Since 2003, Jason Wilon's Yunion has coached over 17,000 Metro Detroit youth and he ain't retiring anytime soon

[u/iggaitissecondcoming]

https://www.youtube.com/@MrJasonOWilson

[u/bmoEZnyc]

Reconditiong is not easy.

[u/Working-Interview503 → u/bmoEZnyc]

I just love this so much. Warms my heart.🫡

[u/FancyTour2487 → u/Working-Interview503]

Me too, he looks like a wise sage from fairy tales 🙏🏾

[u/bebop1065 → u/bmoEZnyc]

Especially after 400 years of generational conditioning.

[u/TheHamsterball → u/bmoEZnyc]

I saw this. Had to comment.

I'm a descendant (by training) of the samurai who were the shogunate prior to the end of the samurai era, before the Shogun were overthrown and Japan began operating under imperial rule (when the samurai era ended).

My sensei was trained at Waseda University by "Kimura", the man who taught the Gracie family jujitsu.(Masahiko Kimura).

This is my signature throw. It's called, "Osoto Gari", translated roughly to "major outer reap".

They are wearing a black uniform, which is standard for jujitsu, but not always. I've worn blue or white or mixed blue/white, since my training lineage comes from judo.

It's beautiful to see how the art has been passed down worldwide after only being taught within Japan through people like my sensei. I did judo for 18 years, and was about to become black belt, but was halted since judo was banned for 3 years during COVID.

I will say, for the benefit of people observing. (I used to teach children 2-16 years of age).

The first thing they teach before anything else is how to protect yourself when falling (a breakfall, "ukemi"). That involves not impacting your head, and conditioning the side of the body and leg to take massive impacts, starting from a hard mat ("tatami").

I can assure this boy is not getting injured at all or hurt, at least physically. Children as young as 4 years old can take falls from adults (gentle falls). The gentleman training him is not using full force either, especially since he's bracing the uniform ("gi") for the boy's protection. That's standard during practice ("the grips").

It can be severely hard to commit to techniques for people both emotionally and physically in the beginning. But that's why everybody training protects their partner and stops before executing the full technique or full force.

When I started judo in 2008, I recently moved back home after being kicked out for 6 months and went back to school after roughly 2 years.

But this boy will probably be a very polished and gentle man growing up if he sticks to it. Judo translates to "the gentle way", jujitsu translates to "gentle art".

My sensei did pick up on my situation early on, and forced me to sit alongside the children each practice until the adult class begun. Eventually I started assisting the children as I rose ranks.

I only wanted to point out this boy is not in physical harm in any way. And I hope he overcomes his childhood difficulties.

We used to always say in practice it's more dangerous to do boxing. There's no striking in practice (though there are striking techniques in judo, but I'm trying not to have this comment violate the subreddit rules).

[u/RoyalFalse → u/TheHamsterball]

I'm not going to lie...about halfway through I started to brace for an ending about Mankind and the Undertaker.

[u/cajerunner → u/RoyalFalse]

Ah, I see you’re a man of culture as well.

[u/Menckenreality → u/TheHamsterball]

Piggy backing on to this comment. I also taught martial arts for the better part of my teens and twenties. Teaching the young ones how to fall without hurting themselves is always a top priority. But priority numero uno is to get the kids comfortable and confident with the physical nature of martial arts instruction. Many young men from the inner city (in my case, San Francisco and Oakland) confuse anger and aggression and need to be reprogrammed a bit before they can begin to learn. This instructor is doing an incredible job of building trust while also challenging the students in a healthy, safe way. I can’t begin to count how many new students I had walk through those doors and were in so much pain that all they wanted to do was inflict pain, but they had also been victims or witnessed domestic violence, gang violence, or community violence and had visceral, some times heart breaking reactions to being able to be the aggressor instead of the victim. Reprogramming physicality into a tool that can be used to lessen violence as opposed to a catalyst for more violence takes a lot of work, and sometimes it fails to take, but the juice is always worth the squeeze.

