Veterans in Tampa Bay are overcoming PTSD by practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Jacob King was among the first participants in a USF Health study on BJJ’s effects on combat related PTSD. Eight years later, Jacob King is the founder and owner of Mangrove Jiu Jitsu, an academy in Port Richey.
Jacob served in Afghanistan as Army Infantry in the 1st Armored Division. “I lost a few friends and I had trouble working through that. The med-board sent me home. Then I was a civilian again. It felt bizarre.” Jacob went on to say that he felt even more isolated when he arrived stateside, leaving the camaraderie and community he had built over the previous three and a half years. “I was infantry so I thought, I’ve seen the worst of it, civilian life will be easy. Then I fell into the worst shape physically and mentally that I had ever experienced.”
It was at that point, eight years ago, that Jacob heard about Dr. Willing’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu study. “I was optimistic and honestly, a bit desperate to feel physically and mentally well again. If nothing else I knew I had to get physically well again. I never knew the effect it would have on my mental health and feelings.” When Jacob met Ryan, the owner and lead instructor at Tampa Jiu Jitsu, he immediately felt as though he was in the right place. He described his first time at the gym, working out with other veterans in a welcoming and disciplined environment. “That evening I realized this was the most at peace I had felt since... before I was overseas. It feels strange to say after only one day, but I didn’t feel lost anymore.”
For Jacob that was the beginning of a journey that would lead him to his own studio. “I remember as I got better, I stopped isolating myself. Friends and family noticed and they said it was like night and day. I was almost unrecognizable.” Jacob wants to offer advice to veterans who find themselves in the same place he did eight years ago, “When you’re dealing with PTSD, you need to find something that brings you back to the person you were before you experienced whatever it is that made you withdraw. Think about what you enjoy doing. Find a passion to pour yourself into. For me it was Jiu Jitsu, but for you it could be anything you imagine. When you find your passion, you find purpose and fulfilment. I found myself wanting to do this all the time and to share it with others. That’s where I found the drive to open my own academy.”
The study Jacob joined was run by Dr. Alison Willing. Dr. Willing continues to research the effects of BJJ and Yoga on PTSD. She describes the results of her first study as, “unexpected. I entered the first study expecting to see nearly nothing. Instead, we found a clinically significant effect! After that, we had to learn more.” Any Veteran who wants to participate in the newest studies can email Dr. Willing at [email protected]. Meanwhile, civilians and veterans alike can enjoy BJJ at Mangrove Jiu Jitsu in Port Richey, (727) 592-8764, or Tampa Jiu Jitsu in Carrollwood, (813) 951-4865.
Jacob served in Afghanistan as Army Infantry in the 1st Armored Division. “I lost a few friends and I had trouble working through that. The med-board sent me home. Then I was a civilian again. It felt bizarre.” Jacob went on to say that he felt even more isolated when he arrived stateside, leaving the camaraderie and community he had built over the previous three and a half years. “I was infantry so I thought, I’ve seen the worst of it, civilian life will be easy. Then I fell into the worst shape physically and mentally that I had ever experienced.”
It was at that point, eight years ago, that Jacob heard about Dr. Willing’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu study. “I was optimistic and honestly, a bit desperate to feel physically and mentally well again. If nothing else I knew I had to get physically well again. I never knew the effect it would have on my mental health and feelings.” When Jacob met Ryan, the owner and lead instructor at Tampa Jiu Jitsu, he immediately felt as though he was in the right place. He described his first time at the gym, working out with other veterans in a welcoming and disciplined environment. “That evening I realized this was the most at peace I had felt since... before I was overseas. It feels strange to say after only one day, but I didn’t feel lost anymore.”
For Jacob that was the beginning of a journey that would lead him to his own studio. “I remember as I got better, I stopped isolating myself. Friends and family noticed and they said it was like night and day. I was almost unrecognizable.” Jacob wants to offer advice to veterans who find themselves in the same place he did eight years ago, “When you’re dealing with PTSD, you need to find something that brings you back to the person you were before you experienced whatever it is that made you withdraw. Think about what you enjoy doing. Find a passion to pour yourself into. For me it was Jiu Jitsu, but for you it could be anything you imagine. When you find your passion, you find purpose and fulfilment. I found myself wanting to do this all the time and to share it with others. That’s where I found the drive to open my own academy.”
The study Jacob joined was run by Dr. Alison Willing. Dr. Willing continues to research the effects of BJJ and Yoga on PTSD. She describes the results of her first study as, “unexpected. I entered the first study expecting to see nearly nothing. Instead, we found a clinically significant effect! After that, we had to learn more.” Any Veteran who wants to participate in the newest studies can email Dr. Willing at [email protected]. Meanwhile, civilians and veterans alike can enjoy BJJ at Mangrove Jiu Jitsu in Port Richey, (727) 592-8764, or Tampa Jiu Jitsu in Carrollwood, (813) 951-4865.
