What happens when you mix the love of Jiu-Jitsu and the love for community? Guardian happens! This podcast recording offers insight into how learning to manage our emotions through martial arts, and specifically through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its own magical ingredients with real and lasting impact. Guardian was founded by Ben Kovacs and Joel Lunenfeld in 2015, initially starting as a single academy in Oakland, California. The original gym supported over 1,000 youth across the Bay Area by providing mentorship, free training, and a welcoming community. From the outset, they envisioned Guardian as more than just a physical space; they aimed for it to have a global impact. In 2020, they introduced the Guardian Scholarship. This initiative was designed to broaden their reach, offering support to children worldwide to engage in training. Leveraging their extensive network of friends and academy partners, they started integrating scholarships within their schools, ensuring that financial barriers would not prevent children from accessing their programs. Their goal is to enable more youth to experience the transformative benefits of Jiu-Jitsu. Ben is one of the founders of Guardian, where he has played a strong role in shaping the organization's branding and long-term strategy. His involvement in Jiu-Jitsu began in 2006 at Yamasaki Academy, and he earned a black belt in 2019. This experience inspired him to create a non-profit focused on making Jiu-Jitsu training accessible to all. Ben has a background in tech, having worked at Twitter, where he met Joel Lunenfeld, his co-founder. Both have been deeply committed to the sustainability & mission of Guardian.

For more information: www.guardiangym.org

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