Local Nurse And Bronze Medalist Opens Family Jiu Jitsu Academy In Kalamazoo
BN MOTION Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Kalamazoo has finished its renovation and expansion as they continue to grow its family-owned business, which is quite literally thanks to the strong family unit it takes to keep this business thriving.
BN MOTION Jiu-Jitsu Academy was started by Brandon Newington, who recently placed in the 2024 IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship, earning a Bronze Medal. But Brandon is more than just an expert in the world of martial arts, as there's much more to his story.
As a child, Brandon trained in Uechi-Ryu karate alongside his father and siblings, which eventually led him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Over the years, he became a student, competitor, coach, mentor, and eventually an academy owner.
On top of that, he became a registered nurse, which he said helped condition him for his current endeavor:
Nursing has had a huge impact on the kind of coach and leader I try to be. Working with people during difficult moments teaches patience, empathy, resilience, communication, and the ability to remain calm when things become uncomfortable.
After his appearance at the 2024 IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship, he decided to open his own academy. This is why he feels the academy is great for families, even if they have busy schedules, as he detailed the balance it brings to your personal life as well as wellness:
Balancing fatherhood, nursing, training, competition, coaching, marriage, and eventually business ownership has required sacrifice and perseverance. There were plenty of times when quitting or slowing down would have been easier. But Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to keep moving, keep learning, and try to become a little better every day.
They now offer free classes, drop-in donation classes, as well as memberships.
Their biggest free women’s-only Self-Defense Day is being held on Saturday, September 12th, Noon- 2 p.m. No athletic experience is needed to attend. In the class, you'll learn how to recognize potentially dangerous situations, create opportunities to escape, and use simple techniques to protect yourself, if needed.
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Gallery Credit: JR
