BJJ Mental Models Ep. 336: Growing Your Academy, feat. Hillary Witt & Nelson Puentes
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May 5, 2025 Join Hillary Witt and Nelson Puentes, co-founders of Inverted Gear and owners of a thriving Jiu-Jitsu academy. They share their journey from apparel to academy, revealing valuable lessons in creating a positive school culture. The duo discusses innovative curriculum design, highlighting a games-based training approach that boosts student engagement. They emphasize the importance of embracing mistakes for better learning and fostering inclusivity, particularly for women in martial arts, ensuring a supportive environment for all skill levels.
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Early Beginner Drilling Challenges
- The gym started with separate fundamentals and intermediate classes focused on drilling and live sparring respectively.
- Some beginners preferred only drilling and avoided progression to live resistance training, showing challenges in early curriculum design.
Use Constraints-Led Games Early
- Adopt a constraints-led approach with games from day one to let beginners find their own solutions.
- This method helps white belts rapidly develop practical skills without formal drilling.
Enforce Safe Rolling Pace
- Teach beginners to train with controlled effort, emphasizing cooperation over competition.
- Use the "Bowser's Castle" analogy to remind advanced students not to overwhelm newer or smaller training partners.