Meet Jimmy Swan | Co Founder of Mayhem Rage Arena

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Swan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jimmy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Jimmy Swan and Mike Mitchell, co-founders of Mayhem Rage Arena, one of the most unique and impactful experiences in North Texas. Blending entertainment, mental-health awareness, and pure adrenaline, they’ve built a place where breaking things can actually help you put yourself back together.
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We both come from the music and entertainment world with more than fifty years of combined experience spanning artist management, record labels, and music production. Creating energy, excitement, and connection through performance has always been at the heart of what we do.
Our paths first crossed when Mike was producing a TV show that featured Jimmy’s son, Jackson, as one of the actors. What started as creative conversations soon turned into a friendship rooted in a shared love for storytelling, entertainment, and helping people.
One day, Jimmy invited Mike over to talk about starting a rage room together. Before he could even bring it up, Mike said, “Have you ever heard of a rage room before?” We both laughed, it felt like perfect timing, like the idea had been waiting for us.
Within a week, we were cutting wood, painting walls, and building what would become Mayhem Rage Arena a place where people can let go, laugh hard, and release life’s chaos in the most unforgettable way possible.
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We both come from the music and entertainment world with more than fifty years of
combined experience spanning artist management, record labels, and music production.
Creating energy, excitement, and connection through performance has always been at the
heart of what we do.
Our paths first crossed when Mike was producing a TV show that featured Jimmy’s son,
Jackson, as one of the actors. What started as creative conversations soon turned into a
friendship rooted in a shared love for storytelling, entertainment, and helping people.
One day, Jimmy invited Mike over to talk about starting a rage room together. Before he
could even bring it up, Mike said, “Have you ever heard of a rage room before?” We both
laughed, it felt like perfect timing, like the idea had been waiting for us.
Within a week, we were cutting wood, painting walls, and building what would become
Mayhem Rage Arena a place where people can let go, laugh hard, and release life’s chaos in
the most unforgettable way possible.
Risk taking, how do you think about risk, and what role has it played in your
career?
Being entrepreneurs and especially being from the entertainment industry, risk is
absolutely in our blood. We wouldn’t have it any other way. From music and production to
launching Mayhem Rage Arena, we’ve always believed that the best rewards come from
betting on creativity and connection.
Starting a rage room was, without question, a huge leap of faith. There are endless ways
people can spend their time and energy, but we knew what we brought to the table an eye
for entertainment, design, and energy. Making a space that looks incredible and feels
unforgettable came naturally to us. But our mission went deeper than that: we wanted
Mayhem Rage Arena to be a place where people could heal.
Mental health is a huge motivator for us. Life can get heavy, people carry grief, anger,
anxiety, and exhaustion every day. Most don’t get a safe outlet to let that go. That’s where
we come in. When someone steps into our arena, they can release that tension, scream,
smash, swing, and walk out feeling lighter, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
We also never want time or money to stand in the way of someone getting what they need
to help themselves. That’s why at Mayhem Rage Arena, the room is free, the weapons are
free, the protective gear is free, there’s no cleanup fee, and no deposit is ever required. The
only thing people pay for are the items they choose to break from $2 to $12 for easy-to-
break items like bottles, glasses, or plates, and up to $25 to $200+ for larger or tougher
objects like TVs, appliances, windshields, computers, printers and car parts.
There are no time limits and no age restrictions as long as a parent or guardian is present.
We also offer a Military Discount on all purchases. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations
are highly recommended for priority entry and extended hours and since we don’t charge
deposits, it’s simple to book your spot.
You can make reservations directly at www.mayhemrage.com by clicking on the
Reservations tab.
What does success mean to you both?
Jimmy: Success to me is building something you love doing every single day. It’s seeing
people walk through our doors carrying the weight of the world and leaving lighter.
There are moments when I hear people’s stories and it hits me emotionally how much this
place has helped them through loss, anger, or heartbreak. Out of respect for their privacy, I
won’t share specifics, but what amazes me is how the same room can serve completely
different purposes. One day, it’s someone in their darkest, most painful moment finding
release and healing. The next room, at the same time, might be hosting a birthday,
anniversary, or team-building celebration filled with laughter. Both experiences have such
powerful effects on people’s well-being.
And when you start to see people return, that’s when it really hits home. It’s a sign that it’s
working. They’re coming back not just for the fun, but for the relief, the comfort, and the
experience.
Mike: There’s a deep sense of assurance in knowing that we’re growing and here to stay,
especially when so many small businesses are closing their doors or struggling to stay open.
People everywhere are hurting and searching for relief. To know that we’ve built a place
they can count on seven days a week is success to me.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our Scream Room and the overall design of Mayhem
itself. I also designed our Screaming Man logo, which became an official Pokémon GO
PokéStop during our very first month of opening.
Q4: What inspires you most about what you do?
We get asked a lot how we can keep coming in day after day, seven days a week. The answer
is simple people need this. We’re motivated by the idea that, at any given moment, someone
might walk through our doors needing an outlet, a break, or even a turning point.
During downtime, we use that energy to grow the brand. Mike created a clothing line called
Furrious & Company featuring glow-in-the-dark animal designs. He also continues to
develop television and film projects through his company, Mental House Inc.
Jimmy wrote, produced, and released a full Mayhem Rage Arena album, now streaming
everywhere, with songs like Let It Break, Time I Can’t Get Back, The Way You Look at Me,
and Skeletons in My Closet. Outside of songs for Mayhem, he also wrote a song for the group
1952 called “Skibidi Slay Bells,” a funny, high-energy Christmas anthem that perfectly
captures the mind-rot spirit. It’s playful, chaotic, and full of personality, some might even
think it’s a 6 or a 7, out now on all streaming plateforms.
What’s next for Mayhem Rage Arena?
From day one, our goal was to build and develop a brand that could reach people
everywhere. We’re already in talks with several individuals interested in franchising, so
2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for growth.
We also host private bookings for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, and family
reunions. Recently, we partnered with Crunch Fitness in all of DFW, a perfect fit since
working out and breaking stuff go hand in hand. One builds your strength, and the other
releases it.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own
business?
Mike: Absolutely dive in. The worst thing that can happen is you lose your investment,
your drive, and your business, but if you do it right, the lessons you learn and the time
you spend will carry over into your next venture. Every setback builds experience, and
every experience gives you a stronger foundation. Go after your dreams, and don’t let
anyone or anything stop you. Just don’t think about starting your own rage room, ha!
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced has been finding the right location. It’s not
easy convincing a property manager to lease space for something that involves people
breaking things for fun. Because of that, we’re tucked away in the back of a complex
where the lights sometimes take a while to come on at night. It’s not always the easiest
place to find, but people still find us, and we’re incredibly grateful for their patience,
understanding, and loyalty. So if anyone has access to large buildings, contact us!
Jimmy: I always tell people, don’t wait for the perfect time, because it doesn’t exist. The
“right moment” is usually the one you create yourself. If you have an idea that keeps you
up at night, that makes your heart race when you talk about it, that’s your sign. Start now,
even if it’s small, even if it’s messy, even if you’re scared.
Building something meaningful isn’t about perfection, it’s about passion and persistence.
Every great thing starts with someone deciding to believe in it before anyone else does.
And when you love what you’re building, people will feel that, and they’ll believe in it
too.
What do you most want people to know about Mayhem Rage Arena?
Jimmy: I recently wrote a Latin song called “Dalé Libre” it means “Give freedom.” The
song is about how free you can feel inside Mayhem when the whole world seems to be
pushing against you. At the end, it says, “Find your Mayhem, it’s everywhere, don’t give
up.” That’s what Mayhem Rage Arena really stands for. It’s a metaphor for hope.
No matter how hard life gets, there are always people, organizations, and communities
out there that can help you. You’re never truly alone. “Find your Mayhem” means
finding that outlet, that spark, that reminder that there’s still light, you’re valuable and
beautiful, even when you can’t see it.
When we say this place is for everyone, we mean it. In less than 4 months, we’re
incredibly proud of our nearly 400 five-star google reviews because they tell our story
better than we ever could. From helping a blind man celebrate his 21st birthday to
creating a fully accessible space for those who use wheelchairs, those moments define us.
Everyone deserves a safe place to let go, to feel heard, to laugh, and to heal.
Money or time will never be a reason someone can’t come here. We would much rather
someone come to Mayhem and release everything in a safe, controlled space than carry
that weight alone or act on it in ways that could hurt themselves or someone else. This is
a space where you can breathe, break, and begin again.
And for those who want to bring their own items, we welcome that too, you can bring
your own breakables for just $25 a person. Whether you’re here to rage, to heal, or to just
have fun, there’s a place for you at Mayhem.
Mayhem Rage Arena isn’t just a business, it’s a movement built on compassion,
creativity, and community. With partnerships like Crunch Fitness, new ventures like
Furrious & Company and Mental House Inc., a growing list of five-star reviews, and
plans to expand nationwide, Jimmy and Mike are redefining what it means to let go and
start fresh.
If anyone is interested in partnering, franchising, or providing items to break, please
reach out through our website at www.mayhemrage.com

