Jason & Carly Dodd, Owners of Global MMA Academy
1. Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?
Global MMA Academy is Gainesville's hometown training center. We are our area's oldest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Japanese Ju Jutsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Full-Contact Tactical Karate, and MMA training programs. In addition to martial arts and combat sports, we also operate our specialty fitness programs through Gainesville Combat Fitness, our wellness programs through Warrior Wellness Collective, our retail store through Gainesville Fight Shop, and our combatives self defense training programs through Gainesville Defense. All of these offerings are all in one convenient location on Newberry Road between the movie theater and Gainesville Health and Fitness. Our business philosophy is to give our best to people on the mat and off. We don't to gimmicks or fast sales, just solid, quality lifestyle training that works.
2. Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way’s Community Investment Fund?
Jason and I are farm kid transplants to Gainesville, and moved here when we attended the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida. We believe in giving back and giving back to programs that work hard at what they do. We love that United Way provides accountable, comprehensive support to our community.
3. What is something interesting or surprising that most people don’t know about you?
Jason and I met through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and then married three months later.
4. What would your older self say to your younger self?
You're doing just fine.
5. What’s your favorite quote?
Do well, and do good.
Small businesses play a critical role in maintaining a thriving local economy. They are no less important to the success of United Way, as we endeavor to improve lives through our work in education, income, and health. Our Small Business United Partners are an important, growing family of donors, who are vital to helping us meet the needs of our community.
To learn more about how you and your business can support United Way, contact Amber Miller at amiller@unitedwayncfl.org or (352) 333-0856.