Rob Ingram: McDojoLife and Senseis, Bars and Scars on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 134

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife, which calls out fraud, fake rank and unsafe practices in martial arts. After his first appearance over Zoom, he drove five hours to sit down in the studio with Milton.

Rob lays out his five rules for what makes a McDojo, explains why anyone can fall for a skilled con artist, and talks about funding his documentary. He also shares the story behind his book Senseis, Bars and Scars, from getting bullied as a kid to fighting at 15 and the nightclub fire demonstration that went very wrong.

/ What we talked about

1:04 Stop trashing other styles
Why fans mock karate while cheering for fighters who came up in it.

15:47 Why people train
Most people never compete, and that is fine.

22:18 Funding the documentary
Crowdfunding, talent agencies, and why the team decided to move forward no matter what.

37:34 The five rules of a McDojo
What actually makes a school a McDojo, and what does not.

45:14 Why anyone can get conned
It is not about having a weak mind.

53:07 Why he does not tell people to dojo storm
Private property, filming, and how a fight can become premeditated.

82:11 Senseis, Bars and Scars
Bullying, a free trial card, and a year of lessons as a birthday present.

88:13 The fire demonstration
Fire nunchucks, lantern fluid, and the instructor the book is dedicated to.

/ Quick questions

Who is Rob Ingram?

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife, the author of Senseis, Bars and Scars, and the Executive Vice President of Academy Safe.

What are Rob Ingram's rules for a McDojo?

Rob's five rules: no sexual abuse, no lying about rank or fight record, no shady business practices, no unsafe training or cult behavior, and no no touch knockouts or mislabeling what you teach.

Has Rob Ingram been on the show more than once?

Yes. Rob first appeared in Episode 18 and came back for Episodes 147 and 165.

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/ More guest episodes

Rob Ingram Episode 147
Rob and Milton explain why they teamed up to require background checks and SafeSport training for academy owners. Also: a guy who made more than 65 YouTube accounts to yell at Rob.

Rob Ingram Episode 165
The man behind McDojoLife on what it takes to keep students safe, why background checks still matter, and whether Steven Seagal would last in a real fight.

Rob Ingram Episode 18
Rob's first time on the show. Fake black belts, real death threats, and the eternal wash your belt debate.

See every guest episode

/ More from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast

Jiu Jitsu Dummies is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for people who love the sport and do not take themselves too seriously. Follow on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, or browse every episode.