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PODCAST

The Business of Jiu Jitsu

The business behind the gentle art - Conversations with gym/academy owners and industry leaders who are doing something unique and special to stand out.

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

00:24:47

Ep. 89 - Should your Jiu Jitsu academy run a black...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/11/12

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-term viability through appropriate pricing adjustments.TakeawaysIf your prices are too low, you're

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00:43:08

Ep. 88 - Zach Forrest - How to build an awesome gym...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/11/06

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 is essential for building strong client relationships and ensuring satisfaction in their

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00:49:20

Ep. 87 - What you need to open a successful Jiu Jitsu...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/10/30

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 your dream gym won’t survive if no one knows it exists.While I did talk about ads the majority of the

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00:17:58

Ep. 86 - Know your numbers, CEO time, and asking the...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/10/23

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, encouraging owners to set clear goals and understand their business's potential. The conversation

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00:52:03

Ep. 85 - Glyn Powditch - SBG Rossendale/Dream Agility

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/10/09

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 of tracking leads and marketing effectively, and the role of breath work in enhancing jiu jitsu

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00:25:48

Ep. 84 - Are you a business white belt?

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/09/30

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' stage of mastery and personal definition of success. The conversation emphasizes the importance of

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00:27:49

Ep. 83 - BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes - Part 2.

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/09/04

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 open mats, and the significance of maintaining hygiene standards. Throughout the conversation, he

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00:17:47

Ep. 82 - Summer is over, now what?

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/08/28

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 current ones engaged. He stresses the need for a solid lead nurturing process and a great trial experience

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00:47:31

Ep. 80 - Starting Small And Building Smart - Deven...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/08/20

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 environment for new students and the role of enthusiasm in sales. He provides insights into the onboarding

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00:20:19

Ep. 80 - BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes - Part 1.

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/07/31

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 to treat their academies as businesses rather than hobbies, while also exploring the value of kids

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00:39:10

Ep. 78 - Joshua Janis - White Lotus Jiu Jitsu

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/07/24

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

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00:08:37

Ep. 78 - JP Levesque - Everything you want is on the...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/07/10

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 societal judgments and emphasizes the necessity of marketing and sales in business. The conversation encourages

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00:32:11

Ep. 77 - Bobby & Amanda McMcaster - Open Source BJJ

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/07/03

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

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00:19:13

Ep. 76 - Bad Drop-ins and Good Business

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/06/26

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

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00:44:12

Ep. 75 - Jeff Shaw - Bellingham BJJ

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/06/19

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,

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00:30:45

Ep. 74 - JP Levesque - Asking the big question...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/06/12

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

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00:48:53

Ep. 73 - Rob Bernacki - Island Top Team

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Bernacki 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 full of competitorsFinding other ways to fill your cup as a coachOther avenues of business to create a

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00:21:31

Ep. 72 - JP Levesque - The systems every BJJ Academy...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/05/28

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 actually want to grow. I give various numbers during the episode but the one I keep coming back to is 4

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00:47:40

Ep. 71 - Jesse Walker - Rough Hands BJJ

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/05/21

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 great having Jesse on the show as he is a wealth of knowledge and runs a top notch facility. If you

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00:24:41

Ep. 70 - Are you a black belt on the mats but a white...

The Business of Jiu Jitsu ·

2025/05/14

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 SOPS, event promotion etc". In this episode I do bounce around a bit because truthfully there is so

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89 results

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