215: How to Build a Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Program with Black Belt Alannah Reeves

What is the secret sauce for building a thriving women’s Jiu-Jitsu team, along with a culture that keeps women on the mats for years, not just through their 30-day trial?

If you’ve ever felt like jiu-jitsu gyms are more about rivalry than real connection, this episode will flip that script. We’re talking about how genuine collaboration, not cutthroat competition, transforms the Jiu Jitsu experience for women.

Our guest is Alannah Reeves. She’s a black belt, co-owner of Vital Combat Team, and a fierce advocate for building the Jiu Jitsu community, regardless of where you train. Alannah spills what’s really working to bring women through the door, keep them hooked, and help them thrive from day one.

We go deep into how you can shape a positive, inclusive environment for women in Jiu-Jitsu, no matter if you’re a brand-new white belt or leading a room full of purple and brown belts. Alannah shares the blueprint: from tearing down “gym rivalry” mindsets, to what actually makes women want to stick around (spoiler alert: it’s not just another women’s class). By the end of this conversation, you’ll have practical tools to foster collaboration, welcome newcomers, and maybe even spark changes in your own team culture.

This isn’t about growing your numbers for bragging rights or winning every medal. It’s about building real support, safe spaces, and friendships that last far beyond stripes and competitions—so every woman finds her place, her power, and her people in jiu-jitsu.

This episode isn’t about quick fixes or magic marketing tricks. It’s about crafting the deeper, more sustainable kind of women’s jiu-jitsu community we all want to be a part of.

Let’s raise the tide together.

CHAPTERS & KEY TAKEAWAYS

(00:00) Why collaboration, not competition, is the future of women’s jiu-jitsu

(01:04) How to break old-school gym rivalry mindsets

(06:54) The real reason women’s teams grow

(09:30) Making women feel welcome: what actually works

(13:09) How to bring new women onto the Jiu Jitsu mats

(15:14) Supporting nervous beginners: Tips for creating safety

(20:00) Building a culture of generosity: Why it matters for your team

(23:35) The biggest lessons black belts can still learn at women’s Jiu Jitsu camps

(27:14) How you can join a community that lifts everyone up

Connect with Alannah Reeves

https://vitalcombatteam.com/

https://www.facebook.com/vitalcombatteam1

If you love the Podcast, share it with a friend! You can also leave us a 5 5-star rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3IHT3BNicukNtCVa3AAwBI

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-the-gi/id1458389465?mt=2

Learn More about Roll Model Grappling Camp

https://rollmodelswanted.com/

New to the Podcast? Start with these episodes https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19P8KcTyNTIA0hZPQYAbuN?si=f841456b4906439f https://beautyandthegi.libsyn.com/category/Start+Here

Subscribe to Beauty and the Gi on YouTube or in your Favorite Podcasting App

https://episodes.fm/1458389465

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7EBCzi7znNuvxKlpLvue-w

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-the-gi/id1458389465?mt=2

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/3IHT3BNicukNtCVa3AAwBI

Beauty and the Gi on Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Beauty-and-the-Gi-Podcast/B08JJMFS1D?

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the...