In this conversation, Nick Castiglia interviews Dan Moroney, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and owner of Bravado BJJ. They discuss Dan's journey in Jiu-Jitsu, including his early days in Montreal, the founding of Grappling Arts Academy, and the eventual opening of Bravado BJJ. They also touch on Dan's affiliation with Royler Gracie and the importance of mentorship in Jiu-Jitsu. Dan Moroney shares his journey of transitioning from a full-time job to running his own jiu-jitsu academy. He discusses the challenges he faced, including financial struggles and the closure of his brother's academy. Dan emphasizes the importance of staying true to your vision, setting goals, and not taking things personally. He also highlights the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and setting boundaries with students. Dan's words of encouragement for struggling gym owners are to never give up on their dreams and to do whatever it takes to make them a reality.

Takeaways:

• Dan Moroney started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in Montreal and eventually opened Bravado BJJ in Toronto.
• Dan's brother played a significant role in his Jiu-Jitsu development and was a mentor to him.
• Dan became the first Canadian black belt under Royler Gracie and has been affiliated with Royler's team for over 20 years.
• Mentorship and the importance of being a teacher first are key values in Dan's approach to Jiu-Jitsu. Stay true to your vision and don't worry about what others expect of you.
• Set goals and visualize them to stay focused and motivated.
• Maintain a work-life balance and prioritize time with your family.
• Set boundaries with your customers to avoid personal and professional conflicts.
• Don't sacrifice your integrity and always act with honesty and professionalism.
• Remember that every student has an expiration date, and it's important to respect that.
• Don't take things personally and control your ego to avoid hindering your progress.
• Never give up on your dreams and do whatever it takes to make them a reality.

This episode is dedicated in memory of our friend, Sylvain Moroney.

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat with Nick and Sam. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

In this conversation, Nick Castiglia and Jesse Topp discuss Jesse's journey in martial arts and how it saved his life. They also delve into the importance of running a martial arts school as a business and the steps to securing financing and investing in real estate. Jesse shares valuable insights on building a team, establishing a network, and finding the right professionals to work with. Jesse Topp shares valuable insights and advice for gym owners looking to build a successful business. He emphasizes the importance of hiring a mentor and surrounding yourself with people who are already achieving what you want to achieve. Jesse also discusses the benefits of leveraging your home to finance your business and the importance of having a solid financial structure. He shares his experience with commercial real estate and the BRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance), as well as the importance of taking care of your personal health and well-being. Jesse's key message is to not let the fear of failure hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

Takeaways:

• Martial arts can have a profound impact on people's lives and can even save them in difficult situations.
• Running a martial arts school as a business is essential for financial stability and growth.
• Securing financing and investing in real estate can provide long-term financial security for martial arts school owners.
• Building a team and establishing a network of professionals is crucial for success in real estate ventures.
• Finding the right professionals, such as commercial real estate agents and mortgage brokers, is key to navigating the real estate market. Hire a mentor who is already achieving what you want to achieve
• Consider leveraging your home to finance your business
• Have a solid financial structure and consider commercial real estate
• Take care of your personal health and well-being
• Don't let the fear of failure hold you back from pursuing your dreams

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat with Nick and me. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Dana Dickeson shares his journey in martial arts, from his childhood fascination with action movies to his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a police officer. He recounts his experiences in MMA and the challenges of running a BJJ school in a small area. Dana eventually opens his own gym, Absolute BJJ, and discusses the growth of BJJ in his region. He also mentions his affiliation with Fabio Holanda and the decision to start his own team. Dana Dickeson shares his experience as a martial arts school owner and the lessons he has learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of finding help and building a team, as well as executing ideas without overthinking. He also discusses the success of his gym and the growth of his tournament, East Coast Grappling. Dana advises gym owners to be mindful of their finances, not to overspend on unnecessary gear, and to seek help and guidance from experts in the industry. He encourages gym owners to be brave and take risks, even when they are scared.

