Most recently, in an innovative new twist, we’ve now seen the business of MMA/BJJ stretch to the real estate sector with the advent of Michael Campos’ new entity – The Jiu-Jitsu Realtor. A licensed real estate professional by trade in his native San Antonio, Campos is also an avid Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Seeing a chance to meld his two passions and help his fellow practitioners, he came up with The Jiu-Jitsu Realtor as a means to add another service to our growing industry. According to him, both real estate and BJJ are areas where the best things happen when you work with people you trust. We spoke to him recently to gleam some more insight on why he started this business and what he hopes to bring in order to add to our community.
Interview – Michael Campos, The Jiu-Jitsu Realtor
Michael, tell us a little about your involvement in BJJ, when you started training, why you have a passion for the sport, and how you’ve seen the sport grow here in Texas.
I started Jiu-Jitsu in the fall of ’07. Being a big UFC/MMA fan, I really took a liking to the skill of Jiu-Jitsu. One day driving, I saw a school opened up close to my house. I stopped in to check it out and ended up signing up that night. But as we all know, some gyms aren’t the perfect fit for your style of learning. So I looked elsewhere and found the gym that was the right fit. Very soon after, that’s when Jiu-Jitsu became a passion for me! For me, it’s the cerebral aspect of jiu-jitsu that really intrigues me, human chess as we say. The physical, contact nature is just the bonus and acts as my outlet from the work life. I really believe that everyone should try jiu-jitsu at least once because it does so many good things for a person, whether it is mentally, physically, or plain self-defense. I’ve seen it with other people in class and gone through some of the changes myself. It really is a lifestyle and can help change your life for the better if you allow it.
The growth in Texas has been amazing. I really enjoy seeing it grow with the kids and women throughout the state. This is really important for the growth of Jiu-Jitsu. I have seen more and more families taking part in classes and tournaments than ever before. The growth of women jiu-jitsu has been pretty astonishing too. I think Texas has come a long way promoting our art and sport, but there is plenty of room to grow!
Same question for being a realtor. How long have you been in the business, why do you enjoy it, and what do you hope to do for your clients?
I have been a Realtor, in San Antonio, for 5 ½ years now and I am finally feeling that passion for it. It’s a people business and I’m really enjoying that part right now. Before, it was learning everything and trying not to make a mistake. Now, it’s being professional and building relationships with people who I have helped and providing the same service to the people they refer. I have to give credit to my business partner, Susan Rodriguez, who has been my mentor and really the person I watched and emulated in this business.
Blending the two is pretty innovative. What was the thought process behind that?
I really wanted to just find a way to combine my to circles of people that I know…I have come across a lot of people through rolling in class or at the tournaments and they would be surprised when they found out what I did professionally because they just bought a house or had a friend or relative that were looking and they would say I would have called you if I had known. So, I wanted to stop being a “secret” agent and find a way to let everybody in the Jiu-Jitsu community know that I can help them buy or sell their house. Then Abu Dhabi came and I thought what a great venue to advertise this, but I just didn’t want to put my name and say hey call me. So I bought the domain, made the website, and here we go.
What do you hope to bring to the community with the JJ Realtor?
I hope I can use this to help promote the art and sport of Jiu-Jitsu and just have fun with it by doing some cool giveaways and contests. Heck, maybe even come up with some cool swag. I’m always working on something!
What’s your long term plan for this business as far as how you want it to grow along with the community?
My long term plan is just being involved with the growth of Jiu-Jitsu here in Texas…I love the people I have met through my journey of Jiu-Jitsu and I just want to continue helping and giving back because that’s the only way we evolve in this and really make something special. I don’t think people outside jiu-jitsu know how much love and support this community has for each other and growing this art and sport.
Whether they use you or not, any real estate tips for those out there that may be on the market to buy or sell? Give us a few tidbits.
The most important tip I can give someone is to do your research and then find a full-time Realtor that matches your personality. It’s like finding the right gym to train at, each one is different. A good full-time Realtor does the job day in and day out, knows the market, knows how to negotiate, knows who to go to get the best financing, knows how to sell your home the fastest and for the highest price, and will guide you all the way to closing. So don’t think your saving money by using just any Realtor…you wouldn’t just learn jiu-jitsu from just anybody…you’d want somebody who is on the mat everyday tweaking and sharpening their game constantly and can go wherever the roll takes them. Find that Realtor for your next real estate need…and if you can find him/her, send me and email, I will point you in the right direction, wherever you are.
Any last message for the Texas MMA/BJJ community? How can people get a hold of you?
Just want to thank you first Mike, for doing this interview and for ALL your selfless work that you do to promote Jiu-Jitsu and MMA here in Texas! Please help support and promote your local tournaments, it’s a big way we can let the people who don’t play Jiu-Jitsu see what we do and how all the hard work pays off. All my contact info is on my website.
LIKE TXMMA on Facebook for more in-depth news and coverage of the MMA & grappling scene along with fan contests to win great prizes courtesy of TXMMA.com and much more. Also feel free to check us out on Twitter and Google+ for even more in the world combat sports!
