Easton Online Podcast

Ricardo Almeida is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Renzo Gracie. Ricardo previously fought for the UFC and Pride FC as well as other well-known promotions. He is an accomplished grappler and multi-time silver medalist at ADCC. Ricardo operates and teaches at multiple, successful Jiu Jitsu schools along with coaching high level fighters like Frankie Edgar. He joins the Black Belt Business Podcast to discuss how he learned to operate his Jiu Jitsu academies like a business without sacrificing the quality of the martial arts being taught.   Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/iK2kvY3kttI

Elliott Bayev is a BJJ Black Belt, academy owner, and author of "Sales Jiu Jitsu," all about how sales and Jiu Jitsu are similar. Elliott is also the first person to have a women-only school and women-only competition team in Canada. Elliott joins the Black Belt Business Podcast to discuss building inclusive martial arts schools, best business practices for school owners, and the responsibility we have as martial artists to grow the reach of our respective arts and push them forward.  Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/0ieuk0N0D6s

Karel Pravec, AKA the “Silver Fox,” is a 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, and one of Renzo Gracie’s very first students in the United States. Pravec’s BJJ expertise has him regularly sought out for seminars and classes across the world, and his Silver Fox BJJ Academy in Northern New Jersey has been grooming grappling and MMA champions since 2006. Karel joins Eliot on the Easton Online Podcast to discuss the business of Jiu Jitsu, including how academies must adapt as they grow and how to set priorities to succeed during COVID.  Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/bfY8AHLpWyo

Michael Garaguso has been running his school, Garaguso Karate, since the early 1980’s. He is professor Eliot Marshall's first martial arts instructor. Garaguso is also a master at adapting to the times, including adding BJJ into his curriculum. In this podcast he discusses how he has adapted his business practices to remain successful as times continue to change.

Chris Mierzwiak is the General Manager at Easton Arvada. In this episode, Eliot speaks with Chris about his start in martial arts, transitioning to Easton, and what Martial Arts schools need to focus on to be successful.

Sean Madden is the Muay Thai Program Director for all Easton Training Center academies. In this episode, Eliot speaks with Sean about building a muay thai program at what was founded as a brazillian jiujitsu school. 

Jordan Shipman the general manager of Easton's newest location in Longmont, which opened on January 13 of this year. Exactly 2 months after opening, Easton closed its doors due to the coronavirus crisis. We discuss Jordan's experience as a new martial arts school manager, what owners and managers can do to prevent their business from going under, how to grow during a crisis, and more. Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list! 

This podcast welcomes back BJJ Black Belt and CEO of Easton, Mike Tousignant. In this episode Eliot Zoom calls Mike to discuss the last 2 weeks and share how Easton has responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rebecca Baack has been working as a leader in the fitness industry for over 13 years. She founded and opened CorePower Yoga's first franchise and expanded to two successful yoga studios before merging with another franchise, Level 4 Yoga, which now owns 34 CorePower Yoga locations across the country. We discuss balancing parenting and running a business, working hard to earn flexibility, building employees that can honestly disagree with you, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/rebecca-baack

Matt Bloss is a Muay Thai coach, a martial arts enthusiast, and the general manager of Easton's largest location. Matt began training martial arts at an early age and eventually found Muay Thai and Easton. We discuss him leaving his old job to fulfill his passion, his belief in Easton's community, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/matt-bloss

Jeff Suskin is an Easton BJJ black belt and publisher of DiningOut Magazine, a successful publication that showcases the restaurant culture in Denver and Boulder since 1998. Jeff came from a humble background and worked his way up through the magazine and event management industry. We discuss his coming up in business, measures of success, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/jeff-suskin

First impressions specialist Ayesha Hussain is a nursing student, a regular BJJ and Muay Thai practitioner, and a committed employee at Easton Training Center Denver. Ayesha joins the podcast to discuss her position, how she came across Easton, and how she has found her place through the work culture and environment at the front desk over the past 3 years. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/ayesha-hussain

Josh Dinar is the co-founder and publisher of DiningOut Magazine, a successful publication that showcases the restaurant culture in Denver and Boulder since 1998. Josh has consulted on and has ownership stakes in several of the most popular and successful eateries in the area. Josh is also heavily involved as a volunteer in his community, sitting on several non-profit boards.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/josh-dinar

Jake Bell is a BJJ brown belt and an expert in sales and leadership. Jake has been an essential component in the development of Easton's SOPs, business operating systems, and overall business model.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/jake-bell

Van Tran is the Creative Director of Easton Training Center and Easton Denver's Academy Operations Director. She began working for Easton in 2012 and has experienced the company's transformation first hand.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/van-tran

Boulder Athletics owner and coach Park Roberts joins the podcast to discuss startup business tactics, establishing a vision, and why it is important to do hard things. Park directed Easton Training Center's Crossfit program for years and went on to open his own fitness gym, Boulder Athletics, in 2016.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/park-roberts

Sarah Rochniak joins the podcast to discuss her role as Easton Training Center Boulder's Director of First Impressions, how to navigate employee relationships, and her experience as an extrovert in position of power. Sarah emphasizes the importance of not taking things personally, working for "the team," and taking the time to train people (even when this does not appear on your job description).   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/sarah-rochniak

This episode features Larry Dressler. Larry has designed and facilitated high-stakes conversations and advised leaders for over 25 years. He has mediated such meetings for Easton (to help align their purpose, core values and vision) as well as in settings ranging from the offices of Fortune 100 companies to a solar-powered chocolate factory in the Amazon. Larry has served as a trusted consultant to leaders at New Belgium Brewing, First Bank of Colorado, Facebook, Nike, and The Denver Foundation. In addition to being a skilled practitioner, Larry is the author of Consensus Through Conversation: How to Achieve High Commitment Decisions. His second book, Standing in the Fire: Leading High- Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm, and Courage has been published in the US, China, and Japan. For more information about Larry, his services and his blog, visit his website: http://bluewingconsulting.com/ Full Video & Transcript:  https://www.easton.online/blog/e8-larry-dressler-authentic-engagement-collaboration

Sachi Ainge is the Director of Marketing & Administration, part of the Easton Support Team. In this episode, Eliot talks to Sachi about her background, how she got involved with Easton and why her role evolved into the current position.

Peter Straub is a BJJ black belt, and the general manager of Easton Training Center Littleton. In this episode, Peter sits down with Eliot to have a vulnerable conversation about their past together, personal growth along the way, and share stories about an Easton martial arts school in Littleton, CO that started with zero members and grew into a thriving, vibrant community all in about a year. Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/e6-peter-straub-candor-authenticity-real-talks