significant problem and Joey saw a solution in Jiu-Jitsu that could help bridge the gap between awareness and recovery. Working with Professor Alan Shebaro, the two hatched the idea to bring Jiu-Jitsu to other veterans who have experienced trauma and the We Defy Foundation (WDF) was born.
you bleed and sweat together. That forms a bond and a military family mindset that gets ripped away from you. Then you go out and go work and get a job and you try to talk to co-workers about it but they have no idea... they’re just trying to collect a paycheck. Then you go on the Jiu-Jitsu mat with all these different people who love you and want the best for you, and therefore choke the crap out of you. It’s a hard to understand concept.” Those of us who roll understand what Joey is getting at here. It’s tough to explain how rolling around on the ground with somebody, trying to choke them or put them in a joint lock, forms a bond and fosters a family environment but Jiu-Jitsu does it. Through training Joey had found an effective physical outlet and a supportive group of people that sincerely cared for his well-being and encouraged improvement. Joey had worked with Mission 22, which is an organization aimed at raising awareness of veteran suicide. Approximately 20 veterans are lost every day due to suicide (learn more at www.mission22.com). It’s a 8 | FREEROLL | Issue 008
The main function of WDF is to sponsor Jiu-Jitsu memberships for veterans who have experienced trauma to train at a WDF certified school. In simpler terms, they pay for veterans to train Jiu-Jitsu. And they serve veterans who have experienced physical or mental trauma. WDF serves veterans who have lost limbs, have been sexually abused, are having trouble coping with their time in the military, and more. At the time of our interview, WDF sponsors 64 veterans and there are 25 more veterans waiting to be placed in a WDF certified school. Currently there are 86 WDF certified Jiu-Jitsu schools across the United States, with 36 more soon to come on board. In the near future, there will be 122 WDF certified schools available to serve 89 veterans. And