I want to get in shape
Anyone ready to move
Josh Thomas runs the Lifted Faith 5 AM Club every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco — completely free, scalable for all fitness levels, and finished in time for Mighty Men at 7 AM.
Learn · Athlete resources
A guided directory of resources beyond our mats.
Some efforts beyond our mats serve grapplers well — funding training for combat veterans, running free faith-centered events in Dallas–Fort Worth, training free at 5 AM on a Saturday, setting aside 86 hours to pray and fast, calling men to purpose on the drive home, and walking hard country under a pack. This directory guides you to the right one and is informational only.
Train My Hands For War · Athlete resources directory
trainmyhandsforwar.com/learn/athlete-resources · Informational list only
Important: no affiliation · no ownership · no involvement
We have no affiliation, ownership, partnership, sponsorship, or involvement with the organizations listed below, and they have no involvement with us. Nothing here is an endorsement — these are unbiased informational pointers for our visitors. Verify all details, eligibility, dates, and requirements directly with each organization.
Start here
Which way should you go?
This is a guided directory, not a link dump. Choose the situation that fits and we will point you to the exact resource that helps — most of which live off our site, listed here only as informational pointers.
I am a combat veteran
Military-connected disability
We Defy Foundation can fund your BJJ training at an approved academy near you, tuition covered.
I want faith at the center of training
Believer or not — everyone is welcome
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu runs free events across Dallas–Fort Worth and a gym network built around fellowship on the mats.
I want weekly brotherhood, not just monthly
Men who can make a Saturday morning
Mighty Men, the men's ministry at Elevate Life Church, meets every Saturday at 7 AM for discipleship, brotherhood, and men's groups right after.
I want to train before Mighty Men
Anyone who can make a 5 AM Saturday in Frisco
Josh Thomas runs the Lifted Faith 5 AM Club every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco, Texas — completely free, and it wraps in time for Mighty Men at 7 AM.
I am brand new to the mats
Never trained before
Start here instead: our free First Class Guide walks through what to wear, what to bring, and how the 90 minutes are run.
I want to fast and pray with others
Anyone willing to set aside food and seek God
86Hours is a free semi-annual guided Christian water fast — Monday after dinner to Friday breakfast, with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms.
I want something to listen to
Drive time, gym time, quiet time
The Impossible Life podcast calls men to courage and purpose through a Biblical lens — available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
I want brotherhood off the mats
Men willing to prepare and endure
Eagle Rock Rise is a free three-day men's backpacking trip on Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas — pack, trail, prayer, and brotherhood.
I want to support the work
Give, without buying gear
Every Armory order sends 100% of net proceeds to a cause close to our hearts. Read how we give before you decide.
Veterans & scholarships
Organizations that help combat veterans train and recover through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
We Defy Foundation
Jiu-Jitsu scholarships for combat veterans
Who it serves: Combat veterans with military-connected disabilities
We Defy Foundation is a nonprofit that provides combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities a long-term means to overcome their challenges through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Their scholarship program covers training at an approved academy, so an accepted veteran can train without paying tuition out of pocket.
What they do
- Athlete scholarships that fund Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for approved combat veterans.
- A nationwide network of approved training facilities, searchable on their site, so scholarship recipients can find a gym near them.
- Community, mentorship, and events built around veterans training together on the mats.
- Fundraising and ambassador programs for people who want to support the mission rather than receive a scholarship.
How to start
- 1. Read the eligibility requirementsTheir site explains who qualifies as a combat veteran with a military-connected disability and what documentation the application asks for.
- 2. Apply during an open windowApplications open on a published schedule and can fill within hours because funding is limited. Check their site for the next opening date and apply as close to that time as possible.
- 3. Find an approved training facilityUse their approved-facility map to locate a participating academy near you, including gyms across Texas.
Scholarship windows, eligibility rules, and facility lists are theirs to set and change. We do not process, influence, or track applications, and we cannot answer questions about your application status.
Faith & ministry on the mats
Ministries building community and fellowship around Jesus and world-class Jiu-Jitsu.
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu
Ministry on the mats, with free events in Dallas–Fort Worth
Who it serves: Anyone in the grappling community, believer or not
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu describes itself as missionaries to the mats: a ministry built to create community and fellowship around Jesus and world-class Jiu-Jitsu. They are based in North Texas and host free, high-level Jiu-Jitsu events, several of which land in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
What they do
- Free Jiu-Jitsu events and instructionals with high-level instructors, including dates around Dallas–Fort Worth.
- A growing national gym network for people looking for a training home with believers on the mats.
- An eight-week discipleship pathway study, released on a rolling schedule (subscription-based on their site).
- The Jesus & Jiu-Jitsu podcast, weekly devotionals, and a prayer-request team.
