Mat Life Training Center - Jonesville / Newberry

At Mat Life Training Center, martial arts is about far more than winning medals or collecting belts. It is about building stronger people, stronger families, and a stronger community.

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jason and Kim-Anne Dodd, Mat Life serves students of all ages and experience levels through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Dutch Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA, Fitness Kickboxing, self-defense training, and specialized adaptive programs.

Head Instructor Jason Dodd brings more than three decades of martial arts experience and is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Relson Gracie. His extensive background includes traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Dutch Muay Thai, competitive combat sports, and decades of coaching athletes from beginners to champions. His students have gone on to compete successfully at local, state, national, and international levels.

Co-owner and instructor Kim-Anne Dodd is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt, Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Army Combat Medic Veteran, and passionate advocate for adaptive athletics and community outreach.

Our academy is home to:

• A nationally competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team that competes throughout Florida and beyond.

• An active Muay Thai and MMA fight team that develops athletes from beginners to experienced competitors.

• Youth and adult martial arts programs focused on confidence, discipline, self-defense, fitness, and personal growth.

• Fitness Kickboxing classes designed to help members improve their health in a supportive, welcoming environment.

• Free Women's Self-Defense Workshops that empower women with practical, real-world self-defense skills while building confidence, awareness, and personal safety.

Mat Life Training Center has built a reputation for creating not only successful competitors, but respectful leaders, mentors, and role models both on and off the mats. While we take pride in our athletes' accomplishments, we are equally committed to helping every student become the best version of themselves.

What truly sets Mat Life apart is our commitment to serving everyone.

In addition to our competitive and fitness programs, we proudly provide free community outreach initiatives, including our Women's Self-Defense Workshops and our Special Heroes Needed adaptive martial arts program.

Our Special Heroes Needed program is offered completely free of charge for individuals with special needs. This adaptive martial arts program provides a safe, encouraging environment where students can build confidence, improve coordination, develop social skills, and experience the life-changing benefits of martial arts regardless of ability.

We believe martial arts should be accessible to everyone—from aspiring champions and professional fighters to children, families, women seeking self-defense skills, and individuals with unique physical or developmental needs.

Through competition, fitness, mentorship, and community service, we strive to make martial arts accessible to everyone and to create an environment where people can grow stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Whether someone walks through our doors looking to become a champion competitor, learn self-defense, improve their fitness, or simply find a place where they belong, our mission remains the same:

To change lives through martial arts, one student at a time.

For us, Mat Life is more than a gym.

It's family. 💜