Another BJJ academy cuts ties to Lloyd Irvin

slipthejab · Feb 20, 2013

As you all know the Lloyd Irvin rape scandal hit the news like a firestorm.... and it divided many in the BJJ world in regards to Lloyd Irvin and the way he runs his programs etc.

Now more and more stories are starting to crop up of allegations of bullying, greed coupled financial mismanagement and last but not least megalomania wrapped up in all the sales hype one could ever hope for. Ugh. So here's the latest news... another academy who's cut ties with Lloyd Irvin:

BETA Academy owner explains ending relationship with Lloyd Irvin

Following terminating his relationship with Lloyd Irvin, BETA Academy owner Nakapan Phungephorn explains the situation, including claims of shady business tactics and bully behavior.

Here is Nakapan's full letter, unedited and presented without further comment:

---

It has come to my attention that my silence about the MMA Millionaires Association is being taken advantage of and that people are being led to believe that I still have "behind the scenes" business dealings with Lloyd Irvin Jr. Nothing could be further from the truth. My wife and I severed all ties, completely and absolutely, with Lloyd as of January 22, 2013. We regret that we did not do so much, much sooner.

I apologize for spreading a message to other school owners that is incongruent with the principles that we practice as martial artists - that success is measured through the accumulation of wealth and material things. If you participate in any MMA Millionaires event, you will quickly learn that money is all that matters and that your self-worth is determined by how much of it you can take from others.

I also want to apologize to anyone who attended an event because of my recommendation or influence. Many school owners have expressed, in confidence, their shock at the lack of integrity and respect demonstrated when it comes to the fulfillment of promises made in the advertising of these events. While I did spend countless hours preparing presentations on business topics that I was led to believe I would have the time and platform to speak about, more often than not I was left in the dark, without an agenda, and unable to deliver because of the lack of planning, time management and poor administration of these events.

As a result, attendees understandably felt as though they had been swindled. Instead of getting the information that they were promised, they were forced to sit through sales pitch after sales pitch in an attempt to sell, up-sell, and sell again with offers of one-size-fits-all business solutions. This is unforgivable considering the fact that a significant number of participants traveled across the country in hopes of a brighter future for themselves and for their schools and I deeply regret my participation in it.

How Did I Become Part of The MMA Millionaires Mastermind Group?

I joined this group because I thought that learning martial arts business strategies from people who were seemingly already achieving impressive levels of success was smart. I didn't join because I wanted to be a martial arts millionaire, nor did I think it was even a sensible goal to look for that kind of income from a single location. I joined because of the promises made and the claims of better, easier marketing and management that lured me in, like so many others.

Initially I declined Lloyd's invitations to join the Mastermind Group. However, he was persistent in his requests and I felt compelled to join because of my loyalty to him as my instructor. For those of you who do not know, I have trained under Lloyd Irvin, Jr. for nearly ten years. This does not, however, absolve me of responsibility for my own actions and poor judgment. I ultimately made the decision to join the group with the hope of growing my academy.

Why Did I Not Practice Better Judgment?

I was under the impression that by joining Lloyd Irvin's Mastermind Group, (which he later renamed "The MMA Cartel" unbeknownst to me) I would have become a part of an organization designed to take the martial arts industry to the next level of professionalism. In reality, I was just another cog in a money making machine engineered by a man who has no problem manipulating people's trust and adoration as a means of turning a profit. Unfortunately, I was not only naive and trusting but too focused on the goal of growing my school and the growth of martial arts in general, to see that I was being manipulated to earn more money for Lloyd, just like everyone else.

I am not an uneducated man. On the contrary, I have worked very hard to get where I am today. I have a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, a Masters Degree in Business Administration, and I have endured a number of exams to become a Certified Public Accountant. I even won the title of "Marketer/Implementer of the Year" at three different MMA Millionaire events. I am not pointing this out to boast but rather to illustrate what a perfect poster boy I was - and became - for this amoral organization.