- Volunteer opportunities, sponsorships, and gear that funds the ministry.
Their events, statement of faith, teaching, pricing, and schedule are entirely their own. We do not organize, co-host, staff, or vet their events, and attending one is not part of our gathering.
Mighty Men
Every Saturday at 7 AM · Elevate Life Church
Who it serves: Men of any age or season who want discipleship and brotherhood
Mighty Men is the men's ministry of Elevate Life Church in Frisco, Texas. It is primarily focused on discipleship with an emphasis on fellowship, brotherhood, leadership, maturity, and biblical masculinity. Their key scripture is 1 Peter 2:17 — "Honor all people. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." Mighty Men meets every Saturday at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church, and men's groups meet immediately after the gathering. New men can join at any time.
What they do
- A weekly Mighty Men gathering every Saturday at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church in Frisco, Texas.
- Men's groups that meet right after the Saturday gathering, plus Bible studies, freedom groups, and connect groups.
- Mighty Men Path, a year-long discipleship program built around the Word, accountability, service, and stewardship (sign-ups open at the start of each year).
- The Ultimate Warrior Conference, an annual two-day challenge for men, with registration handled on their site.
- An interest form for men who are new and want someone to help them take the next step.
Mighty Men is run by Elevate Life Church, not by us, and attending it is separate from our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Confirm meeting times, locations, program dates, and any costs on their site.
Josh Thomas · The Lifted Mindset
Free Lifted Faith 5 AM Club · Every Saturday at 5 AM · Frisco, TX
Who it serves: Anyone who wants to train and pray before the sun is up — all fitness levels, all ages welcome with a parent
Josh Thomas is a personal trainer and coach behind The Lifted Mindset, a fitness and nutrition coaching practice in Frisco, Texas. His work pairs strength and conditioning with mindset and faith: training the body honestly while the man behind it grows up. Most importantly for our people, he hosts the Lifted Faith 5 AM Club every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco — completely free, open to anyone, and finished in time to drive over to Mighty Men at 7 AM. It is a full morning of brotherhood: sweat first, then the Word.
5 AM Club flyer
Lifted Faith 5 AM Club flyer — every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco, TX, free and open to anyone. Contact Josh before your first visit to confirm the meeting spot.
What they do
- Lifted Faith 5 AM Club: a completely free workout every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco, Texas — no membership, no fee, nothing for sale.
- Timed so you can finish, clean up, and still make Mighty Men at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church in Frisco.
- Scalable group training — lifting, conditioning, and bodyweight work adjusted so first-timers and seasoned athletes work side by side.
- Faith woven through the session: encouragement, accountability, and prayer with the men who showed up.
- Paid one-on-one and online coaching through The Lifted Mindset for people who want individual programming and nutrition help.
- Daily training and mindset content on Josh's Instagram, including clips from the 5 AM Club itself.
How to start
- 1. Contact Josh to attendReach out before your first Saturday so he knows to look for you and can confirm the exact meeting spot. Message him on Instagram (@theliftedminds) or use the contact form on theliftedmindset.com.
- 2. Show up at 5 AM Saturday in FriscoBring training shoes, water, and a towel. Nothing is required beyond showing up, and there is never a cost.
- 3. Stay for Mighty Men at 7 AMThe 5 AM Club ends early enough to head straight to Mighty Men at Elevate Life Church — a workout and a discipleship gathering in the same morning.
Josh Thomas and The Lifted Mindset are independent of us. The 5 AM Club is his gathering, not ours, and it is separate from our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Confirm meeting time, location, and any coaching pricing with him directly. Training carries physical risk — clear new exercise with your physician.
Contact Josh Thomas to attendVisit theliftedmindset.com
Website: https://theliftedmindset.com/?utm_source=trainmyhandsforwar.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=athlete-resources&utm_content=josh-thomas-website
Add to calendarDownload PDFPrayer & fasting
Set-apart time twice a year to pray, fast, and surrender — free, virtual, and open to anyone.
86Hours Water Fast
Prayer · fasting · surrender
Who it serves: Anyone willing to set aside food and seek God — believers and seekers alike
86Hours is a free, semi-annual guided Christian water fast and, like this Connect Group, a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience. The fast runs roughly 86 hours — starting after dinner Monday and ending Friday morning at breakfast — with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms, Scripture, day-by-day guidance, and group encouragement throughout. The next fast is January 4-8, 2027, beginning at 7:00 PM Central on January 4. There is no cost, no coaching, no program, and nothing for sale. The focus is not performance; the focus is surrender.
What they do
- A free semi-annual guided water fast: Monday after dinner through Friday morning breakfast (about 86 hours).
