Local gym offers free Jiu Jitsu classes for teen girls struggling with mental health

By Mackenzie Baker
Published: Mar. 2, 2025 at 4:29 PM EST
Original Article

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) – A gym in Pooler is offering free Jiu Jitsu classes to help teenage girls struggling with mental illnesses.

“We’re a family,” said owner Carson Fortner.

Helping kids learn and grow is what Pooler Karate, Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu is all about.

Fortner even offers free, periodic, classes for teens to do just that.

So, when some of Fortner’s friends recently shared how their daughters were struggling with things like anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts, he wanted to help in any way he could.

“It’s got to be almost like a pandemic. It’s happening so frequently. So, I was like, well how can we combat that? How can we, you know, fight back a little bit? And I thought maybe the best was to do it would be offer some free Jiu Jitsu,” said Fortner.

Studies have shown exercise eases symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can clear minds, boost confidence and lead to positive social interactions.

Fortner said Jiu Jitsu is a great way to exercise both physically and mentally.

“You know Jiu Jitsu, you’re talking about being on the ground and being in positions where you’re being held down and having to fight out. I think you can relate that sort of to your internal struggles. You know, we all have internal struggles,” said Fortner.

Fortner has an eight-year-old daughter of his own.

He knows one day she’ll most likely face similar problems involving mental health that other girls experience.

With that in mind, he said having the older women to look up to and rely on in Jiu Jitsu class is one of the best resources for young girls.

“I think it would just be some solid ladies, you know, some younger, some older, to sort of get and just have your back and be able to talk to and be able to you know, if not anything, you get in here, and you take out some anger and just sort of roll around with each other, fight each other a little bit and just have some fun,” said Fortner.

Girls interested in this opportunity just need to walk in the gym on South Rogers Street any Monday before the women’s Jiu Jitsu class and mention Teens Train For Free.

A parent will need to sign a waiver before their kid can start training.