After nine years as a Marine infantryman, Jerrick Frye of Irwin felt he was more than ready to enter civilian life when his first son was born.
“When I retired in 2014, I kind of knew I was going to be in a good place,” said Fry, 37. To get a job. But it was really difficult. ”
But after discovering the martial art field of Jiu-Jitsu, Frye was able to find balance in his life and now seeks to help other veterans in a similar way through his nonprofit organization, Veterans Brotherhood. There is.
“I ended up doing all the wrong things, drinking, getting divorced, and then, while working as a barber, I met a jiu-jitsu coach who came to cut my hair,” Frye said. Told.
Fry became interested in martial arts of Brazilian origin, with an emphasis on grappling, groundwork, and submission holds using joint locks and chokeholds.
“When I started, I really got my feet wet,” Frye said. “I opened my own barbershop, Straight Ahead, in Greensburg, found a wife, organized a jiu-jitsu event called Barbershop Throwdown, and eventually founded a non-profit organization.”
For the first four years Fry held the tournament, he donated proceeds to the local Veterans Affairs Emergency Relief Fund. But in 2020, he quickly realized the impact the coronavirus shutdown was having on veterans.
“Everyone was isolated. It's terrible for veterans,” he said. “This inspired me to start a nonprofit organization that would give people the tools I discovered that helped change my life.”
The Veterans Bushido Brotherhood received nonprofit status in 2021 and sponsors veterans by providing them with a three-month stipend and necessary equipment to start any type of group fitness. Whether it's jiu-jitsu, CrossFit or mixed martial arts, Frye said there is usually a fitness community suited to the needs of veterans.
“We try to get them involved in gyms and communities that they understand and develop bonds there,” he says. “'Finding family through struggle' is kind of our motto.”
Andrew Cribbs, 26, a former military police officer from Indiana, contracted a rare disease during a five-year stint in the Middle East that left him completely disabled. He said the Veteran Bushido Brotherhood saved him from a dark time in his life.
“I couldn't get off the couch for a long time,” Cribbs said. “I was feeling sick every day and living on a feeding tube. I didn't have the energy to do anything anymore. But when I started taking an investigational drug, I started feeling better, and I couldn't afford the cost of strength training or even get started. They provided us with all the tools we needed.”
Frye said veterans understand group fitness and it's part of their training, regardless of branch.
“When you get into a negative cycle, you really need something to help you get out of it,” he said. “I feel like group fitness can trick them into improving their lives. If you don't take care of yourself, it's hard to take care of other parts of your life, like family and work.” Many veterans become depressed and lonely, but with their skills and experience, they can become leaders in their communities.”
He said trying a martial art like jiu-jitsu could be just the stimulus veterinarians need.
“When I went to my first class, this little 150-pound guy was holding me on my back and I was 220 pounds, and I thought, 'How could he do that to me?' ''' Frye said. “And I kept coming back until no one would ever do that to me again. Through boot camp, you develop these unparalleled bonds. Jiu-jitsu is similar to that.”
Cribbs, who spoke with TribLive on Wednesday while hiking with her 3-year-old daughter on her shoulders and left her couch in the dust, agreed.
“They just helped,” he said. “Everyone is so nice and sincere. It changes your life a little bit. When I got out of the army, I found myself struggling very hard in every way, mentally and physically. And , meeting these guys really helped ground me and prepare me for success.”
Frye and other members of the Bushido Brotherhood of Veterans will join more veterans at the Pittsburgh Sports Expo on Saturday and Sunday at the All American+ Field House, 1 Luckett Lane in Monroeville. I would like to interact with them.
Frye will also be the field house's fitness director, and the Veteran Bushido Brotherhood will be one of a variety of organizations offering health and wellness services to the public.
In addition to the booth, the group will also host a “Veteran Bushido Super Fight” at the expo on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.
For Expo tickets and more information, visit PGHSportsExpo.com. For more information about the Veteran Bushido Brotherhood, visit VetBushido.org.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. A native of Western Pennsylvania, he joined the tribe in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor for the former Dover Post in Delaware. Contact him at pvarine@triblive.com.
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