Steel City Growth

Discipline, Leverage, and Leadership: From Special Forces to Small Business Success
Today’s guest is Randy McElwee, former U.S. Army Green Beret, founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Athens, and creator of Going Commando Success Coaching. After 23 years in Special Forces, Randy translates battlefield lessons into business strategy—helping owners build structure, leadership, and systems that scale. From surviving pressure on the mat to building a family business with his son, Randy shares what it means to be “brilliant at the basics.”

Takeaways:
1. Structure Wins Battles: Whether in combat or business, structure, consistency, and training are the backbone of success.
2. You Don’t Rise—You Fall Back: Pressure reveals preparation; you only perform at the level of your training.
3. Leadership Is About People: True leaders don’t push from behind—they inspire teams to move forward with ownership and purpose.
4. Be Brilliant at the Basics: Growth isn’t about flashy tactics. It’s about disciplined execution of fundamentals, every day.
5. Jiu-Jitsu Is a Mirror for Business: Humility, leverage, and adaptability separate thriving entrepreneurs from those who tap out early.
6. Family & Freedom Are the Mission: Randy built his business around time with his son—a reminder that success is measured by more than money.
7. The Customer Journey = The Mission Plan: Build trust, establish rapport, and move clients through awareness to loyalty with intention and precision.

Quote of the Show:
“You don’t rise to the occasion—you fall back to the level of your training. Structure, consistency, and the right preparation turn small teams into elite forces—on the battlefield or in business.” — Randy McElwee

What Problem Can Listeners Help Randy Solve?
Randy is looking to connect with small business owners who feel stuck in their business instead of leading it—and want to build systems, discipline, and freedom into their operations. He also welcomes introductions to entrepreneurs seeking leadership coaching or team development grounded in military precision and human performance.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Military Background
 00:21 – Owning Gracie Jiu Jitsu Athens & Building Family Businesses
 01:17 – Early Signs of Entrepreneurship vs. Military Calling
 01:56 – Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu: Humility, Leverage, and Persistence
 03:56 – What the Military Teaches About Structure, Consistency & Training
 05:10 – Leadership Lessons from Special Forces
 06:47 – Going Commando Success Coaching: Helping Business Owners Scale
 09:06 – Who Randy Works With & Moving from Operator to Commander
 09:59 – How His Academy Builds Comfort, Systems, and Community
 12:52 – The Power of Leverage: How Smaller Students Win with Technique
 15:14 – The #1 Strategy for Business Growth: Understanding the Customer Journey
 18:26 – Motivation & Legacy: Building a Business with His Son
 22:14 – Rapid Fire: White Belt Mistakes & Lessons in Listening
 23:09 – Earning the Black Belt: Standards, Responsibility & Mastery
 24:14 – What Every Jiu-Jitsu Student Should Know on Day One
 25:59 – Pittsburgh Humor: Steelers, Pierogies, and Local Pride
 27:51 – Reflection: Advice to His Younger Self in the Military
 29:18 – What He’d Tell Himself on Day One of Business
 30:17 – How to Connect with Randy & Closing Thoughts

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanblackbelt/
Website: http://www.commandosuccess.com/


Ways to Tune In:

Creators and Guests

Host
Bill Ilgenfritz
Producer
Nathalee Arroyo

What is Steel City Growth?

Welcome to Steel City Growth! Each week, we’ll explore the passions, expertise, and experiences of business owners and founders in the greater Pittsburgh area. Steel City Growth is proudly sponsored by Murphy Business—committed to providing exceptional services to meet all your business needs.