Ep11 - Adam Tibbitts - Building Champions through character - MMA, Wrestling & coaching philosophy

In this powerful episode of It’s Not About The Fight,  Ross Cameron sits down with Adam Tibbitts, founder of Death Roll Submission Wrestling, for an in-depth discussion on the values, challenges, and evolution of martial arts coaching in Australia.

From humble beginnings in wrestling to becoming a respected coach and gym owner, Adam unpacks his personal journey through MMA, No-Gi grappling, and the martial arts community. But this isn’t just about fights or medals—this conversation focuses on what it truly means to build champions through character, not just competition.

Adam shares his insights on:

• Why developing a strong, ego-free gym culture is essential for long-term athlete growth
• The qualities he looks for in future champions, including humility, discipline, and the ability to listen
• The role of mental health and well-being in high-performance combat sports training
• The importance of foundational skills over flashy techniques, especially for beginners and youth athletes
• His experience running a martial arts gym in Australia, and the business values that must align with martial arts principles
• The difference between coaching youth vs. adults, and how to adapt your teaching style to individual learning needs
• His philosophy on modern coaching, lifelong learning, and stepping back to mentor the next generation

Whether you’re a coach, competitor, gym owner, or someone passionate about martial arts culture, this episode is full of authentic, practical wisdom from one of the most thoughtful voices in Australian grappling.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Character matters more than championships
• Listening is a superpower for athletes and coaches
• Culture is your competitive advantage
• Mental health and training must be balanced
• True teaching adapts with the times

📌 Chapters Include:
00:00 – Adam Tibbitts' Martial Arts Origins
03:30 – Building Character Over Champions
07:05 – Ego at the Door: Creating Strong Gym Culture
10:35 – Identifying Future Champions
13:04 – Mastering the Basics
15:00 – Balancing Mental Health in Training
16:04 – Youth vs Adult Coaching
17:27 – Lessons from the Gym Floor
18:31 – Sharing Knowledge: The Next Step
20:39 – Advice for the Next Generation

🎙️ Quotes From the Episode:

“Nobody’s better than anybody.”
“The ability to listen is key.”
“Do it.”

🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & more.

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