Blackbelt Business Podcast

Great Jiu Jitsu instructors aren't just great practitioners. Teaching is a skill that has to be developed. In this episode, Eliot and Alex break down how Easton trains its instructors, from identifying future coaches and onboarding them to shadowing, assisting, leading classes, and receiving feedback. They also discuss how a structured curriculum creates consistency across instructors and why coaches need different skills for fundamentals, intermediate, and advanced classes. For school owners, the takeaway is simple: if the quality of your classes depends entirely on you, it's going to be difficult to grow. Developing a repeatable system for training instructors allows you to build a deeper coaching team while maintaining the standards that made your academy successful in the first place.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog:  https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall sits down with Alex Huddleston to break down Easton's approach to building Jiu Jitsu curricula that helps students understand the art as a complete system instead of a disconnected collection of moves. The conversation covers why beginners often struggle in unstructured classes, how curriculum improves retention, and why students need different levels of instruction as they progress. From fundamentals, intermediate, and advanced class structures, this episode explains why a strong fundamentals program focuses heavily on self-defense and positional understanding, when live training should be introduced, and how intermediate students begin learning the broader game of sport Jiu Jitsu. Eliot and Alex also explain why teaching students to move instead of simply memorizing moves creates a deeper understanding of Jiu Jitsu, how all-levels-only schedules can fail both beginners and advanced students, and why advanced instructors need enough freedom to help students develop their own games rather than simply creating copies of themselves. Most importantly, they discuss why a curriculum should never become a dead document. Jiu Jitsu continues to evolve through competition, experimentation, and new ideas, which means instructors and curriculum must continue evolving with it. If you want to improve student retention, create more consistent classes, develop better instructors, and give students a clearer path from their first day through advanced Jiu Jitsu, this episode breaks down the systems that make it possible. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog:  https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Competition is about far more than winning medals. In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall and Jordan Shipman discuss why competition is one of the most powerful tools for building confidence, resilience, and long-term student retention in a kids martial arts program. They explain why kids are naturally drawn to competition, how tournaments create meaningful experiences that keep students engaged, and why martial arts schools should think of themselves as competing with every other youth sport—not just other academies. Eliot and Jordan also share how Easton transformed its competition culture, growing from just a handful of competitors to one of the largest kids competition teams in the region. They break down the systems that made it possible, including competition seasons, tournament calendars, coach involvement, team recognition, and creating an environment where effort and personal growth are celebrated alongside winning. Whether you're looking to increase retention, inspire more students to compete, or build a stronger culture within your academy, this episode provides practical strategies for using competition to develop better martial artists—and more confident kids. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Building a great kids martial arts program requires more than one talented instructor. It requires systems, structure, and a deep bench of coaches who are prepared to deliver a consistent experience every day. In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall sits down with Easton Kids Program Director Jordan Shipman to break down why coach-to-student ratios matter, how a lack of bench strength impacts retention, and why many schools mistakenly blame outside factors for declining programs instead of addressing internal problems. Eliot and Jordan also dive into Easton's process for recruiting, onboarding, and developing kids coaches, including the systems, training courses, and standards that help maintain consistency across multiple academies. They discuss the importance of always staying ahead of growth, creating a pipeline of future instructors, and ensuring every coach understands class structure, training philosophy, safety protocols, and student development. Whether you're struggling to find instructors, looking to improve your kids program, or trying to scale your academy without sacrificing quality, this episode provides a practical blueprint for building a stronger team and a better student experience. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog:  https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall sits down with Easton Kids Program Director Jordan Shipman to dive deep into the structure behind a successful kids martial arts program. In this episode, Eliot and Jordan cover everything from why class structure is everything, how Easton builds discipline and focus into every class, and why consistency and routine are critical for helping kids thrive on the mats. They explore curriculum design and teaching submissions to 4-6 year olds, managing emotions, building confidence, and creating a training environment that develops both skill and character. This episode is packed with practical insights for martial arts school owners looking to improve their kids programs, develop stronger culture, and create a structured experience that keeps students engaged while helping them grow both on and off the mats. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!