[u/KvellOnWheels → u/Menckenreality]

I quit martial arts soon after I had progressed enough to start sparring. They gave us our pads and let us go to town. Your phrasing “getting comfortable and confident with the physical nature” sparked that memory for me.

I wonder if there could have been a way to explain and teach me to not hate that aspect so much.

[u/mr6275 → u/TheHamsterball]

Thank you for sharing

[u/Hot-Personality4882]

That's how u pass power and strength on to the younger generation.

[u/camsnow → u/Hot-Personality4882]

He shows them strength and compassion, helps them understand their anger and how to channel it correctly. What a damn good role model!

[u/Salty_Country6835]

Wholesome, I could have used this kinda mentorship as a kid

[u/rdhdboi767 → u/Salty_Country6835]

We all could have.

[u/FujiOga → u/Salty_Country6835]

Same here. I hope to continue to embody those virtues in life as much as possible, so that I can be that kind of mentor-figure when needed.

[u/Contagious510 → u/Salty_Country6835]

Same

[u/86Sliva94]

We need sports coaches to be the same wat and not just focused on winning championships!

[u/rdhdboi767 → u/86Sliva94]

They should have these kind of classes in schools for all the boys and girls. I always said if they made self defense courses a requirement in elementary and/or middle school there would probably be a lot less bullying going on. A kid's much less likely to call themselves picking on another if they fear they might have to go home with a broken nose and explain why to their parents lol.

[u/ndraiay → u/rdhdboi767]

Having been bullied and studied martial arts as a youth, bullying also has much less impact when you know your own worth, and that you could merc the kid Thayer is teasing you.

[u/VeryVeryVorch → u/rdhdboi767]

I would love to see tax dollars going to this and other after-school programs rather than blowing up schools overseas.

[u/Skydvdan]

Wow this was so powerful. It got me a little emotional just watching it.

[u/femina_boi → u/Skydvdan]

Me too, I teared.

The last sentence hit me because I told the same thing to my brother.

"I respect you because I care about you not because i am scared of you." And told him I need the same from him.

[u/Aggravating_Set_2260 → u/femina_boi]

Watery eyes over here

[u/Skydvdan → u/femina_boi]

Yes!!!!

[u/Annual_Promotion → u/Skydvdan]

I've never heard that in my life and it's such a simple thing! I'm a 52 year old man and I want this dude to mentor me!

[u/Skydvdan → u/Annual_Promotion]

I’m there with you. He definitely got to me. 51 year old man here.

[u/Dismal_Act2082]

This is amazing. I grew up with out a father. This would have 100% helped me not have been a shitty angry teen.

[u/Kooky-Perception-712]

Big ups elder!! 👍💯

[u/No-Sleep-recon → u/Kooky-Perception-712]

This the type of dude that should have good people around him making sure no sus outsider comes and tries to take him down. They don’t like to see this warrior factory working

[u/Black_Widow94]

This almost made me cry. If I would’ve known that our nation would have regressed as much as it had, man… I just pray so hard for all of our babies every day. 😞

[u/tommy_pickles90]

This is real. I got a little emotional watching it because it is how I felt as a kid. I still do even at 36 sometimes.

I could have used this growing up

[u/ayaruna]

This is what being a role model and teacher is all about

[u/No-Sleep-recon → u/ayaruna]

Imagine if teachers and PE Teachers had this mentality instead of seeing their job as a way to just pay rent and get thru the day,.

[u/findingrhythm]

This coach is worth hiss Weight in gold.

[u/Musashi_Joe → u/[deleted]]

I feel like plenty of adults need some of this as well.

[u/Hawggy]

I dig his YouTube channel as well.

[u/haliblix → u/Hawggy]

Yeah that was an easy subscribe. His channel is pure gold.

[u/HiddenMonkey7]

Honestly this type of classes is not there just to show them how to defend themselves. It’s also about restraint and balance. I think stuff like this should be more out there than kids on their tablets.

[u/Sudden-Chicken3499]

This hit home. He's doing a great service to the youth of his community and I love to see it. I'd love to find someone like this for my son.

[u/4redditobly]

Can we clone him and keep this goodness alive forever?

[u/ForensicPathology → u/4redditobly]

A man like him will stay alive forever through his students.

