What’s Written on the Walls at Forged Jiu Jitsu
There’s more backstory coming about how losing my job changed the trajectory of my life. For now, I want to share something quieter but just as meaningful — the blessings that were physically written on the walls at Forged Jiu Jitsu, and why they matter. That meaning also lives in the crown in our emblem.
After losing my job of more than 22 years, I chose to take a couple of months to decompress. Nobody really prepares you for how long it takes to work through the anxiety of losing steady income, benefits, and financial security. It doesn’t hit all at once — it lingers.
During that season, I spent a lot of time praying and fasting. I needed space from “what I’ve always done” to decide whether I should jump back into the mainframe industry or listen for something different.
I took multiple career and personality assessments, and they all pointed in the same direction: the trades, or a community-focused role. Something hands-on. Something that got me moving, out of the house, and around people.
At first, the idea was a contrast therapy center. I offered that plan to God, and the answer I felt was, “Yes — but not yet.” First, I needed to build a community. A group of people who genuinely wanted to change their lives, get healthier, get stronger, and prepare themselves for what’s ahead. I couldn’t think of a better foundation for that than Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Very few things in my life have shaped me the way Jiu Jitsu has. It’s one of the rare places where you can make an immediate, positive impact on people — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
About six months later, on a spur-of-the-moment drive where I decided to simply explore, I found the location that would become Forged. I tracked down the building owner — someone I recognized from my past. We didn’t really know each other, but we knew each other’s faces. That didn’t feel accidental. I believe I was led there.
As the gym build-out began, I prayed daily. I asked that this place be blessed, that it would grow in ways I couldn’t fully see or plan for. I wanted Forged to become something bigger and better than anything I could build on my own.
That’s when the walls became important.
I’d seen people write scripture and blessings inside homes before the drywall went up. That idea stuck with me. So as the walls went up at Forged Jiu Jitsu, scripture and prayers went up with them. I invited pastors to write whatever was laid on their hearts. Friends who wanted to contribute were given space too.
Every blessing was intentional.
Most people will never see those words. They’re covered now. Patched. Painted over. But that doesn’t make them any less real or any less powerful.
That became one of the biggest lessons in this process: not everything important is visible. Some of the most meaningful work happens beneath the surface.
Like most new businesses, things are growing — but slowly. Over Christmas break, my son asked me to fix a toy. As I worked on it, he kept correcting me and taking it out of my hands. Eventually I said, “Hey man, you asked me to do this. You can’t give me a task and then tell me I’m doing it wrong or not fast enough.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt God say, “You need to listen to what you just said.”
I’ve been given a task. I’ve asked for help growing this gym — not just financially, but in attracting the right people. And I can’t ask for guidance while criticizing the way it unfolds.
That moment felt like a hidden lesson coming into the light.
Know this: Forged Jiu Jitsu is blessed. It will grow as He sees fit, not on my timeline. I’m grateful to be part of the process, and I look forward to watching those blessings continue to unfold.
List of Scriptures and Prayers:
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who willgo for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
God Bless these walls. Keep everyone within them safe provide them wisdom and let your blessings shine among the people! - Justin
Jesus answered, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12: 29-31
He who built the house has more honor than the house - Hebrews 3:3
As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbes 27:17
… Do not fear for I am with you - Gen 26:24
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. - 1 Peter 2:9
For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name! - Luke 1:49
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
For God game us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control - 2 Timothy 1:7
