Matt Serra On Preserving Gym Culture
Matt Serra was a recent guest on the JRE podcast with Din Thomas and John Rallo(Protect Ya Neck Podcast).
During one part of the podcast, the topic of preserving gym culture came up. Serra talked candidly about routinely removing students whom he felt were toxic to the team.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a good atmosphere within a BJJ school and always being aware of students with bad attitudes, and they will affect the gym in a negative way.
“I pluck guys out every month. Somebody comes in I don’t like, keep your couple hundred dollars – get out of here.
The biggest thing out of an academy is the atmosphere. It all comes down from the attitude of the people that are running the place. Always.
I’ve kicked people out that are very talented in Jiu-Jitsu. I don’t want to have that cancer in the gym.
People will start leaving because this person is making bad choices or treating people poorly.”- Matt Serra.
Why Serra Is Correct
Matt Serra really hit the nail on the head with this statement on maintaining a positive gym culture. Having a good vibe within a BJJ school really is the most important element to running a successful school and keeping the students happy.
From personal experience, I know exactly what will happen if cancerous students and instructors are allowed to stay.
Just one person with a bad attitude can bring down an entire gym. They kill the positive energy, drive other students away, and cost the gym money.
That is why Matt is 100% correct that a gym owner/instructor must routinely remove cancerous students from their gym(even if they’re talented).
Kick the bad apples out and maintain a positive gym where everybody strives to help each other get better.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.