The 36th Chamber

Tiernan chats with Pedro Dornelles about what it really takes to run a Jiu Jitsu school and still have a life outside of it. Pedro shares how he went from working in finance to building a thriving school, and why sticking to your values matters more than chasing growth. They dig into the daily grind of school ownership, keeping a healthy work-life balance, and how Jiu Jitsu helps people grow beyond the mats. Plus, Pedro shares his thoughts on where Gracie Barra is headed next.Chapters00:45 Balancing Brazilian Spirit with German Efficiency03:28 The Importance of Family Time06:31 Learning from Mistakes in Business09:41 The Long Game: Consistency Over Sprints12:39 Evolving as a School Owner15:43 The Impact of Jiu-Jitsu on Personal Growth18:38 Finding Fulfillment in Teaching21:32 Building a Community Through Jiu-Jitsu24:42 Creating a Successful Competition Team27:37 The Journey from Finance to Jiu-Jitsu School Ownership36:12 Understanding Economic Trends and Personal Growth40:29 The Journey of Building a Jiu Jitsu School46:17 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success49:53 The Philosophy of Problem Solving54:41 The Importance of Values in Jiu Jitsu01:04:37 Navigating Criticism and Building Community01:14:13 Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans

Tiernan sits down with Professor Douglas Goncalves, one of the biggest names in Middle East Jiu Jitsu.Douglas shares how he went from teaching in Dubai to running multiple Gracie Barra schools across the region.He talks about the tough early days of opening his first school, what it's like teaching in the UAE where Jiu Jitsu is taught in schools, and how the community is growing fast with a new Abu Dhabi location.Douglas also opens up about why he cares more about strong relationships with students than chasing numbers, and the lessons from the mats that helped him build a better business.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Professor Douglas Goncalves01:31 The Journey into Entrepreneurship05:00 Opening Schools in Abu Dhabi07:31 Challenges in the First School11:30 The Gracie Barra Philosophy16:01 Being the First Gracie Barra School in the Region19:09 Growth and Community Engagement20:49 Competition and Unique Offerings23:00 Douglas's Role in the Middle East27:48 Events and Community Building31:54 Challenges in School Expansion40:05 Misconceptions for New School Owners43:47 Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu to Business

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Craig Tetley shares his inspiring journey from a doorman to a successful martial arts academy owner at Dream Art. He discusses the sacrifices made in pursuit of his passion for Jiu-Jitsu, the challenges faced in teaching and running a business, and the invaluable lessons learned from martial arts that apply to life and entrepreneurship. Craig reflects on the importance of community, accessibility, and the dynamics of competition within his academy, as well as his transition from Gracie Barra to Dream Art. The conversation concludes with insights on the evolving landscape of martial arts and the significance of resilience and personal growth.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background01:00 The Journey into Martial Arts08:04 Sacrifices and Challenges in Pursuing Jiu-Jitsu12:36 Teaching and Public Speaking Challenges16:11 Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu Applied to Life24:30 Growth and Development as a Business Owner29:27 Steady Growth and Future Aspirations32:25 Building a Premium Academy34:05 Balancing Competition and Community38:02 Transitioning to DreamArt43:01 Accessibility and Community Impact45:14 Marketing Strategies for Growth48:05 Automation and Future Aspirations50:02 Reflections on Gracie Barra55:52 The Culture of Jiu-Jitsu