The Veteran-Owned Gym Bringing Marine Corps Discipline to Midtown Tulsa

America celebrated 250 years of independence this past Fourth of July. I wanted to use our weekly spotlight to honor a business that lives out that spirit every day, and Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness on East 71st Street in Midtown Tulsa is exactly the kind of business that deserves it. Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness is veteran-owned, Marine-built, and grounded in discipline, grit, and service to the people who walk through its doors.

From an Amish Upbringing to the Marine Corps to Midtown Tulsa

The head coach and owner of Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu did not have an easy start. Micah Stockton was raised Amish and Mennonite, and he learned the value of hard work long before he ever stepped on a mat. After leaving home, Micah served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving, he brought those same values straight into the gym he built: discipline, grit, resilience, and commitment.

A 2nd-Degree Black Belt and a Team Built on Real Experience

Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu was officially established in 2024, and the coaching behind it goes back decades. The head coach holds a 2nd-degree black belt, has competed professionally, and has spent years training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and striking. He has also built a coaching team that meets a real standard: a minimum of 10 years of training experience for every instructor. That level of expertise is not easy to find, and Midtown Tulsa should be proud to have it in the neighborhood.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, and Wrestling for Every Age and Skill Level

Gremlin offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling for all ages and all skill levels. A complete beginner who has never set foot on a mat will find a place here, and so will a parent looking for a confidence-building activity for their child, or a serious athlete training to compete. The programs are built to meet people exactly where they are and take them somewhere further.

Marine Corps Values Built Into Every Class

At Gremlin, martial arts works as a vehicle for something bigger than fitness. The coaching philosophy centers on building confidence, sharpening the mind, developing discipline, and growing as a person, and those values come straight from the Marine Corps and land differently in a gym setting because of it. The environment is safe, welcoming, and family-friendly. Kids thrive here, adults find something they did not expect to find, and the community that has formed around Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu is exactly the kind of thing that makes a Midtown Tulsa neighborhood stronger.

Why a Veteran-Owned Small Business Fits America's 250th

Veterans are a big part of why we get to celebrate 250 years of this country. When a veteran comes home and pours everything into building something meaningful for their community, that deserves to be celebrated just as loudly as any fireworks show. Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu is one Marine's way of continuing to serve his community, one student at a time, right here on East 71st Street. That is what patriotism looks like in a small business, and it is exactly why I wanted to spotlight it during the Fourth of July weekend.

What Does Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu's First Free Class Include?

Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu's first class is completely free, and every new member also receives a free Gi to train in. The first three new sign-ups each week also receive gloves or a rash guard, so there is very little standing between you and your first class. Whether you are curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for yourself or looking for a confidence-building activity for your kids, this is about as low-risk a way to try it as you will find in Midtown Tulsa.

Address: 1660 E. 71st St. #2P, Midtown Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: (918) 998-5009
Hours: Monday 4:30–6:00 p.m. | Tuesday 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 5:25–6:45 p.m. | Wednesday 5:00 p.m. and later

The Gremlin Jiu Jitsu Takeaways

The Three Things Worth Remembering About Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu

First, this gym was built by someone who has lived discipline from two different directions, an Amish upbringing and the United States Marine Corps, and that combination shows up in how the classes are run and how the students are treated.

Second, the coaching here meets a real standard. A 2nd-degree black belt, professional competition experience, and a full team held to a minimum of 10 years of training experience is not something you find at every gym in Midtown Tulsa.

Third, this is bigger than fitness. Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu is a place where kids build confidence, adults find something they did not know they needed, and a Marine veteran gets to keep serving his community long after his time in uniform ended.

Two Ways to Support Gremlin Jiu-Jitsu

Go try the first class. It is free, you get a free Gi, and there is truly no reason to keep wondering what it would be like.

Tell someone else about it. If you know a family in Midtown Tulsa looking for a confidence-building activity for their kids, or an adult who has been curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, send them this way.

The One Takeaway I Want You to Remember

A veteran came home and built something that is still serving his community, one class at a time, and on the weekend we celebrate 250 years of this country, that is exactly the kind of small business worth standing behind.

If you know another Tulsa veteran or small business owner building something worth spotlighting, send me their name. I love telling these stories, and Midtown Tulsa has more of them than people realize.