Conan Schafer: From Police Officer to Two BJJ Schools at 63

Conan Schafer retired from the Lincoln Police Department at 57 to run a jiu-jitsu school full time. At 63 he co-owns two schools, runs three tournaments a year and still teaches the kids classes himself. Bernardo visited him in Lincoln, Nebraska, to find out how he keeps building.In this episode:- How a police officer looking for something that would "make the job easier" ended up in jiu-jitsu in 2003- Why Conan and Jerad gave up their black belts and started over at white belt when they opened Lincoln BJJ in 2013- Retiring at 57, the pandemic year when 100 students hung on, and the school taking off in 2021- "Kitchen manager and dining room manager": how the partnership with Jerad Downs works- The promise he made himself to always teach the kids classes- Running the Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the Elite Series super fights- "I haven't beaten one of my black belts in a few years": training, lifting and eating at 63- His advice for older beginners (his oldest student is 72) and for anyone starting a school in their 50sConan Schafer co-founded Lincoln Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2013 with Greg Lawson and Jerad Downs, and has been its head instructor since 2020. He spent 23 years with the Lincoln Police Department and received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Greg Lawson in 2021. The school has two locations, College View and Havelock, and organizes the Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Championship.Chapters00:00 Former police officer, 63 years old, two schools, three tournaments a year00:53 How a cop looking to "make the job easier" found jiu-jitsu in 200302:46 Giving up their black belts to start over at white belt04:32 Retiring from the police at 57 to take over the school05:15 The pandemic: 100 students who hung on, then the school took off06:22 "Kitchen manager and dining room manager": the partnership with Jerad Downs07:16 Why he still teaches the kids classes himself09:02 Why he started running tournaments in Nebraska10:53 The Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Federation and refereeing without favoritism12:04 Motivation at 63: "I haven't beaten one of my black belts in a few years"13:37 His routine: the bicycle, lifting in jeans, rolling two or three times a week14:39 Bernardo on removing friction: something beats nothing16:30 Longevity: keto, no drinking, mobility work after a bulging disc18:02 The Elite Series: 10-minute submission-only super fights with a light show19:40 Advice for older beginners: his oldest student is 7221:22 Starting a school in your 50s: "never let your passion become the bane of your existence"23:19 "I refuse to quit"Connect with Conan SchaferLincoln Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center: https://lincolnbjj.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lnk_bjjConnect with Bernardo FariaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernardofariabjjYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtXtqlLdZYZm3060qVExXkABJJ Fanatics, the largest online jiu-jitsu library: https://bjjfanatics.comKojo Fightwear, Bernardo's gear brand: https://kojofightwear.com/?rfsn=9277274.6e01c5New episodes every week. If this one helped you, follow the show and leave a rating: it is the best way to help the podcast reach more people.