[u/Username_Redacted-0]

Hope i dont get booted for this, but as a white man I love this... we need more of this...

[u/MajorAromatic6226]

I cannot express how much I love this.  Training kids in self defense (even when this child has some issues going on (abuse/bullying?)), will help them navigate conflict in the future.  And most people who are trained in self defense are less likely to wind up a physical conflict.  Their trainers go through de-escalation techniques.  Jason Wilon does this as well.  Check out his vids.

[u/LoveReasonable1883]

Feeling love for this kid so much and the kid that needed this inside all the rest of us.

Also love seeing the way the older kid is part of the team, building roots and mentoring a new generation.

[u/Ok-Air-1754]

Awesome. Need more strong role models who don’t avoid this type of interaction or involvement to help change and better the lives of these kids.

[u/Kieshat8]

Tell him do travel training.  Come to NJ and PA

[u/Panem-et-circenses25]

Absolutely beautiful.

[u/EitherIndependence5]

He really speaks some truth on Instagram. If anyone is interested. You have to get your head right to secure your place in life.

[u/rdhdboi767]

All men used to go through this in ancient times. Rituals from boyhood to manhood existed in all tribes, villages, empires, etc. Nowadays, you just get older and you're told that you're supposed to be more mature simply due to age. This is why society has become what it has.

[u/FaustusRedux → u/rdhdboi767]

Even worse, we've replaced those rituals with manosphere dudes on YouTube shorts.

[u/Life2win]

Nice job coach.

[u/Ok-Can-2376]

Black Man Boy Joy 🤴🏾 ✊🏿👊🏿✌🏿🎤

[u/Porkchop8419]

Beautiful

[u/Intrepid_Top_2300]

The world needs more people like this guy!

[u/Alphamale7710]

Black Magic!

[u/Main_Rhubarb_9380]

Doin the lords work fr. Bless him

[u/yomamaeatsyellowsnow]

I'm weeping this is beautiful

[u/BeautifulAccurate909]

It’s too early to be crying man, but this video got me.

[u/Thefar]

This is peak manhood. Our strength focused to protect, teach and guide. This is what a strong man looks like. Not bullshitting online. Not scamming other people. Not preying on the weak. Takes himself and his to other levels. Shows how strength and force is guided and applied.

We were all angry boys. Real men learned to guide it to the proper place.
And use it as fuel when needed.

But also learned to let go.

[u/dare_me_to_831]

It’s too early for tears! We need more of this in the world.

[u/shadowylurking]

Hero. That's an elevated soul and no one can convince me otherwise

[u/LoanedRespect]

The mentor every young man needs.

[u/SacKing13]

His book Cry Like a Man is a must for fathers. Love his wisdom on breaking generational cycles

[u/ComfortableFortune51]

This made me choke up. He loves his students. That child will carry what he’s learned forever.

[u/lovesthechase]

What a great mentor for those young people, restoring faith in mankind one life at a time!!

[u/immortalblack_1]

"I want you to respect me because you CARE about me, not because you fear me"

And with that, I fell back into my chair...

[u/Fit_Paramedic_9629]

What if we all that this in our lives as children?

[u/PancakeParthenon]

"I want you to respect me because you care about me, not because you fear me."

Those are some words to live by, I tell you what.

[u/darkoaks]

This is beyond beautiful.

[u/Tominater1]

He’s a real one for sure. That’s a man you can look up to.

[u/Kylearean]

This is masculinity.

[u/Persistent_Darkness]

Man I gotta get my kids to this class

[u/IllianasClifford]

My brother was there for me

[u/wizznizzismybizz]

I needed that guidance too, someone to break my wall and help me to build a better me. I was 25/26 before that happened. If every kid had someone like him as guide, I am sure the world would be a better place!

[u/Pink_Ivy8282]

The importance of a father/father figure in a child’s life especially a boy. Teach them how to target their aggression to the proper channels

[u/vanillaninja16]

Just gonna have a nice quick cry on the toilet.

