The Fighters Drinking Coffee Podcast
The Fighters Drinking Coffee Podcast
Scott and Mike
How Gyms Grow: Memberships, Marketing & Community with Jon Klem (Episode 74)
1 hour 13 minutes Posted Aug 4, 2026 at 8:08 am.
Introduction and Jiu-Jitsu Journey
Why He Started Training
Learning Body Awareness
Gym Business and Cross-Training
Seasonal Slumps and Pipeline
Marketing as Martial Arts
Owners, Resistance, and Growth
Cold Calling Lessons
Tracking Churn and Check-Ins
Community Builds Retention
First Competition Regret
Contact and Farewell
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Show notes
On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland talk with Jon Klem of Managed Memberships about his jiu-jitsu journey, starting in 2020, cross-training experiences, training with visiting gyms, and the role jiu-jitsu played in his fitness and family life.
The conversation moves into practical gym-business topics: membership pipeline and retention, the importance of check-ins, overcoming resistance to sales and marketing, staffing and seasonality, and how community culture becomes the gym’s best marketing tool.
Jon closes with a candid combat confession about his first IBJJF tournament (and a neon-belly lesson), and shares resources for gym software and how to contact him at managememberships.com or [email protected]
Check us out and submit Combat Confessions at: www.fdcpodcast.com Please remember to follow, rate and review!or Support the show on our PatreonWant more from Fighters Drinking Coffee:Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee   Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks