Track2 is changing lives by offering 100 scholarships for Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes.
The newly founded not-for-profit Kingston organization has launched a new scholarship program to give back to the community. By giving away 100 scholarships in their first year of operating, Co-Directors Arthur Inox and Luke Robichaud aim to create a “butterfly effect,” where giving a scholarship to even one person can improve their life and indirectly impact the community around them.
Under Ontario law, not-for-profit organizations are independent entities with goals that do not include making a profit. Although non-profits can operate like businesses and have paid employees, they remain dedicated to their mission rather than financial gain. For Track2, this means Arthur Inox and Luke Robichaud not looking to make money, but instead, give back to the community by providing Kingston with resources for physical and mental well-being.
“[As a not-for-profit], there’s no saying that maybe next year we won’t give 200 or maybe eventually all kids are free—it’s our way of giving back to the community,” Robichaud, instructor and director for Track2 Brazilian jiu-jitsu, said in an interview with The Journal.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a form of self-defense originating from Brazil is a grappling-based martial art. It implements the techniques of Japanese Jujutsu and focuses on ground fighting and submission techniques. Regardless of size or strength, practitioners can use their advantage through technique or even strategy to overcome opponents.
Both Inox and Robichaud aim to help kids, teens, and adults improve their lives by building confidence, breaking bad habits, and overcoming mental health challenges. The co-directors hope to spread the word about Track2, having plans to open their doors by early 2025. With a location yet to be determined, Inox and Robichaud are looking to find a place to run in-person classes in or near the heart of downtown Kingston.
Applications to the scholarship are open until December, and with almost half of the scholarships already gone, new Track2 can sign up in the second week of January for a monthly fee of $125, allowing access to all classes throughout the week.
“[With Track2] we want to make it as big as possible, and whether that takes one year, 10 years, or 20 years, we’re here for the journey and we’re super excited to get started,” Robichaud said.
Inox, a former music industry professional and Robichaud, a former law enforcement member, have both shifted their life focuses to Track2. According to their website, Track2 is open to all genders, body types, fitness levels, and ages eight and up.
“You see the kids and the teenagers […] come in as an insecure person who can’t look you in the eye, can’t talk. They have bad posture. They’re looking at the floor and you see them turn into people that have confidence, and they become better people,” Robichaud said.
Inox and Robichaud met in 2017 in Newfoundland, quickly discovering shared interests during hours spent together. To stay active and embrace a healthier lifestyle, they began practicing jiu-jitsu together.
“[After training for] almost two hours every day together, we saw all the benefits and how we were growing together […] we fell in love with the sport and all the benefits that come with it,” Inox said in an interview with The Journal. “It’s almost selfish to keep this just for us.”
The results Inox and Robichaud received from Brazilian jiu-jitsu were ones they never expected to gain.
“Life, and not just from the perspective of sport or self-defense, but in areas like public speaking and interacting with people—I’ve always been incredibly insecure. Jiu-jitsu has helped with all of it,” Robichaud said.
Although they began as students iring the sport, they never saw themselves becoming teachers themselves.
Inox’s jiu-jitsu professor told him he was really good and asked if he ever thought about teaching kids, which prompted the not-for-profit owner to question if he should be helping others.
Leaving the music business behind in Brazil, Inox came to Canada to help others.
“We’ll grow together. You don’t need to be tough. You don’t need to be big. You don’t need to be small. It doesn’t matter what your race is, or where you came from, or your age. We are here to help everybody that thinks that they can benefit from it, and we’ll be there 100 per cent for them,” Inox said.
“I truly believe jiu-jitsu can be for everyone, but at the same time, there are going to be people who come and try it and maybe it’s just not quite for them. But what’s the risk? The worst thing that’s going to happen? It’s not for you,” Robichaud added.
Anyone can apply for Track2’s scholarship through their website.
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