Episode #9 - Brent Fryia: The Evolution of Steel City MMA

Brent Fryia shares his origin story of becoming a gym owner and MMA fighter. He started as a wrestler and had a successful career in university wrestling. After teaching for a while, he saw an ad for an MMA class and joined, eventually turning pro and moving to Asia to compete. When he returned, he found out that the gym he trained at had a falling out, so he decided to open his own gym. Initially, the gym was small and focused on MMA fighters, but it has since evolved to include recreational classes for boxing, kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu. Brent emphasizes the importance of the wrestling community and the tight-knit culture it fosters. He also discusses the challenges of running a gym and the need to delegate and invest in software to manage the business. Brent shares his experience of growing his gym and transitioning from being a one-man show to hiring staff. He emphasizes the importance of investing in coaches, creating a place for everyone, and fostering a strong gym culture. He also discusses his groundbreaking partnership with the school board to offer an in-school mixed martial arts program. Brent advises gym owners to respect the art of coaching, avoid making the gym too competition-focused, and prioritize professionalism.Takeaways:Brent Fryia's journey from wrestler to gym owner and MMA fighterThe evolution of his gym from focusing on MMA fighters to including recreational classesThe tight-knit culture and community of the wrestling worldThe challenges of running a gym and the need to delegate and invest in software for management Investing in your coaches and groom potential coaches from within the gymCreate a welcoming environment for all types of members, from recreational to competitiveFoster a strong gym culture and prioritize communityRespect the art of coaching and prioritize professional developmentAvoid making the gym too competition-focused and prioritize inclusivityTreat your gym as a professional business and seek help and guidance when neededThe Legacy Martial Arts Business Podcast is hosted by Nick Castiglia, owner of Legacy Martial Arts Consulting.   Want to get in touch with us? Just visit www.martialartsgymownersunited.com to chat with Nick and the Team. Follow us on our socials and YouTube: Instagram: @legacymaconsulting YouTube: Legacy Martial Arts Consulting Linktree: Legacy Consulting