Easton Online Podcast

What does it take to build a martial arts academy that thrives for decades—not just a few years? In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Easton leaders Eliot Marshall, Mike Tousignant, and Ian Lieberman share the biggest lessons from over 25 years of running successful martial arts schools. From the power of fundamentals programs to the role of core values, and from aligning staff to ensuring product quality on the mats, they break down what truly sustains growth. Whether you’re just starting your academy or scaling past 500 members, this conversation is a roadmap for creating a school culture, business structure, and training environment that lasts. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall is joined by Easton Training Center CEO Mike Tousignant and VP Ian Lieberman to unpack the five major shifts that propelled Easton from a single location to one of the most successful martial arts organizations in the country. They discuss how changes in training structure, leadership systems, communication, and core values created alignment, empowered team members, and fueled long-term growth. From implementing a fundamentals program to adopting decentralized command, this conversation is packed with practical lessons for any school owner serious about scaling their academy the right way. If you're ready to build a stronger business and a better team, this episode is your blueprint. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Easton Training Center CEO Mike Tousignant joins host Eliot Marshall to discuss one of the most critical (and often neglected) components of a martial arts academy: the fundamentals class. They break down why having a dedicated fundamentals program is essential for student retention, safety, and long-term success. From class structure and warm-up consistency to when (and why) beginners shouldn’t spar, this episode offers clear guidance for school owners looking to build a more effective and inclusive training environment. If you're serious about creating a program that serves both beginners and advanced students, this conversation is a blueprint you won’t want to miss. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

In this episode, Eliot Marshall, co-owner of Easton Training Center, is joined by Easton’s CEO Mike Tousignant and COO Ian Lieberman. Together, they pull back the curtain on how Easton consistently achieves a high close rate on membership sales. From the structure of their sales process to the mindset they instill in their team, this conversation is packed with practical strategies martial arts school owners can apply right away to improve their own conversions. Whether you're struggling with sales or looking to sharpen your current system, this episode delivers insights from one of the most successful teams in the industry.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Whether it’s dealing with members or managing staff, we as martial arts academy owners and operators are in the people business. Your ability to skillfully manage relationships, offer constructive feedback, and direct people’s progress will dictate the success, culture, and health of your martial arts academy. Easton Training Center's CEO, Mike Tousignant, and Vice President, Ian Lieberman, join the Black Belt Business Podcast to talk about managing relationships and knowing when to look inward to find solutions instead of assigning blame.  Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!  

Matrix Martial Arts General Manager and Owner, Derek Alumbaugh, and BJJ Department head at Easton Denver, Kyle Wright, join Eliot to introduce themselves and discuss their roles at Easton Online, as well as explain the pillars of successful martial arts academies and how to establish them in your school.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss the challenges of implementing systems in martial arts academies and how to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog:  https://www.easton.online/blog/ Interested in learning more about operating a high-functioning martial arts academy? Visit https://www.easton.online to check out our products and sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss how to manage dwindling sign ups, increased membership suspensions, and atypical cancellations in your Martial Arts academy during the summer months.    Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Interested in learning more about operating a high-functioning martial arts academy?    Visit https://www.easton.online to check out our products and sign up for our mailing list!  

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss strategies for reinforcing your martial arts academy’s brand and how to understand and master your marketing channels.  Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!  

Easton Training Center's CEO, Mike Tousignant, and Vice President, Ian Lieberman, join the Black Belt Business Podcast to discuss how we open new Easton Training Center schools and get into the black within 3 months of opening.  Opening a new academy? Check out our 100 member bootcamp to open your doors with 100 paying members: https://www.easton.online/100-member-bootcamp-offer-1 Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss how Easton run's our Kids Martial Arts programs and give some tips on what you could do to improve your kids Jiu Jitsu program. 

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss how to build skillful students from day 1. As a martial arts academy owner or operator, the lifeblood of your academy will most likely be new students with little to no previous experience. If you want to keep them coming back, you have provide value, which means building students into skillful practitioners.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss the basic necessities of building a successful martial arts school. From marketing, to running classes and crafting a systematic sales process.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss creating alignment in Martial Arts Academies with growing coaching staffs and how to make sure everyone is delivering a great product every time.    Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Amal Easton joins the podcast with Ian and Mike to discuss how academies, business owners, and martial artists must adapt and grow with the times or see themselves becoming irrelevant. Amal adds details about the way things used to be done and how Easton has changed and adapted over time, while Mike and Ian discuss the process of implementing and managing these changes in a large martial arts business with multiple schools.

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to what it's like to change roles in a Martial Arts Company, helping front line staff through leadership transitions, and finding purpose in your martial arts academy work.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/   Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss the structure of an academy, the roles that need to be filled, and how those roles progress and change as the academy grows.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DjwesV... Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=450298 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1474677661 Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcastsfeed=a... Castbox: https://castbox.fm/ch/2225445

Easton Training Center's CEO, Mike Tousignant, and Vice President, Ian Lieberman, join the Black Belt Business Podcast to discuss the thinking and processes behind delegating responsibilities and roles to people in your martial arts academy as well as how to build your academy on core values that you and your staff can stand behind. Check out the people analyzer here: https://www.eosworldwide.com/people Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss the importance of departmental meetings for martial arts academies, as well as living and dying by your academy's metrics.  Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

Casey Halstead is a 10th Planet Black Belt and owner of 10th Planet Las Vegas. He's opened multiple successful 10th planet schools in the last 10 years and coaches several high-level BJJ athletes. Casey joins the Black Belt Business Podcast to discuss his unique strategy when it comes to opening and growing schools, how he discovers and develops talent from within the his schools, and the importance of culture to ensuring a martial arts academy continues to thrive.   Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!