Guardian Gym: Bringing martial arts to EVERYONE.

PLEASE DONATE TO GUARDIAN GYM!!

And of course check out their regular website at:

https://www.guardiangym.org

 

EpisodevOverview:

On 3109 Adeline street in Oakland California, stands Guardian Gym, a warehouse sized non profit, Boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu academy where kids 18 and under not only train for free, but are also fed healthy meals, and even have access to a study hall. 

Today, we talk with Guardian’s creator, Ben Kovacs, who left a gainful position at Twitter to pursue his mission to combine a passion for Jujitsu with his desire to make martial arts available to anyone, regardless of socio-economic status as well as to create an environment where natural mentorship proliferates between adults and minors.

So far Ben has taken exactly zero contributions from large corporate or governmental entities. He describes his business model as a form of "Volunteer Socialism" where grass roots donations seem to arise organically from those in the community and beyond who are inspired by Guardian’s mission.

Shameless plug for my father's book on Animal Dream Symbolism: 

Animal Guides in Life, Myth and Dreams (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts, 97)

my contact info: benjaminrussack@gmail.com; benjaminrussack.com