The Gentle Art is All Heart!

My Story…

I was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD). I had a fusion with in my aorta which required

a very specialized surgery called a Coarctation. I was flown from Malmstrom Air Force Base in

Montana to Mcquire Air Force Base in New Jersey, then immediately put into an ambulance

and taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the few qualified hospitals around

the world to do this surgery. At the age of 3 my life would forever change.

I grew up in life with out knowing the comradery and confidence of playing sports. Due to my

heart condition no doctor was willing to sign off on a sports physical. Each and every year I

tried, and with out fail, rejection became dejection. I lost the motivation to even try or even

make the effort to be part of a team.  Rejection takes its toll on people, especially for a young boy wanting to be on

the field with his brothers and friends, knowing that no matter how much effort was put in it would never be.

Truth be told, I joined my High School cheerleading squad my senior year, just to feel like part of

a team. I even put on the mascot uniform, maybe just to hear the cheers coming in my

direction or just to be a goofy kid. But once it came to getting the doctors signature to

continue, it all ended.  I even tried to play on the golf team, who knew you needed a doctors permission to swing a club?

High School came and went. In my 20’s after having 4 amazing children, whom I always

encouraged to participate in sports, not for me to live thru them, but to ensure they never

missed out on the relationships and feelings of confidence that are built thru sports.

Unfortunately, by the time I hit 30 my heart defect reared its ugly head. Only a few days after

turning 31 I found myself sitting in an operating room, counting down the seconds before being

cut open to replace my aortic valve with a titanium replacement meant to give me a new lease

on life. However, this new “lease” was not without conditions.

Physical activity was to be at a minimal, but with four active kids how would that be possible?

This new “lease” was not new, it was the same mentality and feelings of dejection I had experienced my whole life.

Nothing changed!

The moment that open my eyes, I signed my son up for a Jiu-Jitsu class, he had been

wrestling previously but I wanted to give him a little edge on the mats. I watched his first class

intently and with awe. I remember saying in my head this is amazing, and then the feeling of

sadness came over me, thinking that I would never be able to do this, but then the light bulb

sparked…who is going to stop me?

I signed up for my first class, I was scared, nervous, filled with anxiety. What if I get hurt, what

if I start bleeding, what if I hit my head…all these thoughts and fears are a product of being on

lifelong blood thinners. I decided at that moment that I would no longer allow my heart defect

to control my life. 30 plus years before I decided I was bigger than my defect!

After class was over, drenched in sweat, feeling beat up and mildly broken. I knew Jiu-Jitsu is

where my heart belonged.

Post Covid, I stumbled across a gym, rather a community of amazing people led by Professor

Rich Hernandez. From the moment of our first roll, I knew I found my home. Prof. Rich showed

me grace and humility, but with an opportunity to grow. He had the confidence in me that

I lacked in myself. This is the feeling I never got to experience from a coach before.

He has promoted me to purple than brown, all while having the confidence in me to run his

morning program and also help and lead our kids’ classes.

I know in my heart that Jiu-Jitsu will be the instrument that allows me to give back…The Story

has just begun!

Fun Fact---My twin girls are also active in Jiu-Jitsu and I take great pride

watching them put their hearts in this community!

Joseph Serrano, Founder of Camp Oss BJJ