WE DEFY FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS
At 3 Embers Grappling Academy, serving others is at the core of who we are. That commitment is one of the reasons we are honored to be the We Defy Foundation (WDF) Headquarters.
We Defy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides 12-month jiu jitsu scholarships to combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities. Through the power of jiu jitsu and community, WDF helps veterans rediscover purpose, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with life.
This mission is not something we support from a distance, it is woven into the fabric of our academy.
We Defy Foundation provides:
12-month Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training scholarships
Coverage of monthly tuition at approved training facilities
A gi or no gi training bundle (depending on the gym)
Access to a nationwide network of approved academies
A supportive community of veterans and ambassadors
The program exists to help veterans struggling with:
PTSD
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Severe service-related injuries
Reintegration challenges
Jiu jitsu offers structure, accountability, physical challenge, and most importantly community.
❋ What We Defy Foundation Does
3 Embers co-owner Mike Anderson serves as Treasurer of We Defy Foundation, helping guide the financial stewardship and strategic growth of the organization.
Because WDF is headquartered here, we have a unique, firsthand view of the life-changing impact this program has on veterans and their families. We see the transformation. We see the community formed on the mats. We see the ripple effect beyond the academy walls.
Supporting our veteran community is not just important to us, it is personal.
❋ Leadership & Commitment
Throughout the year, 3 Embers proudly hosts and participates in multiple fundraising efforts to support We Defy Foundation, including:
Annual Gala & Community Sponsorship Fundraisers
Veterans Day Open Mats
Memorial Day Open Mats
Special community training events and donation drives
These events bring together students, families, local businesses, and supporters who believe in giving back to those who have served.
Every fundraiser helps expand access to scholarships and strengthens the veteran support network nationwide.
❋ Our Fundraising & Community Events
Veterans come to the mats feeling isolated, disconnected, or unsure of where they belong. Through jiu-jitsu and community, they begin to rebuild confidence, trust, and purpose.
Helping one veteran impacts an entire family.
It strengthens households.
It rebuilds relationships.
It creates healthier communities.
At 3 Embers Grappling Academy, we believe in discipline, accountability, and community, values that align deeply with the mission of We Defy Foundation.
We are proud to stand behind this organization, lead it from within, and support the veterans who trust us with their journey.
❋ Why It Matters to Us
Learn More
To learn more about We Defy Foundation, scholarship opportunities, or how to support the mission, please visit:
If you are a veteran interested in applying for a scholarship, please click here for more information.
Together, we defy limits.
Together, we build stronger communities.