For this "prestigious position" I agreed to pay Lloyd Irvin more than $35,000 a year for "business coaching advice" and, in exchange, I was granted the privilege of selling information products to his followers. What people don't realize is that under this arrangement, I lost more money than I actually made. This only begins to scratch the surface when it comes to uncovering the complex, pre-meditated web of manipulation that this cartel employs.

As a finance professional with over 10 years of experience, as a practicing accountant, and as a business owner that puts the utmost emphasis on performance metrics an reporting, the signs were obvious to me. When my own colossal MMA Millionaires Association expenses began to accumulate, I could have easily justified putting the breaks on my involvement. But the truth is I was too afraid to admit any of this to my peers in the Mastermind Group. In an environment where there are winners and losers, 3 Percenters vs. 97 Percenters. It is against the culture that Lloyd Irvin has created to raise any concerns that cast doubt on the association, its methods, or its leadership. After all, how can you speak up when you are led to believe that any failures or losses you experience are solely the result of your inability to properly implement the one-size-fits-all model? Going against Lloyd Irvin is not an easy thing, or for that matter an acceptable thing, for anyone who is involved with him.

When you take the time to think about it, this culture defeats the purpose of having a business network in the first place. How can you freely share ideas and opinions when humiliation tactics and fear are used to suppress any notion of discontent?

So, instead of making rational business decisions, I found myself waiting to take advantage of the next opportunity to sell a product to get myself out of a continually deepening financial hole.

Why Have I Been Silent Until Now?

During my time with the Mastermind Group, I came up with the idea to develop a software application to get people excited about enrolling in martial arts schools. The total cost to bring this project, SideKick, to completion was well over $150,000. I financed nearly all of the start-up costs with my own personal savings. Although Lloyd promised a partnership and half of the funds to finance the project, these promises were empty and the payments never materialized. It's hard to believe that after four months of constant requests, I was still unable to obtain simple information from Lloyd to create the business partnership. Throughout the entire time I thought to myself, "is this how someone who fashions himself to be one of 'America's Premiere MMA Business Experts' conducts his business affairs?" This experience helped me to see the situation for what it really was. I finally woke up and gained some perspective realizing that I was once again being used.

With nearly all my resources sunk into this project I was faced with a difficult decision: 1) lose my investment and potentially endanger the future of my school and my family's livelihood, or; 2) agree to do business with Lloyd Irvin, Jr. "behind the scenes."

After formally disassociation from the Team Lloyd Irvin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association on January 15 of 2013, I was scared and had a moment of weakness when I actually considered continuing our business relationship for the sake of saving my school, my livelihood, and the SideKick project. But at the end of this misguided chapter in my life, I found that our personal and professional values are largely incongruent and that my values are simply NOT FOR SALE. I had to leave this group and find, again, my center, my soul, and my conscience.

As a result of this painful experience, I learned a very important lesson: the community I am a part of and the people I call my friends are far more important than upholding a culture of materialism and supporting an organization built, in part, on cultivating hatred as a sign of their success. We therefore own an apology to our students and instructors for failing to be an example of martial arts values and integrity. In hindsight, I see what a horrible mistake I made and I pledge from here on out to embrace only the most healthy, smart, just and fair practices at my school.

This experience also reminded me of why I got into the martial arts in the first place. I was bullied throughout my childhood. And it was through the martial arts that I found my courage and self-confidence to finally stand up to them. Unfortunately, I later came across another bully amongst our community of martial artists.

Bullies attempt to intimidate those whom they perceive to be weak. Bullies make threats. Bullies exploit others to make themselves feel powerful. Lloyd has attempted to intimidate me, even going so far as to bring a gun to a business meeting to encourage my silence and continued cooperation. Lloyd has made what I, and many others, consider a veiled threat against my wife via Facebook. He uses petty intimidation tactics and threats that are unbecoming of a martial arts instructor. Lloyd Irvin Jr. is a bully. This realization has affirmed my decision to completely disassociate from him and his MMA Millionaires Cartel.

