Modern Day Dojo Podcast

About Modern Day Dojo Podcast

Welcome to the Modern Day Dojo Podcast, where tradition meets innovation. Join host Larry Kooyman as we explore strategies to modernize your martial arts gym and grow your impact, influence, and income. Each week, we dive into topics like branding, business structure, curriculum design, and operations, offering actionable insights to help you thrive. Whether you’re an established owner or just starting out, this podcast is your guide to building a legacy and leading the future of martial arts. 🥋✨

Publisher

Larry Kooyman

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Feb 2025

Latest episode

30 May 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 May 2025

   Why Your Martial Arts Curriculum Is Failing (And How to Fix It)

   Martial arts instructors discover how to modernize their curriculum for better skill development and student retention by simplifying and structuring their programs.

2. 

   13 May 2025

   Martial Arts Business Branding: How to Build a Logo That Actually Grows Your Gym

   If you run a martial arts business and your logo is stuck in the early 2000s, it’s costing you trust, students, and serious growth. In this episode, we break down exactly what a modern martial arts logo system should include—from typefaces and icon design to color codes and social media versions. You’ll learn: ✅ The 7 essential logo types every martial arts business needs ✅ Design mistakes that make your gym look amateur ✅ How to use your logo to boost retention, marketing, and premium positioning ✅ The difference between a logo and a real brand identity system Whether you're just opening your dojo or you're a seasoned gym owner looking to modernize, this episode will help you level up your martial arts business brand and stand out in a crowded market.

3. 

   8 May 2025

   Martial Arts Business Branding Mistakes That Are Costing You Students

   Running a martial arts business in 2024? If your gym looks generic or outdated, you're losing high-value students before they ever walk in the door. In this episode, we break down the most common branding mistakes martial arts gym owners make—and exactly how to fix them. From your logo and website to your uniforms and social media, your visual identity matters more than ever. ✅ Why your gym’s look could be sending the wrong message ✅ Real examples of martial arts gyms with elite branding ✅ Simple upgrades that make your gym look like a premium brand ✅ How your gym's aesthetic affects retention and pricing 🎯 Want to grow your martial arts business the smart way? Get the FREE Gym Branding Starter Kit 👉 DM me and I'll send you a free PDF Subscribe for more martial arts business coaching, gym growth tips, and high-performance strategies from Modern Day Dojo.

4. 

   30 Apr 2025

   Avoid These 3 Gym Naming Mistakes! (And How to Build a Brand That Grows)

   Naming your martial arts gym is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make — but most owners get it wrong. In this episode, I break down the 3 biggest mistakes to avoid when naming your school, 3 winning strategies to build a brand that stands out, and what to do if your current name isn't helping you grow. Learn how to create a gym name that attracts more students, builds real credibility, and sets you up for long-term success. If you want a brand that grows with you — and doesn’t hold you back — this episode is a must-listen!

5. 

   23 Apr 2025

   Coach or CEO? The Mindset Shift That Will 10x Your Martial Arts Business

   Most martial arts gym owners are stuck in the grind—teaching every class, solving every problem, and hoping things get easier with time. Spoiler: They don’t. In this episode, we break down the exact identity shift you must make to go from coach to CEO—and why adopting this mindset is the key to building a business that grows without burning you out. 💡 You’ll learn: The 3 ways running a gym is just like running a class (and how to scale both) Why passion without planning leads to burnout How to set vision, structure, and culture like a real business leader

6. 

   15 Apr 2025

   How to Get More Students WITHOUT Ads (Martial Arts Gym Referral System)

   🔥 Want to grow your martial arts gym without spending more on ads? In this episode, we break down the most overlooked client acquisition strategy—referrals. You’ll learn: ✅ Why referral leads convert WAY better than cold leads ✅ How to calculate exactly how many referrals you need to hit your growth goals ✅ 3 plug-and-play referral campaigns that work ✅ The one thing you MUST fix before asking for referrals If you're tired of chasing cold leads and want to build a high-trust growth engine, this episode is for you. 📩 Want the FREE referral campaign swipe file? DM us or comment below and we’ll send it your way. 🚨 SUBSCRIBE to the channel—we're dropping weekly videos to help martial arts gym owners scale smarter, improve retention, and build a world-class dojo.

7. 

