Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Wendt.
Hi Kyle , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started training at a small MMA school where I spent about two years. I loved the program, but unfortunately, they closed their doors. That left me searching for a new gym, and that’s when I found Gracie Barra O’Fallon. I tried out their program, immediately loved the atmosphere, and soon after my father and I both joined. We trained four days a week for quite a long time, and before long, I started competing in local tournaments with my teammates.
At first, I struggled. But I loved the challenge, the grit, and the process of learning. Over time, I started finding both success and passion. I dove in headfirst. My instructor went above and beyond for me and a few others, opening extra training sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He poured his time, effort, patience, and passion into us. No one had ever invested that much care in me before. That was the moment I realized I wanted to become an instructor myself. It changed the way I looked at life.
Growing up, things weren’t easy. I was raised in rough neighborhoods, lost my mother at a young age, and ended up in a bad home environment. At eighteen, I moved in with my biological father, and years later, we discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu together. My outlook on life back then wasn’t great. I had been beaten down, betrayed by family, and I didn’t trust anyone. Then this instructor—a complete stranger—gave me his time, his compassion, and showed me a path where hard work and persistence could create success out of failure. It was an eye-opener.
I fell in love with the sport, the team that grew around me, and the culture of people who simply wanted to work hard and get better. I built lifelong friendships on those mats, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the failures and successes I’ve had along the way. Jiu-Jitsu taught me that you may not be good at something at first, but with enough practice and persistence, you can improve. Being a white belt teaches you to become comfortable with failure, but also shows you how consistent effort eventually brings success.
I kept training and competing across the country, chasing goals and testing myself. Along the way, I became a coach and, over time, an inspiration to those around me. Eventually, I decided to take the leap. After waiting out the challenges of COVID, a friend and I finally opened our own academy in January 2022.
It wasn’t easy. Leaving my old team, my friends, and my support system was tough. But as the months passed, I built new friendships, and those people became my new family. Now, I’m grateful every day that I get to chase my dream, continue competing, and share this art with others.
This is the best job I could imagine. I get to spend time with my friends, practice the sport I love, and help others grow. Jiu-Jitsu gives people the confidence to set goals and achieve them—whether that’s earning a black belt one day or simply learning how to hip escape across the mat. Every step forward matters, and I’m honored to guide others on that journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has most definitely not been smooth, Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.
When I first started training, I was still living with my father, and we began our Jiu-Jitsu journey together. At the time, I worked a second-shift job in a foundry, so my days were packed. I’d train at noon, later joining extra sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—even though it was a 57-minute drive to the closest BJJ/MMA gym. From there, I’d head straight to work from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. After work, my father and I would still hit the local weight room for another hour and a half before I finally went to bed around 2 a.m. Then I’d wake up and do it all again, Monday through Friday. That core group of us trained like that for almost three years.
Eventually, I lost my job at one of the worst possible times—right after my girlfriend (now my wife) and I had purchased our first home. I had to find work quickly. Thankfully, I landed a job that gave me enough income to get by and still allowed me to keep training with my group. The pay wasn’t much, barely over minimum wage, but the hours worked. I’d take my lunch break at noon, rush to class, then head back to work. In the evenings, I’d return to the gym to help teach classes, which also helped supplement my income.
It still wasn’t enough. Around that time, one of my teammates connected me with the owner of the American Grappling Federation (AGF), who was looking for referees at weekend tournaments. That opportunity was a blessing. Not only did it help financially, but referees were allowed to compete in one division for free at every event. So during the week, I trained and taught, and on the weekends, I traveled the country refereeing and competing. They were long, exhausting days, but they kept me moving toward my goals.
After a while, I parted ways with that full-time job and bounced between others. Around then, my younger sister needed a safe place to live. She was still in high school, so she moved in with us. For over two years, I drove her to school every morning so she could finish with her friends, while my girlfriend helped her with homework at night. It was isolating at times—I’d come home after everyone was asleep—but my girlfriend always supported my goals.
When my sister eventually transferred to our local school district, I left that job because the work environment was toxic and overloaded with mandatory overtime. My wife and I sat down and decided I shouldn’t rush into just any job. She had just earned a big promotion, which gave me the chance to take time and find something healthier.
Then COVID hit. Our finances dried up, and I had to work. Some guys at the gym pointed me toward a landscaping company that needed help during the travel restrictions. They hired me, and within months, I was already in line for a promotion. I’ve always been quick to move up at jobs because I take pride in doing things right. Later, I took another opportunity with better pay. That job was special. I was still outside in the elements, but I learned problem-solving skills and gained the confidence that no matter how tough a situation was, I could figure it out.
Between those two jobs, I realized two things:
Even a badly run company can make money.
With enough You Tube tutorials I can figure anything out.
That gave me the confidence to take the leap into opening my own school.
For five years, I worked outside in the heat and cold, still teaching every evening and running off to tournaments on weekends—always chasing the dream of becoming a black belt and running my own academy. I sacrificed family events, birthdays, and holidays. The World Championship is still held the same weekend as my wife’s birthday, and she has always been incredibly kind and supportive about it.
I’ve traveled to California for years to compete, sometimes sleeping on school mats to save money. Before I became a referee, I would leave my evening job, grab a quick shower and meal, then drive 4–8 hours overnight to tournaments. I’d compete all day, then drive back, sleeping in my car at the venue because I couldn’t afford a hotel. I even spent Thanksgivings, Christmases, and birthdays cutting weight for tournaments.
There have been countless struggles along this journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Every sacrifice, every hardship, and every mile has led me here. I’ve achieved so much already—and none of it would have been possible without my teammates, my family, and the people who stood by me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I teach a program that is both fun and challenging, and I always lead by example. I’m on the mats training alongside my students—we laugh, we sweat, we make mistakes, and we grow together. I share the same habits I use to stay healthy and in shape so I can continue training and improving.
If you ask my training partners, they’ll tell you I’m known for my armbar submissions. Back when I was a white belt, I earned the nickname “The Bone Collector” because I was catching five or six armbars at nearly every tournament.
Of all my achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I’m most proud of the journey itself—the medals, yes, but also the skills I’ve gained and how I’ve been able to use them. Jiu-Jitsu has given me the tools to protect myself and others in real-life situations, and I’ve seen it empower my students, both kids and adults, to do the same.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to make all the hard work of Jiu-Jitsu fun. Training is tough, but when you’re surrounded by great people and enjoying the process, it becomes something you look forward to every day.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My grit and grind. My instructor said I am a gamer. I have what it takes to spend hours upon hours grinding away until I achieve what I want.
Pricing:
- $169 a month for a membership, includes unlimited classes
- $139 / Month for Law Enforcement
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gbchesterfield.com
- Instagram: gbchesterfield
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gbchesterfield
