COVER STORIES COSMO Zimik
Helping others:
Giving hope a fighting chance
Left: Cosmo Zimik and his wife Sarah are more than just the owners of Empty Hand Combat. They care about the people who come to the dojo to study martial arts and have helped many turn their lives around. Right: Three of the students who work with Cosmo Zimik at Empty Hand Combat in Nampa include, from left, Chava Ramirez, Jenny LeBlanc and Juan Ramirez. Each has learned from Zimik not just martial arts skills but also the value of giving. (Photos by Steve Jones)
By Sandy Jones What do a mother of four, two former gang members and a Naga native all have in common? A dojo in Nampa, Idaho. First of all one might ask themselves ‘where is Naga?’ Naga is a region split between India and Myanmar. When the British left their occupation of the area in 1947, the area was split with no regard to how the division might affect the Naga Nation. Then a dojo? A dojo is a martial arts studio. We found Jenny LeBlanc, brothers Chava and Juan Ramirez, and Cosmo Zimik on a cold January evening at Empty Hand Combat in Nampa, just as they were celebrating a belt ceremony with a room full of youngsters and their families. Cosmo’s wife, Sarah, was behind the counter handing out certificates, calling each of the students affectionately by name. As the happy families left, there were many sincere “thank-yous” to Cosmo or Sarah — the joy of the event was contagious, and there was obvious pride on the faces of the many parents and grandparents. These were happy families going back to their homes and everyday lives. As the festivities dwindled down, Cosmo introduced my husband and me to Jenny, Chava and Juan. He explained that his story was their story, and left us to chat. Jenny’s bubbly personality spills over as she explains that 2½ years ago she’d brought her children to take classes at the dojo. As she heard stories of what Cosmo did in Nampa, she decided that she needed to join as well. Jenny explained that once she realized that there was much more going on than just a martial arts studio, that at the core it was all about “touching the hurting souls, and restoration and bringing hope back to people’s lives,” that she had to be a part of it. Today Jenny is an integral part of the mentoring program, a perfect fit for this natural nurturer.
16 March / April 2015 | Christian Living
Jenny says it best in her own words when speaking of Cosmo and the studio: “He (Cosmo) wants people to catch his vision, be excited about it, and realize that a world full of people giving is a lot better than a world full of people taking.” She goes on: “I’ve seen lives changed. I’ve seen hope restored to the hopeless. I’ve seen kids that just didn’t care about anything soften their heart and just turn around and want to give back and help others. I’m excited to be in this environment that’s all about giving, it’s all about love, it’s all about bringing hope.” Jenny explains that Cosmo’s main characteristic is his brutal honesty, which she attributes to how he has motivated her in personal and professional development. “Cosmo is the glue that holds us together!” – Jenny LeBlanc Chava Ramirez is the undefeated house champion who currently holds three kick-boxing titles. A former gang member, he and his brother Juan, who trains Chava, have been coming to the gym for five years. Chava is quick to point out “Cosmo is always hopeful.” He met Cosmo when he and Juan were walking to the library one day and Cosmo stopped them and invited them to the gym — to come try it. In looking back Chava readily admits: “Cosmo did change my life. Right now I would, I can guarantee you, I wouldn’t be here, I would probably be in jail.” Chava went on to explain that it was Cosmo’s honesty and “straight bluntness” that won him over. Chava and Juan come from a broken home. Their mother was abused as they grew up. Their home life had no structure. Today these young men view Cosmo and Sarah as surrogate parents as their own mother was deported just months ago. Continued on page 23
www.boisechristianliving.com