Looking Forward to a Positive Future

Since leaving this group, BETA Academy has realigned all of its business practices with the fundamental principles that true martial artists hold dear: respect for ALL, regardless of belt rank or socioeconomic status; discipline to always improve our programs, and; commitment to our community. We have instituted new principled business practices on a hunch that everyone can and should profit from a martial arts school, not just the owners. The students, instructors and the wider community should all reap real benefits from our academies. Guess what? We were right. This is NOT a zero sum game. For everyone involved, business is better than ever before and this is just the beginning of positive changes being implemented at BETA Academy.

When it all comes to an end, whether it is tomorrow or eighty years from now, what kind of legacy will we leave behind? I will leave this world with my dignity intact. I will make a positive contribution to the martial arts.

Call to Action

I write this letter because I feel that my silence on this matter up to now has been unacceptable. I do not believe in profits at the expense of principles. I do believe in the martial arts and I believe in its positivity. Yet I have been told by many people that they are afraid to speak up for fear of what may be done to them if they do.

The things that are publicly known about Lloyd Irvin Jr. at this point are only the tip of the iceberg of predatory behavior, manipulation and bullying that goes so deep it is staggering. Numerous people have come to me, in confidence, with horror stories of their own and feel that they have been intimidated into silence.

I stand here, along with my wife, the Callos family, Ryan Hall, Justin Garcia, Wil Horneff, and others to show them that they have nothing to fear; to show them that there are still people who will support them when they do their duty and come forward. We will not stand by and allow predatory behavior, bullying, amoral business practices, or anything of the sort to be the mark that is left on the community by our generation of martial artists. I plan to move forward and work to undo the problems I have contributed to by teaching ethical and professional business practices to martial arts school owners.

I am here to make a stand for what I believe in. I encourage all of you who have read this to do the same.

Sincerely,

Nakapan Phungephorn, MBA, CPA
Click to expand...

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/2/1...explains-ending-relationship-with-lloyd-irvin

Dead_pool · Feb 27, 2013

Keenan now leaves TLI too -

http://okkimonosblog.com/keenan-cornelius-leaves-team-lloyd-irvin-for/

Mitch · Feb 27, 2013

"MMA Millionaires"

Says it all. Mind you, much of the article is concerned with the world where finance has apparently taken over from teaching as the focus.

Mitch

peterc8455 · Feb 28, 2013

slipthejab said: ↑

As you all know the Lloyd Irvin rape scandal hit the news like a firestorm.... and it divided many in the BJJ world in regards to Lloyd Irvin and the way he runs his programs etc.

Now more and more stories are starting to crop up of allegations of bullying, greed coupled financial mismanagement and last but not least megalomania wrapped up in all the sales hype one could ever hope for. Ugh. So here's the latest news... another academy who's cut ties with Lloyd Irvin:

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/2/1...explains-ending-relationship-with-lloyd-irvin
Click to expand...

This is Lloyd's response

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/2/20/4009938/lloyd-irvin-responds-beta-academy-split

Giovanni · Feb 28, 2013

it's really interesting how the more i find out about lloyd irvin, the less i like him. instead of the other way around.

Hannibal · Feb 28, 2013

One of the commenst under the video

It took Lloyd 2 weeks to issue a response about participating in a rape, but it only took him a few hours to respond to allegations of being a bad business man.
Click to expand...

Says it all really

Sulfa Bocce · Mar 1, 2013

Wealth, power, and greed corrupts.

Hannibal · Mar 1, 2013

He was corrupt before he had any of those...except greed possibly

I don't believe it is actually true about wealth and power - you are either corrupt or not. It may just be that those disposed towards that way get richer because they are so selfish

Hannibal · Mar 1, 2013

Claiming you are not a rapist because you couldn't get an erection?

