Easton Online Podcast

Sean Madden is the Muay Thai Program Director for all Easton Training Center academies. In this episode, Eliot speaks with Sean about building a muay thai program at what was founded as a brazillian jiujitsu school. 

Jordan Shipman the general manager of Easton's newest location in Longmont, which opened on January 13 of this year. Exactly 2 months after opening, Easton closed its doors due to the coronavirus crisis. We discuss Jordan's experience as a new martial arts school manager, what owners and managers can do to prevent their business from going under, how to grow during a crisis, and more. Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list! 

This podcast welcomes back BJJ Black Belt and CEO of Easton, Mike Tousignant. In this episode Eliot Zoom calls Mike to discuss the last 2 weeks and share how Easton has responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rebecca Baack has been working as a leader in the fitness industry for over 13 years. She founded and opened CorePower Yoga's first franchise and expanded to two successful yoga studios before merging with another franchise, Level 4 Yoga, which now owns 34 CorePower Yoga locations across the country. We discuss balancing parenting and running a business, working hard to earn flexibility, building employees that can honestly disagree with you, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/rebecca-baack

Matt Bloss is a Muay Thai coach, a martial arts enthusiast, and the general manager of Easton's largest location. Matt began training martial arts at an early age and eventually found Muay Thai and Easton. We discuss him leaving his old job to fulfill his passion, his belief in Easton's community, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/matt-bloss

Jeff Suskin is an Easton BJJ black belt and publisher of DiningOut Magazine, a successful publication that showcases the restaurant culture in Denver and Boulder since 1998. Jeff came from a humble background and worked his way up through the magazine and event management industry. We discuss his coming up in business, measures of success, and more. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/jeff-suskin

First impressions specialist Ayesha Hussain is a nursing student, a regular BJJ and Muay Thai practitioner, and a committed employee at Easton Training Center Denver. Ayesha joins the podcast to discuss her position, how she came across Easton, and how she has found her place through the work culture and environment at the front desk over the past 3 years. Full Episode & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/ayesha-hussain

Josh Dinar is the co-founder and publisher of DiningOut Magazine, a successful publication that showcases the restaurant culture in Denver and Boulder since 1998. Josh has consulted on and has ownership stakes in several of the most popular and successful eateries in the area. Josh is also heavily involved as a volunteer in his community, sitting on several non-profit boards.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/josh-dinar

Jake Bell is a BJJ brown belt and an expert in sales and leadership. Jake has been an essential component in the development of Easton's SOPs, business operating systems, and overall business model.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/jake-bell

Van Tran is the Creative Director of Easton Training Center and Easton Denver's Academy Operations Director. She began working for Easton in 2012 and has experienced the company's transformation first hand.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/van-tran

Boulder Athletics owner and coach Park Roberts joins the podcast to discuss startup business tactics, establishing a vision, and why it is important to do hard things. Park directed Easton Training Center's Crossfit program for years and went on to open his own fitness gym, Boulder Athletics, in 2016.   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/park-roberts

Sarah Rochniak joins the podcast to discuss her role as Easton Training Center Boulder's Director of First Impressions, how to navigate employee relationships, and her experience as an extrovert in position of power. Sarah emphasizes the importance of not taking things personally, working for "the team," and taking the time to train people (even when this does not appear on your job description).   Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/sarah-rochniak

This episode features Larry Dressler. Larry has designed and facilitated high-stakes conversations and advised leaders for over 25 years. He has mediated such meetings for Easton (to help align their purpose, core values and vision) as well as in settings ranging from the offices of Fortune 100 companies to a solar-powered chocolate factory in the Amazon. Larry has served as a trusted consultant to leaders at New Belgium Brewing, First Bank of Colorado, Facebook, Nike, and The Denver Foundation. In addition to being a skilled practitioner, Larry is the author of Consensus Through Conversation: How to Achieve High Commitment Decisions. His second book, Standing in the Fire: Leading High- Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm, and Courage has been published in the US, China, and Japan. For more information about Larry, his services and his blog, visit his website: http://bluewingconsulting.com/ Full Video & Transcript:  https://www.easton.online/blog/e8-larry-dressler-authentic-engagement-collaboration

Sachi Ainge is the Director of Marketing & Administration, part of the Easton Support Team. In this episode, Eliot talks to Sachi about her background, how she got involved with Easton and why her role evolved into the current position.

Peter Straub is a BJJ black belt, and the general manager of Easton Training Center Littleton. In this episode, Peter sits down with Eliot to have a vulnerable conversation about their past together, personal growth along the way, and share stories about an Easton martial arts school in Littleton, CO that started with zero members and grew into a thriving, vibrant community all in about a year. Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/e6-peter-straub-candor-authenticity-real-talks

This episode features Easton Black Belt, Jeff Ake. Professor Jeff shares the story of his beginnings as a martial artists to his challenging path to become General Manager of the Easton Arvada academy. Eliot and Jeff discuss the keys to overcoming his many both personal and professional obstacles. Full Video & Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/e5-jeff-ake-human-connections

Episode four features Vellore Caballero--BJJ Black Belt and General Manager of Easton Centennial. This episode further chronicles the company's efforts to build unity and cohesion--taking the entire organization to the next level. Vellore also shares the tactics he uses to build and run one of the most successful kid's martial arts programs in the world. Full Transcript: https://www.easton.online/blog/e4-vellore-caballero-achieving-success-with-unity Visit https://www.easton.online to sign up for our mailing list!

This episode’s featured guest is Ian Lieberman--General Manager of Easton Training Center Denver and BJJ Black Belt. Ian is a self-proclaimed introvert who connects with hundreds of students and has been able to lead a thriving community of people invested in each other. Through the stories of his tenure with Easton, this discussion is all about how anyone can employ simple strategies and tactics to build rapport and pack the mats in their school. Full Transcript & Video: https://www.easton.online/blog/e3-ian-lieberman-culture-of-investment

This episode features BJJ Black Belt and CEO of Easton, Mike Tousignant. Mike started out as the manager of the Boulder academy in Colorado when he was a purple belt. In his conversation with Eliot, he talks about his trials and tribulations, insigths and lessons learned on the road to get Easton where it is today. Full Transcript and Video: https://www.easton.online/blog/e2-mike-tousignant-management-is-caring-about-people

The 1st episode of the Easton.Online podcast features the man who started it all, Amal Easton. Host Eliot Marshall sits down with his teacher and business partner to discuss Amal’s story, his growing pains starting from a single academy in Boulder, Colorado to a more holistic approach which has created now 7 thriving BJJ & Muay Thai schools across the Denver metro area.