Today we’d like to introduce you to Guy Pendergrass.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Professor Rob and Guy are the owners and head instructors of Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts. With 35 years of martial arts experience as students, competitors, instructors, and leaders within the community. As natives they care deeply about the impact they have through the martial arts lessons they deliver within our local community.
Both Rob and Guy are 4th degree Black Belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Their passion started as teens where they first took Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Their love of the martial arts followed them into college where they practiced Wing Chun Kung Fu and eventually Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1994.
Rob and Guy both are active members of the Martial Arts Industry Association and have spoken at top conferences in and outside of the martial arts industry. They have spoken at Jitz Con, 7 Figure CEO, and the Movement Summit to name a few. Guy & Rob are also the creators of the Kids BJJ Made Easy platform for school owners. With their incredible programs created for kids and adults they have been featured in Black Belt magazine, local publications, as well as, winners of the Best of the Best 2022 in Wake Forest and Raleigh area.
In addition to running a highly successful martial arts academy, they also run the George Pendergrass Foundation, a 501 c3 non-profit that raises money for blood cancer research. Formed after their father passed in 2003 from Leukemia, they began a series of tournaments and grapple-thons to raise money each year to fund research and support for families.
Dedicated to giving back to our community, it is our mission to make a difference to those we are fortunate enough to teach and guide through the lessons and values of the martial arts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has been a labor of love over many years before we were able to begin teaching full-time. We have been open for business for 19 years now.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
WE ARE DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING FAMILIES TO BUILD SAFE, HEALTHY & FIT LIFESTYLES THROUGH MARTIAL ARTS.
Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts purpose is to serve our students, families, and members of our community at the highest level. To help us fulfill this goal, we constantly improve upon everything we do to better the experience we offer. From curriculum development and life-skills education, to staff training and continually updating our facilities, you can be confident we are always investing in ways to better serve you. We provide age & skill based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai classes classes for kids, teens, and adults.
We are proud to serve our community and give back in every way possible to our local schools and other organizations because we genuinely care about making a difference. Pendergrass Academy believes that through leading by example and giving back, we offer our community and our own students and families the best example as to why so many people choose to be a part of our culture.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Find someone or a group in your niche that has been where you want to go. Also, find someone or a group that shares your same values. This is important to us as we teach our students about the importance of how we lead our lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BJJNC.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pendergrassacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pendergrassacademyofmartialarts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PendergrassAcademy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pendergrassacademy
