Judo Talk

Owen Livesey went from an eight-year-old at a school judo taster in St Helens to the edge of Rio 2016 qualification – then walked away from judo and built a grappling gym from a 5x5 mat in a Hull warehouse, going on to win a Polaris title.

Vince sits down with his old Camberley training partner for an honest, unedited conversation about:

– Growing up at SKK and what made it such a special club
– Missing Olympic qualification by millimetres, and the system around it
– Life after judo, and whether anything fills the void
– Hull KR, £3 in a tin, and turning a tiny warehouse mat into a full-time gym
– Why adults leave judo, and how clubs can keep them
– Money, seminars and building a martial arts business
– What judo could learn from jiu-jitsu
– And a sumo dojo above a nightclub

You won’t agree with everything said here, and that’s the point. Disagree? Send us your view and we may read it out on a future episode.

Contains strong language throughout.

Get involved – send your topics, questions and guest suggestions:
Email: thejudocoach@gmail.com
Instagram and Facebook: The Judo Coach
LinkedIn: Vince Skillcorn

Watch the full video on YouTube: [link]

New episodes every other Tuesday.

Vince is back for episode two, and this time there’s a plan (mostly).

First up, the World Championships in Baku. Japan took seven of the fourteen world titles, Ai Tsunoda becomes World Champ. Russia returned under their own flag.

Then the topic that got people talking: the new rules at the British Minors Championships. Sleeve and lapel only, no grips around the neck, and no drop techniques or big counters. Some saw it as an attack on “tough” judo. Vince explains why he thinks it’s the right call for children’s long-term development, safety and keeping kids in the sport, and where he thinks the refereeing side fell short on the day.

Finally, growing your club: why tracking your numbers matters. If you don’t know your enquiries, trial bookings, sign-ups and cancellations, you’re guessing. Vince shares why the numbers are the starting point for building a club that lasts.

Agree? Disagree? Get in touch. Search The Judo Coach on Instagram or Facebook, email thejudocoach@gmail.com, or find Vince Skillcorn on LinkedIn. Send in your questions, topic ideas and guest suggestions, and if you think you’d make a great co-host, let us know.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and share it with someone in your club.

Judo Talk is back. After a long break and a few false starts, Vince Skillcorn (The Judo Coach) relaunches the podcast solo. He recorded it in one take, in the middle of the World Championships.

In this first episode, Vince covers:

• Why the podcast is returning, and what it will cover: world judo, British judo, what's happening in clubs, and how we grow the sport
• His story, from starting judo at five and training full time at Camberley Judo Club to retiring at 24 and building a judo club that is also a full-time business
• Why he won't always agree with you, and why judo needs more honest conversations and fewer echo chambers
• The Judo TV paywall debate: if the people who love judo won't pay to watch it, who will?
• Growing your club: why many clubs don't need a marketing agency yet, and why the real question is whether you could cope with 20, 30 or 40 new members in a month

This show is shaped by its listeners. Send in your topics, questions, guest ideas, or your interest in becoming a co-host:

• Instagram and Facebook: The Judo Coach
• Email: thejudocoach@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: Vince Skillcorn

New episodes come out every fortnight. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

People always say to me, "I want to grow my membership; what is the best way?" 

Well, there are so many ways! to do this, and honestly, you should not rely on only one!

But here is where I always start. 

If you would like to join my newsletter you can here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/rf9g4Qdwjga9YdBtC2GB 

Or if you want to email me: info@dojolaunchpad.com 

Apologies. This one is a bit of a waffle, but in the words of Slim Shady, "Guess who's back?" 

In this episode, I discuss the struggles of keeping myself on track and grading and most probably offend a lot of coaches! 

Let me know what you think, and here is a link to the Dojo LaunchPad Newsletter: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/rf9g4Qdwjga9YdBtC2GB 

P.S. Connect on socials! 

In this episode, I talk about the British Minors & Masters Championships ... the main consideration is how to change a competition into a production. 

Running a competition is one thing but how do we make it a win for everyone involved? Listen now. 

In this episode, I talk about the number 1 thing that will hold your judo club back when you grow. 

Also, if you are interested in joining our webinar series in partnership with the British Judo Association, you can do so via this link: https://bit.ly/BJALaunchPadWebinars  

Would you like more adults to start judo at your judo club? In this episode of Judo Talk about how you attract adults to your judo club and the change in mindset you need to get them coming everyweek. 

I have a lot of conversations with people about growing their judo clubs but there are a few key things you need to know to be able to grow. This podcast looks at the strategy behind growing your club and preparing you for it. 

After a very long time, judo talk is back ... but in a slightly different set-up (don't worry, same jingle), but with a new objective ... Listen to find out more.