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: ejjpod@gmail.com
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.

Summary

In this episode, Omar Kadi shares his journey from working in sales to becoming a successful martial arts school owner. He talks about his background growing up in New York and his experience working in various industries. Omar discusses the challenges he faced, including losing his job and supporting his family during difficult times. He also shares how he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the impact it had on his life. Omar emphasizes the importance of mentors and consultants in his success and highlights the role of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting in his journey. He concludes by discussing the decision to open his own gym during the COVID-19 pandemic. Omar Kadi shares his journey of starting and growing Glory Martial Arts Center, emphasizing the importance of having a mentor and seeking coaching and consulting. He highlights the need to build a strong team and systemize the business for success. Omar also emphasizes the importance of finding balance and prioritizing family and relationships. He encourages gym owners to focus on the positives and learn from mistakes. Omar's story serves as an inspiration for those looking to achieve success in the martial arts industry.

Takeaways

• Having a mentor and seeking coaching and consulting can greatly benefit business owners.
• Building a strong team and systemizing the business are crucial for success.
• Finding balance and prioritizing family and relationships is essential.
• Focusing on the positives and learning from mistakes can lead to growth and success.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

01:11
From Sales to Martial Arts

05:11
Supporting Family and Starting a Business

06:00
Building an ATM Business

08:24
Tragedy and Challenges

09:21
Discovering Jiu-Jitsu

10:21
The Importance of Mentors and Consultants

11:46
Meeting Nick and Legacy Martial Arts Consulting

13:40
Challenges with Former Gym Owners

16:31
Transitioning to Marcelo Garcia's Gym

21:12
Competing and Achieving Black Belt

23:26
Deciding to Open a Gym

25:01
Opening the Gym During COVID-19

26:00
Starting Glory Martial Arts Center

27:12
The Importance of Having a Mentor

28:19
Lessons Learned from Consulting

30:02
The Value of Coaching and Consulting

31:01
Applying Lessons in Own Business

33:35
Expanding to a Second Gym

38:49
Top Three Factors for Success

46:57
Finding the Positives and Building a Strong Team

49:13
Closing Remarks

In this podcast episode, Nick Castiglia interviews Brendan Kalijundic, a successful gym owner and one of the first clients of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting. Brendan shares his journey of starting his first gym and the humble beginnings of Cal Samara. He discusses the changes and improvements he made to his school, including rebranding, increasing prices, and implementing systems. Brendan emphasizes the importance of taking care of staff and employees, providing incentives, and creating a positive work environment. He also shares his experience of having multiple locations and the decision to focus on one mega school. Throughout the conversation, the importance of family and work-life balance is highlighted, along with the need to focus on financial numbers and metrics for business success. In this conversation, Brendan Kalijundic shares his experiences and insights as a martial arts school owner. He discusses the importance of creating a better martial arts school and the need to let go of students who don't fit the vibe. Brendan also talks about his expertise in running events and the impact they have on the school's bottom line. He highlights the challenges of organizing shows and the need for precision and focus. Lastly, Brendan shares the story of the Hearts for Martial Arts Foundation, a charity he started to sponsor kids in martial arts and make a positive impact in the community.

• It's important to create a better martial arts school and let go of students who don't fit the vibe.
• Running events can be a great source of income for martial arts school owners.
• Organizing shows can be challenging, but precision and focus are key.
• The Hearts for Martial Arts Foundation is a charity that sponsors kids in martial arts and makes a positive impact in the community.