Featured affiliated academy: Principle Jiu Jitsu, Wales
Where is the gym located?
We are located in Cardiff, South Wales. We operate out of one of the largest gyms in Cardiff and it’s called Ufit.
How many people train there?
We are still a new club but currently we have 9 regular members who are mostly new beginners.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
We have only been open for a few months but the future is bright. Ufit is a training ground for fitness competitors in Powerlifting, Crossfit, and other disciplines.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Highest is 4 stripe brown belt and lowest are brand new white belts.
When did Principle Jiu Jitsu, Wales open?
At the start of October 2023.
Some facts about you:
Name: Jason Yean
Age: 39
Belt: Brown
Profession: Sports Masseuse and Rehabilitation
Years in BJJ: 12
Other martial arts: Tae Kwon Do, Ninjitsu
Currently living in: Barry, South Wales
Originally from: Born in South Wales but grew up in Malaysia.
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
I have been looking to start my own gym for a couple of years. It was difficult finding a location, but I was determined to find the right one instead of just teaching for the sake of it. My patience paid off and the location that I’m in at the moment couldn’t be better. We are centrally located in Cardiff and we have natural footfall from experienced competitors in other sports and disciplines.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
The people who train are people who have been going to the gym their whole lives. They were looking for another challenge to complement their training, and they could not have picked a better martial art. We do also get the odd boxer coming through. We get people from other clubs coming to train with us as well. We welcome everyone to train.
Why do they train in Principle Jiu Jitsu, Wales?
They train to challenge themselves. They don’t realise it yet but they’ve been bitten by the BJJ bug.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
The main challenges for me personally are trying to feed my students information in a timely fashion. They are all mostly brand new starters, so I’m taking my time working through the fundamentals so that they can start with good habits.
The financial side is not a concern, as I charge the gym an hourly fee to teach there. This is an avenue I would suggest to anyone wanting to start a new academy.
The other challenge is managing different personalities and egos. It is imperative to keep the vibe positive and friendly, so working through those issues at all times is so important.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
I see it to be a bright one. There are not that many academies in our area and we are a city. I have plans to grow it and make it the best that it can be.
What’s the best thing about Principle Jiu Jitsu, Wales?
We leave our egos at the door and we keep it about Jiu Jitsu
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Wales is an absolutely beautiful part of the world. We are surrounded by the coast, mountains, and beautiful valleys. Cardiff has got a fantastic night scene and it’s very easy to get around. The Brecon Beacons is a magical trek and insight into the nature that Wales is capable of. We have massive waterfalls and great beaches as well. I am happy to direct any earnest traveller – just get in touch with me.
—-
