Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Curry.
Hi Tony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, in a broken home with very little, but I found inspiration in martial arts legends like Royce Gracie and Fedor Emelianenko. I always dreamed of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but there was nowhere to train in Fairbanks. When I moved to Iowa at 18, I finally got my chance two years later, and from that moment I dedicated my life to the sport. I quit jobs, picked up side hustles, and trained nonstop. I eventually became head instructor for the University of Iowa BJJ club under Professor John Gutta, and later taught at Citadel BJJ under Professor Matt Leighton, while also learning from my wrestling coach, Professor James Kelly.
My dream was to build my own academy. That opportunity came when I discovered Ethereum mining, which gave me the savings to finally make it happen. In 2022, I opened Labyrinth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Fulshear, Texas. It was a huge risk. I didn’t know anyone in Texas, had no business experience, and started with zero community. Thank God for early supporters like Shaun Lawler, Nick Smith, Christian Solano, Scott Jones, and James Markle, along with the first group of members who believed in me during our presale. Without them, none of this would have been possible.
At first, we struggled. Our students lost almost every match, and I spent sleepless nights questioning myself. But I told everyone to trust the process. Eventually, we had our breakthrough at JJWL VIII, where we made the podium for the first time and several students won double gold against powerhouse academies. That was the moment I knew we had something special.
Now, 3.5 years later, Labyrinth has grown into one of the top kids’ BJJ teams in the nation. We’ve produced Pan Am gold medalists, ADCC national champions, JJWL world champions, and countless local and regional champions. Our approach is unique. We build athletes the way elite chess programs build prodigies, focusing on fundamentals first, then pattern recognition, strategy, and constant feedback. Our kids don’t just learn techniques; they learn how to think several moves ahead. That environment is why our students succeed in competition and in life.
The impact on the community has been amazing. We’ve seen shy kids turn into confident leaders, adults lose more than 50 pounds, and families become tougher and closer. BJJ teaches you to problem-solve, to persevere, and to realize you’re capable of more than you thought. That’s what Labyrinth is all about.
Running this academy has transformed me too. I’ve learned that leadership is about compassion and relationships. My success comes from my students’ success, and I take seriously the trust they place in me. That’s why we’re open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even on Christmas.
Looking ahead, our vision is big. In the next few years, we plan to build a 10,000+ square-foot mega facility with multiple mat spaces, a strength and conditioning center, sauna, cold plunge, and more. Our goal is to produce not just national champions, but world and ADCC champions, while still providing an incredible environment for hobbyists and families.
We’ve come a long way from a risky dream to a nationally recognized team, and we’re only just getting started. Along the way, I’ve picked up the nickname Daedalus, the creator of the Labyrinth, because just like in the myth, I built this place from nothing and guide others through the maze of challenges that BJJ presents.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I moved to Texas, I didn’t know a single person and had no business experience. Opening Labyrinth was a huge financial risk, and in the early days I was basically freestyling and figuring everything out as I went. Thankfully, I had early believers who supported me, like Shaun Lawler contributing his coaching and James Markle letting me train at his academy before I had a place of my own.
Even after opening, we struggled. Our team lost almost every match in competition, and I remember sleepless nights wondering if I was doing the right thing. I felt the weight of kids, parents, and adult students who trusted me, but I told them to keep trusting the process. I also felt a strong responsibility to make my professors proud – Matt Leighton, John Gutta, and James Kelly – by showing that their time and investment in me would carry forward into the next generation.
Those challenges forced me to grow, to study harder, to become a better leader, and to keep pushing forward. Looking back, those early struggles are what shaped us into the team we are today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Labyrinth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more than just a martial arts school; it’s a place where people of all ages can grow, gain confidence, and realize they are capable of much more than they thought. We specialize in developing kids into elite competitors while also creating a welcoming environment where beginners, hobbyists, and adults can thrive.
What sets us apart is our culture and our structure. We use a systematic approach to developing athletes, much like how elite chess programs build prodigies. Students start with strong fundamentals, then build pattern recognition, strategy, and constant feedback. Combined with a positive, supportive culture, this creates an environment where excellence becomes the norm.
We’re most proud of our consistency. In just a few years, our team has earned more than 30 trophies and produced Pan Am gold medalists, ADCC national champions, JJWL world champions, and countless regional champions. At the same time, many of our adult members have lost over 50 pounds, gained confidence, and improved their lives through BJJ.
We offer kids and adults classes, private lessons, competition training, and a professional environment where every member gets the support they need. Looking forward, our goal is to build a 10,000+ square foot mega facility with multiple mat spaces, a strength and conditioning center, recovery areas, and more. Whether someone wants to compete at the highest level or simply improve their health and mindset, Labyrinth BJJ is here to guide them through the maze of challenges and help them succeed.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just measured in medals or trophies, even though those are important milestones. True success is seeing my students grow as people. It’s watching a shy kid find their confidence, or an adult who struggled with their health lose 50 pounds and discover a new version of themselves. It’s knowing that the lessons learned on the mat carry over into school, work, and family life.
On a team level, success is about consistency. We’ve proven that we can hold our own against the best gyms in the world, but what makes me proudest is that we do it while keeping a positive, supportive culture intact. Success is creating an environment where everyone, from a brand-new beginner to a future world champion, can feel like they belong and can reach their full potential.
In short, success is helping people realize they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.
Pricing:
- Free Trial Class for all new students
- Kids Memberships: $239/month (8 classes) or $249/month (unlimited)
- Adult Memberships: $179/month (8 classes), $189/month (12 classes), or $199/month (unlimited)
- Family Membership: $399/month
- Private Lessons: $120/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.labyrinth.vision
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labyrinthbjjfulshear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labyrinthbjjfulshear
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@labyrinthbjj
Image Credits
@aivizuals
