Crafting Strength and Skill. Barbells and Submissions™ was born from the vision of uniting two disciplines—Jiu-Jitsu and Weightlifting—into a lifestyle brand that celebrates strength, discipline, and performance. As a practitioner of both, the founder recognized the synergy between the sports, and I was brought on as the sole creative and marketing consultant to help bring that vision to life.
Working directly with the founder, I created the brand from the ground up. This included designing the visual identity, developing merchandise such as rash guards, t-shirts, and hoodies, and managing all aspects of graphic design and production. Beyond design, I also led marketing strategy, social media content, and website development, ensuring the brand had a cohesive presence across both digital and physical platforms.
The result is a lifestyle brand that not only reflects the culture and grit of Jiu-Jitsu and weightlifting, but also connects with a community of athletes who push themselves to be their very best—on the mat, under the bar, and beyond.
The “Barbelt” Logo. The Barbelt is the heart of the Barbells and Submissions™ brand — a mark born from the fusion of a Jiu-Jitsu belt and an Olympic barbell. It began with the traditional black belt knot, representing mastery, discipline, and grit. To introduce the weightlifting element, I rounded the belt ends to echo Olympic barbell plates, creating a visual that literally fuses the two disciplines.
The result is a bold, versatile logo that works seamlessly across apparel, digital platforms, and merchandise—and was developed to the level of a federally registered trademark, reinforcing its longevity, distinctiveness, and brand equity. The mark tells a clear story of strength, performance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—on the mat, under the bar, and beyond.
Apparel design includes jiu jitsu rashguard designs, t-shirts, hoodies and tank tops.
Lifestyle Photography - As Creative Director, I curated and directed a visual catalog of lifestyle photography that captured the energy, grit, and authenticity of the Barbells and Submissions™ community. Each shoot was designed to highlight the fusion of Jiu-Jitsu and weightlifting in real-world settings—athletes training, living, and embodying the brand’s ethos. The result is a cohesive library of imagery that not only reinforces the visual identity, but also builds an aspirational connection with the audience, bringing the brand to life across digital platforms, merchandise, and marketing campaigns.