Olympic boxing bronze medalist Tony Jeffries recently shared his thoughts on parenting, martial arts, and why he believes Jiu-Jitsu can play a major role in a child’s development.

Jeffries explained that he takes a firm approach when it comes to getting his daughters involved in combat sports:

I mean I’m the exact same, my kids as well. Force them to do Jiu-Jitsu.

My three daughters and that’s the thing about being a parent, like I tell my friends I’m like listen, get your kids into Jiu-Jitsu while they’re young. Get them into it.

He pushed back against parents who stop encouraging their children simply because they say they do not want to train:

They’re like, my 8-year-old will not do Jiu-Jitsu. Like why will they not? Well, they just don’t want to do it. Who wants to do it? Get them.

Who knows best? It’s you. Get your 8-year-old there. Tell them you’ve got to do this.

Jeffries believes Jiu-Jitsu offers tremendous benefits for young athletes:

I mean, boxing’s a little bit different. You’re getting punched in the head. But something like Jiu-Jitsu is unbelievable for kids.

And when they get there, it’s like, oh, it’s not that bad. And they start learning the techniques and they start to enjoy it. It becomes part of the life.

Jeffries explained that training became a non-negotiable part of life in his household:

Like right now, Jiu-Jitsu was a non-negotiable for my kids and in my family and even for me and me wife.
But if they had their own way, they’d want to stop in the house and play with the dolls, you know.

But as time goes on, yes, they enjoy it now. They’ve got friends there and it’s part of the life.

Jeffries also explained that his daughters train both Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai for reasons that go far beyond learning techniques:

With my girls, the reason why they’re all learning Muay Thai, the reason why they’re all learning Jiu-Jitsu is for this exact reason.
To stand up for yourself, to gain confidence, and don’t let anyone talk down to you.

And if it comes to it, punch their heads in before they can do anything to you.

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