Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Pollino.
Hi Matthew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My martial arts journey began when I was 8 years old, and it quickly became a lifelong passion. In November 1993, watching the very first UFC, I was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and knew I wanted to learn this incredible martial art. That moment changed the direction of my life and ultimately led me to dedicate myself to training, learning, teaching, and sharing Jiu-Jitsu – Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness with others.
After training and teaching at many academies and having the privilege of learning from incredible martial artists and mentors over the past 40 plus years, my passion and Divine Intervention ultimately led me to officially opening Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu in Ventura, Ca. on September 1st 2022. From the beginning, our mission has been simple: to positively impact the lives of everyone who walks through our doors. At T7JJ we believe Jiu-Jitsu extends far beyond just learning techniques—it’s about building confidence, discipline, resilience, respect, and lasting relationships.
Today, Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu is a family-oriented academy where students of all ages and experience levels are welcomed, supported, and challenged to become the best version of themselves. With over 200 verified five-star reviews, we are incredibly proud and humbled that our students and families consistently recognize the positive culture, high-quality instruction, and welcoming environment we’ve worked hard to build. Whether someone is looking to learn self-defense, compete, improve their fitness, or simply become part of a supportive community, we strive to provide world-class instruction in an encouraging, ego-free atmosphere.
The most rewarding part of this journey has been watching the T7JJ students grow – both on and off the mats. Seeing lives transformed through the powerful, positive impact of Jiu-Jitsu – Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Training is what continues to inspire me every day, and I feel incredibly grateful to serve the Ventura community while staying true to the T7JJ mission of making a positive impact on every person who walks through our doors.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any entrepreneurial journey, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. There have been challenges, setbacks, and even moments of disappointment along the way. Every obstacle has taught me something valuable, strengthened my faith, and helped shape both me and our academy into what we are today.
Rather than focusing on the difficulties, I choose to focus on the blessings God has placed in my life and the opportunities to serve others through Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu. I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing students and families who trust us, the outstanding team that shares our vision, and the supportive community we’ve built together. Those are the things that deserve my energy and attention.
I’ve learned that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Staying true to our mission—to positively impact the lives of everyone who walks through our doors—has kept us moving forward. As long as we continue serving our community with integrity, passion, and excellence, I believe the best is still ahead.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu is more than a martial arts academy—it is a place where people come to grow physically, mentally, and personally. We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Fitness, Private Training, and Kids Martial Arts, but what we really do is help people build confidence, discipline, develop resilience and leadership skills, while encouraging healthy habits that carry over into everyday life. Our mission has always been simple: to positively impact the lives of everyone who walks through our doors.
One of the things that makes T7JJ unique is our commitment to creating a welcoming, family-oriented environment where everyone feels like they belong. Whether someone is stepping onto the mats for the very first time or has years of experience, we believe every student deserves personal attention, encouragement, and the opportunity to grow at their own pace. We work hard to know our students by name, understand their goals, and help them succeed both on and off the mats.
We are truly blessed and are grateful for the culture that has been built and continues to grow. Seeing kids gain confidence, watching adults accomplish things they never thought possible, and seeing families train together is incredibly rewarding. I am also deeply grateful for the trust the Ventura community has placed in Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu, reflected in more than 200 verified five-star reviews and the many friendships we’ve built over the years.
The goal at T7JJ isn’t simply to teach great martial arts. We want every person who walks through our doors to leave stronger, healthier, more confident, and better prepared for life’s challenges than when they arrived. If we can make a positive impact in someone’s life, then we’ve accomplished exactly what Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu was created to do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
People often talk about luck in business, and while I think there’s always an element of being in the right place at the right time, I believe God’s hand has been guiding my journey from the very beginning. I’ve been blessed with incredible mentors, amazing students, and opportunities that have shaped both my life and Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu.
One quote I’ve always liked is, “The more prepared I am, the luckier I seem to get.” To me, success comes from preparation, making smart decisions, being willing to adapt, adjust, and pivot when necessary, and most importantly, taking action. Dreams don’t become reality by waiting—they become reality through consistent, positive steps in the right direction.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, and even the challenges because they all played a part in building what Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu is today. I believe faith, preparation, perseverance, and a willingness to serve others have been far more important than luck, and I’m excited to see where that journey continues to lead.
Pricing:
- Membership rates vary depending on the program, training options, and level of commitment that best fits each individual or family.
- We offer multiple training options because every student’s goals, schedule, and experience level are different. At Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu, we believe it’s all about finding the right value and fit for both the client and our academy.
- Rather than discussing pricing first, we prefer to invite prospective students to visit the academy, observe a class or two, meet our team, and experience the positive culture at Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu firsthand.
- We also like to have a conversation about each person’s goals, interests, and what they’re hoping to accomplish so we can recommend the program that best supports their journey.
- Our goal is to help people make an informed decision with no pressure—just honest guidance and the opportunity to discover whether Triple Seven Jiu Jitsu is the right place for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://triplesevenjiujitsu.com/
- Instagram: facebook.com/triplesevenjiujitsu
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/triplesevenjiujitsu
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@triplesevenjiujitsu
