Building a Gym From Scratch: What It Really Takes to Run a Jiu-Jitsu Academy

In this episode, Gymdesk CEO Alex Cuevas visits Roll Society Jiu Jitsu Academy in Las Vegas to dive into the personal journeys, teaching philosophies, and operational stories behind the academy. Alex sits down with Joey, the gym owner, and Coach Santos, who share how their individual martial arts backgrounds and life experiences converged at Roll Society. Together, they discuss the evolution of the academy, the importance of community, and the motivation behind offering both traditional Jiu Jitsu and a new judo program for students of all ages.

In this episode, you'll learn about the diverse backgrounds of Joey and Santos—from Joey’s military and law enforcement career and long-standing passion for martial arts, to Santos’ journey from teaching friends and family in his garage to becoming an instructor at Roll Society. Their candid conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of running a martial arts academy, the value of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for students of all ages, and the philosophy that martial arts is a lifelong journey for everyone, whether you're seeking fitness, competition, or personal growth. Their stories reveal the transformative power of martial arts, especially for kids gaining confidence and for adults looking for a healthy outlet.

The episode also highlights how Roll Society uses Gymdesk for managing the operations, memberships, and communication with students. Joey explains how the software has streamlined their administrative processes, from billing to class check-ins, and praises Gymdesk for its responsive customer support and integrated features—like the mobile app for students and the ease of website integration. The conversation underscores the role of technology in helping martial arts schools focus more on teaching and building community, by reducing administrative burden and improving the member experience.