Summary

In 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 to treat their academies as businesses rather than hobbies, while also exploring the value of kids programs and the role of testing in belt promotions. The conversation is lively and filled with insights for both gym owners and jujitsu practitioners.

Takeaways

Most gyms operate like hobbies rather than businesses.

Transparency in pricing and scheduling is crucial for attracting students.

Gi requirements can be flexible, but cleanliness is important.

Handling difficult students is a necessary skill for gym owners.

Cross-training should be encouraged to improve overall jujitsu skills.

Trial periods should allow enough classes for potential students to decide.

Kids programs can be valuable for personal development and fun.

Testing for belts can help identify skill gaps in students.

Motivational speeches after class can be beneficial if not overdone.

Drop-in policies should prioritize the safety and culture of the gym.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Business Owner Hot Takes

01:27 Running a Gym: Hobby vs. Business

03:54 Transparency in Pricing and Scheduling

06:17 The Importance of Uniforms in Jiu Jitsu

10:34 Managing Student Dynamics

11:32 Cross-Training and Student Retention

12:28 Trial Classes and Their Effectiveness

14:26 Beginner Classes: Expectations vs. Reality

15:41 The Value of Kids Programs

16:38 Belt Testing: Necessity or Nuisance?

18:00 Coaching Philosophy and Class Dynamics

19:46 Drop-In Policies and Gym Culture

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 with purpose, and why a clear vision is key, not just for growth, but for staying aligned with why you opened your academy in the first place.

Want to connect with Joshua?
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaj_bjj/
FB (academy): https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLotusJiuJitsu/
BJJ Globetrotters Instructor Profile: https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/featured-camp-instructor-joshua-janis-bjj-globetrotters/
BJJ Globetrotters Academy Feature: https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/featured-affiliated-academy-white-lotus-jiu-jitsu-usa/
Website: https://www.gentleartlifestyle.com/whitelotusbjj

Website: https://www.janisconsulting.com/

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.

Summary

In 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 societal judgments and emphasizes the necessity of marketing and sales in business. The conversation encourages listeners to take action despite their fears and to focus on their goals, reminding them that success often lies just beyond their comfort zones.

Takeaways

Everything you want is on the other side of discomfort.

People's opinions shouldn't dictate your actions.

Success requires pushing through cringe-worthy moments.

Marketing and sales are essential for business growth.

You are already selling, even if you don't realize it.

Fear of rejection is a common barrier to success.

Integrity in business practices is crucial.

Taking action is more important than seeking approval.

Growth often requires doing things that feel uncomfortable.

Self-doubt is often the biggest obstacle to success.

If you want help growing your BJJ academy, I wrote a free book that walks you through the systems and strategies that actually work. Grab your copy at www.Growjitsu.com/book

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 us agree that the world would be a better place if more people did Jiu Jitsu it's a very exciting idea and I'm stoked to spread the word with this week's episode.

If you're looking to reach out to Bobby & Amanda you can find them here:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/opensourcejiujitsuavl/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/opensourcebjj

WEB: https://www.opensourcebjj.net/

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 saying to people who walk through the door.

We also get into why your gym is either improving or falling behind. There’s no such thing as staying the same. Just like in Jiu Jitsu, if you’re not constantly tweaking, testing, and improving your systems, you’re going to get passed.

This one is all about taking ownership, being intentional, and remembering that your culture and your standards are either attracting the right people or pushing them away.

Topics covered:

• Iteration as a tool for growth

• Why professionalism matters more than you think

• How your culture shapes your reputation

• Embracing failure as part of the process

• Creating momentum through small, consistent improvements

Follow me:
IG: @jp_levesque24
Email: JP@growjitsu.com

Are you interested in building up your BJJ business?
The Unstuck Academy is a free guide that shows you how to fix what’s broken, keep more students, and build a business that actually works.
Download it here: www.growjitsu.com/book

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 and world class foundations program. If you want to help new students succeed and actually stick around, don’t miss this part.

Topics we cover:

• Running your academy on your own compass

• Designing a welcoming environment

• Creating win-win memberships for beginners

• Building a foundations program that works

If you want to reach out to Jeff you can find him here:

IG: @BELLINGHAMBJJ

Email: Jeff@BELLINGHAMBJJ.com

Web: BELLINGHAMBJJ.COM

Are you interested in building up your BJJ business?

The Unstuck Academy is a free guide that shows you how to fix what’s broken, keep more students, and build a business that actually works.

Download it here: www.growjitsu.com/book

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 simple, consistent marketing (and why paid ads probably aren’t the move at first)

• Enroll: Turning trials into members with a clear offer and a solid sign-up process

• Retain: Onboarding the right way and keeping members around for the long haul

If you get these right, growth becomes a lot less mysterious and a lot more repeatable.

Heres a link to my socials:

Instagram – @jp_levesque24Email – JP@growjitsu.comWebsite – www.Growjitsu.comWant help building these systems? Grab my free book at www.Growjitsu.com/book

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 on

• How to stay passionate about teaching when your room isn’t full of competitors

• Finding other ways to fill your cup as a coach

• Other avenues of business to create a living from teaching Jiu Jitsu

I enjoyed chatting with Rob, my only regret in the episode is not having enough time to get into the endless rabit holes Jiu Jitsu conversations can take.

Check him out here:

📍 Island Top Team – Nanaimo, BC: https://islandtopteam.com📸 Instagram: @islandtopteam🧠 BJJ Concepts Online: https://bjjconcepts.net