Meet Conor Heun | 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu black belt and business owner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Conor Heun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Conor, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always knew I wanted to be a coach I just didn’t know it would mean opening my own gym and coaching Jiu Jitsu. My dad was a high school wrestling coach and math teacher and I always dreamed of following in his footsteps after seeing the tremendous positive impact he was able to have on so many young people. I graduated college as an English major but wasn’t excited about the idea of teaching English. I moved to Los Angeles where I was working selling dental equipment when I discovered 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. I wasn’t happy in my sales job and was seeking community outside the office when I was introduced to 10th Planet Founder, Eddie Bravo. I started training 4 hours a day 6 or 7 days a week and took my first professional MMA fight with Eddie’s encouragement. After winning the fight by submission, I asked for a leave of absence to train for my next bout. When my request was denied I quit. I started working security at night so I could train all day. Even at this time I didn’t have a big picture outlook or the understanding that I would eventually own my own gym. At the time there was only one 10th Planet academy and it was Eddie’s. I continued to train hard and make my way up through the MMA ranks, fighting in the premier organizations of the time. When I eventually retired from fighting in 2012, Jiu Jitsu had become so popular that the idea of starting my own academy seemed much more realistic but I wanted to gain a greater understanding of running a business in the fitness space. I applied for a position as a membership sales manager at 24 Hour Fitness. During the initial interview the GM learned of my background as a professional athlete he suggested that I work to become a personal trainer instead. I took his advice, studied for and passed my personal training exam and began my work as a trainer. I continued to work at 24 Hour Fitness for the next six years moving from trainer to master trainer, to assistant fitness manager, to fitness manager, learning as much about the business as I could all while continuing to train Jiu Jitsu, eventually earning my 10th Planet Black Belt from Eddie Bravo. At this point I knew it was time to take the leap and with a little encouragement from my girlfriend at the time I started the Facebook page for the business, formed the LLC, found a location to teach classes and opened the doors for business on November 1st, 2018.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a martial artist and a coach the most rewarding thing for me is watching my students take my teachings and allow them to become their own. Seeing how each individual modifies the techniques to fit their own personal style, body type, and attributes is just so beautiful. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the look on a students face when things click and they gain a new skill that allows them to become a more confident and authentic version of themselves. Martial arts are so powerfully transformative and being able to witness firsthand the growth and evolution in my students is a dream come true. Watching a shy or timid person gain confidence and understanding that allows them to come out of their shell and begin to move through the world as a more fully embodied version of themselves is why I do what I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends come to town I like to take them to Boulder where I grew up to walk around the Pearl Street mall, some margaritas on the roof top of the Rio, and then for a hike up Mount Sanitas for the breathtaking view of the city.

Next we would head to Meow Wolf for all the trippy adventures Convergence Station has to offer. Then we’d walk around Tennyson to find a place to eat before heading to a show at red rocks.

Finally a trip to Colorado wouldn’t be complete without catching some turns in the trees at Steamboat which has, in my opinion, some of the best skiing and snowboarding anywhere in the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost to my father, Jim Heun for teaching me the value of hard work and discipline and showing me the tremendous impact that a coach can have in enriching the lives of others.

Then of course to Master Eddie Bravo for teaching me this beautiful art and creating the framework of the 10th Planet System, allowing me to chase my dreams as a coach and enjoy living a life better than I ever imagined possible.

Website: https://www.10thplanetdenver.com

Instagram: @10thplanetdenver, @coachheun

Twitter:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10thplanetdenver

Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/10thplanetdenver

Image Credits
Conor Heun