Life & Work with Malachy Friedman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Malachy Friedman.

Hi Malachy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Charleston native. My parents were professors at the College of Charleston (recently retired). I felt my life was restricted in a way, as all I knew was Charleston, my childhood friends, and a Martial Arts community that was not at a high standard. I set out for the best and found it in Oregon in 2003. I trained and lived with Evan Tanner the late UFC Middle-Weight Champion.

I took on professional fighting learning and training under the best. Eventually finding myself in Coconut Creek at the world-renowned American Top Team (2006-2015). There I found my love for coaching. I coached beginners and champs, including the late, great Kimbo Slice to his win against Ken Shamrock at Bellator. I have cornered and coached UFC fighters, IBJJF and ADCC BJJ competitors, and hundreds of newcomers to the sport.

In 2015, I brought my experience and knowledge back to my hometown of Charleston with my wife, Sarah, where we own and operate Black Label Martial Arts Academy. I also teach free Women’s Self-Defense seminars to Charleston and surrounding areas. I teach the same techniques in Women’s Self Defense that I want my wife and daughter to know.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am now a second-degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After 20 years of experience, I have hit many bumps in the road; all learning experiences. Covid being one of them. I’ve had multiple back surgeries ending my professional career as a fighter.

This lead me into my love for coaching. I was never a business-oriented person so, I’ve tried a failed at many things, As martial arts have taught me, repeated failure ends in success as long as you take accountability and fix your errors.

We are now building a larger facility and I believe it is because of not only preservice but being accountable and adapting to change.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known as a strategist and innovator of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Having created video instructionals, The Darce Killer, The HeisenGuard, Flower Power, Sh*t Your Instructor Never Showed You, Unf*ck Your Jiu-Jitsu, Acai Free, and now Prodigy Process an instructional video for youth BJJ practitioners.

I created this for Century and Gameness so that instructors and parents can help children who stay at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am a regular podcast guest, I give away free techniques and insights on my Instagram @malachyfriedman, and I am a contributor to Jiu-Jitsu Magazine.

I am a second-degree Black Belt Professor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Master Ricardo Liborio of Carlson Gracie lineage. With almost 20 years of experience, I am adept in multiple fight disciplines including MMA, BJJ, Boxing, Muay Thai, and Wrestling. I own and operate my school Black Label Martial Arts here in Charleston, SC

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe in the quote “The hard work puts you where good luck can find you.” I’ve had a string of bad luck but I have always pushed through and never given up. After three spine surgeries, I can honestly say if I had given up, luck would not have found me.

I’ve always found myself saying “be all in.” 100% commitment with no turning back was how my wife and I, who did not have a penny to our name, was able to bring my passion back home and build an amazing academy.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@blacklabel-mma.com
• Website: blacklabelmartialarts.com
• Instagram: @malachyfriedman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacklabeljiujitsu