The only thing better than learning jiu-jitsu is learning jiu-jitsu for a great cause, and that’s exactly the opportunity that’s being presented in Concord, CA, on January 19.
Fight 2 Win CEO and jiu-jitsu (and judo!) black belt Seth Daniels will be hosting a charity seminar at Sabre Jiu-Jitsu Academy. The event will serve to raise funds for suicide awareness and prevention in law enforcement. The academy’s owner, Bryant Pangelinan, says that he and Angela Irrizary are hoping to create a program similar to Mission 22 and We Defy to help veterans struggling with mental health problems. The subject is one that is dear to Irrizary’s heart — she works in law enforcement, and her partner recently took his own life. Pangelinan says that he works closely with We Defy and that Sabre Jiu-Jitsu Academy is certified through them.
Daniels told the Jiu-Jitsu Times that he recently went through a particularly dark time in his life, making the seminar personally significant for him as well. “I have suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts and tendencies my whole life. I recently tried to kill myself with pills and broke my sobriety. My friends and family helped me pull out of it and I’m fighting one day at a time, just like these officers that have the same issues. No matter what, we have to realize we are all in this together and need to be there for one another instead of seeing who has the biggest house, most followers, and nicest car… ’cause my ’64 Impala can’t be touched anyway.”
The seminar will be free to those who bring a ticket stub from Fight 2 Win 135 on January 18, or you can pay a $20 donation for entry. Daniels says he will be covering his lockdown and reverse lockdown series, kimuras, and of course, his infamous foot sweep. The event will take place on January 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