What should our readers know about your business?
Mayhem Rage Arena is an immersive rage-room experience designed to help people release stress, emotion, and tension in a safe, judgment-free space. It’s where chaos meets calm, a place to reset your mind by letting everything out. From the lighting and music to the energy in the rooms, every detail is built to turn frustration into freedom. What makes us different is accessibility. The room, gear, and weapons are completely free, no cleanup fees, no deposits, and no time limits. Guests only pay for what they break, starting at just a couple of dollars, and we even offer a military discount. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations get priority and extended hours.
Our mission is simple: to make mental and emotional release available to everyone. Whether you come to de-stress, celebrate, or just experience something unforgettable, Mayhem Rage Arena gives you the space to let go safely, freely, and without limits.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re proud to be part of the Arlington and DFW community, there’s so much creativity, culture, and incredible food here. Whenever anyone asks us where to eat, we immediately tell them to go to Hacienda Buffet at 409 E Main St, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. With so many options, all homemade, and such a welcoming atmosphere, it’s always our top recommendation.
Right across from us is Asia Times Square, which offers a huge variety of dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. We encourage people to explore it before or after their Mayhem session, it’s the perfect way to make a full day out of the visit.
For those looking to balance things out, we suggest starting with a workout at Crunch Fitness and then coming to Mayhem Rage Arena to finish strong, one builds your strength, the other releases it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our shoutout goes first and foremost to our incredible team. They work long hours doing tough, physical, and often messy work, all to keep Mayhem Rage Arena open, safe, and ready for everyone who walks through the doors. What they do isn’t easy, but they do it with pride, purpose, and heart. And of course, our biggest thanks go to the people who come to Mayhem. Every story, every emotion, every laugh or tear that’s shared here reminds us why we do what we do. It’s not about us, it’s about them. They’ve shaped this place far more than we ever could.

Website: www.mayhemrage.com
