Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Maslany.
Hi Zachary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My martial arts journey started when I was 14 years old, when my dad got me into karate because he was a huge Chuck Norris fan. What started as a hobby quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the years, I went on to compete professionally in MMA and in high-level jiu-jitsu matches. For more than 12 years, I’ve owned and operated my own martial arts gym, coaching athletes from beginners to professional competitors. I’m also the owner and promoter of my own grappling tournament organization, giving athletes a platform to compete and helping grow the sport that has been such a major part of my life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The martial arts side has always come naturally to me. Training, competing, coaching, and being in the gym are the things I’ve always felt most comfortable doing. The real challenges came when I turned my passion into a business.
Learning how to actually run a business, manage employees, deal with different personalities, handle finances, market the gym, and make difficult decisions was a completely different skill set. I had to learn a lot through trial and error. Owning a gym taught me that being good at martial arts and being a good business owner are two very different things. Over the past 12-plus years, I’ve had to grow just as much as a leader and business owner as I have as a martial artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One of the biggest things martial arts has taught me is how to be creative. Jiu-jitsu is an art, and I’ve always looked at both teaching and business the same way. Whether I’m developing different ways to train, finding a new way to teach a technique, or putting my own personality into how I approach jiu-jitsu, I’m constantly creating.
I’ve carried that same mindset into running my business, especially with marketing. I never wanted my gym or events to look and feel like everyone else’s. I enjoy coming up with different ideas, creating content, building a brand, and finding unique ways to get people interested in what we’re doing. For me, martial arts, coaching, marketing, and business all overlap. They’re different outlets for the same creativity.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My definition of success has definitely changed over the years. When I was younger, success meant freedom—the fact that I could make my own schedule, do what I wanted, and not have to answer to anyone.
As I’ve gotten older, gotten married, and started a family, that definition has changed. Now, success is being able to provide for my family while still doing something I genuinely love for a living. It’s knowing that everything I’ve built through martial arts and business gives my family security, opportunities, and a good life. The freedom is still important, but now it means a lot more when I can share it with the people I care about most.
Pricing:
- its only $99 for the first month to start at my gym and we don’t do any long term contracts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.finishersmma.com
- Instagram: @bigunclezachmaslany