Takeaways:

• Dana's interest in martial arts was sparked by action movies of the 80s and 90s.
• He initially struggled to find a martial art that resonated with him until he discovered Judo and later Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
• Dana's journey in martial arts led him to compete in MMA and eventually open his own BJJ gym.
• Running a BJJ school in a small area presented unique challenges, but Dana persevered and saw the growth of BJJ in his region. Find help and build a team to support your gym
• Execute ideas without overthinking
• Be mindful of your finances and plan for a rainy day
• Don't overspend on unnecessary gear
• Seek help and guidance from experts in the industry
• Be brave and take risks, even when you are scared

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat with Nick and me. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Brent Fryia shares his origin story of becoming a gym owner and MMA fighter. He started as a wrestler and had a successful career in university wrestling. After teaching for a while, he saw an ad for an MMA class and joined, eventually turning pro and moving to Asia to compete. When he returned, he found out that the gym he trained at had a falling out, so he decided to open his own gym. Initially, the gym was small and focused on MMA fighters, but it has since evolved to include recreational classes for boxing, kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu. Brent emphasizes the importance of the wrestling community and the tight-knit culture it fosters. He also discusses the challenges of running a gym and the need to delegate and invest in software to manage the business. Brent shares his experience of growing his gym and transitioning from being a one-man show to hiring staff. He emphasizes the importance of investing in coaches, creating a place for everyone, and fostering a strong gym culture. He also discusses his groundbreaking partnership with the school board to offer an in-school mixed martial arts program. Brent advises gym owners to respect the art of coaching, avoid making the gym too competition-focused, and prioritize professionalism.

Takeaways:

• Brent Fryia's journey from wrestler to gym owner and MMA fighter
• The evolution of his gym from focusing on MMA fighters to including recreational classes
• The tight-knit culture and community of the wrestling world
• The challenges of running a gym and the need to delegate and invest in software for management 
• Investing in your coaches and groom potential coaches from within the gym
• Create a welcoming environment for all types of members, from recreational to competitive
• Foster a strong gym culture and prioritize community
• Respect the art of coaching and prioritize professional development
• Avoid making the gym too competition-focused and prioritize inclusivity
• Treat your gym as a professional business and seek help and guidance when needed

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat with Nick and me. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Summary 

Milena Hrebacka, founder of New Breed Design, discusses the importance of branding and marketing for martial arts schools. She emphasizes the need for a strong brand that reflects the gym's values and resonates with its target demographic. Milena highlights the impact of a well-designed logo and consistent branding across all touchpoints, including social media, signage, merchandise, and the physical gym space. She also stresses the importance of providing a high-quality experience for clients, from the cleanliness of the facility to the professionalism of the staff. Overall, Milena emphasizes the value of investing in professional graphic design and marketing to elevate a martial arts school's brand and attract and retain clients. In this conversation, Milena Hrebacka discusses the importance of branding and design for martial arts gyms. She emphasizes the need for a solid brand identity, a well-designed physical space, and a positive human experience. Milena also advises against using platforms like Fiverr for logo design and highlights the value of investing in professional design services. She shares the top three mistakes to avoid in branding: trying to design your own logo, balking at price points, and breaking what's working for your brand. Milena was a featured speaker at the Legacy School Owners Summit in July.

Takeaways

• A strong brand that reflects the gym's values and resonates with the target demographic is crucial for martial arts schools.
• Investing in professional graphic design and marketing pays off in the long run and helps attract and retain clients.
• Consistent branding across all touchpoints, including social media, signage, merchandise, and the physical gym space, is essential.
• Providing a high-quality experience for clients, from the cleanliness of the facility to the professionalism of the staff, is key to building trust and loyalty. A solid brand identity, a well-designed physical space, and a positive human experience are crucial for martial arts gyms.
• Using platforms like Fiverr for logo design can result in generic and unoriginal designs.
• Investing in professional design services is essential for creating a unique and effective brand.
• The top three mistakes to avoid in branding are trying to design your own logo, balking at price points, and breaking what's working for your brand.
• 
  

Check out more of Milena Hrebacka and New Breed Design here: https://newbreed.design/

