Far More Money In The Long Run

Gordon Ryan recently offered valuable advice to young BJJ competitors on how to make money in the sport.

Even the most prestigious world championships provide little in terms of prize money, leaving competitors with limited options.So, many end up relying on a mix of tournament participation and single-match contracts while also holding down other jobs to make ends meet.

The most common way athletes supplement their income is by teaching Jiu-Jitsu, whether through running seminars or producing instructional content.

While most BJJ competitors struggle to make a living, Gordon Ryan stands out as one of the few who has truly built wealth in the sport.However, despite his substantial earnings from competition, even he acknowledges that prize money alone isn’t enough.

He explains that success in Jiu-Jitsu today comes from a combination of competing and teaching…But true financial stability comes from leveraging relationships:

Because jiu jitsu is a participant based sport, meaning that most people who watch it actually participate in it, and it is not a spectator sport yet, you will not make nearly as much money as pure athletes in other sports from competing.

Because of the fact that most people who watch jiu jitsu actually participate in jiu jitsu, most of your money will actually come from teaching.Between competing and teaching, a select few can become rich, but none can become wealthy.

The true value of jiu jitsu insofar as wealth isn’t the money you’ll make directly from jiu jitsu.It is the relationship you’ll build from jiu jitsu.

Ryan goes on to explain more:

If you can use jiu jitsu as a mechanism to build relationships, you can escape the financial prison that is the life of a jiu jitsu athlete.

Nickel and diming people is a great way to make quick cash.Building long-term and trustworthy relationships with SOLID people is how you use jiu jitsu to become wealthy.

Solid relationships will make you far more money in the long run.