Crazyguard Jiu Jitsu: Building a Community with Toni Boluda

Key Takeaways

• Toni Boluda, BJJ black belt and founder of Crazyguard Jiu Jitsu in Valencia (Spain), built his academy on community, empathy, and persistence.
• Toni's leadership style emphasizes empathy, the value of the learning process, and giving students a sense of home.
• MAAT supports the operational side, helping Toni focus on teaching and community-building.

🧠 Get inspired by how one man turned a vision of connection into a thriving BJJ academy.

A Vision Rooted in Belonging

"My vision was to create a place where everyone who came to train felt at home."

This was the guiding principle when Toni Boluda opened Crazyguard Jiu Jitsu.

What started in 2012 as a few classes in a small room, formerly his father’s, soon transformed into a dedicated academy driven by one powerful force: community.

Before Crazyguard had its own walls, Toni taught at another gym he ran with a business partner.

"You're always trying to do things your way, the right way."

he says.

That desire for autonomy and authenticity is what led him to build something of his own.

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📌Check this article if you want to learn how to create a How to Create a Good Jiu Jitsu gym Culture

A Community That Grows from the Mat

At Crazyguard, community isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s a lived reality

"We spend most of our time here on the mat."

Toni says.

That kind of proximity turns teammates into friends, and friends into family.

Dalma, a white belt, shares:

"What I like most is that my teachers are very technical teachers and also very empathetic and good listeners.
So I can tell them anything I need."

Her experience reflects the everyday atmosphere in the academy, where care, patience, and attention to detail stand out.

John Michael, another white belt at the academy, emphasizes a similar point talking about Toni:

"He explains very well the techniques, and he dedicates a lot of time to make sure everybody has learned it well.
He’s a really good teacher."

Crazyguard’s coaching team is a reflection of this philosophy.
One coach arrived from Colombia as a brown belt and became a pillar of the gym. Others, like José Suárez and Alejandro, started as students before stepping into leadership roles. They now handle wrestling instruction and support the academy’s operations.

What does Toni look for in his team?

"Not just technical skill, but also the human factor."

From Rubble to Reality

Opening his own space came with serious challenges. The biggest? Renovations.

"The lowest point was when the renovations started and you see everything full of rubble."

It was a moment of doubt. But the vision pulled him through. With help from his team and the loyalty of students who followed him from his previous gym, Toni stayed the course.

Sleep was a luxury.

"To train, teach, and run a business, I slept very little."

he recalls.

But the work was necessary, and ultimately, rewarding.

Building a Culture of Respect and Growth

Toni’s academy isn’t focused solely on producing champions, it’s about cultivating good people.

He often reminds students that rank is secondary:

"Don't give so much importance to the belt, but to the process."

Toni also stresses that white belts face the hardest road.

"You come to the mat and everyone beats you... it's the hardest part."

Dalma shares this perspective from personal experience

"The result I am most proud of was doing a competition, not because of the outcome, but because I was really afraid of doing it. I was very happy that I did it."

Her story underscores the emotional growth that training in such an environment fosters.

John Michael adds:

Probably the result I’m most proud of is the camaraderie and friendships. You see your own improvement after a month, and that motivates you to keep going."

Streamlining the Admin with MAAT

When Toni discovered MAAT he didn’t feel the need because he was still coaching at someone else's gym. But when Crazyguard opened its doors, everything changed.

"Now it's important to have a management system."

Toni notes.

MAAT helped him with one key outcome: time.

"Above all, time management."

MAAT allows him to focus on what really matters: teaching.

Toni uses MAAT to manage:

• Attendance tracking
• Member payments and dues
• Class separation by discipline

"It’s much more convenient for me."

he says.

While retention is still a coach's job, MAAT makes operations smoother and stress lighter.

👉Curious about what MAAT can do for your gym? Book a call to see how MAAT helps gyms like Crazyguard thrive.

Looking Ahead: More Than Just One Academy

Toni dreams of scaling the community.

"Start affiliates to grow as a team."

is on the horizon.

Until then, the goal remains: teach well, foster growth, and keep Crazyguard a place where everyone feels at home.

"I think it's a very good management tool."

Toni says of MAAT.

Final Thoughts from Toni

To other gym owners, he offers this advice:

"When you look for something that helps you improve and save time... it's a very useful tool."

Crazyguard isn’t just a gym. It’s a second home, shaped by empathy, run with passion, and supported by the right tools.

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👉 Interested in how MAAT has helped other gyms grow? Check out more stories and insights from BJJ and MMA academies on our blog.