How A BJJ School Owner Escaped Manual Lead Follow-Up Hell (And Improved Conversions)
Mon Jan 19 2026
David Jenkinson reveals how his BJJ school automated 50% of lead follow-up while improving conversions. The system that handles price objections.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Why David was "worried about bothering people" (and how it was secretly killing conversions)The automation breakthrough that handles price shoppers better than humansHow BJJ leads actually prefer talking to a bot first (the psychology behind it)The two types of prospects every BJJ school gets (and how to automate for both)Why 50% of leads now book trials without any human interventionThe follow-up sequence that works while you're teaching classesHow to balance automation with personal touches that close enrollmentsFrom manual follow-up burnout to systematic conversion: What changedThe "guinea pig" experiment now transforming BJJ lead management
TRANSCRIPTION
George: Hey, it's George.
Welcome to the Martial Arts Media™ Business Podcast.
Today, I've got David Jenkinson from Hawkesbury BJJ.
How are you doing, David?
David: I'm good, mate.
How are you?
George: Good, good.
So we talk a lot in the Partner’s call.
I wanted to bring you on.
You've been in the group for quite a long time.
I like these calls to sort of capture where progress is at, but also really get to know you better and have a conversation.
See where the martial arts came up and take it where it comes.
David: Sounds good.
George: Cool, cool.
Fill us in.
Fill in the gaps, I guess.
Where did martial arts all start for you?
And what's the journey?
How did the journey evolve to where you are today?
David: I started later in life, I guess you could say.
I started training at 22.
I've always been interested in martial arts.
Growing up in the 90s, you watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers and all this sort of thing.
Mum actually went to sign me up for karate when I was younger, but I chickened out.
So it wasn't until a little bit later when I started to get interested in mixed martial arts.
I discovered the UFC through a Smashing Machine documentary.
Not the Rock one, the original one.
I was just super interested in watching these fights.
And one thing that really interested me was whenever Joe Rogan was talking about a specific style, he'd always bring up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
That was the black belt that he held up really highly.
I was sort of curious about what it was.
I learned a lot from his commentary.
I learned about how you could win a fight from the ground.
And not just from the ground, but off your back from what would normally be considered an inferior position.
And it would just seem like in 2005, just a crazy strategy to take the fight to the ground and strangle somebody.
This is mainstream ideas now, kids doing martial arts.
But back then, it was quite a wild concept, right?
So I decided to take a class.
I took my first class at a gym in Liverpool, Sinosic Perosh Martial Arts.
And
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David Jenkinson reveals how his BJJ school automated 50% of lead follow-up while improving conversions. The system that handles price objections. IN THIS EPISODE: Why David was "worried about bothering people" (and how it was secretly killing conversions)The automation breakthrough that handles price shoppers better than humansHow BJJ leads actually prefer talking to a bot first (the psychology behind it)The two types of prospects every BJJ school gets (and how to automate for both)Why 50% of leads now book trials without any human interventionThe follow-up sequence that works while you're teaching classesHow to balance automation with personal touches that close enrollmentsFrom manual follow-up burnout to systematic conversion: What changedThe "guinea pig" experiment now transforming BJJ lead management TRANSCRIPTION George: Hey, it's George. Welcome to the Martial Arts Media™ Business Podcast. Today, I've got David Jenkinson from Hawkesbury BJJ. How are you doing, David? David: I'm good, mate. How are you? George: Good, good. So we talk a lot in the Partner’s call. I wanted to bring you on. You've been in the group for quite a long time. I like these calls to sort of capture where progress is at, but also really get to know you better and have a conversation. See where the martial arts came up and take it where it comes. David: Sounds good. George: Cool, cool. Fill us in. Fill in the gaps, I guess. Where did martial arts all start for you? And what's the journey? How did the journey evolve to where you are today? David: I started later in life, I guess you could say. I started training at 22. I've always been interested in martial arts. Growing up in the 90s, you watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers and all this sort of thing. Mum actually went to sign me up for karate when I was younger, but I chickened out. So it wasn't until a little bit later when I started to get interested in mixed martial arts. I discovered the UFC through a Smashing Machine documentary. Not the Rock one, the original one. I was just super interested in watching these fights. And one thing that really interested me was whenever Joe Rogan was talking about a specific style, he'd always bring up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That was the black belt that he held up really highly. I was sort of curious about what it was. I learned a lot from his commentary. I learned about how you could win a fight from the ground. And not just from the ground, but off your back from what would normally be considered an inferior position. And it would just seem like in 2005, just a crazy strategy to take the fight to the ground and strangle somebody. This is mainstream ideas now, kids doing martial arts. But back then, it was quite a wild concept, right? So I decided to take a class. I took my first class at a gym in Liverpool, Sinosic Perosh Martial Arts. And