Kells Jiu Jitsu - Expert Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes

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I was first exposed to Jiu Jitsu in 1993 when Royce Gracie dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championships, defeating opponents who were experts in various martial arts. No one had seen anything like this before, a 175-pound man submitting fighters much larger and stronger. Jiu Jitsu immediately moved to the top of the fighting world and became the foundation of MMA champions. Back then, there were no Jiu Jitsu classes in my area, and life always seemed too busy to even start training. I was deployed for 18 months in 2003: 6 months of special training in the states and one year in Iraq as an Infantryman. War is challenging and life-changing; I was fortunate to make it home after an active year in a dangerous area. After deployment, I found myself training sales reps in the Portland area, a new world that was so different from Iraq. Mentally, it was a struggle for years. I lost contact with friends and struggled to find purpose. I was sedentary and inactive. In 2017, 13 years after coming home, I found myself walking into a BJJ school in Medford, Oregon. It was intimidating at first, but the BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) community is very casual, friendly, and an accepting environment! I discovered that we all carry some baggage, some history, and in Jiu Jitsu, you learn how to release, how to roll, and how to understand yourself. I was immediately hooked, and my body was reacting positively. I was having fun and, within time, felt better than during my twenties in the Military! Eight months in, I started competing. The pressure and nerves felt similar to combat. It was tough but exciting, and I was winning most of the tournaments I entered. I won World Championship golds at blue, purple, and brown belt—8 total—and was promoted to Black Belt in 6.5 years. Now, I'm training for a World win at black belt, hopefully in August 2026. But more than medals or competing, the new mission in my life, my purpose, is to share the life-changing experience of Jiu Jitsu with others. Whether it's for sport, health, self-defense techniques, or to reconnect with that thing inside yourself that maybe has gone silent for years, I want to help bring this art to you. I also encourage incorporating other practices like Yoga and Muay Thai, as they can complement your martial arts training and enhance your overall well-being.

Located at 1654 Ashland St, Ashland, OR 97520, in the Ashland Shopping Center between Grocery Outlet and Henry's Laundry Mat, Kell's Jiu Jitsu offers a variety of jiu jitsu classes along with martial arts training that includes self-defense techniques and even Muay Thai. At Kell's Jiu Jitsu, we believe that building a strong and supportive community is key to our success. That's why we've created a platform that puts people first, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among our team, and we even incorporate Yoga to enhance overall well-being.