The Ninjas Way

Ep. 37 Lynn Ledford

Families quit because of THIS… and gym owners don’t realize it. What started as one kids program grew into multiple thriving businesses across gymnastics, swim, dance, ninja, and early childhood. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, I sit down with Lynn Ledford, founder of Cali Kids and creator of Sweet Peas Gymnastics, to break down what it actually takes to build programs families stay with for years. From retention and early childhood strategy to evaluations, marketing, and community building, Lynn shares decades of insight from scaling sustainable, people-first kids programs. 🎧 In this episode, we cover.. 00:00 From law to kids programs 02:59 Why retention isn’t cheaper but is more controllable 04:19 How starting kids young creates a massive long term advantage 13:41 How to design a real journey instead of just filling classes 16:51 Why showcases, branding, and community matter more than most realize 20:42 What makes programs truly sticky inside and outside the gym 25:57 The hidden drop off points gym owners accidentally create 29:47 Why evaluations and leveling up can trigger cancellations 33:37 How marketing the outcome, not the activity, changes everything 37:42 Summit and learning from the best 41:02 Sweet Peas Gymnastics and early childhood licensing 📍 Learn more Summit Event: https://thesummiteducation.com/ Sweet Peas Gymnastics: https://sweetpeas.com/become-a-licensee/ Cali Elite Kids Programs: https://calelite.com/

Ep. 36 USA Ninja Challenge with Dale Grant and Robin Ann

From a small idea inside a gymnastics gym… to the largest ninja franchise in the world 🥷🔥 USA Ninja Challenge didn’t begin with a business plan or a corporate strategy. It started with a problem no one in gymnastics could solve: Boys were quitting the sport in huge numbers… and no one knew how to keep them. That single question “How do we keep boys in the gym?” sparked an experiment that reshaped an entire industry. What began as a way to keep kids engaged evolved into a movement one that would grow into USA Ninja Challenge, now the fastest-expanding kids ninja franchise in America. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, we uncover: How Ninja emerged from inside traditional gymnastics Why the first standalone Ninja gym sold out almost instantly The moment franchising became inevitable How 40+ locations scaled with zero debt And why Ninja is becoming the home for kids who never quite fit traditional sports You’ll hear how the program evolved from a simple set of obstacles… to a full-blown curriculum, level system, skill tracker, and national competitive pipeline.. all built around community, growth, and giving kids a place to belong. This isn’t just a franchise story. It’s the story of how a small idea became a national movement shaping the future of Ninja as a sport. Learn more about USA Ninja Challenge here- https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising

Ep. 35 F.I.N.A. Federation of International Ninja Athletics

What started as a mission to serve athletes first has grown into one of the most community-driven and coach connected leagues in ninja sport today. In this episode, I sit down with Jen Miller and Kyle Vidovic, co-owners of FINA (Federation of International Ninja Athletics), to explore the story behind the league that’s rewriting the competition experience for athletes, gym owners, and families. From personal phone calls and comp-day support to a brand-new adaptive program in the works, Jen and Kyle aren’t just organizing competitions they’re investing in the future of ninja. 🎧 In this episode, we cover: 00:46 – How FINA was born from a parent’s passion 05:22 – Why personal connection still matters in youth sports 08:50 – What it means to be a FINA Partner Gym 18:40 – What’s coming for Season 7 (and why it’s different) 20:22 – What to expect at your first FINA comp 30:54 – Season 7 highlights + exciting new changes 35:45 – Building the adaptive program and opening new doors 👟 Want a league that puts people first? 💬 Interested in how to host FINA comps at your gym? 🎯 Looking for an inclusive, connected, and coach-supported league? 📍 Learn more: https://fina.ninja/

Ep. 34 Jeff Metzger with Small Business Bootcamp

From a church basement… to America’s largest privately owned kids sports center 🥷🏗️ He started with three nights in a rented room and one rule.. never retreat, grow even by 1%. Five decades later, Kids First spans 184,000 sq ft, serves 25,000 weekly visits, and is the playbook gym owners travel to learn. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Jeff reveals the 1% growth theory that quietly compounds, and how owning your real estate (in the right demographics) can transform your wealth and your sleep. He also breaks down the leadership shift from hub-and-spoke control to true delegation, why mistakes are mandatory for growth, and how core values and open-book management turn teams into owners of the outcome. In this Episode 👇🏻 03:13 Building Kids First Sports Center 08:00 Philosophy on Growth and Real Estate 21:12 Evaluating and Expanding Programs 32:22 Decentralization and Business Growth 35:22 Allowing Room for Failure 39:47 Introduction to Small Business Bootcamp 43:10 Core Strategies for Business Success 49:56 The Importance of Core Values 55:16 Transparency and Open Book Management I’ll be in Ohio with Jeff for Small Business Bootcamp Nov 13th-17th for total immersion, all-inclusive, and laser-focused on building a generational business. Email info@metzkerbootcamp.com or visit https://metzgerbootcamp.com/

Ep. 33 Julie Gelsinger with Pop and Hold and Ninja Logic

The hidden lessons of gym ownership and the surprising story behind Pop and Hold’s fully customized mission. In this episode of The Ninjas Way Podcast, Julie Gelsinger shares what most gym owners overlook when it comes to creating a thriving ninja community from the importance of first impressions to building lasting buy-in from families. She also reveals the unexpected way Pop and Hold began, and why its mission is centered on fully customized holds and awards designed for the unique needs of each gym. What started as one creative spark has grown into a brand equipping gyms, athletes, and parents with tools that educate, inspire, and train. In this Episode 👇🏻 00:24 Julie's Background and Career 00:49 Starting the Ninja Gym Journey 04:31 Lessons in Gym Ownership & Community Building 17:06 Educating the Community about Ninja 22:31 The Birth of Pop and Hold 31:44 Involvement with WNL 37:11 Future of Ninja Competitions 42:17 Balancing Life and Business Learn more about Pop and Hold here- https://www.ninja-logic.com/shop