12-STEP BASED SOBER LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA
A structured men’s sober living program rooted in the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous; we use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to reinforce and bring to life the lessons taught in the rooms of AA. New Soil is located in East Stroudsburg, PA and serves young men ages 18–35 from all over the country.
HOW BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU SUPPORTS ADDICTION RECOVERY
Recovery is not passive; it requires physical, mental, and emotional engagement. For young men transitioning from inpatient treatment, too much unstructured downtime can contribute to restlessness, anxiety, isolation, and vulnerability to relapse. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) provides a fun yet structured environment where residents can actively practice discipline, grit, and perseverance.
On the mats, there is no shortcut around effort. BJJ demands focus, connection, humility, and the ability to remain present under pressure. It provides an opportunity to experience and practice many of the same principles emphasized in the rooms of AA—accepting discomfort, staying teachable, taking responsibility, and persevering when things become difficult.
When a young man learns to remain calm and composed while facing physical and mental discomfort on the mats, he can begin applying those same principles to the challenges of everyday life and recovery. At New Soil, BJJ is not a substitute for AA—it is a practical way to reinforce the lessons of the program and put them into action.
THE ROLE OF MARTIAL ARTS IN OUR RECOVERY MODEL
Our program welcomes complete beginners and experienced athletes alike. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is integrated into a structured 12-Step recovery environment, giving residents an opportunity to put the principles they learn in AA into practice through discipline, challenge, and community.
WHERE JIU-JITSU MEETS RECOVERY
At New Soil, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 12-Step recovery reinforce one another. The lessons learned on the mats can improve the quality of a resident’s sobriety, while the principles learned through AA can make him a better martial artist.
Jiu-Jitsu teaches lessons that carry into recovery. On the mats, residents learn to stay calm under pressure, control their breathing, solve problems when things are not going their way, accept discomfort, remain patient, adapt when a plan fails, and keep working when progress is difficult. They experience humility firsthand and learn that improvement comes through repetition, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. These are all lessons that will help them throughout their journey of recovery.
Recovery teaches lessons that carry onto the mats. The principles of AA—including honesty, humility, self-examination, responsibility, acceptance, and willingness—will change the way a resident approaches training. Learning to check your ego at the door, accept correction, acknowledge mistakes, listen to others, and put principles before personalities will make him a better training partner and a more effective martial artist. The Twelve Steps are principles to be practiced in daily life, not simply ideas discussed in meetings.
The result is a cycle of growth: Jiu-Jitsu gives residents a place to practice the principles of recovery under pressure, while recovery gives them the mindset to become better students, training partners, and martial artists.
AA isn't just something residents talk about in meetings, and BJJ isn't just exercise. Each becomes a practical testing ground for the other.
DAILY ON-SITE BJJ INSTRUCTION
Structured mat time focused on technique, leverage, breathing, problem-solving, and staying composed under physical pressure. Residents learn to approach challenges with patience, humility, and perseverance.
FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Residents have access to a fully equipped home gym and structured fitness activities designed to build strength, stamina, confidence, and healthy daily routines.
PRACTICING COMPOSURE UNDER STRESS
BJJ provides a controlled environment where residents can practice managing discomfort, controlling their breathing, staying present, and working through challenges without becoming overwhelmed. These experiences reinforce the principles of patience, acceptance, and perseverance emphasized in AA.
BROTHERHOOD & CAMARADERIE
Training together creates opportunities to build trust, accountability, and genuine peer relationships. Residents share challenges, encourage one another, and develop a sense of belonging within a community built around sobriety, personal responsibility, and mutual support.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Founded by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 17 years of continuous sobriety, New Soil brings together the principles of 12-Step recovery, the discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the structure of a supportive sober living environment.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Training is designed for all fitness levels and abilities, from complete beginners to experienced athletes. Instruction can be adapted to accommodate individual limitations so every resident can participate safely and get the most from their time on the mats.
24/7 SUPPORT & DRUG TESTING
New Soil provides a substance-free living environment with staff support around the clock, along with regular random drug and alcohol testing to help residents maintain their sobriety.
12-STEP RECOVERY & DAILY PRACTICE
AA and 12-Step principles are at the center of the program. Residents attend regular AA/NA meetings, participate in daily peer recovery groups, and follow a structured daily schedule that includes house curfews and other routines that support a stable life in recovery.
START YOUR JOURNEY OF RECOVERY
We welcome young men from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and across the country. Getting started is simple: contact us for an initial conversation and intake screening, and we can coordinate transportation directly from a treatment facility to New Soil when needed.