- Daily 30-minute prayer Zooms with encouragement and accountability, plus a gentle break-fast Friday morning.
- Day-by-day guidance, Scripture, and devotion for each stretch of the fast.
- Open signups and calendar reminders for every session — free, online, and open to all.
- Six stated reasons for fasting: seek God first, quiet the flesh, sharpen discernment, build discipline, reset body and mind, and pray in community.
How to start
- Read the plan firstLook over the schedule, the daily Zoom times, and what the 86 hours actually ask of you before you commit.
- Sign up and set remindersRegistration is free on 86hours.com, and a calendar file adds every prayer call to your calendar.
- Clear it with your doctorA multi-day water fast is not for everyone. Talk to your physician first, especially with any medical condition, medication, or pregnancy.
- Show up and surrenderStart after dinner Monday, join the daily prayer calls, and break the fast gently Friday morning with the group.
86Hours is a separate Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not part of our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy, and this listing is informational only. Extended water fasting carries real health risk: consult a physician before fasting, and stop if you are unwell. Confirm current dates and details on 86hours.com.
Listen & study
Podcasts and teaching that sharpen the man off the mats — listen on the drive home.
The Impossible Life Podcast
A rally cry for men to remember who they are made to be
Who it serves: Men and women who want purpose, discipline, and faith off the mats
The Impossible Life is a podcast hosted by former Navy SEAL Garrett Unclebach and marketing leader Nick Surface. Their stated purpose is to unleash men and women to live fearless lives full of purpose as God made them to be. Episodes challenge listeners to rise above mediocrity through a Biblical lens, covering mindset, discipline, leadership, and the practical tools behind a courageous life — the same off-mat work that shows up in how a person trains.
What they do
- Weekly episodes on faith, discipline, mindset, leadership, and purpose, with 250+ episodes in the archive.
- Teaching drawn from a Biblical framework, aimed at men who want to lead their families and communities well.
- Conversations and interviews on hard training, recovery from failure, and building courage under pressure.
- Episodes organized by theme on their site — mindset, discipline, and tools and tactics — so you can start anywhere.
- Video versions on YouTube plus audio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so you can listen on the drive to the mats.
Where to listen
Their teaching, doctrine, guests, sponsors, and any paid offerings are entirely their own. We do not produce, review, or vet episodes, and listing the show is not an endorsement of every view expressed on it.
Wilderness & brotherhood
Men's experiences off the mats — miles under a pack, Scripture at the fire, and brotherhood in hard country.
Eagle Rock Rise
Fall down. Get up. Keep walking.
Who it serves: Men willing to prepare, endure, and rise — no experience level advertised
Eagle Rock Rise is a yearly men's wilderness ministry backpacking trip on the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. The 2026 trip runs November 10-12 from the Winding Stairs Trailhead: roughly 26.6-29.1 miles, about 3,986 feet of elevation gain, four serious climbs, river crossings, cold mornings, campfire Scripture, prayer, and brotherhood. It is free to attend, with no offering, nothing for sale, and no upsell — each man is responsible for his own gear, food, transportation, and preparation. Like this Connect Group, it is a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, and Felipe Soares is the contact for the trip.
What they do
- A three-day, free backpacking trip on Eagle Rock Loop, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas (Nov 10-12, 2026).
- A published itinerary, trail safety notes, weather guidance, and a full packing list so you can prepare honestly.
- A real scout report and tracking video from Felipe's solo run of the route — pace, splits, elevation, and hike time.
- Wilderness comms planning: no cell service on the loop, with a satellite phone carried for emergencies.
- Campfire Scripture, prayer, and brotherhood for men who want to endure the trail and encounter the King.
Eagle Rock Rise is a separate Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not part of our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Backcountry travel carries real risk: distance, elevation, river crossings, weather, and no cell service. Confirm dates, requirements, and current trail conditions on their site and prepare accordingly.
Reading mode
86Hours Water Fast, section by section
Overview
Prayer · fasting · surrender
Who it serves: Anyone willing to set aside food and seek God — believers and seekers alike
86Hours is a free, semi-annual guided Christian water fast and, like this Connect Group, a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience. The fast runs roughly 86 hours — starting after dinner Monday and ending Friday morning at breakfast — with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms, Scripture, day-by-day guidance, and group encouragement throughout. The next fast is January 4-8, 2027, beginning at 7:00 PM Central on January 4. There is no cost, no coaching, no program, and nothing for sale. The focus is not performance; the focus is surrender.
Visit 86hours.comWhat they do
- A free semi-annual guided water fast: Monday after dinner through Friday morning breakfast (about 86 hours).
- Daily 30-minute prayer Zooms with encouragement and accountability, plus a gentle break-fast Friday morning.