C'mon SON!

mattt · Mar 1, 2013

Wealth, power, and greed corrupts.
Click to expand...

Lloyd or Nakapan?

Sulfa Bocce · Mar 1, 2013

Hannibal said: ↑

Claiming you are not a rapist because you couldn't get an erection?

C'mon SON!
Click to expand...

The legal definition of rape is penetration. So without an erection you can't really rape someone.

Using an object is sodomy, a different crime.

Hannibal · Mar 1, 2013

Yah thanks tips.....

mattt · Mar 1, 2013

Sulfa Bocce said: ↑

The legal definition of rape is penetration. So without an erection you can't really rape someone.

Using an object is sodomy, a different crime.
Click to expand...

Explain what you mean by different.

Hannibal · Mar 1, 2013

Sulfa Bocce said: ↑

The legal definition of rape is penetration. So without an erection you can't really rape someone.

Using an object is sodomy, a different crime.
Click to expand...

sodomy traditionally has to be per anus - and it very much depends on where you are from as to an object qualifying as sodomy. Generally it is archaic legislation seldom used

Penetration per anus or per vagina is rape as long as it is with a penis; with an object it is sexual assault

In any event it's like trying to get away with murder because you shot at someone and missed...criminal attempts carry the same penalty

So I reiterate

C'mon SON!

Dead_pool · Mar 1, 2013

Big news, TBC but looks like jordan and the majority of the others have also left, due to LI sexually harrassing the female team members.

Theres a statement on his facebook page.

YouKnowWho · Mar 1, 2013

Hannibal said: ↑

Claiming you are not a rapist because you couldn't get an erection?

C'mon SON!
Click to expand...

An 88 years old man admitted that he raped a 20 years old girl. The judge charged him, "Lie in the court".

righty · Mar 1, 2013

From a former team member.
http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/showthread.php?p=80258939&posted=1#post80258939

This was just posted on Facebook:
JORDAN SCHULTZ STATEMENT

Recently a fellow team member came to me she was burdened and confused. She sought me out as a confidante a person she could trust. She had been battling with a situation morally inside her head. She explained the details of secret interactions she had with her martial arts instructor and employer.

She started with the question “Are you suppose to do anything to become a World Champion?” I replied, “Yes, there are sacrifices you must make to become a World Champion and you are going to have to do some things that other people won’t do to become a World Champion”. She began to cry as she explained.

She said that when she first joined the team she was given a set of rules. She was told exactly how she should act. Everyone on the team follows the principle of the Android. An Android does what they are commanded with no question and no hesitation. Whatever the Programmer says the Android does. According to the Martial Arts instructor this correlates to Martial Arts if the coach gives a commanded and the athlete hesitates or questions for a moment it can cost them the match. That is the importance of being an Android.

Second rule, your word is your bond. If you do not keep your word you are a liar. If you do not follow what you say you are a faker. If you do not keep your word you are definitely not serious about what you are trying to accomplish.

Third rule, confidentiality whatever you talk about with your instructor stays only between you and your instructor it is a form of trust. She explained the Instructor has been deceived and hurt a lot in the past so it was difficult to prove your trust and loyalty to your instructor.

When first coming to the team her instructor automatically judged her, told her that “I have a weird feeling that you are lying and you do not want to be a world champion, you came for alterior motives”

I noticed that the woman was always getting scolded or on thin ice with my martial arts instructor. She always seemed to be messing up tasks that were given to her as her job. She always seemed afraid that she was going to be kicked off the team and sent home. Every team member that comes from another state can be kicked off the team and sent home at any time. Any member of the team will confirm this. This is a consequence that looms over all the athletes.

At one point I thought she really was being sent home.

