The Business of Judo: What It Really Takes to Build a Dojo
Starring
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Eric Mieles is an instructor at Sasaki Judo in Orlando, Florida, where he has been a dedicated student for over 10 years and now leads daytime classes.
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Originally from Japan, Sensei Sasaki opened his own dojo after overcoming the challenges of immigrating and establishing a business in the U.S. He is deeply passionate about teaching and spreading judo, emphasizing personal connection with his students and a commitment to continuous learning.
About Fit & Fight Gym
Sasaki Judo, founded in 2017, offers expert judo training for students of all levels. Led by Sensei Shinjiro Sasaki, the dojo provides classes focused strictly on judo, emphasizing foundational techniques and continuous improvement. The facility supports individual and group instruction, student competitions, and cultural exchange programs, including trips to Japan. Sasaki Judo maintains a close-knit, supportive environment, ensuring personalized instruction and strong community engagement within a modern, well-equipped training space.
📍3385 S US Hwy 17 92, Casselberry, FL 32707
📞 689-308-7117
Summary
In this episode, Alex Cuevas visits Sasaki Judo in Orlando, Florida, for an inside look at building and running a successful judo dojo. Sensei Shinjiro Sasaki shares his journey from starting judo at age six in Japan to opening his own school in the U.S. despite visa and business challenges.
The discussion covers the importance of staying passionate, focusing on the art rather than just business growth, and maintaining personal connections with students. Instructor Eric Mieles highlights the dojo’s commitment to a family-like atmosphere and high-level competition, with students regularly attending tournaments and even traveling to Japan.
They also discuss how Gymdesk has streamlined their operations, from class check-ins to member management, making administrative tasks much easier and allowing the instructors to focus on teaching.
