Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Thomas.
Hi Dennis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Interview with Ko’ox Dennis – Founder of Street Jitsu Justin
Your Story
I started Street Jitsu in 2012 in Roanoke, Texas — now known as www.streetjitsuroanoke.com
— with one simple mission: to bring hope, healing, and discipline through martial arts.
Over the years, it’s grown into a movement — not just a gym. Our community now includes Street Jitsu Justin, which I co-founded with my business partner Robert Way, along with locations in Oklahoma and beyond.
At Street Jitsu, we train everyone — police officers, kids, moms, dads, veterans, fighters, and total beginners. If you can afford to contribute, we appreciate you. If you can’t, we’ve got you.
Our doors will never close to anyone for lack of income. 🙏🏾
All our classes and services are donation-based because this is more than fitness — it’s ministry. It’s where faith meets discipline and science meets spirit.
Our motto says it best:
🥷🏿🌈 HOPE IS THE FIGHT 🥋🥊🤼♂️🤼♀️💪🏾⚔️🗡️🤺🥷🏾🐢
The Foundation of Hope
Biblical Truth:
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31
Hope is what separates us from the beasts of the field.
Animals react by instinct — humans respond with faith, creativity, and perseverance.
We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), designed with imagination, emotion, and the divine ability to choose hope even in darkness.
Where Faith Meets Science
Scientific Reality:
Science calls it neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to rewire itself through repetition, belief, and purpose.
Every roll, every round, every breath retrains your nervous system to overcome fear and adapt under pressure. That’s how warriors are forged.
That’s how faith strengthens the body and the mind — through hope-driven discipline.
The Street Jitsu Way
99% of people will never become professional fighters or black belts.
That’s not failure — that’s humanity.
What matters is that 1% of effort you give every day to become a better version of yourself.
Hope is the spark.
Faith is the fuel.
Discipline is the flame.
So come train. Come heal. Come believe again.
If you can afford to support — we thank you.
If you can sponsor an athlete — we thank you.
If you can only offer heart and sweat — that’s more than enough.
Each one, teach one. ✊🏾
Roll with the punches. 👊🏾
God bless you!
— Ko’ox Dennis 🏳️🌈
Founder | Street Jitsu Justin
🌐 www.streetjitsu.com
📍 17515 Matany Rd., Building 1 Suite 1200, Justin TX 76247
📞 940-999-8989
📱 817-307-8291
📸 @streetjitsujustin
🎥 YouTube Channel
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles / Challenges
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, I got too attached to my students. I wanted everyone to stay forever — like family. My old professor, Sina Hadad from Ironside Martial Arts, taught me about non-attachment, and that lesson changed everything. Later, as I studied the Bible, science, and yoga philosophy, it all connected — students come and go, but the lessons they take with them can last a lifetime.
Some people train for an hour, others stick around for years. I’ve learned to focus less on who leaves and more on who’s standing in front of me. Every person who walks through those doors deserves my full attention and effort, no matter how long they stay.
My journey really started back in 1994, when I was just a teenager. I was court-ordered to do two years of Coach Jaime Cantu’s boxing program at the Kingsville Boxing Club instead of serving time in the Texas Youth Correctional Penitentiary for stealing items out of an 18-wheeler parked at an H-E-B. I was only 14 years old. That program — and that coach — saved my life. It taught me discipline, accountability, and gave me a purpose when I didn’t have one.
So yeah, I’ve faced my share of struggles. But every challenge has been part of the process. People grow, move on, get married, chase dreams — life happens. My focus is simple now: be present and pour into the person right in front of me.
We’ve been impressed with Street Jitsu Justin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?
I run a few businesses, but everything I do comes back to one mission — helping people become stronger in body, mind, and spirit. My main brand is Street Jitsu, a martial arts academy that teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA, Yoga, and Self-Defense. We’ve got locations in Justin and Roanoke, Texas, and the slogan says it all: “Roll with the punches.”
What makes Street Jitsu different is the culture. We’re not just a fight gym — we’re a family, a ministry, and a movement. I’ve built a place where kids, adults, women, beginners, and competitors can all train side by side and feel welcome. Some come in looking for confidence, some for fitness, some to heal from trauma. Everyone leaves better than they came.
We’ve trained everyone from first-timers to black belt world champions, police officers, military vets, and everyday parents who just want to learn how to protect their families. I’ve also started programs like Grappling with God, where we combine Bible study with open mat training, because I believe martial arts and faith go hand in hand.
What sets me apart is that I’ve lived what I teach. I’ve been at the bottom, I’ve been in trouble, I’ve been through struggle — and I used martial arts, faith, and discipline to rebuild my life. I’m not just teaching techniques; I’m teaching a lifestyle.
I’m most proud of how far the Street Jitsu family has come since COVID. We rebuilt our gyms, grew our community, and started creating champions again — not just on the mats, but in life.
Beyond the gym, I also run businesses like Princesa Parties by Princesa, Ropa Lucha streetwear, Coffee 23, and RQS Merchant Services — all part of the same vision: building community and creating opportunities for people around me.
At the end of the day, Street Jitsu isn’t about fighting — it’s about discipline, respect, love, and resilience. If you walk into my gym, you’ll feel that energy. That’s what I want people to know.
How do you define success?
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about money, status, or fame. I define success by teaching what I’ve learned — as a man, a father, a husband, a grandpa, a friend, a son, and an uncle. Every season of my life has taught me something, and I see it as my duty to pass that wisdom on. Like I always say: “Each one, teach one.”
I live by what the Bible says — “Enjoy life with your wife, in this miserable life, all the days God has given you under the sun.” Life can be hard, messy, and unfair sometimes, but there’s still beauty in it. Success is finding joy in the middle of the struggle, staying grateful, and helping others do the same.
If I can wake up every day, love my wife, teach my students, and live with peace — that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.streetjitsujustin.com
- Instagram: @streetjitsujustin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/streetjitsujustintx
- Twitter: https://x.com/streetjitsujustin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcPUSL6Qm1YuJMGeeud1i9w?themeRefresh=1