   8 Apr 2025

   No Contracts, No Compromises: Why Retention Should Be Earned... Not Enforced

   Long-term contracts are still the norm in the martial arts industry—but are they helping your business or holding it back? In this episode, we’re calling out the real reason contracts exist, how they devalue your program, and why they’re often a crutch for poor retention systems. From the origins of contract culture in the fitness world to the ethical dilemma of locking in 5-year-olds, we break down the outdated logic that’s hurting your reputation more than it’s helping your revenue. You’ll learn: Why contracts became popular—and why they need to go The hidden downsides of discounting tuition for long-term deals The moral problem with locking in families who haven’t been fully served What to build instead: systems, service, and student experience that keep people by choice If you want a business that grows through trust, leadership, and results—not legal pressure—this one’s for you.

8. 

   1 Apr 2025

   The Real Reason Kids Are Losing Interest in Your Program

   Martial arts gym owners—this episode is a wake-up call. If you’re still calling them “students,” running “classes,” and teaching in a “school,” you may be unintentionally pushing people away—especially kids. Meanwhile, BJJ and MMA programs are thriving. Why? Because they’ve evolved their language. They’ve built a culture around athletic identity, progress, and real-world results—not rewards, ranks, or classroom energy. This episode breaks down why traditional terminology is holding your program back—and how a simple shift in language can transform your retention, culture, and brand perception overnight. If you want to build a team of motivated athletes—not just compliant students—this episode is for you.

9. 

   25 Mar 2025

   The $20K Mistake: How Your Business Structure Is Costing You Big Time

   You might be running a successful gym on the surface… But if your business structure is off, you’re likely bleeding profit behind the scenes. In this episode, we walk through the real financial impact of operating as a Sole Proprietor, LLC, or S-Corp — and show you how smart gym owners use structure to save $20,000+ per year without adding a single new student. We cover: LLC vs. S-Corp — which one makes more sense as your profits grow Why "reasonable salary" matters for S-Corp owners The Augusta Rule, hiring your kids, and home office write-offs A side-by-side breakdown of tax savings on $100K in net profit ⚠️ DISCLAIMER I am not a CPA or licensed financial advisor. What you’ll hear in this episode is not tax advice - it’s strategic insight. Always consult your accountant or financial professional before making decisions about your business structure or taxes. And if you don’t have one? Get one. Tax laws change often, and the right accountant can help you save far more than they cost.

10. 

    18 Mar 2025

    Your Rank Doesn’t Matter—Your Impact Does

    Martial arts is built on tradition, but are we too focused on rank and titles instead of real impact? In this episode, we break down why the belt system—while valuable—can sometimes do more harm than good. Are we creating martial artists who truly embody discipline, skill, and perseverance? Or are we just handing out souvenirs to those who check the right boxes? We’ll explore: Why rank impresses other martial artists—but means nothing to parents or new students. How an obsession with belts can stunt real growth and drive students away. The difference between coaching for impact vs. coaching for hierarchy. A powerful question every gym owner needs to ask: If you stopped giving out belts tomorrow, would your students still stay? It’s time to rethink what really matters in martial arts. Let’s focus on creating martial artists, not just promoting students. 👉 Tune in now to shift your mindset and your gym’s culture!

11. 

    11 Mar 2025

    Seeing the Code: Why Tracking Stats Changes Everything

    Ever feel like you're running your martial arts business on instinct, hoping things work out? That was me—until I started tracking real numbers. In this episode, I share the moment everything changed, how keeping stats revealed the hidden patterns in my gym, and why understanding your numbers is like stepping into The Matrix and finally seeing the code. If you're ready to stop guessing and start knowing, this episode is for you. Drop a STAT in the comments if you want a free resource to help you get started.

12. 

    4 Mar 2025

    The Curriculum Connection – Turning Training into an Investment

    Why do some students stay committed while others fade away? In this episode, we break down the power of a well-structured curriculum and how it shapes student retention, motivation, and long-term success. A great martial arts program isn’t just about teaching techniques—it’s about delivering on the promises you make. When students see clear progress, they stop viewing membership as an expense and start seeing it as an investment. Join us as we explore key strategies to ensure your curriculum provides real, measurable value, keeping students engaged and committed for the long haul.

13. 

    25 Feb 2025

    Dial In 3 Key Areas Of Your Brand For Massive Success

    In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of your gym's brand. Discover how developing a compelling story and uncovering the “why” behind what you do can powerfully shape your mission. We break down how your unique narrative not only defines the problems your gym solves but also paves the way to craft messaging that resonates directly with your ideal clients. Tune in to learn the importance of aligning your passion with purpose, and transforming your brand into a magnetic force in the martial arts industry.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

27

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.