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Summary

Brendan Rice, CEO of Wodify, discusses the benefits of using Wodify for gym owners and how the software has expanded from serving CrossFit gyms to martial arts schools. He emphasizes the importance of engagement and how tracking attendance and providing additional resources can significantly improve retention rates. Rice also highlights the value of gamification in driving behavior and increasing engagement. He shares data that shows the average monthly value of clients using digital progression tracking is $21 higher than those who don't. Additionally, he suggests that gym owners can increase pricing by showcasing the added value provided by Wodify. In this conversation, Brendan Rice discusses the importance of using data to make informed decisions in running a martial arts school. He highlights the benefits of using custom reporting to track key metrics and how gym owners who actively use custom reporting generate an average of $13,000 more in revenue per month. Rice emphasizes the need for gym owners to invest time in the students who need attention and engagement the most, rather than focusing solely on the most engaged students. He also stresses the importance of embracing technology and being open to change and innovation in order to grow and improve the business. Lastly, Rice encourages gym owners to view their expenses as investments that should have a positive return on investment (ROI) and contribute to the growth of the business.

Takeaways

• Engagement is key to improving retention rates in fitness businesses.
• Tracking attendance and providing additional resources can significantly increase engagement.
• Gamification, such as digital progression tracking, can drive behavior and increase engagement.
• Gym owners can increase pricing by showcasing the added value provided by software like Wodify. Using data and custom reporting can help gym owners make informed decisions and generate more revenue.
• Investing time in less engaged students can improve retention and overall business performance.
• Embracing technology and being open to change and innovation are key to long-term success.
• Viewing expenses as investments that contribute to business growth can lead to a positive return on investment.

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Summary

Matt Kwan, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, shares his journey from being a chef to opening his own Jiu Jitsu school. He talks about his passion for teaching and his desire to make a living off of Jiu Jitsu. Matt emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and taking risks to pursue one's dreams. He also discusses the challenges he faced in finding a suitable location for his school and the process of renovating and growing his business. Despite the naysayers, Matt's unwavering belief in himself and Jiu Jitsu has led to his success. In this conversation, Matt Kwan shares his journey of opening and running a martial arts gym. He emphasizes the importance of having a vision and a plan, investing in people, and leading with passion. He advises against neglecting marketing tactics that don't work, neglecting the space, and having a closed mindset. Matt also highlights the value of word-of-mouth marketing, being present in the community, and learning from other gym owners. He encourages aspiring gym owners to believe in themselves and pursue their passion.

Takeaways

• Believe in yourself and your abilities to pursue your passion
• Take risks and go all in on what you love
• Regret is a powerful motivator, don't settle for a life you don't want
• Surround yourself with supportive people who understand and appreciate your goals
• Persistence and hard work are key to success in any endeavor Have a clear vision and a plan to achieve it
• Invest in people and build strong relationships
• Lead with passion and prioritize the art/business over money
• Be selective with marketing tactics and focus on word-of-mouth
• Don't neglect the space and continuously improve it
• Think outside the box and be open to new ideas
• Learn from and collaborate with other gym owners
• Believe in yourself and don't let others discourage you

Find More Matt Kwan here:

Everyday Jujitsu Podcast: ejjp.show
Instagram: @theeverydayjiujitsupodcast
TikTok: ejjpod
Email: [email protected] 
Online academy: onguardbjj.com

The Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia and Sam Hattlestad, Entrepreneurs and co-owners of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.  

Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: 

• Instagram: @legacymaconsulting 
• YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting 
• Linktree: Legacy Consulting 

Don't forget to subscribe and stay connected for more valuable insights and inspiring stories! 

