Brown University Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts

I wasn’t sure how I felt about mixed martial arts (MMA) when I began Unlocking the Cage 18 months ago.  Although I fought for several years after graduating from Brown, I had turned away from the sport and no longer cared for it. My desire to understand why I fought came from a place of fear; would my young daughter follow in my footsteps?

The first fight team I trained with was Tri-Force MMA in Pawtucket, RI. Co-owner and head coach, Pete Jeffery, mentioned he also ran a small club at Brown, but I didn’t have the time to check it out. I changed this when I returned to Brown last week to talk with Professor Michael Kennedy, a brilliant and kind man who teaches the Sociology of Martial Arts (take this class if you can.)

Although Pete is an awesome guy and a great coach, I wasn’t expecting much when I headed for the campus. Athletes were looked down upon when I was at Brown, especially football players and wrestlers. Other students and professors made it quite clear that we didn’t belong at the school and if it hadn’t been for our physical ability we’d never have been accepted. If traditional athletes were treated as such, how could the Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts club take off?

Instead of the four or five guys I expected to see rolling around in a cramped room, I was blown away by the 40 or so young men and women training in the brightly-lit multipurpose room. At least 10 of the participants were females and, just as they would at any MMA school, they were training with their male teammates.

The club, which has grown to 60 members in its 3 years, was very impressive. Students listened carefully and studied what Coach Jeffery demonstrated then practiced applying the techniques and rolled for the remainder of class. It was obvious that everyone there was enjoying the workout and several of the students took the time after training to tell me what they’ve taken from the class and how it has changed them.

As I’ve discovered through interviewing 340 fighters and coaches and talking with hundreds more, MMA, and martial arts in general, is a life changer. It is one of the most powerful and positive things people can do for themselves. For many of these students, it was the first time stepping out of their comfort zone, the first time they wouldn’t be top of their class. Without putting yourself in difficult situations and testing what you’re made of, how can you discover who you truly are? Martial arts expands consciousness, increases confidence, promotes positiveness. Whether you join the club at Brown or find a school on your own, I encourage everyone to try it.

For more info on the class you can email them or show up for practice Mon. and Thur. 6-8p and Sat 2-4p in the Multipurpose room. Here’s their Facebook page. Here are more photos from that night.

Check out the video to hear what the students and Coach Jeffery have to say about GAMMA.

Here’s why I encourage everyone to train martial arts.