Mr. Bert Griggs, a esteemed resident of Akron and a dedicated judo practitioner since the age of 11, has garnered significant recognition in the field, having once been ranked among the top 5 judo masters in the United States. This traditional Japanese martial art not only played a pivotal role in shaping his character, but also served as the cornerstone for the establishment of his enterprise, the GentleWay Institute. This institute is renowned for its expertise in delivering de-escalation training to government bodies and businesses, empowering individuals to effectively manage challenging and potentially perilous situations with confidence.
In collaboration with his partner, Mr. Ron Mosley, Mr. Griggs commenced the offering of de-escalation classes in 2019, only to encounter the need to reconstruct their clientele base due to the impact of the pandemic. Nevertheless, there has been a consistent upsurge in interest for their training services. The nomenclature “GentleWay” is emblematic of the essence of judo, translating to “gentle way” in Japanese, thereby epitomizing the subtle yet efficacious approach embodied by this martial art.
Mr. Griggs’ journey with judo commenced concurrently with his pursuit of baseball during the ’70s. He ardently devoted himself to judo, finding within it a source of self-worth and resilience during adversities. Despite encountering setbacks stemming from health concerns, Mr. Griggs emerged as a prominent figure at the Colorado Olympic Training Center in the ’80s, where he underwent training alongside elite athletes. These experiences, coupled with his employment as a bar bouncer and detox counsellor, equipped him with pragmatic de-escalation skills, which he now imparts through the GentleWay Institute.
Upon his return to Akron, Mr. Griggs established the GentleWay Institute subsequent to the dissolution of his electronics store business. The distinctive feature of his training lies in its personalised nature, tailored in accordance with the specific requirements of each corporation or organization. Mr. Griggs’ recent collaboration with the safety team of Akron Public Schools produced favourable feedback, with staff members lauding the training for its informative and enjoyable nature.
In contemplation of the current state of societal interactions, Mr. Griggs underscores the significance of de-escalation skills in a world seemingly bereft of the values of peace and harmony. His firsthand encounters in street altercations and tenure as a bar bouncer underscore the practicality and efficacy of the techniques he imparts. Overall, Mr. Griggs advocates the timely adoption of the gentle way, demonstrating an unwavering commitment towards equipping individuals with the requisite tools to navigate challenging situations with confidence and composure.
Should you be acquainted with an individual hailing from Greater Akron, who possesses a compelling narrative, we encourage you to consider contacting Mr. Alan Ashworth at [email protected] to expound on your suggestions.