08/13/2026
OWNER & COACH SPOTLIGHT: CHELSEY BENNETT
This one is a little different because Grit & Grappling isn’t just a gym I own: it’s a piece of my story and a big chapter of my life.
I found martial arts at a time when I needed to find myself again. What started as a way to become stronger and healthier for my children turned into something that completely changed the direction of my life.
I started martial arts as an adult in 2019, never imagining where this journey would take me. I became a competitor, an amateur MMA fighter, a BJJ purple belt, a coach, and eventually took the biggest leap of all : opening Grit & Grappling MMA in 2022.
What started small has grown into something I could have only hoped for, a place where people come to learn martial arts, but often discover so much more about themselves along the way.
I’ve watched kids gain confidence. I’ve watched women walk through the doors nervous and unsure of themselves and become stronger, more confident versions of themselves. I’ve watched students accomplish things they never thought they could. And somewhere along the way, they continued changing me too.
Being a mom will always be my greatest role. Being a fighter taught me that I can do hard things. Being a coach taught me how powerful it is to help someone else discover that same strength. And being a gym owner has taught me that growth doesn’t always come easy: sometimes you fail, fall, rebuild, and keep going anyway.
My proudest moments aren’t medals, wins, or rankings. They’re the moments someone tells me, “This gym changed my life.”
Because that was always the goal.
To create the kind of place where you walk through the doors and immediately know:
You are welcomed.
You are wanted.
And there is a place for you here.
This is my story. This is my passion. This is Grit & Grappling. 💚🥊🥋
