GYMDESK ORIGINALS

The Blueprint for Scaling a Jiu-Jitsu Academy | Inside OCTA Jiu-Jitsu

In this episode of Gymdesk Originals, we visit OCTA BJJ Oakville, where Luiz and his partner turned a post-pandemic passion project into five thriving academies built on one core value: family first.

90 Mins · Nov 3, 2025

Starring

Professor Luiz Costa

Head Coach, Octa BJJ

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Professor Costa began training in Judo, Capoeira, and Taekwondo at age six. After returning to Jiu-Jitsu in the early 2000s under Professor Flavius Virginio at De la Riva School, he helped develop a structured and progressive training system for students. Now based in Oakville, he is proud to share his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the Halton community.

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About This Gym

OCTA Jiu Jitsu is a thriving martial arts academy based in Oakville, Canada, with multiple locations spanning the region. Led by a team of passionate instructors—including Luiz Cota, whose philosophy centers on building confidence and fostering community—they offer Jiu Jitsu classes for all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.

Their programs are designed around families, providing a welcoming environment where adults and children can train together, learn self-defense, and develop life skills like discipline, resilience, and problem-solving. OCTA places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, quality instruction, and personal growth rather than just competition, allowing students to safely build both physical and mental strength.

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📍220 Wyecroft Rd #41, Oakville, ON L6K 3V1, Canada
📞 647 822 4653

Summary

In this episode, Gymdesk CEO Alex Cuevas visits OCTA Jiu Jitsu headquarters in Oakville, Canada, and sits down with professor Luiz Costa, a seasoned instructor and co-founder of the rapidly expanding academy. The conversation dives into his inspiring journey from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Canada, his lifelong passion for martial arts, and how OCTA grew from a side project to a five-location institution. Viewers are taken inside the gym as Alex experiences both fundamental and advanced jiu jitsu classes, gaining firsthand insight into the school’s welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and its unique approach to building community through martial arts.

In this episode, you’ll learn how their philosophy sets them apart from traditional, competition-focused academies by emphasizing inclusivity and personal growth for students of all ages and backgrounds. Luiz Costa explains how their gym was intentionally designed to be accessible and supportive, nurturing children’s confidence, providing parents a comfortable community space, and ensuring everyone—from beginners to seasoned practitioners—feels valued. The episode also touches on the importance of strong role models, the positive impact of martial arts on youth development, and stories of real-life transformations experienced by OCTA students and their families.

This episode also highlights how OCTA Jiu Jitsu uses Gymdesk to seamlessly manage and scale its operations across multiple locations. Luiz Costa, who has a background in IT, discusses how Gymdesk’s lead management, automation, promotions, and franchise dashboard features support not just efficient business growth but also their mission of keeping student experience and quality at the forefront. He praises the platform’s user-friendly design, responsive support, and the role it’s played in helping them maintain a cohesive culture as it continues expanding and enriching the lives of its community members.

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