On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland talk with Jon Klem of Managed Memberships about his jiu-jitsu journey, starting in 2020, cross-training experiences, training with visiting gyms, and the role jiu-jitsu played in his fitness and family life.

The conversation moves into practical gym-business topics: membership pipeline and retention, the importance of check-ins, overcoming resistance to sales and marketing, staffing and seasonality, and how community culture becomes the gym’s best marketing tool.

Jon closes with a candid combat confession about his first IBJJF tournament (and a neon-belly lesson), and shares resources for gym software and how to contact him at managememberships.com or jon@managememberships.com

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland recap their weekend at the Virginia Open: coaching 15 athletes, guiding first-time IBJJF competitors, and celebrating wins from newcomers to longtime stars like friend of the show Big John.

Topics include coaching strategies (simplified in-match cues, tailoring instruction by experience), scenario-based training and performance days, standing takedowns and passing-from-feet gaps discovered at the event, and programming takeaways for future camps.

The episode also covers team dynamics (how attendance and practice frequency predict match readiness), managing match-day nerves, post-match film review, and the value of running comp practices. Plus a candid combat confession about a match-day injury and practical tips for competitors on sticking to your game and preparing smartly for tournaments.

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland break down Scott’s recent solo trip to the American Nationals and dig into the mental side of competition. They discuss pre-match anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the unique challenge of competing alone versus in a team environment.

The episode covers practical strategies: simplifying focus to the next action, using warm-up routines and mental triggers, writing notes after matches, and reframing value beyond medals. They also touch on coach-athlete feedback, podium etiquette, and how repeated competition builds confidence.

Along the way they reference training partners, share personal anecdotes, and offer tips to help listeners accept nerves, extract learning from every outing, and enjoy the process of getting better at jiu-jitsu.