Schools
Jiu-Jitsu Helps Kids Build Self Esteem and Confidence: Important Life Skills That Can Help Prevent Bullying
Minnesota Connections Academy 10th grader has become a national champion participating in a sport with many benefits.
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art sport that can help build confidence and self-esteem, skills that can also help prevent bullying, a topic of much discussion during the month of October.
Phillip Atkinson, a Minnesota Connections Academy 10th grader, has experienced the many benefits of the sport and now competes around the country. He and other students from Start BJJ MN in St. Cloud recently trained with two-time Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Kayla Harrison during the Academy's Grand Opening Celebration. Owner Brock Larson says Start BJJ MN “teaches life skills through martial arts." Those very skills can help kids be more bully-proof, confident, better in school, and overall more successful.
Atkinson has been a student of Larson's for years. At age 10, Atkinson was passionate about football. He was also battling numerous injuries (knee, back, shoulder, concussions, ankle). At the same time, Phillip's parents heard from a teacher that he and some friends were prone to potential bullying. A quiet kid who didn't want to get others in trouble, it was thought Phillip might not say much if he were to start being bullied. The answer: Jiu-Jitsu. Not only did Jiu-Jitsu help build self esteem and confidence, it was a sport that was a little safer than football. He did both for a while, but eventually chose Jiu-Jitsu...and hasn't looked back.
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Phillip is potentially on a similar path as Kayla. But he didn't know that when he started. "If you told me back then that I would become a national champion and a sponsored competitor thinking about turning the sport into a career, I would have told you that you were crazy," says Phillip. Phillip enrolled at MNCA as an 8th grader. He needed a flexible schedule with his training and tournament schedule, but also wanted to still get a great education with great teachers. Phillip's latest tournament earned him Gold at the 2017 Chicago International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Phillip also trains with Damian Hirtz, founder of Alliance BJJ in Edina, where he just received an additional stripe on his Blue belt.
