Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Duckworth.
Hi Danny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I opened up my Academy in 2015 after 10 years of training in the art of Jiu Jitsu. I’m double belted in two different disciplines of Jiu Jitsu (Japanese and Brazilian). We are the HQ of Alliance BJJ of Houston who is the most decorated Jiu Jitsu team in the world with 12X Male and 9X Female World Championship titles. In 7 years of operation we have moved to a brand new location that allows us to have multiple classes running at the same time with more health and fitness programs for all different types of people. Programs including not just world-class Jiu Jitsu but also Muay Thai, Wrestling, Boxing, Yoga, Mediation, Fit Camps, Weight Room and an Infrared Sauna. We have also developed a unique beginning training process that requires all new members to attend a 2-hour orientation class prior to joining our group training. Our Mission is to teach, guide and lead people who are needing, wanting and looking to live a healthy lifestyle.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a business is never smooth! We’ve tried After School programs, different types of programs, multiple schedule changes, staff changes and all the other little challenges that come along the way including the COVID Lockdown. Thankfully a couple of the characteristics that is learned via martial arts is patience, resilience, humbleness and many others has always been one of the founding principles of pushing forward and believing in the plan. Even when you think you have it down, another challenge arises and another lesson is learned. That’s the beauty of life, if it was easy then it wouldn’t be so great!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been in IT Industry since 1999 that started in the Oil & Gas then moved into the Healthcare industry for the past 16 years. The Healthcare industry taught me that our focus on health is not really focused on getting healthy but to mainly address symptoms and not the source of the issues. Not to focus on changing your lifestyle but more about taking a magic pill. This never set right with me and that’s why my Academy is primarily focused on health and wellness via our programs. In those 16 years, I was able to help reinvent some workflows for hospitals and clinics on how to collect data, ask the right questions, categorize it for future reporting and make your health records more accessible via portals and other mediums. I decided to leave the healthcare industry and move into the fitness industry so I can make an even bigger impact to people’s lives and more importantly to those within my local community by addressing the source of their issues.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Generally opening up a business is a huge risk to your home, financial and social life. This business was no different. I risked my whole life savings, took on loans and much more to open up this academy and never regretted it because I believed in my mission and my work ethics. The next risk was relinquishing control and bring on staff to do parts of my job. I find this is one of the biggest issues preventing growth in a business due to the fear of others not living up to your standards. So I read a ton of leadership books, went to business seminars to develop leadership skills so the risk was now an asset. I now run a team of 14 employees who all have a common goal of helping others just get better in life!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@alliancebjjhouston.com
- Website: www.alliancebjjhouston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliancebjjhouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllianceBJJHouston
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ALLIANCEBJJHOUSTON
