Kids of Easton: Jose’s journey to a “can-do” mindset
Nobody wants to see their kids bullied, but watching them respond with compassion and kindness can have a ripple effect too.
For many kids, martial arts becomes a place where they build confidence, discipline and resilience, learning how to face challenges in a safe environment. Knowing how to defend yourself becomes a secret weapon, but the real magic lies in the wisdom of knowing when to wield it.
One 6-year-old student at Easton Training Center Lowry shows us how time on the mats can start to shift the way a child sees themselves and the world around them.
Jose, who began Jiu Jitsu in July 2025, has seen a massive shift in his confidence. Before BJJ, he approached the world cautiously.
“He was scared of almost everything and everyone,” says Brisa, his mom, “but he has the kindest soul, always looking on the bright side of things.”
Jose started pre-K in 2023. Being on the shorter side, most of his classmates had a couple inches on him. At one point, another child began picking on him, grabbing his glasses off his face and throwing them on the floor.
He came home from school upset, and Brisa could tell he didn’t know how to react.
“When I asked what he did when that happened,” Brisa recalls, “he said, he hugged the boy and told him it was okay. The boy became nice and ended up playing with Jose quite often after that!”
Although Brisa often reminds Jose we never know what others are going through, witnessing the bullying firsthand fueled her determination to help. A Google search later, they had found Easton.
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A different state of mind
Today, training consistently within the Easton community helped shift Jose into what his parents describe as a “can do” mindset.
On his first day, however, Jose felt nervous and wasn’t sure what to think. Afterward, his parents asked him what he thought of continuing Jiu Jitsu. It seemed a little scary to Jose but also cool to learn, and curiosity brought him back.
“Jose decided to continue BJJ,” says Brisa, “because I think he saw the confidence it brought him. Now it’s wanting to do better than last class!”
He even began competing! During his very first match, Jose got a tough kid for an opponent and he got off the mat afterwards ready to call it quits. He’d never faced anything like it before.
After a quick pep talk with coach and GM Daniel Groom, and his grandpa, Jose was ready to try again. After his second match, he had a new can-do mindset. Jose got off the mat and immediately asked when his next competition was because he had to learn so many new things during practice.
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Looking back, Jose tells us his first competition was painful, awesome, amazing, cool, crazy and fun. Now, he has his mind on wanting to learn how to win, and studying the moves it takes to get there!
The effects of this confidence spill out beyond the mats. Once he saw that he enjoyed the feel of a challenge, Jose started wanting to try so many new things.
“He is always looking for a challenge,” says Brisa. “He gained so much confidence and stands up for himself and others.”
Brisa has also seen change both at home and at school, like discipline and listening. He got into the Gifted and Talented program at school, so now he works just as hard there as at Easton Lowry! His teachers and parents of his peers frequently comment to Brisa on how well Jose does and how helpful he is to others.
Coach Daniel has watched that growth happen firsthand.
“Jose is such a good kid,” says Daniel, “and I’ve watched him turn a huge corner. He shows up. This was a kid who came in here and would hardly say a word. Now, he comes in running, a big smile on his face. He loves class and he competes.”
Jose, who recently made the switch to the big kids class (Tigers, ages 7-13) enjoys the challenge of learning how to defend himself, and he enjoys learning how to fight. Even if he loses, he wants to keep going and improving.
Today, Jose’s favorite things about Jiu Jitsu include friends, submissions and earning stripes.
Looking to start your child in martial arts? Reach out today for a free trial class!
