Dr. Ronald Tisdale is growing a love of martial arts in the Black Belt through free Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lessons for children at Selma Soul BJJ in the Selma Mall.
Tisdale was born and raised in the Toledo, Ohio area, went to Stanford University in the Bay Area of California and went to medical school in New York City. But he moved to Selma to work as an emergency room doctor at Vaughan Regional Medical Center because he wanted to see “the rich cultural heritage of the South, particularly when it comes to healthcare.”
Along with his medical expertise, Tisdale brought to Selma a form of the martial arts called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He describes it as “a gentle martial art which is a sport, a form of exercise and a form if self-defense.”
After moving to Selma in 2019, Tisdale said he put a few mats in his backyard. “I got a couple of my colleagues and people in the community,” then through word-of-mouth advertising people heard that he was “doing a little something called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in my backyard.”
Over time, the number of participants grew, and Tisdale realized that he needed proper space and regular times for the classes. He said he needed a formal space to recreate the atmosphere of BJJ gyms in New York City, where he learned, or other gyms around the world.
After searching for about two years, Tisdale opened Selma Soul BJJ in the Selma Mall in 2021. He started with just three or four mats, which has since increased to wall-to-wall coverage. More mats mean more people can participate.
Tisdale, who was the sole instructor at first, has also brought in BJJ experts from Montgomery, Birmingham and even world champions from Brazil. He now offers a class for kids at 5 p.m. and for adults at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The organization, Selma Soul Charitable Venture, is a nonprofit and instructors are volunteers. “Kids train free. Adults are on a donation basis,” Tisdale said. Tisdale added he is getting great support from Blue Jean Church and from Children’s Dentistry of Alabama.
Matt Hobson, outreach pastor at Blue Jean Church, is also a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer, former cage fighter, Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and an avid outdoor enthusiast.
Tisdale said Selma Soul BJJ relies on donations, and if an individual or business would like to donate, contact Selma Soul at (334) 449-7775. They have a Facebook page, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Selma and a website www.bjjselma.com.
Anyone interested in training at Selma Soul BJJ is invited to come and participate. They are in the Selma Mall in Unit 4.
Tisdale said the atmosphere at Selma Soul’s space reminds him of the movie “Million Dollar Baby,” a boxing film from 2004. “They don’t have all the money, they don’t have all the things, but when you walk through the doors you know you soon realize you are among world champions.”
Being among champions is not a stretch either. Seven Selma Soul BJJ competitors won 13 medals and an Absolute Belt at a recent NewBreed Tournament in Birmingham. The team earned six golds, five silvers, and two bronze medals.
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