Summary:

Matthew Becker, practicing attorney and owner of Gym Lawyers, provides legal consulting for gym owners. He emphasizes the importance of keeping gym owners and their members safe through proper business practices. Matthew discusses the difference between legal consulting and representation, and how he helps gym owners with education, contract drafting, and legal paperwork. He also highlights the need for industry-specific waivers that address the unique dangers of each type of gym. The conversation delves into topics such as negligence, the importance of knowing your gym members, and the top three legal considerations for martial arts gym owners. The conversation with Matthew E Becker focuses on the importance of legal protection for gym owners. The three main themes discussed are: 1) Setting up a corporate entity to protect personal assets and finances, 2) Having a lawyer review all contracts, especially leases, to avoid legal exposure, and 3) Implementing proper paperwork, such as liability waivers, membership agreements, and staff contracts, to set expectations and avoid future problems. The conversation also highlights the top three mistakes gym owners make: attempting DIY legal work, not seeking professional advice, and failing to set clear expectations with members. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for legal expertise and proactive measures to protect gym owners' businesses and assets.

Takeaways:

• Legal consulting helps gym owners prevent legal issues and avoid the need for representation.
• Industry-specific waivers are crucial for addressing the unique dangers of each type of gym.
• Gym owners have a duty to protect their members and should take action if they become aware of potential risks.
• Setting up a proper corporate entity is essential for protecting personal assets.
• Knowing your gym members and their backgrounds can help prevent potential legal issues.
• The top three legal considerations for martial arts gym owners are setting up a proper corporate entity, having industry-specific waivers, and knowing your gym members. Setting up a corporate entity is crucial for protecting personal assets and finances as a gym owner.
• Having a lawyer review all contracts, especially leases, is essential to avoid legal exposure.
• Implementing proper paperwork, such as liability waivers, membership agreements, and staff contracts, helps set expectations and prevent future problems.
• The top three mistakes gym owners make are attempting DIY legal work, not seeking professional advice, and failing to set clear expectations with members.

  Visit Matthew Becker's Website: www.gymlawyers.com

Interested in attending to the Legacy School Owner's Summit 2024? CLICK HERE for more information and registration! 

In this episode, Nick Castiglia interviews Megan Hodgen from Diamond MMA and Fitness. Megan shares her inspirational journey of starting her gym at a young age and overcoming challenges. The conversation covers topics such as the initial offerings of Diamond MMA, moving to a new location, success in personal fitness training, maximizing space and overlapping programs, challenges in the early days, going all in during COVID, lessons learned, impact on young females, advice for gym owners, finding balance and fulfillment, the importance of niche and connection, advice for struggling gym owners, biggest accomplishments, fulfillment from impacting lives, future plans for Diamond MMA, and the power of goal setting.

• Starting a gym at a young age is possible with determination and passion.
• Maximizing space and offering personal fitness training can be a successful source of income for a martial arts school.
• Location plays a crucial role in attracting customers and filling up programs.
• Going all in during challenging times can lead to success and inspire others.
• Finding a niche and creating a sense of community are important for gym owners.
• Goal setting is a powerful tool for business success.

Summary

Steve Poulin shares the story of how he started the Submission Academy and grew it into a successful martial arts gym. He discusses the challenges he faced, the decisions he made, and the importance of defining success on your own terms. Steve also talks about the transition from a hobby to a business, the importance of building a strong team, and the value of prioritizing time and happiness over money. Steve Poulin shares his journey from starting a martial arts gym in his garage to building a successful academy and hosting one of the biggest tournaments in Ontario. He emphasizes the importance of delegating and creating leaders within the gym to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability. Steve also discusses the value of not taking things personally and how it has helped him navigate challenges and criticism. He shares his experience in diversifying income streams through real estate and stock market investments. Steve finds fulfillment in coaching and changing lives, and he envisions a future where his gym continues to provide a positive and supportive environment for its members.

Takeaways

• Define success on your own terms and prioritize what truly matters to you.
• Build a strong team and focus on creating a positive and supportive culture.
• Transitioning from a hobby to a business requires dedication, learning, and taking risks.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt is a common challenge, but believing in yourself and your abilities is crucial.
• Finding success is not just about financial gain, but also about personal fulfillment and happiness. Delegate and create leaders within your gym to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability.
• Don't take things personally, as success often breeds contempt and criticism.
• Diversify your income streams through investments in real estate and the stock market.
• Find fulfillment in coaching and changing lives, and strive for continuous improvement.