We are pleased to announce that Dan Douglas is our July 2016 Student of the Month. Congratulations, Dan!

Dan Douglas started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at JPMAA in January of this year. This is Dan’s first experience with any form of martial arts. His son, Brandon, was one of our first students in the kids program when we opened in 2013. Watching Brandon training for the past three years made him want to join also. It took Dan almost 3 years of watching his son train and telling himself that he wanted to do it.

Here’s what Dan has to say about his experience:
“I kept making excuses for myself and pushing it off, but once I finally started it was the best decision that I could have made – I just wish I did it sooner!

I first learned about JPMAA when I was living in Jamaica Plain and happened to stop in with my son in 2012 while the place was still being put together. I signed him up for classes and it has been part of our lives for 3 years now.

I love the discipline and commitment BJJ has. I love that BJJ can have certain goals that I can achieve, but also a lifetime of learning that I can keep growing on. I love learning new things and sometimes pushing my body to different limits, and BJJ can do all of this for me.

Training in martial arts has helped me feel better about myself mentally and physically. Every week I really look forward to going to class and learning new things. Also the energy I get from just excising. I could never really get into exercising at the gym or at home because I would just get bored of the same old thing, but with martial arts I am always learning new things and putting them to use in class.

The staff, students and atmosphere are all my favorite things about JPMAA. It really feels like a home away from home for me when I am training. The whole staff make it a great place to train and learn, and it shows with all the respect that everyone gets and gives.

My goal for training is to stay fit and look as young as I feel. Also I feel like after joining that I have a life long goal in martial arts. I want to make this part of my life and keeping training, experience new things and learn as much as possible.

I would just like to thank you for choosing me for student of the month, it really means a lot to me. I want to thank all the other students and teachers that make this experience so good for me.”