When people think about Jiu Jitsu, they often just think of fighting. What you hear inside this gym is something very different. Here at Lebanon Jiu Jitsu, it’s about confidence. Belonging. Discipline. Growth. And finding a place where people from completely different walks of life can come together and push each other to be better.
Joey, the coach and owner, didn’t come into Jiu Jitsu polished or undefeated. He came into it looking for direction.
Joey started training about 14 years ago. Growing up an angry teenager, he was originally just trying to find a legal way to fight. He once showed up to a gym angry and ready to prove something, and instead ended up learning a hard lesson. That was a moment that changed everything.
After more than a decade of training, Joey opened Lebanon Jiu Jitsu. It’s been in town for just under three years now, and in that short time, it’s become something bigger than a place to train.
“It makes a difference in everybody’s life who sticks with it,” he says. “I’ve seen a lot of people’s lives change.”
For Josh, Jiu Jitsu started as a way to protect his son.
His son Johnny was a soft spoken kid who was getting picked on at school. Josh wanted to give him confidence, not aggression. They started training together and have been at this gym since it opened.
Johnny trains with adults. He’s strong. He could easily hurt someone his age if he wanted to. But that’s the point. He doesn’t.
“Kids who train like this don’t go looking for fights,” Josh says. “They don’t use it outside of here. They’re confident enough that they don’t need to.”
Josh describes the gym as one of the most diverse rooms he’s ever been in. Teachers. Paramedics. IT workers. Athletes. People who would never cross paths anywhere else, laughing together, working hard, and pushing each other.“ It’s a great environment,” he says. “A little rough on the body, sure. But it’s worth it.”
Christian tells me that he drives from Saint Robert to Lebanon four times a week just to train here.
There are plenty of other gyms closer to him. But something about this place made him stay.
“The atmosphere is different,” Christian says. “The people are great. It just felt right.”
At 39, he trains in grappling and submission work, often alongside people much younger than him. For him, Jiu Jitsu isn’t just physical. It’s personal.
“I’m on a personal and spiritual journey,” he says. “Trying to figure out who I want to be in the second half of my life."
A five year old with medals and confidence! Elena is 5 years old. She’s been training here for about a year.
She loves learning, playing Crazy Horse in the gym and tournaments. She proudly showed me all of her medals. Five of them so far!
When asked what she likes most, she smiles and talks about winning. About competing and about having fun.
She confidently calls herself a “stone cold killer,” then laughs. It’s playful. It’s innocent. And it’s paired with discipline and respect learned on the mat.
She says that Joey is the best coach ever, the environment makes her feel safe. Her teammates cheer her on. And she carries herself with confidence far beyond any five year old.
Jonah has trained at gyms across the country. He earned a scholarship to train with one of the top teams in the world and spent months living and training in Texas.
Even with that opportunity, he chose to come back.
“I just love training here,” Jonah says. “I love the environment. I love the people.”
He’s won medals at major competitions, including silver at IBJJF events, but what keeps him grounded is the culture of this gym. “This place just feels right,” he says.
Kyle came into Jiu Jitsu looking for a healthier hobby. Something that would keep him out of trouble and give him structure. He didn’t expect it to change his life.
Kyle works as a medic, and the skills he’s learned on the mat translate directly to his job. De-escalation. Control the situation without causing harm. And confidence under pressure.
“It helps keep everyone safe,” he says. “Myself, my partner, and the patient.” Jiu Jitsu didn’t just give him a workout. It gave him life long tools.
Hunter, had to work up the courage just to walk through the door.
He almost didn’t start at all after showing up to the wrong gym the first time. But he tried again. And again. Now he trains up to five days a week.
Hunter works with children in special education and drives a bus for Lebanon R-3. While Jiu Jitsu isn’t something he uses directly at work, the patience it teaches carries over.
“There’s not much that tests your patience like having a 200-pound guy sweating on you,” he jokes. “After that, everything else feels manageable.”
Ava, Hunter's younger sister, admits she was skeptical at first.
She describes herself as a girly girl. She didn’t think Jiu Jitsu was for her. She didn’t want to roll around on sweaty mats with guys. Seven months later, everything changed.
“I’ve gained so many brothers through this,” Ava says. “Every single one of these people has my back.”
She feels safer at work. Stronger mentally and more confident physically. And she wants more women to know that this space is for them too.
“It’s not just a sport for boys,” she says.
Amanda, the mother of Hercules, sees the impact every day.
Her son has trained under Joey for nearly five years. He represents Lebanon wherever he competes. Recently, he traveled to Texas and won gold at the Texas State Jiu Jitsu Tournament, earning the title of Texas State Champion.
Hercules has won more than 73 medals.
More importantly, Amanda says the confidence he’s gained has helped him stop bullying and de-escalate situations without violence.
“This program has changed my son’s life,” she says. “It would help so many kids in our community.”
This isn’t just a place to work out. It’s a place where kids learn confidence without aggression. Where adults find discipline, structure, and belonging. Where people show up as they are and leave a little stronger.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Jiu Jitsu is for you or your child, the answer from the people inside these walls is simple.
Come see it for yourself.
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