- Day-by-day guidance, Scripture, and devotion for each stretch of the fast.
- Open signups and calendar reminders for every session — free, online, and open to all.
- Six stated reasons for fasting: seek God first, quiet the flesh, sharpen discernment, build discipline, reset body and mind, and pray in community.
How to start
- Read the plan firstLook over the schedule, the daily Zoom times, and what the 86 hours actually ask of you before you commit.
- Sign up and set remindersRegistration is free on 86hours.com, and a calendar file adds every prayer call to your calendar.
- Clear it with your doctorA multi-day water fast is not for everyone. Talk to your physician first, especially with any medical condition, medication, or pregnancy.
- Show up and surrenderStart after dinner Monday, join the daily prayer calls, and break the fast gently Friday morning with the group.
Cautions
86Hours is a separate Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not part of our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy, and this listing is informational only. Extended water fasting carries real health risk: consult a physician before fasting, and stop if you are unwell. Confirm current dates and details on 86hours.com.
Questions
- What is the 86Hours water fast?
- 86Hours is a free, semi-annual guided Christian water fast that runs roughly 86 hours — from after dinner on Monday to breakfast on Friday morning — with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms, Scripture, and day-by-day guidance. It is a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not a program we run.
- When is the next 86Hours fast?
- The next fast is January 4-8, 2027, beginning at 7:00 PM Central on January 4. Confirm current dates on 86hours.com before you plan around them.
- Does the 86Hours fast cost anything?
- No. Registration is free, there is no coaching fee, nothing is for sale, and no offering is taken. We receive nothing if you sign up.
Take it with you
Print 86Hours Water Fast or save it as a PDF to carry into the week.
Pass this on
Send 86Hours Water Fast to a training partner who needs it.
Prayer & fasting
86Hours water fast: common questions
Informational only. We have no affiliation with 86Hours — verify dates and requirements at 86hours.com.
- What is the 86Hours water fast?
- 86Hours is a free, semi-annual guided Christian water fast that runs roughly 86 hours — from after dinner on Monday to breakfast on Friday morning — with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms, Scripture, and day-by-day guidance. It is a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not a program we run.
- When is the next 86Hours fast?
- The next fast is January 4-8, 2027, beginning at 7:00 PM Central on January 4. Confirm current dates on 86hours.com before you plan around them.
- Does the 86Hours fast cost anything?
- No. Registration is free, there is no coaching fee, nothing is for sale, and no offering is taken. We receive nothing if you sign up.
- Is the 86Hours fast part of the Train My Hands for War gathering?
- No. Our monthly Christian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Connect Group is hosted at 3 Embers Grappling Academy in McKinney, Texas. 86Hours is a separate effort, listed here as an informational pointer only, with no affiliation, ownership, or involvement between us.
- Is a multi-day water fast safe?
- Extended water fasting carries real health risk. Talk with your physician before fasting — especially with any medical condition, medication, or pregnancy — and stop if you become unwell.
- How do I join the fast, and can I take the details with me?
- Read the plan and the daily Zoom times on 86hours.com, register for free, clear it with your doctor, then start after dinner Monday and break the fast gently Friday morning with the group. You can also download the one-page 86Hours resource sheet as a PDF from this page.
Keep looking
Other efforts listed in this directory. Informational only — we have no affiliation with any of them.
- We Defy FoundationJiu-Jitsu scholarships for combat veteransWho it serves: Combat veterans with military-connected disabilities
- Jesus and Jiu-JitsuMinistry on the mats, with free events in Dallas–Fort WorthWho it serves: Anyone in the grappling community, believer or not
- Mighty MenEvery Saturday at 7 AM · Elevate Life ChurchWho it serves: Men of any age or season who want discipleship and brotherhood
On our mats
Tools we host ourselves
Not every resource is off-site. These are ours — free, on brand, and safe to start with today.
First Class Guide
What to wear, what to bring, and exactly how the 90 minutes run for your first gathering.
Belt system & rank chart
White through black to coral, stripe degrees, and timelines by training frequency.
The mat code
Consent, tapping, and the techniques we do not train — the etiquette that keeps every lane safe.
How we handle recommendations
- Nothing on this page is paid, sponsored, or exchanged. We receive nothing if you apply, donate, subscribe, or attend.
- We do not speak for these organizations, and they do not speak for us. Their programs, doctrine, pricing, safety rules, and schedules are entirely theirs.
- Descriptions here are summarized from their own public websites. Always confirm current details on their site before acting.
- Questions about their programs go to them directly. Questions about our monthly gathering come to us.
Printed from trainmyhandsforwar.com — confirm current program details on each organization's own website. No affiliation, no ownership, no involvement.