For TSgt Author Rifenbury his grappling experience started at Minot Air Force Base when he joined the True North Warriors Grappling Club almost 10 years ago. “I’ve been doing Jujitsu for a little over a decade now because of this program” and now that Rifenbury has taken over leadership of the program he wants to see it grow. “It’s something I’m very passionate about. It’s changed a lot of lives and I hope to reach out and impact many more lives through this program.”

For some people who have joined the True North Warriors it requires arriving at the gym by 5 AM. There may be only five people in the class, but all five are serious about their training. “You have to be very dedicated” according to Rifenbury.

Rifenbury started as a non-believer in grappling “but I got grabbed ahold of and made a fool of a few times and so I joined and now it’s (grappling) is a passion of mine.” Having been at Minot Air Force Base for 13 years, Rifenbury is the perfect individual to lead the program and keep it going. “The program has gone through a few instructors” according to Rifenbury “but yes, I am an instructor right now. I’m a purple belt, and I have grappling experience in different styles as well. We do all forms of grappling, sometimes just for fun.”

Question? So, if I wrestled in high school, would I be interested in True North Warriors? “I would think you would. The majority of the people who have wrestled in high school definitely resonate with what we do” adds Rifenbury “however it is different. In grappling it (the match) doesn’t stop when people pin you. In wrestling when you get pinned on your back, that’s the end of it. But in jujitsu…not the case because you can fight off your back. You can a whole new perspective of what is possible in the realm of wrestling.”

The key to gaining passion in the world of grappling is often the people you do it with according to Rifenbury. “This is like the 3rd place for people. They have work, they go home and then we fill the role of having a 3rd place to go in their community…we fill that role” says Rifenbury. “the people (in True North Warriors) come from around the world, and they come to Minot and we can get to be the secondary family that they just don’t have because of the location.”

There is no cost to join True North Warriors “it’s a free program…and that’s the goal, we want to keep the program free” says Rifenbury “so anyone who wants to join can always show up at the mats at 437 Bomber Blvd., or check out our Facebook Page at Minot’s True North Warriors BJJ.” or send TSgt Rifenbury an email at truenorthwarriors1@gmail.com. “We’re always there and people are always welcome to come and check us out.”