Martial Arts at Network School: Muay Thai and BJJ for Builders

On January 7, 2026, the NS Gym hosted our first combined martial arts session, offering both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training for builders of all levels.

Why Martial Arts for Technologists?

At first glance, martial arts training might seem disconnected from building software or launching startups. But the benefits are deeply relevant to the entrepreneurial journey:

• Self-defense - Practical skills that increase your confidence in any situation
• Mental resilience - Learning to stay calm under pressure
• Physical capability - A strong body supports a strong mind
• Self-reliance - Building trust in your own abilities

Building companies is hard. Training martial arts develops the mental toughness required to push through challenges and setbacks.

Two Paths, One Community

The session offered two tracks led by experienced practitioners:

Muay Thai Track

Led by Konrad, who has trained for over two years across Thailand, San Francisco, Vietnam, and Bali. Muay Thai, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs," uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Track

Led by Sam, a blue belt with multiple years of training, competition experience, and championship wins. BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submissions, often called "physical chess."

The Session Structure

Everyone started together with a comprehensive warmup:

• Stretching - Preparing muscles and joints for movement
• Jump rope (7 minutes) - Building cardio and coordination
• Core work - Strengthening the foundation

After warmup, groups split based on interest:

Muay Thai Group

• Shadow boxing to practice movement
• Heavy bag work for power and technique
• Combination drills

Jiu Jitsu Group

• Fundamentals-focused instruction
• Technique drilling
• Positional practice

No Experience Required

These sessions welcome complete beginners. The focus is on learning proper technique and building a foundation. Equipment is optional - gym clothes are all you need to get started.

The Builder Connection

There's a reason so many founders and tech leaders practice martial arts. Mark Zuckerberg does BJJ. Joe Rogan is famous for his martial arts background. The discipline, focus, and resilience developed on the mat translate directly to building companies.

When you've trained to stay calm while someone is trying to choke you, a difficult investor meeting feels much more manageable.

Join Us on the Mat

Whether you're curious about Muay Thai's striking or BJJ's ground game, our martial arts sessions offer a supportive environment to explore. No prior experience needed - just show up ready to learn.

Training together builds bonds that extend beyond the gym. Some of the best business conversations happen after sparring.