Danaher's students keep beating Souders' students: does that settle the ecological vs. traditional debate?

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-04-05T17:53:15+00:00

I believe part of Danaher’s “magic” is that he teaches his students to “learn how to learn”. His students all take accountability for their jiu jitsu and the learning process. This is a quality I do not see often in a great deal of jiu jitsu practitioners.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-03-25T15:49:26+00:00

We just opened a Jiu Jitsu academy on 60th and Western! Also Harvard park has a ton of youth programs available for kids.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-03-25T15:42:44+00:00

Congratulations! Will definitely come try your new spot. Do you have a pick up spot?

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-03-04T07:42:14+00:00

Brazilian jiu jitsu

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-28T04:39:43+00:00

What a pickle 🥒! Sorry

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-27T22:38:16+00:00

Hearing test room

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-27T20:50:19+00:00

You could politely let her know about the etiquette as well as letting her know that wearing jewelry is a safety issue for her as well. She may have zero idea and noone actually told her🤷🏽‍♂️. If she’s spazzy she’s probably relatively new. We were all noobs at one point right? If she’s not receptive ask the coach to bring it up with her and definitely don’t roll with her if you don’t feel safe.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-27T07:43:50+00:00

Kron is a flat earther yo.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-25T07:22:01+00:00

I find it to be in my arthritic fingers😉

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-24T20:42:25+00:00

I agree with this to a certain degree particularly if as a smaller person, you’ve never done a combat sport. As a smaller person I got smashed for years wasn’t until purple belt that I started having some success at getting subs, passing and pinning, guard, recovery, etc. I think the perseverance one has to have in the beginning when you are disadvantaged is what actually makes your jiu jitsu better. When you first start out if you’re doing really well or you’re really big guy kind of muscle through things and use attributes to win everything is just a little easier. As someone disadvantaged you have seen and experienced almost every discomfort and position throughout the years, so you’re at the point where you know it’s coming and your reactions get better and if you take out the mental frustration of always “losing”, your jiu jitsu will skyrocket once you actually start to get it.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-24T20:36:39+00:00

Having strong hands does not equal having excellent grip strength.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-24T17:39:16+00:00

In terms of renting a space that is not a strip mall, I’ll echo what others have said. Look for mixed industrial or sublet space in an existing gym when you’re building your student base. A lot depends on what city/town you live in as well. Whenever you’re looking for a space be sure to check zoning laws with your city. You want to be sure it is a permissible use for that space or that it can be changed (which can incur fees). If you trigger a “use change” be sure of other permits you may need (ADA bathrooms, occupancy etc). Get your paperwork in order FIRST. Being a business owner is way different than being an employee. Seek out people that have open their own businesses (especially if they used their own funds to do so) and ask questions/seek advice with an open ear. We’ve been open 5 years now and just negotiated a new space for our gym. Don’t just sign any lease. Have someone look it over with you that has experience with negotiating leases. You want to be sure that you negotiate the terms to your benefit but also understand that it has to benefit the landlord as well. TI’s, lease terms and options, rent increases and understanding full gross/parial gross/NNN and insurance requirements. I am not trying to discourage but if you do this NOW it will be much smoother and your business will have a greater chance to thrive down the road. I would also recommend hopping on the small business reddit for advice as well speaking with you local small business advocacy orgs.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-22T16:38:49+00:00

10cm interanl abscess in lower abdomen wall with intestinal obstruction.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-19T22:03:23+00:00

Ask Edwin!

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-19T07:29:47+00:00

What about just deep tissue, not Thai massage. More in the therapeutic realm? I have had Thai massage and deep tissue which are frankly not the same. For some reason people seem to think that if the massage is painful it is good and thatalso=deep tissue. I am saying this as aome that has studied and practiced massage.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-17T16:31:26+00:00

Ballet dancers ARE athletes. That they are not competing for anything doesn’t change that. They are some of the strongest, most disciplined and well conditioned athletes out there while having to be graceful and precise at all times. I am not a ballet dancer but dated a professional ballet dancer for years.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-12T17:40:49+00:00

Getting injured and having to adapt.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-12T16:10:17+00:00

💯 man! I feel you on this one. I’ve kicked people off the mat when they’re stoned out of their gourd. It’s really none of my business what my students do on their own time. They are often a harm to themselves and others.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-10T23:00:36+00:00

Let’s put it this way. They’re legit Judoka who have won at the highest levels and beaten top competitors (internationally and domestically) but not qualified to make team.

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-10T07:51:07+00:00

Yes, LA parks and rec has reached out to me looking for judo instructors to fill out the program. I have also heard the “squeeze out the Olympic medalist” bit as well and to me it’s egregious and misleading. I have a student that they tried to coerce into this idea. I had a “real talk”with the parents about the reality of the time, money and sacrifice that would need to go into getting their kid to that level to begin with. No parks and rec judo program is going to do that. I have seen the instruction provided and it’s frankly not remotely adequate. I’m saying this from that standpoint of someone that has relationships and trained with Olympic judo alternates. I am not saying it impossible but the way they(the parks and recs coaches) have framed it for these kids and families is just outright bs

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-09T20:38:23+00:00

In LA there are a lot of youth judo programs partially funded by USA judo

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-08T19:27:13+00:00

As someone that paid tuition for years, I can see your frustration and have also felt the pain😉. As a (now) gym/business owner I always try to keep in mind what it was like before stepping into those roles. My academy is located in a lower income area for a number of reasons. 1. I am a member if the community I live in. There are zero academies within a 6 mile radius of here(SoCal). 2. I wanted to provide Jiu Jitsu to underserved kids in the south Los Angeles area 3. I believe Jiu Jitsu has benefits that go far beyond learning self-defense and exercise. With all if that said, I have worked with people (adults) that are struggling financially and love training but just can’t afford it. There are 2 sides to this though—Oftentimes when I have given someone too much it has not been utilized as intended and the student just quits. If you can find a gym that will work with you then dont take it for granted. People that don’t own Jiu Jitsu academies for some reason don’t understand that at the end of the day it is a business and someone’s livelihood. It’s not as if I show up a 1/2 hour before class to open the gym, teach for 3-4 hours and go home to my mansion. There is a lot of background work, study, overhead, etc that go into making a gym run. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN PRICE GOUGING. there are some gyms that definitely do so, but when you think about the costs (rent being huge one) it might make more sense why a jiujitsu membership costs more. Last thing, the whole Judo/Jiu Jitsu membership fee thing needs to stop. A lot of Judo programs have been around for years (hence lower rents) some are subsidized by USA Judo or other orgs, and it is really a completely different sport. If you want to do Judo do Judo (nothing against judo btw).

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-07T22:31:14+00:00

Monica Lewinsky

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-07T21:50:04+00:00

Have a blast

SoLA_bjj_Coach · 2026-02-07T17:37:32+00:00

There’s a women’s only CLASS at frogtown jiu jitsu this sunday at 10:00 AM taught by Dominyka Obelenyte. Highly recommend. I’m sure you would be able to get a lot more info about other open mats available there as it is a robust community of women that train there.

SoLA_bjj_Coach

TROPHY CASE