Check Out Jessica Deffenbaugh’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Deffenbaugh.

Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my own fitness journey in 2012 and by 2013 decided to open my business as an independent personal trainer. By 2014 I had certifications in corrective exercise and FST/NKT. A Jiu Jitsu academy opened inside of the facility in 2016 and I became instantly hooked- competing in my first tournament just 6 weeks after my first class. I knew right away that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was an excellent vehicle for personal growth and immediately decided my long term goal would be to open my own academy and become an instructor to help people on their self improvement journey. With the mentorship of Franjinha Miller I became an instructor and purchased property in Big Bear in 2020 and opened up my first academy by late 2020. By 2023 I had expanded the facility located on my property and had guest instructors and seminars from all around the USA come up to the small town of Big Bear to raise the level of Jiu Jitsu on the mountain and provide opportunities for local kids/ adults to meet the sports best athletes. We had Judo, Wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu guest instructors , some of the best in the USA came to visit. I also ran a martial arts podcast which helped let the community know about our humble high altitude gym. Sadly due to fraud during my divorce I lost my gym and home to my ex husband therefore I am currently operating out of a storage container I turned into a dojo in Hesperia- but have plans to reopen a large commercial gym and martial arts studio in Big Bear CA to continue to instruct the wonderful community up there and do my high altitude seminars again.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. Designing the general contracting the expansion in Big Bear was a ton of work- especially since I was doing through a terrible marriage at the time. There was many times I wanted to walk away and quit but my faith in God and grit built from Martial Arts helped me continue down the path. After a three year long court battle against my ex and his mother I was finally vindicated regarding the fraud and DV I went through and the jury awarded me damages which I am still seeking to attain so that I can restart my life. On top of the personal issues I faced- I had a lot of tough lessons learned as an instructor, as well as a business owner. These valuable lessons will help me do better with the next endeavor which will be bigger and better than the prior. After losing the home and gym in 11/2023 I ended up hospitalized for months due to a lymphatic immune response I had from the devastation of what occurred. I came back from that and refuse to quit

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a martial arts instructor, Personal Trainer, Corrective exercise specialist, fascia stretching and neurokinetic therapist, podcaster and a fitness small business consultant. You could call me an entrepreneur in the fitness and martial arts field. I am most proud of my students whom I have promoted to blue and purple belts. They worked very hard and overcame a lot of personal and physical challenges to get where they are- I’ve gotten to see them overcome many hurdles on and off the mats, my favorite part of being an instructor!

What sets me apart is how deeply I care for my students and my community. My clients and students are more than just a dollar sign- but rather individuals I choose to mentor in life, finance, business, etc. my academy isn’t about glorifying “my Jiu Jitsu” or “my ideologies” but rather highlighting the story’s of each individual student/ client.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am looking for investors and sponsors to reopen my gym in big bear- this way I can get back to helping the community- this time in an even more impactful way. I want to open a “the gym” brand commercial gym in big bear with “the lighthouse academy” operating inside of it. Along with regular martial arts and fitness instruction we will do community outreach to keep the community entertained and away from drugs, as sadly drugs are prevalent in mountain and desert communities due to boredom and lack of “night life” which is why I am choosing “The Gym” as the commercial portion. Their facility in Victorville kind of replicated a “night club” feel with live DJ Thursday nights and 24 hour access. I believe it will be very successful and excellent for the community as well as visitors coming up to the mountain!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheLighthouseAcademyCA.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadoesjiujitsu?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555164843230&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelighthousechannelca?si=d_bcqDRXo75T43I9
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/DoH49pP5Ad

Image Credits
Most photos by me but one is by Bending Energy Photography Brady Enger- a good friend and client of mine