Ex MMA fighter opens jiu jitsu club in downtown Truro

TRURO — Former professional mixed-martial art (MMA) fighter Brad Sullivan wants to empower people physically and mentally by sharing the many benefits of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

Sullivan is set to open a BJJ club in downtown Truro at 589-A Prince Street, which is right beside the Marigold Cultural Centre.

“We plan on starting on Dec. 12,” Sullivan said, adding the timing works well since his other work in life insurance typically slows down around the holiday season, and families, with time off and the New Year right around the corner, are looking for new things to try.

“You can only spend so much time off at home before people get bored,” Sullivan said with a chuckle while in the spacious setting that is in the final throes of becoming a gym as well as his new office. “We have a lot of people who are really interested already.”

Originally from Lower Sackville, Sullivan and his wife Taralyn have been in Truro for a couple of years. He talked about seeing a gap when it came to BJJ.

“It just seems to be that there's not enough jiu-jitsu presence here and I do believe that it's something which is very important to help build up people's confidence,” he said. “And I want to be somebody that's known as a positive influence in trying to help people protect themselves. That's a big part of this for me.”

He talked about transitioning from being an MMA fighter to being more Bjj-focused.

“It's just one of those martial arts that you, kind of, fall in love with,” he said. “And for people who are getting a little bit older, it's something you can do long term.

“How long can you get kicked in the head?” he quipped about his former sport.

Sullivan intends to run a schedule of classes that works well for shift workers, families with young children and those in emergency services professions such as police officers and firefighters.

“A schedule that is going to allow everyone a chance (to participate),” he said. “There is going to be a lot of opportunity for them to grow.”

He talked more about the central location helping his gym be accessible to people’s lives and schedules.

“It has so much parking, I don’t think I could have found a better spot than here,” he said. “I think, everything kind of happens for a reason, right, so while we kind of tinkered around with a few other spots, this is the one that made the most sense. It’s perfect.”

Having an office conveniently off the gym space is another benefit of the location. Sullivan can run his life insurance business and look over the gym operation from the same desk.

“So I can help people with life insurance here and then I can help people with their lives out there,” he said while standing in the office space.

Sullivan said he already has an active social media presence, such as his Instagram site therealbradleysullivan, as well as videos on Tiktok and Youtube. He said the new club will increase its presence online once things start happening.

“I'm just really looking forward to being able to be a positive influence in this community and show people what it is that I know,” he said to wrap up his thoughts. “I’ll enjoy watching who they are when they first walk through the door to who they transform into with renewed confidence.”