BJJ Mental Models cover image

BJJ Mental Models

Ep. 319: 4 Pillars of Successful Gyms, feat. Eliot Marshall

Jan 13, 2025
Eliot Marshall, a BJJ black belt, retired UFC fighter, and owner of Easton Training Center, shares his insights on creating successful jiu-jitsu gyms. He breaks down the four essential elements: sales, marketing, product, and culture. Eliot emphasizes the transition from passion to a profitable business and the importance of core values in decision-making. He explains how effective marketing and rapport-building can enhance student retention, while also advocating for an engaged online presence to attract new members. Don’t miss his unique take on effective teaching and structured curricula!
01:15:17

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Success in running a jiu-jitsu academy requires a strategic business mindset beyond just teaching techniques, emphasizing operational excellence and community impact.
  • Clearly defined core values are essential for navigating challenges in a jiu-jitsu academy, ensuring instructors consistently embody these principles and foster a strong culture.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu Instruction

The guest shares his journey from starting martial arts at a young age to becoming a prominent figure in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). After initially training in karate, he discovered jiu-jitsu in college, leading to a competitive career in mixed martial arts (MMA) and eventually, opening multiple jiu-jitsu academies. He emphasizes that success in running a jiu-jitsu academy requires more than just teaching techniques; it necessitates a robust business mindset and operational strategies. He illustrates this with the growth of his own academy, which expanded from one location to eight schools and a large team of employees.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode