# Turning Pain Into Purpose, Policing, Trauma, and Jiu Jitsu with Adam at Blue Gorilla BJJ

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/own-move-anchor-mindset-leadership-kevin-pannell-844951/turning-pain-into-purpose-policing-trauma-and-jiu-jitsu-with-adam-at-blue-gorilla-bjj
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/own-move-anchor-mindset-leadership-kevin-pannell-844951/turning-pain-into-purpose-policing-trauma-and-jiu-jitsu-with-adam-at-blue-gorilla-bjj.md
Podcast: [People. Process. Progress.](https://stenobird.com/podcast/own-move-anchor-mindset-leadership-kevin-pannell-844951)
Published: 2025-12-18T17:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://blubrry.com/peopleprocessprogress/150787149/turning-pain-into-purpose-policing-trauma-and-jiu-jitsu-with-adam-at-blue-gorilla-bjj/
Audio file: https://media.blubrry.com/peopleprocessprogress/ins.blubrry.com/peopleprocessprogress/PPP_of_the_NRV-Adam_in_Radford.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/own-move-anchor-mindset-leadership-kevin-pannell-844951/episodes/turning-pain-into-purpose-policing-trauma-and-jiu-jitsu-with-adam-at-blue-gorilla-bjj
Duration seconds: 3755

## Resource

In this episode of People, Process, Progress, I talk with Adam, a police officer, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, gym owner, and MBA graduate, about leadership shaped by real-life experience. Adam shares how growing up with instability and the impact of a compassionate police officer early in life set him on a path into law enforcement. We discuss his journey from the jails to patrol and SWAT, the weight of critical incidents, and responding to the death of a close friend. We also explore how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became a foundation for discipline, humility, and resilience, ultimately leading Adam to open Blue Gorilla BJJ and build a community rooted in accountability and respect. This episode launches the People, Process, Progress of the New River Valley series, focused on the people doing meaningful work in our region. Watch the full video interview on the People, Process, Progress YouTube channel, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. For more interviews and insights, visit peopleprocessprogress.com. People first, process aligned, progress together.

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## Transcript

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