Rob Ingram: McDojoLife and Academy Safe on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 147

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife and the Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Academy Safe. He has been in martial arts for about 27 years, since he was 12.

Rob and Milton talk about why they joined forces to require background checks and U.S. Center for SafeSport certification for academy owners and employees, and what it will take to make that shift in martial arts. They also get into gym contracts done right, the mistakes owners make, online trolls, and his documentary.

/ What we talked about

4:30 Academy Safe and AEDs
Why safety equipment has to be simple to use and maintained.

12:16 Regulation and background checks
Why martial arts has no regulator, and what parents do not know to ask.

33:55 Grooming and cult dynamics
Does the leader serve the students, or take from them?

47:12 Contracts done right
Notice periods, military deployment, injuries, and checking on absent students.

55:59 Common gym owner mistakes
Black belt skill does not mean business skill.

1:06:30 Trolls and online anonymity
Restricting comments, and the guy with 65 YouTube accounts.

1:23:51 Jiu Jitsu for law enforcement
BJJ Cops, Safe RAP, and why rules vary by agency.

1:33:50 The documentary
Thirty days of filming, sixty days of editing, and meetings with 22 Summers.

1:45:54 Learning from everyone
Why the right rooms beat famous rooms, and why a blue belt can teach you something.

/ The belt question

Does a background check automatically stop someone from being hired?

No. Rob said a background check gives the employer information to consider. What to do with a red flag is still the employer's decision, and an old charge does not necessarily rule someone out. Hear it at 1:21:52.

/ Quick questions

Who is Rob Ingram?

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife and the Executive Vice President of Academy Safe. He has trained martial arts since he was 12.

What is the U.S. Center for SafeSport?

SafeSport provides abuse prevention training. Academy Safe asks academy owners and employees to complete SafeSport certification along with a background check.

Has Rob Ingram been on the show more than once?

Yes. Rob returned for Episode 165 to talk about Academy Safe's standards and his documentary.

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/ More guest episodes

Rob Ingram Episode 134
Rob drove five hours to do this one in person. His five rules for spotting a McDojo, the seahorse guy, and the night his instructor caught fire.

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.