'It'll change your life': How a summer gym scholarship helps students gain confidence, strength
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One Milwaukee gym's summer scholarship program is helping students discover their inner strength.
"I would just say, try it out, you know. It's free. It doesn't hurt to come in. Give it a shot. Even if you think it's not for you. It doesn't hurt to try. It'll change your life," 16-year-old Wyatt Moxom said.
Moxom has been going to Pura Vida BJJ & MMA in Milwaukee since he was just 13, he tells CBS 58, participating in the various kickboxing, Brazilian jujitsu, and wrestling classes has helped get him more active and changed how he sees himself.
"I used to get picked on a little bit, [I] was a bigger kid and didn't have a lot of confidence, and then I started coming here," he said. "I just got a lot of confidence. Started growing and getting better just as a person and as an athlete."
This Sumer, Moxom's membership to the premium gym was free thanks to a scholarship created by gym co-owners Jake Klipp and Zak Ottow to allow high schoolers to use their facilities for free while school is out.
"Knowing that a lot of these kids don't have anything to do in the Summer, we just thought it was a great marriage of 'Hey, the kids can come on in, we've got the space for it, we're already running the classes,'" Klipp said. "We give them access to maybe a gym they wouldn't have had access to otherwise."
The gym is quickly becoming one of the top MMA gyms in the country, and though most clients go to get into shape and learn self-defense, professional fighters train at Pura Vida.
"Milwaukee is actually this crazy little hotbed for MMA," Klipp said.
Ottow, a former UFC fighter, loves sharing his experiences with the students.
"It's what I eat, sleep and breathe," said Ottow. "I had 35 fights [as a professional mixed martial artist]. I had eight fights in the UFC from 2016 to 2019. Now, I'm just taking that experience and my knowledge and passing it down by coaching."
Kids like Moxom can even work out alongside some of the fighters that come to the gym.
"They're so bright-eyed and excited when they walk in. They get to see the UFC posters on the wall. We've got some UFC fighters that they get to meet and train with," Klipp said. "Being able to work with kids is really great. They're sponges. They want to learn everything. They're really excited."
"They really love learning the skills. They don't get the chance to do that in high school sports. A lot of it is games in high school sports. They come here and they actually learn a real skill set," Ottow said.
The duo hopes this program will keep kids off the street and give them positive role models.
"I would say [they're] Father features, both Jake and Solo, they always have something smart to say. Always the person I go to if I need advice," Moxom said. "They're always looking out for me, trying to teach me things, and they look out for me, and they want the best for me. So, it's a great relationship."
Moxom says since joining Pura Vida, he feels stronger physically and mentally. It even encouraged him to start his car detailing business at just 16 years old.
"You gain a lot of confidence, not only in your ability to fight but also in yourself," he said.
"So, in my business, I feel a lot more confident talking to people selling. I have confidence in myself that I'm able to achieve things because I proved to myself that I can achieve things through this, that's huge."
With the Summer scholarship, which totals over $400, Moxom has been able to put that money toward another life goal.
"I got my own car, so that's pretty big. This wasn't an expense that I had to dish out every month, and just it's really helpful, this program that they're doing, and I'm really happy that they started it," he said.
To participate, students need written parent approval. To schedule a visit, and learn more about the summer scholarship at Pura Vida, visit their website.