She had been trying to tell me, and others. She asked us hypothetical questions like “would you do ANYTHING to be a world champion” and she’d tell me she did some things she wouldn’t normally do but her instructor asked her to do it and he said she was proving he can trust her. She explained the things she did for her instructor was a test to see if she would really do anything to be a world champion. That she would keep her word to him and do anything he asked her to do. And she would do it without hesitation to prove her loyalty and that she was an android. I always thought it was something different, like she messed with someone’s credit card or something but I was so wrong.

Her instructor would both ask and instruct her to do sexually inappropriate things with him. Re-affirming his instructions with things like “I thought you said you wanted to be a world champion, and you said you would do anything I tell you to do without hesitation”. He would make her repeat to him over and over that she loved him like a script.

If she ever hesitated or questioned he would call her a liar and say that she didn’t really want to become a world champion and she wasn’t serious about her goals.

This activity went on for a couple months and then he asked her is she would give herself to him sexually, and if she would have sexual intercourse with him.

That’s when she broke down and came to me she was so wrapped up and confused about the tests and hazing she came to me for guidance. And I am happy she did so that nothing else bad happened to her.

What he has asked of her and made her do is disgusting and abusive. I am so grateful she came to me and I was able to open her eyes.
To explain to her that it was wrong, that she did not have to do those things to prove she really wanted to be a world champion.

I think, but cannot confirm that there are other victims on the team. I would see the instructor sleeping in the same hotel room in the same bed at tournaments with other female teammates. Multiple teammates have also been called to his room to give him massages alone together with him in a hotel room, which I always thought was a little inappropriate considering he is there Martial Arts Instructor.

I trained with the team for over a year. 6 months into my stay there I was offered a unpaid mentorship as his internet assassin, and I would be trained to do internet marketing.

The rules on the team were “no inter team dating” and “you always follow instructions 100%” now that I think about it, both rules together breed the perfect environment for the martial arts instructor to take advantage of his female students sexually. Dangle the dream of being a world champion in front each member of the team to control their every move.

The instructor never did anything to me, the training environment was not the healthiest at times, but I was never harmed. And I cannot speak for other male members, but each has their own story. In addition several of my teammates have left the environment within hours of hearing the story I told them. This confirms that each of them had their own suspicions of what was going on.

I was in charge of a project to make several websites, with the soul purpose of covering up the google search results of keywords.

I now realize that it was wrong to do that. And people need to be informed before they choose to associate with the instructor.

I apologize to the female team member and the other female team members I have spoken about. I had to break her trust and warn others about the situation. She confided in me and was not ready to tell anyone about it. But as my moral responsibility the world needs to know. And I encourage anyone who has been affected or controlled by Lloyd Irvin to speak out.

In closing, I have left the team for good, I have ended all ties with team lloyd Irvin and will never have anything to do with it again in any capacity. I came to the team
thinking it would be the best thing for me, plenty of good training partners, hard training, and to learn marketing. I was a fool, and I apologize to anyone that may have been affected by my actions while on the team.

Jordon Schultz
Click to expand...

mattt · Mar 1, 2013

That guy gets some serious flack on that forum for leaving Alliance last year too.. BJJ politics seem crazy. There is enough doubt in my mind from stuff written about Jordon that this may be a play rather than legit.

That said, it is irrelevant since it seems pretty clear already what LI is all about.

righty · Mar 1, 2013

So I just spent the time reading through that entire thread on sherdog.

So far it seems the latest hasn't been officially confirmed - I suppose time will tell with that one.

But it does appear there was a complete exodus on the LI live-in fighters in one night. Just bad bad bad

mattt · Mar 1, 2013

righty said: ↑

So I just spent the time reading through that entire thread on sherdog.

So far it seems the latest hasn't been officially confirmed - I suppose time will tell with that one.

But it does appear there was a complete exodus on the LI live-in fighters in one night. Just bad bad bad
Click to expand...

That's not really surprising though.. once a tipping point is met and when you consider a pack mentality the exodus makes sense.

I don't think its a bad bad bad thing for anyone.

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Another BJJ academy cuts ties to Lloyd Irvin

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