BYU martial arts class strengthens campus community

Among BYU’s student wellness classes, martial arts class SWELL 141 creates an empowering environment for students.

Michael Pease, CEO and marketing director at Champion Grappler, coaches the class. Pease has practiced several martial arts throughout his career, but chooses to focus his classes at BYU on the wrestling art of jiu-jitsu.

“Kickboxing and karate are striking arts for which I have the utmost respect. But the reality is that the wrestling side is without a doubt the foundation of hand-to-hand combat,” Pease said.

Pease said a good wrestling foundation prepares students for everything from law enforcement to competing in martial arts competitions.

“Whatever else they want to do, it’s easier to learn and more effective,” he said.

Training BYU students for more than two decades has allowed Pease to improve and adapt his teaching, making it more accessible to students at all levels, he said.

Whether new beginners or seasoned professionals, Pease says the foundation he teaches is something all students need and can build on.

“The fundamental things we teach are not just things you learn and then move on to more advanced things,” he said. “They’re things that you work on and then you dig deeper into, delve deeper into and get a better understanding.”

BYU student Alaina Jones finds Pease’s instruction applicable to many situations and said taking the class a second time has increased her confidence and safety level.

‘I don’t feel so nervous when I walk home alone. And there’s a really good community here too,” she said.

The class invites students to give each other constructive feedback and encourage them to develop friendships and technique as they train, Jones said.

“It’s a great environment – ​​a lot of learning, a lot of friendly, great, intense competition, a lot of great friendships,” said BYU student Ammon Richards.

Richards practiced wrestling and other martial arts growing up. He said that beyond the friendly, yet competitive environment of the classroom, training gives him another way to see life’s obstacles.

“It’s hard in such a good way… and you have to be okay with being awkward and uncomfortable because on the other side is progress, growth and a lot of fun,” he said.

Both Richards and Jones said that prospective students should expect and appreciate initial failure because the struggle for success will lead them to greater growth.

“The sooner you accept that you’re going to suck for a while, the faster you can learn and improve the technique and then get back up,” Jones said.