COLLINSVILLE - Pirate Jiu Jitsu, a non-profit gym in Collinsville, provides a vessel for physical and mental strength to the community. Founded by professional jiu jitsu and MMA fighter, Dusty “Twinkle Toes” Mason, the gym is a place where students anywhere from 4 to 99 years of age can build strength, resilience and develop tools that will help them navigate situations in everyday life.
Mason says combat sports changed his life, providing an outlet to escape the pressures of the world and helping him cope during difficult times with a strengthened mental fortitude.
“Studies show that combat sports can help with depression, anxiety and even autism,” he said.
Knowing how combat sports have made such an impact on his life, he wanted people in the area to have access to something that can help them, too, because there is nothing like it around.
Pirate Jiu Jitsu opened last March and is continuing to grow. The gym currently offers classes Monday through Thursday with adults and first responder classes starting at 7 a.m. and kids’ classes at 5 p.m. Mason says boxing and kickboxing will be added in the near future.
Mason’s passion derives from mentors who have helped shape him. Mason trained under multi-world champions who selflessly poured their life into helping others through combat sports and jiu jitsu. He learned their lifestyle and started living by their motto, “do better.” It became the foundation of his own teaching philosophy.
“There’s nothing like learning how to deal with life’s pressures while someone twice your size is trying to choke you and someone is yelling at you to get back up,” Mason said. He explained that in those moments you learn to not quit and get back up.
Despite being a team with only a year of experience, Pirate Jiu Jitsu students recently earned second place at a competition, a demonstration of the gym’s supportive culture and leadership.
Pirate Jiu Jitsu strives to continue serving Collinsville by offering an encouraging space where students can grow stronger — both on the mat and in everyday life.
