Shows / The Business of Jiu Jitsu
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.
Episodes
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 126 - Riding the Jiu Jitsu Boom with Dan Uyemura
My guest this week is everybody’s favorite white belt, Dan Uyemura, CEO and co-founder of PushPress. Dan opened a CrossFit gym in 2010, built his own software…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 125 - Stop Stressing and Learn When to Market, When to Manage, When to Retain.
Stop Stressing and Learn When to Market, When to Manage, When to Retain It’s growth season. If you’re not growing, you’re either working on the wrong thing or…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 124 - Rob from McDojo life: How to be a green flag academy
McDojos, Cults, and Red Flags: What Every Academy Owner Can Learn From Rob of McDojoLife My guest this week is Rob Ingram from McDojoLife. For 13 years he’s…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 123 - When to Raise Your Prices (and How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind or Students)
It’s October. If you’re overdue for a price increase, this is the season. But raising prices isn’t a fix for a gym that’s struggling. This episode covers the…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 122 - Fun First: How East Austin Jiu Jitsu Won Best Gym in the City - With William Watts
My guest this week is William Watts, co-owner of East Austin Jiu Jitsu. Two years open, several hundred members, 250+ five-star Google reviews, and voted best…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 121 - Paid ads waste money, organic content wastes time
Hell of a click bait title I know but there is A LOT of truth in it for most academy and gym owners. Tell me if this sounds familiar... "I post all the time…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 120 - Keep students longer, build a better team with a SIMPLE onboarding process
Onboarding: The 90 Day Process That Turns a New White Belt Into a Long-Term Student Back to school season means new students walking through your door. This…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 119 - Staffing: Who to Hire, How to Manage Them, and When to Let Them Go
This episode is about staffing your academy, start to finish. I break it into three parts. First, who to hire when you're still wearing all the hats, and why…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 118 - What BJJ Academy owners about increasing revenue, and how to fix it.
If your adults program and kids program aren't where they need to be, adding a fitness kickboxing class or a kettlebell program isn't going to fix your revenue…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 117 - Systemize Your Academy Before September
JP's back after a big move from Calgary down to the Coeur d'Alene area and he's got a timely reminder for every academy owner heading into the back half of…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 116 - Chris Haueter - "It's not who's the best, it's who's left" applied to business, life, and training as you age.
"I can tell almost instantly if an academy is going to be successful or not, and it almost rarely has to do with the aesthetics." — Chris Haueter In this…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 114 - Ryan Hurst - The Mobility Master from GMB Fitness
Movement, Mobility, and Martial Arts: Insights from Ryan Hurst Ryan offers a free guide on mobility and strength for BJJ click here to check it out…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 109 - Why Paid Ads Don't Work For Most BJJ Academies
Why Marketing Agencies Don't Work for Jiu-Jitsu Academies Almost every academy owner JP talks to has tried a marketing agency. Most of them got burned. This…
- The Business of Jiu Jitsu
Ep. 108 - Who to hire first, when to fire, and how to build a great team.
How to Hire (and Fire) for Your BJJ Academy If a coach is costing you students, that coach needs to go. Doesn't matter how many medals they have. This episode…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 107 - The two most important growth levers for BJJ gyms
The Simplicity of Growing Your Academy Summary Growing a gym isn't complicated, but it does require you to actually develop the skills. In this episode, JP…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 106 - Stop Guessing: How to Use Your Gym’s Numbers to Grow
Summary In 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 100 - 10 hot button issues for BJJ academies that just keep coming up
Summary In this special 100th episode of the Business of Jiu Jitsu Podcast, JP Levesque reflects on the lessons learned from building GrowJitsu, coaching…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 99 - The best season to add students to your BJJ gym is here.
Summary In this episode, JP Levesque shares a strategic month-by-month blueprint for gym owners to boost enrollment, retention, and operational systems during…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 94 - The four buckets of growth for BJJ Academy owners
Summary In this episode, JP Levesque discusses the four buckets of growth essential for jujitsu academies, emphasizing the importance of generating leads…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 86 - Know your numbers, CEO time, and asking the right questions to grow.
Summary In this episode of the Business of Jiu-Jitsu podcast, JP Levesque discusses how Jiu-Jitsu academy owners can achieve consistent growth and turn their…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 81 - Starting Small And Building Smart - Deven Needles of Ground Control Academy
Summary In this episode of the Business of Jujitsu podcast, Devin Needles shares his journey from a Jiu Jitsu practitioner to the owner of Ground Control…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 80 - BJJ Academy Owner Hot Takes - Part 1.
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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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 Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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, Grow If you’re not putting time into these five…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp.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…
The Business of Jiu JitsuEp.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 Business of Jiu JitsuEp. 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…