We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Philip Cardella. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Philip below.
Philip , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
In 2004 I took a big leap and opened my own brick & mortar location in my twenties. ! The ambitions step forward was a 3000 sq. ft. facility, 5 minutes South of Downtown Austin. It was a fun time in life to take a risk and an exciting process. Going all in successfully was the only choice! I had the right type of people around me that truly wanted to see my success. They were also the people that I wanted to see my growth / success. I was the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training academy in Central Texas. To build a community around an exciting mission and vision was a worthwhile experience. We were training so often we felt like a fully dedicated and focused training facility was a necessity and we got to make it happen! There were so many remarkable people, talented athletes, grapplers, martial artists, and intelligent people, among us! The cross section of highly educated people ranged from rocket science, law, entrepreneurs, real estate, techies, kinesiology, military and law enforcement.
Philip , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Who are you as an Instructor / Martial Artist? I am just another person that puts their pants on one leg at a time like anyone else. I was the kid that at 12 took a free class when I was watching my Brother take a Tae Kwon Do class. I didn’t quit after. So I am a life long martial artist! For a kid with a lot of energy, starting my journey that day was certainly more fun than sitting in a chair watching! It all began when my Step-Mom drove us from our subdivision “Newport” across League City Texas a few miles past Clear Creek High School just into the Seabrook TX. I trained there til enlisting in the USMC. I was shipped off to California and being “mission ready” / combat prepared made my focus shift a bit more tactical. Getting to train all through Asia gave glimpses of tradition, hybrid, and tactical aspects. The exposure to skilled training with service members of the Thai, Philippine, Malaysian, Australian, Russian, Korean, Japanese Military was a great experience. It was super helpful for the direction I wanted to focus my personal style. I had the privilege of education with the second oldest Son of Grand Master Helio Gracie. Relson Gracie. It was a very unique time in Hawaii’s Martial Arts revolution. I was able to start my education before he had his own stand alone facility and during the opening, of his original own facility. I learned about the particulars of his style of super effective fighting/ self-defense. The standards held at that time were very remarkable. Being world renowned in your industry for brilliance and capabilities is where you want to be.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I saw my efforts had established a community that has forever enriched the local community, We brought the style that brought Mixed. Martial Arts across America to Austin Texas. It happened by getting people together to train, compete, and even to spectate the first 2 professional mixed martial arts events in Austin. Being a pioneer of a newly founded sport that changed names a few time as it was getting established to seeing the UFC at the Palmer Events Center was such a large pivot. Seeing something you had to explain to most people because they didn’t know it existed to it being the main event of the weekend in town is a big change! It was a fun wave to ride!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
After the business and community was established, pretty close to where I was raised, moving across the country to do it again was an interesting change of scenery. It is a big push to enter a new community, establish yourself, and a business. Getting in the trenches neck deep to do it all over again can offer as much potential as it does humility. I had learned a lot in Austin and was at least nationally recognized. With some understanding of the new market, and community it was basically unestablished as far as integrity of standards in our industry. We have now brought the standard of Jiu-Jitsu/ Grappling in St Augustine to a nationally recognized level. This is both the instruction and it has produced tournament accomplishments on the National / World Level. I moved from Austin to St. Augustine with my bride to be and our vision. We built together and lost together when complications with pneumonia took her from our daily lives. Coming back from the loss of a spouse is an experience I wouldn’t wish upon anyone,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.philcardella.com
- Instagram: MMA4Florida
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RGJJSA/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-cardella-0177a610/
- Twitter: MMA4Florida
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MMA4FLORIDAUSA
- Other: https://share.google/vn6GS5jBRRgV8fzOt
Image Credits
Phil Cardella