Rob Ingram: McDojoLife Founder on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 165

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife and the Executive Vice President of Academy Safe, the nonprofit working to make training environments safer.

Rob explains why martial arts schools can open without background checks, CPR training, AEDs, cameras or concussion training, and what Academy Safe is doing about it. He also breaks down martial arts abuse cases that have been in the news, the documentary he is making about cults in martial arts, and a few stories from his own karate days that are exactly as gross as they sound.

/ What we talked about

11:21 Comments and moderation
Why he treats his pages like his home, and why the first ten comments set the tone.

19:43 How Rob started
Getting jumped in eighth grade, a free trial card, and a year of classes for his 12th birthday.

29:44 Why Academy Safe exists
What martial arts schools are not required to have, and why that is a problem.

35:12 A case in the news
What a New York abuse case says about the lack of oversight in martial arts.

46:54 Background checks
A first filter, not a guarantee, and why a gym refusing to do them is a fair question.

1:01:26 CPR, first aid and AEDs
Why people panic in an emergency, and the AED system Academy Safe works with.

1:06:08 Cameras, lineage and insurance
The rest of Academy Safe's standards and how they protect students and owners.

1:45:35 The documentary
Jocko Willink as executive producer and a film about cults in martial arts.

1:51:21 Steven Seagal
Real Aikido black belt. Would he last in a fight? Rob has thoughts.

/ The belt question

If background checks do not catch everyone, why do them?

Rob's point was that missing some people is not a reason to skip them. A background check is one more filter that can flag known convictions and gives students and parents information to make their own decisions. Hear it at 58:18.

/ Quick questions

Who is Rob Ingram?

Rob Ingram is the founder of McDojoLife, which exposes fake martial arts and fake black belts, and the Executive Vice President of Academy Safe.

What does Academy Safe require?

On this episode Rob and the Dummies discuss background checks, CPR and first aid, AEDs, security cameras, verified rank and lineage, and business insurance.

Has Rob Ingram been on the show before?

Yes. Rob has been on several times, including Episode 147.

/ This episode was brought to you by

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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 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 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.