Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Kyvann Gonzalez has clear opinions about tardiness at his gym, Bodega BJJ. His approach differs dramatically depending on whether students are paying members or training for free.
During an appearance on the Jits and Giggles podcast, Gonzalez explained his straightforward philosophy: “If you’re a paying member, come whenever you want, dude. If you pay me to go to my gym, I work for you. You show up when you want. If you can make it, if you can make it on time, if you can’t, whatever.”
However, his tolerance ends when it comes to non-paying members. “If you’re one of these free members, I will lock you out,” Gonzalez stated firmly. “And if you come in and you’re late and you’re like, ‘No, please let me in.’ I will talk s**t the whole time and make you feel like you’re an idiot.”
His girlfriend and training partner, Vanessa Comeau, noted that Gonzalez’s approach has evolved from his earlier days as a gym owner.
“In the beginning we lost a lot of members because I would just be like, ‘Dude you’re late. Like you suck. Like stop being late,’” Gonzalez admitted. “I used to lock people out all the time. They’d be like, ‘I pay you to be here.’ I’m like, ‘No, you used to.’”
Gonzalez acknowledged this wasn’t smart business practice, but explained his reasoning: “I really didn’t want the culture of like… If you’re late because you work a job, dude of course, your kids, sure. But like there was people that are late like 15 minutes no matter what time.”
He described situations where he would accommodate students by adjusting class times, only to have them continue arriving late. “They’d be like 6:45 and they’d show up at 7:00 and I’d be like, ‘Yo, it’d be better if we make it at 7:00.’ Then they’re 7:15 and I’m like, no man. Like, be on time. Show a little bit of respect.’”
The coach’s current strategy has proven effective for his free training sessions. “I’ll tell you, the people that don’t pay at our gym are on time now. You know what I mean? Because they’re like, ‘Dude, this is free training,’” he explained.
Gonzalez differentiates between genuine reasons for tardiness and habitual lateness. The host agreed that she sometimes arrives 15 minutes late to the noon class due to work meetings ending at noon. Gonzalez was understanding of legitimate scheduling conflicts, but drew a clear line at those who deliberately show up late to free training sessions.