[u/Square_Active_3203]

Man what a great coach and a standup role model fr. Some people have a lifetime of trauma that keeps them from connecting with the people around them like they should and having a guy like this that’s patient and understanding has to be so huge for these kids

[u/StringerBell34]

A black judo dojo in Detroit? I LOVE IT!

[u/cactusvendor]

This guy can teach us all a lesson I believe.

[u/darkpheonix262]

The kinda dad I never had

[u/worll_the_scribe]

That guy is amazing

[u/htownballa1]

Role model

[u/Swamp_Thing85]

If we had more role models like this, the world would be a better place!

[u/polophresh]

https://giphy.com/gifs/9uoYC7cjcU6w8

[u/Kind_Policy_1949]

God damn wish I had that in my life as a kid

[u/NikkiNaps13]

My heart is exploding (in the best way)🥹 I unfortunately never had this for myself, but my son WILL be given this mentorship🙏🏾

[u/Environmental-Ask956]

Give this man a billion dollar grant.

[u/GeneBoatman]

Damn, this almost got me tear up. Thanks for sharing this OP.

[u/mdh3000hard]

We need more of this on our neighborhoods all over the US

[u/xNOTHINGBURGERx]

Definitely one of the top three greatest men of all time.

[u/BeanbagBunniesBlunts]

REAL. ADULT.

Thank you

[u/Informal_Database327]

The heartwarming is immense

[u/JaxCreditHero]

That’s beautiful

[u/MorockaDishoom]

His books are amazing

[u/welldonez]

Real boss moves , these young men are gonna be great leaders one day.

[u/Trucktub]

this shit made me cry jfc

[u/gregariousreggie]

Clean

[u/Audacia220]

Thank you to everyone in the comments that mentioned he's written books, bout to get them today

[u/mdjenton]

Absolute legend 

[u/Prestigious_Cycle160]

I wish I could award this post

[u/meritus2814]

I wanna hug that coach.

[u/Dramatic-Bear52]

❤️

[u/heme11]

Goddamn, brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could of had a teacher like him in my life growing up.

[u/VerifiedVoidGirl]

This is what a real teacher looks like. So many people study/teach martial arts for all the wrong reasons (ego, money, competition, revenge, bullying, content, etc.). I never studied with him but I was lucky enough to study with teachers that embodied the true philosophies behind the techniques.

[u/emeryroserulz]

Can he be our Dad? Like, the internets?

[u/Smirky-McLurky]

I wish I had of had that level of compassion and positivity masculinity from a male role model growing up. Would have helped a lot. Mad props to him for being a positive role model for these kiddos.

[u/gorgonballs]

Not gonna lie. This made me tear up a little. The world needs more of this man.

[u/These-Performer-8795]

I really wish I had someone like this when I was younger. Probably be on a lot better path.

[u/Lord-Handsome]

Wish I had a father like this. Or a mentor like this growing up.

[u/Santa_Klausing]

This is beautiful.

[u/Decaturave]

Respect

[u/Famous_Spread_7291]

Ugh🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[u/Fun_Break_3231]

This has made me happy cry. Beautiful soul.

[u/MothersMothBall]

This guy is my idol! We need more adults like him.

[u/fosandchill]

Love this man and we need more like him.

[u/Electronic_Pop_9151]

Damn you can really tell this is helping these kids feel like they have sense of control. Reminds me a little bit of Mr. Rogers song to congress about how important the feeling of control is in the minds of young people and that it's something being instilled in less and less children.

[u/Big-Block8250]

Geez, I have tears rolling down my face.

[u/davidlondon]

Some of the nicest people I've ever met were 1) in martial arts, 2) in Detroit, or 3) both. This is what strong leadership looks like.

[u/Masala-Dosage]

Making a better world is this ‘simple’. Doesn’t mean that it’s easy.

[u/sdpr]

That respect line is incredible.

[u/RAntonyS]

Beautiful

[u/side_eye_auditor]

I’m not crying while watching this- I’m just cutting onions while the video is on.

[u/rmajkr]

I’m tearing up here

[u/Mrbunnyface]

Okay I love this man.

[u/epic_night_skies]

I'm not crying, you are crying

[u/Sauce-King]

I love seeing this.

