Modern Day Dojo Podcast

Larry Kooyman
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 🥋✨

  1. 05/30/2025

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

    Is your martial arts curriculum overwhelming your students… and under-delivering results? In this episode, we break down why most martial arts instructors are still using outdated, bloated curriculums that don't match today's class structure — and what you can do to fix it. Whether you're running 45-minute kids’ classes or building a premium martial arts business, this episode will show you how to simplify, clarify, and structure your curriculum for real skill development and long-term retention. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: The #1 mistake most instructors make in curriculum development Why LESS is more when building skill and retention How to adapt your curriculum to a modern class schedule How to build a program that actually delivers results students stay for 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on martial arts business, student retention, curriculum design, and scaling your gym.

    27 min

  2. 05/13/2025

    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.

    26 min

  3. 05/08/2025

    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.

    27 min

  4. 04/30/2025

    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!

    35 min

  5. 04/23/2025

    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

    28 min

  6. 04/15/2025

    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.

    30 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    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.

    37 min

  8. 04/01/2025

    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.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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. 🥋✨

Information

  • Creator
    Larry Kooyman
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Larry Kooyman
  • Show Website
    Modern Day Dojo Podcast