Travis Lutter has been running his Brazilian jiu-jitsu school since 1998. During a recent conversation with Matt Serra, Lutter revealed the philosophy that has sustained his business through nearly three decades: maintaining a positive atmosphere by removing negative influences.
When Serra asked about keeping the right atmosphere at his gym, Lutter’s response was direct and uncompromising.
“We don’t let those people around,” he explained. “You can’t have bad people. I try to get rid of them as soon as possible. Some people get through the cracks and stuff but in general, my group of people that I have is pretty good.”
Lutter opened his school in Texas in 1998 as just a blue belt, driven by necessity rather than ambition. At the time, there were only three places in the United States to train Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Having grown up in rural South Dakota where
Having grown up in rural South Dakota where the closest Walmart was an hour away, Lutter chose Texas because it was “much more affordable.”
The decision to open his own school came before he was perhaps ready by traditional standards, but opportunities were scarce. He had learned initially from VHS tapes by Renzo Gracie, studying alone because there were no jiu-jitsu schools near his farming community.
When a friend moved to Dallas and told him about Carlos Machado‘s training, Lutter visited five or six times before finally relocating.
Running a successful gym for nearly three decades
Running a successful gym for nearly three decades has given Lutter perspective on what makes the business work.
“People really aren’t that different,” he reflected. “Everybody wants the same thing. They want to have a family. They want to have a nice life. They want to get in shape. Everybody’s not that different. Everybody wants to be happy and fulfilled and be good at things.”
This understanding of universal human needs, combined with his zero-tolerance policy for problematic members, has created an environment which works for Lutter. He teaches eight scheduled classes per week, Monday through Saturday, plus Sunday classes approximately 25 weekends per year. He also works with MMA athletes, including UFC veteran Kevin Holland.
The longevity of his school stands as testament to his approach. While many gyms struggle with turnover and drama, Lutter has built what he describes as his social hub.
“That’s where all my friends are.”
His gym brings together diverse backgrounds, from police
His gym brings together diverse backgrounds, from police officers to engineers, school teachers to lawyers, all united by their love of jiu-jitsu.
When asked what keeps him going after all these years, Lutter’s answer was simple.
“I love teaching. I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
He acknowledged he would do it for nothing, a sentiment that explains why he’s still on the mat seven days a week at age 53.