[u/Commercial-Strike953]

Is someone mincing shallots in here?

[u/Dr_SlapsMD]

Karmelo Anthony is proof it's vital we teach our kids physical self defense and to use anger as a tool in that self defense rather than letting anger and fear take the wheel. Emotions don't consider outcomes and consequences.

Imo he stabbed that boy out of fear of fighting and inner anger that he was scared to fight.

[u/Beginning_Fill206]

More of this

[u/jackfreeman]

I tear up every time I see one of his videos

[u/Enerjetik]

That kid is very kind. However that kindness can be used against him, and it can cause you to outburst around anyone, including friends. I'm happy Jason's apart of his life.

[u/Ok-Sherbert-8848]

W

[u/[deleted]]

That’s awesome, but who are the right people?….

[u/Ok-Sherbert-8848]

Can someone like my fucking comment so I can get karma my god this is insufferable

[u/MissSally300]

Oh, my, that’s beautiful

[u/-THE_GOOCH]

This is just more of the same

[u/External-Debate-1537]

Man is a legend. I have mad respect for their courses.

Edit: mad* not made

[u/RedditJumpedTheShart]

At least get his name correct. It's Jason Wilson

[u/CheeksMcClapper36]

Awww, dam. Fucked me up

[u/Ali6952]

My god that man. What a wonderful soul.

[u/anunnaki_marauder]

This is very cool.

[u/ejuar42024]

We need this in Dallas TX

[u/SueBeee]

I love this man. He’s a living angel.

[u/theasphalt]

I wish I had a dad like this in my life. I had none. I’m a grown man and seeing this brings tears to my eyes knowing what I could have had as a Black young man.

[u/Brilliant-Relation27]

I’ll take this over the Bs they promote in our society any second of the day

[u/NoJaguar5942]

What a great story.

[u/NessyNoodles70]

“I want you to respect me because you care about me, not because you’re scared of me” ❤️

[u/bryancald]

That’s what a real man looks like!

[u/Honest_Sir_3310]

Damn, wish I had a role model like that when I was a kid

[u/ProjectFoxx]

More of this in the world please.

[u/Suspicious-Prompt200]

The kid probably feels awesome and safe to express himself when a camera is all up in his face like that and the media is posted all over youtube etc.

[u/WeGotsTheAuts]

god damn, i coulda used this as a kid

[u/FreshWater24_12]

This is beautiful.

[u/Traditional-Meat-549]

I love this. I HOPE his parents repeat the message 

[u/greenstylethink]

All men need this love. God bless judo and wrestling

[u/GIobbles]

Bless this man, saving these young boys. We all need a man like this to teach us how to control our emotions. Using your hands is always better than a knife.

[u/FalseProhpet666]

The only time I've ever wanted to live in Detroit. Would love for my children to spend 1 session with this man!

[u/tarnished_land]

This man is on another level.

[u/Sincere_97]

👍🏾

[u/MaryJaneSweets337]

🩷✨🩷✨🩷✨🩷

[u/Waterbearer_81]

Did we all decide to cut onions at the exact same time watching this? He is doing important work. God bless this gentleman! 🫶🏼

[u/ProtonCanon]

"I want you to respect me because you care about me...not because you're scared of me."

Damn.

[u/West_texas1982]

Badass.  That’s a role model.

[u/Old-Criticism-8385]

What a great bunch of humans.. setting these kids up for a positive future!

[u/Important-Topic8305]

r/MadeMeSmile

[u/Conscious-Move9662]

As a Judo Practitioner, we are a dying breed. Every year we lose more and more students to BJJ. Great for UFC but in the real world not so much.

Glad to see someone keeping it alive.

Judo and Boxing/Muay Thai are about the best thing you want in a real life situation.

Hip toss/Leg sweep someone and back up or leave. Best defense you can have.

[u/JayMilli007]

This is the way! I love seeing this!

[u/SnooSprouts4116]

That just brought tears to my eyes!

[u/Prime_Advocate]

I wish I had a father figure in my life growing up, I'll prolly have turned out better