About this episode
🎙️ A candid roundtable on tariffs, economic disruption, and the fight to preserve Jiu-Jitsu communities during hard times. In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan, Jesse Walker, and Jeff Shaw take a hard look at how Trump’s tariff policies and looming economic challenges are threatening Jiu-Jitsu gyms across North America. Drawing from their experiences as gym owners, content creators, and lifelong martial artists, they explore how Jiu-Jitsu businesses can survive—and even thrive—through solidarity, long-term thinking, and real community-building. This conversation isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about practical survival strategies for the martial arts world—and why now, more than ever, community must come first. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬ Jesse Walker ‪@roughhandsbjj‬ Jeff Shaw ‪@bellinghambjj‬ ⸻ 🧠Topics We Cover: • How tariffs and border restrictions threaten Jiu-Jitsu gyms • Why wealth concentration hurts martial arts communities • How to recession-proof your academy today • The hidden risks of economic downturns for small businesses • Why Jiu-Jitsu must become more than just a sport • How generosity, community, and loyalty can save your gym • Practical ways to support students and staff through hardship ⸻ 📖 Chapters: Chapters 00:00 Introduction and WrestleMania Discussion 05:06 Impact of Current Events on Jiu-Jitsu Businesses 09:56 Challenges Faced by Gym Owners 15:08 Community Building and Brand Loyalty 20:03 Economic Insights and Strategies for Survival 25:01 Opportunities in Crisis 30:04 Concluding Thoughts on Wealth and Responsibility 41:42 Navigating Economic Challenges in Jiu Jitsu 48:24 Building Community Through Jiu Jitsu 57:45 Long-Term Thinking in Business 01:03:19 Supporting Local Businesses Over Corporations 01:04:11 Addressing Misogyny in Jiu Jitsu ⸻ 💬 Notable Quotes: “You don’t save a gym by cutting your people.” – Jeff “Generosity is the strongest brand you can build.” – Steve “Investing in your community pays bigger dividends than saving pennies.” – Jesse ⸻ 🎯 For Listeners Who: • Own or manage a martial arts gym • Want to protect their community from economic shocks • Believe small businesses are worth fighting for • Are looking for real-world survival strategies for martial arts • Value leadership, loyalty, and resilience over short-term profits ⸻ 💬 Your thoughts matter—join the conversation in the comments below. 🎧 Subscribe to Fighting Matters for open, honest dialogue on martial arts, community, and survival in a changing world. #JiuJitsu #MartialArts #Tariffs #Recession #BJJCommunity #FightingMatters #SmallBusiness #CommunityBuilding #BJJPodcast #TrumpTariffs #MartialArtsTalk