BJJ Without Guilt: Why We Reject Tribalism at the Jiu-Jitsu Foundry

The "Pie" is Big Enough for Everyone

I have been on the mats for a long time. Being 55 years old gives you a certain perspective on life and the martial arts world—you see trends come and go, you see gyms rise and fall, and you see the very best of Jiu-Jitsu culture, along with some of the worst.

As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Jiu-Jitsu Foundry this January 2026, I’ve been reflecting on what has kept us strong for a decade here in Petaling Jaya/Klang Valley.

It isn’t just the techniques or even the sparring intensity. It’s our culture. Specifically, our rejection of the toxic "tribalism" that has plagued BJJ for too long.

The Myth of the "Creonte" (God, I hate this word)

In the old days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, academies operated like rival clans. There was a genuine fear that if a student visited another gym, they would "steal" secret techniques and use them against the team in tournaments.

This gave birth to the term Creonte—a label for a traitor.

While the era of "secret techniques" died when YouTube was born, the psychology remained. Many academies still operate on a Scarcity Mindset. They believe that if a student trains elsewhere, the academy loses something. This insecurity breeds a culture where students are afraid to cross-train, afraid to visit friends at other gyms, and terrified to ever cancel their membership for fear of being shunned.

At the Jiu-Jitsu Foundry, we operate on an Abundance Mindset.

The "pie" of potential martial artists in Malaysia is massive. It is big enough for everyone. We don't need to build walls to keep our students in; we just need to provide value that makes them want to stay.

Our Open Door Policy (In and Out)

We have always welcomed visitors from other affiliations. We believe that different styles and new bodies on the mat make us all better grapplers.

But a true "Open Door" policy has to work both ways.

It means that if you choose to walk out of our doors, we part as friends.

We don't believe in guilt trips. We don't believe in branding people as traitors.

People’s lives change. Perhaps you moved to a different part of town and the commute is too hard. Perhaps your budget has tightened. Or, perhaps you simply need a different teaching style or a new environment to break through a plateau.

If the Jiu-Jitsu Foundry isn't the right fit for you right now, my priority as a coach is that you keep training Jiu-Jitsu, even if it’s not with me.

Loyalty is Earned, Not Demanded

If you decide to leave our academy, we will shake your hand, thank you for the training rounds, and wish you well on the next leg of your journey.

We believe that true loyalty isn't demanded through fear; it is earned through respect and freedom. That is the foundation we have built over the last 10 years in Petaling Jaya, and it is how we will operate for the next ten.

So, whether you are a visitor dropping in for a day, a long-term member, or a former student training elsewhere—the door is open.

See you on the mats.