I’m back! It’s been too long but here we are. My hubby Jay and I co-host this episode (and hopefully more soon) discussing the glamour of gym ownership. We own and run a Martial Arts school together in Takoma Park, Maryland called Capital MMA & Elite Fitness - Team Takoma, and really hope you’ll stop by for a roll some time!

In this episode, we shed some light on what gym ownership is really like, warts and all. There’s lots of fun, plenty of stress, and sometimes it’s just downright gross. It’s all worth it though, because of our amazing community of coaches and students, and of course that Jay and I get to do it together.

Check out my YouTube Channel, All Things Jen Z, to check out this podcast live and all my Jiu-Jitsu Technique videos. Also, follow and subscribe to Jay’s Substack, Temere Cogitationes, to get his weekly essays on whatever happens to be on his mind.

So much fun having my cousin Lea Bacci on the podcast! Like many of us, Covid sparked a need for Lea to do more to help others, so she started an Instagram account called @just_a_girl1978 where she started sharing insights and ideas about the everyday struggles we all face to balance family, job, personal growth and just getting through life on the daily.

Lea wears many hats, but she is a caretaker in all of them: wife, mom, daughter, friend and public health professional. In this episode, we talk about the importance of self care and activating auto-pilot when dealing with aging parents, demanding kids, as well as prioritizing relationships and managing your career.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at @hipsnadgripsbjjcamps

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

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It was a pleasure to have Takoma Park’s very own Seth Cook on the podcast. He’s co-owner of Takoma Bev Co song with his cousin Chris Brown, and is the man behind the wine menu for Zinnia and Motorkat. He’s a world traveler who loves how a great beverage or cocktail brings people together. Amazingly enough, Seth is also principal Tuba/Cimbasso of the Kennedy Center Opera House. He’s all about great sips and beautiful sounds! Follow Takoma Bev Co. on IG to stay in the loop about upcoming events @takomabevco. Be sure to check out @motorkattakoma and @eatinnia too! And if you want to hear Seth in action, follow @kcohomuscicians.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at @hipsnadgripsbjjcamps

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

The first Ladies Jiu Jitsu Jam was awesome, with more than 80 amazing females on the mat! That wouldn’t have been possible without my friend and perfect training partner, Maia Matalon. She’s definitely someone I want you to get to know on a deeper level: She is a mom, stepmom, badass BJJ black belt and helps run High Noon BJJ in Virginia with her partner Tim Dawson. Maia also worked for several years as a firefighter and paramedic. I look up to her as a jiu jitsu mentor and am grateful to call her my friend. Follow Maia on IG @maiamatalon, High Noon @highnoonbjj and of course give Ladies Jiu Jitsu Jam a follow @ladiesjiujitsujam.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at https://www.hipsandgripscamps.com/.

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

This past year, our school had a big influx of college students from the University of Maryland. One of them, Chris Giuditta, is also the owner of Ono Bowls Food Truck. Chris has been great to train with on the mats, but as he graduates and moves onto a career in finance, I had to interview him about becoming an entrepreneur at the age of 17. Learn all about how he and his friend started an acai food truck business in New Jersey, and how they have kept it going. Chris is super charismatic, smart and a hard worker. This kid is definitely going places. I mean, acai and BJJ are like two peas in a pod! Check out how you can book his food truck for catering and everything they have to offer @onobowlsfoodtruck on IG.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at @hipsnadgripsbjjcamps

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

My dear friend Mary Lou Costabile, aka Miscellaneous Magic, is back on the podcast. This time she is interviewing me!!! As Mary Lou is making some shifts in her career, she wanted to ask me how I did it when I made the transition from full time beauty to fitness, wellness & BJJ. This was so much fun and great to take a hosting break. Hope you enjoy hearing about my journey. Great job Mary Lou! Mary Lou is a Hair Stylist, Intuitive Reader, Reiki Master and Certified Life Coach. Be sure to follow her on IG @miscellaneous_magic22 for all her energy updates.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at @hipsnadgripsbjjcamps

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

My friend and fellow Capital MMA teammate, BJ Ketchem, joins me to share how he made the decision to give up $27,000 a year in pursuit of his own happiness. Is money really worth it if it costs you your quality of life? We have a great conversation reflecting on his choice, talking about life, health, mindset & jiu jitsu of course. BJ is a teacher but is also an amazing strength & conditioning coach. He has been an athlete all his life and loves helping others achieve their goals. He is passionate, encouraging and just all-around good people. To learn how you can work with BJ and see some of his coaching tips follow him on IG @the_forged_athletics.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at @hipsnadgripsbjjcamps

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.

One of the most common questions my clients ask me or one of their biggest struggles is that they just don’t have time for themselves. With work, family, life and all the hustle, they come last. In this episode I give you some of my tips and tricks to fit in that self-care time baby! Check out my new Patreon channel for my content @allthingsjenz.

This episode is brought to you by my fabulous sponsors Hips & Grips.

Check out their amazing jiu-jitsu & climbing camps at https://www.hipsandgripscamps.com/.

Get 10% off your next Hips & Grips registration when you use code JENZ.