in a way that is sustainable long term.
If you know you want to level up your academy this year i
Ep. 45 - JP Levesque - Launching successful events for your students
Most academy owners understand the importance of running events. However not everyone gets how to promote these events effectively. Most academy owners don't want to bombard their students with emails, posts and communication.
But that percetption isn't founded in reality, I've never once seen so much promotional content from a gym or academy that it put a student off. The goal is to
Ep. 44 - Josh Folwer - Black Cat Mixed Martial Arts
Josh has some very creative events and perspectives on running his MMA school. The way he approaches his community identity and creating truly unique events is something I have not seen many people do so well.
Josh offers some great perspective in this episode and I know you'll walk away from it with some great ideas of your own to plug into your gym or academy.
If you want to connect with J
Ep. 43 - New Year, Now What. How to see business growth in 2025
Any time there is a big seasonal change the things in this episode will be relevant.
Once a quarter I would make sure you're offering old students a chance to come back, and current students a chance to reinvest in their relationship with you and their training.
The one thing that gains a significant advantage from the new year momentum is the chance to raise your memebrship rates IF and only if
Ep. 42 - Branden Hudson - SBY MMA and Fitness
You don't have to choose between your passion of Jiu Jitsu and a successful business, you can have both.
My guest Branden is proof of that, he not only lives and breaths martial arts but he's also got a successful business behind him. We cover a lot of ground in this episode but what I hope you can hear in how Branden speaks with both certainty and conviction.
The way he speaks is something you
Ep. 41 - JP Levesque - Don't run Facebook Ads - Do this instead.
Don't waste any money on Facebook ads before you build this simple system.
Don't get me wrong I've seen great success with FB ads in my business and many of the gyms/academies that I work with....BUT....
I've also heard too many heart breaking stories of failed ad campaigns, wasted cash, no growth and just a general bummer.
In this episode I'm walking you through what you need to do before you
Ep. 40 - Jared Gahm - PSF Legacy Jiu-Jitsu
I had a great conversation with Jared talking about his experience with all things Jiu Jitsu and MMA.
He's an old school guy who will give you the shirt off his back. He takes good care of his students while at the same time molding them into capable athlete's and practitioners.
In talking with him I think a lot of Jared's success comes from a few places. He's not afraid to work hard, he pours
Ep. 39 - Roger Perez - Wichita Falls Martial Arts, TX
On this episode Roger and I cover a lot of ground. From how he started his training as active Duty Air Force to how he makes the most out of his kids program.
Roger is a wealth of knowledge and I really enjoyed hearing how he keeps innovating, expanding and improving his business.
Hopefully you picked up a few nuggets of wisdom from this episode. As a former boy scout and parent I personally l
Ep. 38 - Andrew Green - Innovative Martial Arts
This was an amazing episode and I want to thank Andrew for being on and sharing so many of his secrets to success.
We talked a lot about the success of his kids program, how he builds it up and how he provides amazing experiences for his students.
I hope you take away some gold nuggets of wisdom from this episode because Andrew was throwing them out left and right.
Even if you never want to do
Ep. 37 - Nader Tannir - Lycan MMA
On this episode Nader and I talked about how he built his MMA academy, his journey through Jiu Jitsu and how he goes about building community.
What I love about this episode in particular is Nader has been able to two things that a lot of Gyms & Academies find hard to do at the same time.
And that is to build a good competition team, while growing his student base on the whole. He doesn't
Ep. 36 - James Clingerman of Indiana Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
James has an absolutely wild story about what happened to him just weeks before the grand opening of his academy. In chatting with James a few things became clear he's got grit and he's a true professional.
In this episode we talk about James' ups and down and ultimately what's made him a successful academy owner.
If you want to learn more about James or reach out on socials here's where you can
