How Jiu-Jitsu Helped a Marine Veteran Rebuild His Life

Send us Fan MailYou’re watching the surface. The real work happens off-camera.See how creators, founders, and brands build at https://attractivemindsetstudio.com/In this episode of Attractive Mindset, we sit down with Drew, Marine Corps veteran, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, father, businessman, and founder of A&M Jiu-Jitsu.Drew shares his journey from growing up in South Florida, joining the Marine Corps at 17, deploying to Iraq, serving on Marine Security Guard duty in Africa, transitioning out of the military, battling depression, dealing with PTSD symptoms, and eventually finding healing, structure, and purpose through jiu-jitsu.This conversation goes deep into veteran mental health, martial arts, discipline, confidence, systems, personal transformation, media, psychology, masculinity, self-defense, and what it really takes to build a martial arts school.Drew also breaks down how he discovered UFC, BJ Penn, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the mindset that led him to earn his black belt after 10 years of training. Shortly after receiving his black belt, he opened A&M Jiu-Jitsu during the pandemic, despite being told the business would fail because it relied on physical contact. Years later, the school is still growing.Topics include:- Marine Corps mindset- Life after deployment- Veteran PTSD and mental health- Jiu-jitsu for healing and discipline- Starting a martial arts school- Brazilian jiu-jitsu explained- Black belt journey- Building confidence through combat sports- Why systems create change- Self-defense and real-world fighting- Martial arts vs street fighting- Training through adversity- Opening a gym during the pandemic- Helping kids, veterans and adults through martial arts- The psychology behind mindset and performanceIf you are a veteran, martial artist, entrepreneur, fighter, coach, or anyone rebuilding your life after adversity, this episode gives a raw look at how discipline, combat training, community and purpose can change your path.#JiuJitsu #MarineCorps #VeteranMentalHealth #BJJ #MartialArts #AttractiveMindsetChapters & Timestamps00:00 – Opening hook: black belt, business and proving people wrong01:05 – Meet Drew: Marine, father, businessman and jiu-jitsu coach02:13 – Growing up in South Florida and choosing the Marine Corps04:30 – Culture, family background and identity growing up07:00 – Miami, Miramar and growing up fighting11:02 – Friend groups, being different and finding his tribe13:01 – Joining the Marines at 17 and becoming a radio operator14:25 – Deployment mindset, Iraq and stepping into leadership21:01 – How military confidence shaped his future risks22:06 – Transitioning out of the military and dealing with PTSD23:36 – Discovering UFC, BJ Penn and Brazilian jiu-jitsu26:28 – Injury, heartbreak, depression and hitting a low point29:06 – Seeking help, VA medication and veteran mental health31:36 – Changing his major to social work and helping veterans40:48 – Veteran benefits, systems and why support is hard to access47:02 – Media, society, psychology and questioning systems55:58 – Systems vs extremes: what really creates change1:10:41 – The four mindset systems: mental, physical, financial and emotional1:12:18 – Getting a black belt and opening a gym days later1:31:48 – Building A&M Jiu-Jitsu inside Hard Knocks 3651:36:33 – What the gym teaches: jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and MMA1:44:31 – Martial arts, respect, self-defense and real-world confidence1:47:20 – The history and purpose of Brazilian jiu-jitsu1:51:06 – Where to find Drew and A&M Jiu-JitsuFollow the guest: https://www.instagram.com/aandmbjj/Follow Us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attractivemindsetnetworkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/attractivemindsetnetwork/Website: https://attractivemindsetstudio.com/