From Family Gym to Social Media Sensation | The Argyle Jiu-Jitsu Story
What happens when passion, family, and modern marketing collide? You get Argyle Jiu Jitsu, a family-run academy turning heads both on the mats and online. In this episode of Gymdesk Originals, we visit Argyle Jiu Jitsu in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, led by Head Instructor Paul Gilman and his sons Aiden and Tobias, two rising martial artists who’ve built an explosive social media following sharing their journey in BJJ, wrestling, and MMA.
Starring
Prof. Paul Gilman received his black belt under Checkmat through Professor Jeff Calma in 2019. Since, 2020 he has been under Professor Raphael Formiga Barbosa of Double Five. He started Jiujitsu in 2008 under Professor Sung Min Cho who is currently a black belt under Over Limit Jiujitsu Association.
Tobias is a sophomore at Argyle High School where he is a High School wresting state qualifier. He is a blue belt and has been teaching kids' BJJ classes since he was 12 years old.
Aiden Gilman has been training Jiujitsu since he was 8 years old. While he attended Argyle high school he took time off of training and rejoined Argle Jiu Jit as an instructors for youth classes.
About Fit & Fight Gym
Argyle Jiu-Jitsu Academy, located just north of Dallas in Argyle, Texas, blends a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere with high-level training for all ages and skill levels. Headed by Paul Gilman and a dedicated family team, Argyle Jiu-Jitsu offers a full slate of kids and adult Gi and No-Gi classes, wrestling, MMA fundamentals, and specialized programs like the “Little Eagles” for ages 4-7.
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a complete beginner, the gym’s hybrid coaching philosophy—rooted in both classical jiu-jitsu and innovative, engaging approaches—ensures personalized guidance and steady progress. The friendly, tight-knit environment makes everyone feel at home, while their vibrant social media presence and genuine passion for helping students grow mean you’ll be inspired both on and off the mats.
Summary
In this episode, Gymdesk CEO Alex Cuevas visits Argyle Jiu Jitsu Academy in Argyle, Texas to sit down with its owner Paul Gilman and his sons and assistant instructors Tobias and Aiden. The story traces Paul's journey from a wrestling background in California, through years spent teaching and training in South Korea and the Philippines, to building a thriving family-run gym in Texas. Despite opening in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Argyle Jiu Jitsu quickly became a local hub, offering programs for kids, teens, and adults, and cultivating a close-knit community atmosphere.
In this episode, you'll learn how Argyle Jiu Jitsu’s coaching philosophy blends classical Jiu Jitsu traditions with more modern, playful, and constraint-led approaches—especially for younger kids. The team shares their passion for martial arts as well as their adventures building a social media audience by creating funny, viral content that resonates with the broader Jiu Jitsu community. The conversation also touches on how their personal journeys as athletes and instructors are intertwined with the family business and the enthusiastic support of the local homeschool network.
This episode also highlights how Argyle Jiu Jitsu uses Gymdesk software to support operations, from membership management to class check-ins and promotions. Paul and his team discuss their experience transitioning from another system to Gymdesk, describing it as seamless and appreciating features like attendance tracking and integrated payments.
