When combat veteran Joey Bozik took his daughter to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class a little over 10 years ago, he didn't think it was an opportunity for him to heal. Mr. Bozik had lost both legs and one arm while serving in Afghanistan, but that day he was focused on helping his daughter become more active and gain new life skills.

Things took an unexpected turn, however, when Alan Shebaro, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, approached Mr. Bozik and asked a question that would change everything: "Why not you too?"

That moment led to a friendship and partnership that started the We Defy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides veterans coping with military-connected disabilities long-term means to overcome their challenges through Brazilian jiu-jitsu and fitness training. The idea was simple, but it changed lives in a big way.

Through We Defy's ongoing support, UT Southwestern is paving the way for more veterans to find healing through research-backed training and community. Under the guidance of C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern, clinical psychology doctoral student Jack Kaufman is leading what is projected to be the largest clinical study to date focused specifically on veterans with combat-related disability and martial arts therapy.

Mr. Kaufman initially volunteered with We Defy to help at events and seminars that benefited the organization. Yet that is when he saw something rare: his love for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and his passion for mental health research at UTSW coming together.

Out of the shadows

Making such an unorthodox leap from combat-related disability to practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu was not easy, and Mr. Bozik's initial hesitation was not surprising. Apart from his injuries, he carried the silent weight of war, including unrelenting mental pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the isolation that often shadows returning veterans. The once socially vibrant man had become quiet and withdrawn.

"When Joey enlisted, he had his ride-or-die brothers, those five friends he could call at any time," said Kevin Linderman, Executive Director of the We Defy Foundation. "When he left the military, he lost that sense of camaraderie and friendship. He was just out in the world [alone], basically."

That sense of physical, emotional, and relational loss can shut down anyone. Mr. Bozik did not know what he was doing when he arrived on the mat, but he knew he needed something. That moment wasn't just about learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "It was about getting my identity back," he said. On the ground, in a position that once symbolized defeat, Mr. Bozik began a new chapter of his story, one where he was no longer slowly dying, but learning to live again.

"When I started training, I was out of shape and on my way to an early grave," Mr. Bozik said. "I now train five to six days a week and am in the best shape of my life since my military service."

Enjoying a sunny day in June before the Texas heat settled in, Mr. Kaufman leaned forward and said, "Joey is what I call an enigma. Most people won't have his success in jiu-jitsu or his resilience in life, but they can get some of what he's got. Jiu-jitsu checks every box: fitness, intellectual stimulation, trust, community, structure. Veterans need all of that."

The list of benefits sounds obvious when broken down in such a way, but Mr. Kaufman sees deeper value in what the We Defy Foundation offers.

"You're putting yourself into this extreme position of vulnerability," Mr. Kaufman said. "We Defy and Brazilian jiu-jitsu teach veterans that failure is OK. On the battlefield, failure meant death. On the mat, it means growth."

Deepening support

A gift from the We Defy Foundation helped launch Mr. Kaufman's groundbreaking study at UTSW, turning a shared mission into real science. The research into the effects of martial arts therapy on PTSD has garnered mainstream attention as science reveals the transformation in the lives of combat veterans.

Looking back on We Defy's growth, Mr. Kaufman thought he was showing up to train and help out. Instead, he is now part of something much bigger.

"What started as wanting to volunteer turned into an Institutional Review Board-approved study with a chance to make a huge impact," he said. "Everyone at We Defy, from the staff there, the veterans they help, and our UTSW researchers, are the real champions."

But maybe the biggest testament to donor impact and research success is hearing what Mr. Bozik and other veterans have said: "Jiu-jitsu has literally saved my life."

• Dr. Cullum holds the Pam Blumenthal Distinguished Professorship in Clinical Psychology.