From Jiu-Jitsu to Shark Tank: How Maya Nazareth Built Alchemize Fightwear

Boryana Dimitrova
Jan 29
3 min read

Building a successful product-based business is rarely a straight path and Maya Nazareth, founder of Alchemize Fightwear, is living proof of that.

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, host I sit down with Maya to discuss her journey from training Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a teenager to landing a $300,000 deal from three Sharks on Shark Tank, being named to Forbes 30 Under 30, and building one of the most recognized women’s brands in combat sports.

This is an episode about resilience, learning through failure, and building a brand that truly serves women.

Who Is Maya Nazareth?

Maya Nazareth started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at just 16 years old while living in Asia. What began as an intimidating and uncomfortable experience quickly became life-changing.

Through jiu-jitsu, Maya gained:

Confidence
Physical empowerment
A new relationship with her body
A deeper understanding of women’s self-defense

But there was one major problem — the gear.

Why Alchemize Fightwear Exists

Like many women in combat sports, Maya struggled with training apparel that simply didn’t work:

Rash guards riding up
See-through leggings
Gear designed for men and resized for women
“Shrink it and pink it” designs that ignored women’s bodies

At just 20 years old, Maya decided to fix the problem herself.

With no background in fashion, manufacturing, or business, she found a manufacturer, designed her first rash guard by editing samples on her own body, and began selling products out of the back of her car.

That one product eventually grew into Alchemize Fightwear, a brand designed specifically for women in jiu-jitsu, MMA, wrestling, and combat sports.

The Reality of Building a Startup

Alchemize Fightwear wasn’t an overnight success.

For over a year, the brand averaged one sale per month.

Maya shared openly about early challenges, including:

Manufacturing errors
Costly inventory mistakes
Customer dissatisfaction
Learning business fundamentals on her own dime
A warehouse robbery that resulted in major losses

“Entrepreneurship is a game of how much you can tolerate and still keep going.”

Instead of quitting, Maya chose transparency, problem-solving, and persistence — replacing products, communicating honestly with customers, and continuing to improve.

How Maya Got on Shark Tank

After years of slow, steady growth, Alchemize Fightwear reached a major milestone when Maya was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024).

That recognition caught the attention of a Shark Tank casting director, leading to her appearance on the show.

Maya walked into the Tank prepared, authentic, and mission-driven — and walked out with three Sharks offering $300,000 in funding.

What Made the Shark Tank Pitch Work

According to Maya, the key wasn’t perfection, it was courage.

She focused on:

Knowing her business inside and out
Telling a clear story
Representing women in combat sports authentically
Treating the pitch as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

“There’s no Shark Tank do-over. I just wanted to leave it all out there.”

Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs

Maya’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially students, is refreshingly honest:

Optimize for learning, not immediate financial success
Expect mistakes — they’re part of the process
Be insatiably curious
Take risks while you have less to lose
Persistence matters more than talent

“If you keep showing up long enough, success becomes inevitable.”

She compares entrepreneurship to jiu-jitsu:A black belt is just a white belt who never quit.

Why Women’s Self-Defense Matters

Beyond apparel, Alchemize Fightwear is deeply committed to women’s empowerment and self-defense.

The brand regularly sponsors women’s self-defense workshops, community training events, and inclusive spaces where women can learn combat sports — often bringing children along and breaking barriers for moms.

This mission is central to Maya’s work and the reason Alchemize has resonated so deeply within the combat sports community.

Listen to the Full Episode

🎧 Podcast: Wellness Marketing 101

🎙️ Episode: Episode 44: From the Jiu-Jitsu Mat to Shark Tank: How Maya Nazareth Built Alchemize Fightwear

🔗 Connect with Alchemize Fightwear: