Featured affiliated academy: The Sweep Spot – BJJ Lake Tahoe
Where is the gym located?
We are located on the North side of Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City (California). It’s a pretty awesome location, we are about 50ft away from the lake. In the morning, we can see the sun rising over the water from our gym. Sometimes we’ll finish class and a few of us will just walk down to the lake to cool off. It’s hard to imagine a better setting for Jiu-Jitsu.
How many people train there?
We have about 40 members currently. We’re small by design right now. It gives us a chance to focus on building a solid foundation of students who really care about the art and each other.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Growth here is slow, this place is driven by the seasons. On average we are gaining about 1 member every couple of months or so. It’s a little different from running a city gym, in Tahoe, people come and go with the snow. But it also means the people who stick around are deeply committed, and every new member changes the energy in a meaningful way
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We have white belt through black belt. Most of our members are white belts though as we have not been open very long. I enjoy teaching white belts because you can watch their confidence grow week to week. We also get visiting purple and brown belts from all over the world, which keeps things dynamic and gives everyone a taste of different styles.
When did The Sweep Spot – BJJ Lake Tahoe open?
We opened our doors in May of 2024. Opening day was surreal. It felt like planting a flag in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. It’s been a challenge, but one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve met a ton of interesting people that I otherwise never would have met.
Some facts about you:
Name: Matt Mills
Age: 39
Belt: Black
Profession: Jiu Jitsu coach. I was in the United States Marine Corps, and also worked in Executive Protection for 15 years.
Years in BJJ: 12
Other martial arts: A little bit of Muay Thai, some Krav Maga, and a lot of Systema.
Currently living in: Truckee, California
Originally from: The Twin Cities in Minnesota
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
I originally moved to this area with the intent to open a gym in Truckee and compete with them. When I got here though I found out that the gym had changed owners and they had moved into a new facility. Turns out I knew the new owner, so I went to him and asked him if he would want to compete or if he would want to work together as partners. We decided to try partnership, and opened The Sweep Spot in Tahoe City. It ended up being one of those rare win-win situations. Instead of creating competition, we built community. Tahoe has enough room for everyone who wants to train, and our collaboration has strengthened both gyms
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
Lake Tahoe is full of interesting people. Just like most gyms, you get people from all walks of life. Tahoe is interesting because people here are very interested in the outdoors, and there are a lot of great athletes here. We have everything from doctors, five-star chefs, and stay-at-home moms. It’s a great blend of people who just want to get after it. There’s a shared toughness among the people here. Whether they’re carving down a mountain, paddling across the lake, or rolling on the mats, Tahoe people love a challenge. That translates really well to Jiu-Jitsu.
Why do they train in The Sweep Spot – BJJ Lake Tahoe?
It’s funny, I usually find that people change their “why” over the years. Initially I think most people start Jiu jitsu typically as a form of self defense or fitness. But as time goes on, most people end up staying because they have fallen in love with the process of learning. It is one hour out of your day where you can’t think about your bills or that horrible thing your boss said to you. All you have to do is focus, and try not to give up your arm to that purple belt! Jiu jitsu is the easiest way I have found to get into a “flow” or “meditative” state. I usually find the reason people train after a while is just simply because they love to train. I think a lot of my students find that Jiu-Jitsu gives structure to their week. It’s a reset button, something consistent in a place where the seasons and pace of life are always changing.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
The seasonal nature of this area, our biggest competitor, is simply the outdoors. Why train Jiu Jitsu when you can go find world-class skiing? Or hop on a boat and cruise around the lake? We have highs in the summer and winter, and lows in the spring and fall. We get a ton of visitors though, which is a lot of fun for our members. If someone wants to train during their vacation in Lake Tahoe, they’re usually very into Jiu Jitsu.
It forces you to get creative. We run outdoor open mats in the summer, we run Training Labs in the off-season, and we lean on community events to keep people connected year-round.
Our Training Labs are one of the things that make The Sweep Spot unique. They’re intensive, theme-based weekend camps that focus on one area of the game. It could be top pressure, guard passing, or a specific submission. Over the course of a weekend we will have 6 hours of live grappling games. We use a constraints-led approach to coaching, where students learn through problem-solving and live scenarios instead of endless repetition of fixed techniques. The result is faster skill development and better adaptability under pressure.
This method works perfectly for Tahoe’s rhythm. During slower months, we turn the downtime into high-quality training opportunities for locals and visitors who want to dive deep into a concept. It keeps everyone motivated, helps the gym stay active year-round, and gives our students a chance to experience a more modern, research-driven approach to learning Jiu-Jitsu.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
I think it will continue to grow. I don’t think this area will ever support huge gyms with hundreds of members. There is demand for it, Jiu jitsu is one of those things that can easily become a big part of your identity or what you enjoy doing for fun. It’s not about numbers for us, it’s about longevity. I’d rather see a small, passionate group training for 10 years than a huge wave of people that come and go. I think Tahoe will develop a tight, experienced Jiu-Jitsu community over time.
What’s the best thing about The Sweep Spot – BJJ Lake Tahoe?
The students, we have a great gym culture. We love to learn, and we do our best to always look after each other. I always tell my students to get after it, but our goal is never to harm. After all, if I hurt one of my students, then who am I going to beat up on? They’ve helped create a place where everyone feels welcome, whether it’s your first class or your 500th. I’m proud of the culture we’re building, tough rolls, with lots of laughter.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Globetrotters would love it here. If you love being in nature, this place is a playground. There is something very special about the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. There are tons of trails here if you like hiking, obviously you have the lake for any kind of water sports. In the winter you would be hard pressed to find better skiing. This is one of the most naturally beautiful locations on our planet. If you come train with us, bring your hiking shoes and maybe a wetsuit. We’ve had visiting students go paddleboarding after class, or even train a few rounds outside on the grass by the lake. It’s the kind of place where adventure and Jiu-Jitsu blend perfectly. If you ever make it up to Lake Tahoe, come roll with us, we’ll make sure you get good rounds and a great view.
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