A Different Fight
Changing Lives at Los Mo Dojo…
Josh Root knows that his journey into midlife could have come with a crisis and a sports car. Instead, he founded a dojo in Los Molinos. “I thought it was a good idea to start this program to have something for other people to do,” he says.
The longtime resident of the area says, “When I was a kid there wasn’t a lot for people to do based in the martial arts.” Having taken up martial arts as an adult, he sees the benefits daily and wanted to share them with the community. “I’ve been practicing these things for a long time and it really benefitted me in my life,” he adds.
The Los Mo Dojo opened as a nonprofit organization in 2022. “It got started mostly because we saw an opportunity for our community that hadn’t been done,” he says. Josh and his wife Jessica oversee the dojo with a board of directors dedicated to offering high-quality instruction to all who desire it. “We wanted to be an actual third place for the community to come together and have a good time.” The couple revel in the fact that all ages and multiple generations have found a home at the dojo.
The initial concept was to offer free courses to anyone interested, but that brought too much inconsistency in attendance. Now those who commit to a training plan can train for free while those who want to train on their own schedule can pay as they go. The dojo has also developed a program to support members who move and want to continue training in a new community.
“Martial arts is a rich man’s sport and we wanted to be able to offer kids something,” says Jessica. Should one think that a free program means something inferior, the dojo offers high-quality instruction in a nurturing environment. “We wanted to bring something here and make it aesthetically beautiful,” she adds.
As for the quality, she says, “One of Josh’s beautiful traits and downfalls is that he doesn’t brag about his skills.” He’s had a black belt in judo for 15 years and is a brown belt in Brazilian jujitsu. “It’s really quality even though it’s free,” she says.
“What we’re trying to do is bring the community together and the dojo is really for them,” says Josh. The couple also recognizes that some may be afraid to walk through the door for a variety of reasons. “As an outsider it might seem intimidating to come in to a club,” says Jessica. “Anyone that walks into our door we really go out of our way to make them feel comfortable. We want them to come.”
They also want people to leave — to tournaments in various communities. About every other month the team travels to compete, opening them up to new people and areas of the country.
While Josh admits that martial arts is a very male-centric sport, the dojo has established the Gena Gretterman Women’s Fund to support female participation. “We do have a lot of women in our club,” he says. “We want to encourage young girls and women to come in.” They also have the Dale Mendez Memorial scholarship that supports students moving on to a new community to continue practicing. An example could be a student graduating high school and moving to college. The scholarship will pay a dojo in the student’s new community so they can continue practicing.
Jessica recalls a Court Appointed Special Advocate bringing a young mentee to the dojo. Over time the place became an important place for the youth’s healing and confidence. Upon adoption and a move to a new community, the dojo set up a scholarship for the student to continue martial arts in their new home.
“When kids come in, they bring all their stuff,” says Josh. “Some of my best kids are the ones you might have thought wouldn’t make it.” The discipline of the sport and positive attention from healthy men can make a huge difference.
Jessica and Josh are Tehama County locals who grew up a block apart from each other and have remained rooted in the community. Josh spent time in the Navy after high school and then eight years as a hotshot and wildland firefighter. He is currently a Ranger with the Bureau of Land Management. The couple have three children and two grandchildren. The youngest children practice in the dojo regularly with their dad.
All of which makes Josh realize that he’s done better than a fancy sports car at age 48. “I’m making a difference in a meaningful way,” he says. •
Los Mo Dojo • 7790 Highway 99, Los Molinos
Losmodojo.wixsite.com
