Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Hileman.
Hi Rob, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My very first experiences with martial arts were in Tae Kwon Do and wrestling. Growing up, I was enamored with fighting and the creative, expressive aspects of the martial arts. I left the traditional styles behind when I discovered wrestling and pursued the sport through middle and high school. Along the way, like many other people in my position, I discovered the UFC. This sparked an interest in jiu-jitsu, other forms of grappling, and, of course, MMA. At the time, there were no MMA academies in my area. Just a couple relatively underground clubs.
I stopped wrestling as a Junior in High School to pursue music. I had developed an interest in playing guitar and eventually joined a band when I was about 16. For the next 8 years or so, we grew in popularity and ended up touring the world extensively playing our music. My love for martial arts stuck with me, but with a relentless touring schedule, I was not at home enough to put down roots in an academy to begin learning properly.
In 2008, from a Second Story Window disbanded. This sent me into a bit of a tailspin but a chance meeting with an old friend would help me find my way back to martial arts. During my time on the road, MMA had made its way to our small corner of the universe and there was now a school within driving distance where I could attend classes. I signed up and completely immersed myself in absolutely every aspect of the training.
For the next several years, I was a fixture on the mats, training sometimes up to 3-4 times a day. I absorbed as much as I could. I progressed through the ranks, made lots of meaningful connections, and completely turned my life around. I even managed to get a bucket list MMA fight in the books. It didn’t go well, but I enjoyed every second of it! During this time, I learned a lot, good and bad, about running an academy and what people needed to feel comfortable and excel. I began teaching small groups of students on the side. This group continued to grow, and with some encouragement from my wife, some of my students, and my son, who was not yet born, I decided to take the leap and open my own place.
Leverage opened in 2013. It was definitely the biggest undertaking of my life, but I knew it was the right direction for me. I have always loved teaching people, sharing knowledge, and providing helpful guidance. I knew the value and the benefit of jiu-jitsu and what it had done for my life, and I wanted to share that with others.
10 years later, we have a very strong academy with over 250 students. Leverage has changed aesthetically over the years and expanded multiple times to accommodate our ever-growing community. The goal has always been to enrich the lives of our students and to equip them with skills they can be proud of and that no one can ever take away from them. I have one of the greatest teams any organization could ever ask for, and I attribute much of the great success of our programs to them. We have worked tirelessly to create and defend an environment that fosters learning for people of all ages and walks of life, and we are incredibly proud of what we have built.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any business, there are always bumps in the road. Especially in those early years. Because of the nature of what we do, it’s important that the rules are clear and that everyone is on board when it comes to the environment. This includes all instructors and students. In the early days, when we were trying to build our core student base, this wasn’t always easy. There were some difficult scenarios to navigate and some hard lessons to learn, but ultimately, we were able to build systems and, through example, cultivate an environment that’s helpful, friendly, and safe.
Switching from the role of a person who is obsessed with jiu-jitsu and loves to teach to the role of someone who owns a jiu-jitsu school came with its own set of challenges as well. I did not go to college and have no formal education in business, so this was completely new territory for me. I learned a great deal from real-time experience, reading, lots of failures, and guidance from my Professor, Tom DeBlass. I still don’t consider myself an expert in business by any means, but I have never stopped learning and continue to evolve as a business person, just as I do in my jiu-jitsu.
I have an intense love for people and a great interest in helping them progress through their training. I invest heavily in others, and over the years, as our program has grown, this has presented challenges for me. I sometimes have given so much of myself to Leverage that it leaves me a bit tapped when it comes to other aspects of my life. This is an area that I’ve had to continually work on to achieve balance so that I can be attentive to all of the important people and things in my circle. I find this is a very common plight of business ownership and a tough spot for many people that truly care about the people they serve.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s our goal to provide a welcoming environment where integrity, respect, top tier instruction, cleanliness, and a helpful, accommodating culture are prioritized above all else. We are fully committed to the growth of our students. Whether you’re a hobbyist, serious competitor, or simply a martial arts enthusiast, it’s our pledge to provide the best possible learning experience available.
We specialize in jiu-jitsu, grappling, and striking arts for children and adults.
What I am most proud of is that I feel our environment is one where ANYONE can prosper, and the individual goals of all of our students can be met. Our instructors truly care about the progress of our students.
Leverage is the first Tom DeBlass Affiliated academy in the world.
We’ve promoted 10 Black Belts with the number continuing to increase as the years pass.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I feel it would be nearly impossible to say that there is one lesson that’s carried more weight than any others. I think when it comes to running a business, the lessons we learn are frequent. They can be small, and they can be life-changing. If I had to pick one that’s an overall theme, it would be to not let anything poison your environment.
Always defend what you’ve built, and do not allow it to be compromised by anyone or anything. I feel that with what we do at Leverage, atmosphere is key. Not only for everyone to be comfortable and to enjoy themselves but also for optimal learning. To achieve a great atmosphere, you need a strong team. The core of the team must share the same vision and the same desire to defend it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leveragebjjohio.com
- Instagram: @leveragebjj
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BJJLeverage
Image Credits
Jenna Forte
