This is the ethos of the GentleWay Institute, an organisation that combines the enduring values of judo with real-world conflict de-escalation training. Founded by former elite judo athlete Bert Griggs, alongside executive coach Ron Mosley and Olympic gold medallist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, GentleWay delivers evidence-based training for professionals working in high-pressure environments.
Bert’s journey began in Akron, Ohio, where judo taught him discipline, respect and resilience. “With judo I realised that by training hard and following the guidance of coaches and mentors, I could succeed,” he reflects. Inspired by fellow judo Olympians Leo White and Eddie Liddie, Bert rose to become a nationally ranked competitor, training at the United States Olympic Training Center.
After his competitive career, Bert became a substance abuse counsellor and crisis prevention trainer, working daily with individuals in crisis. From this experience, the idea for GentleWay was born: a conflict management approach rooted in the principle of ‘99% verbal, 1% safe gentle judo.’
It was indeed in the challenging trenches of crisis intervention, witnessing daily incidents of verbal and physical confrontation, that the idea emerged. He reached out to his childhood friend Ron Mosley, whose background includes corporate sales, marketing and executive coaching, along with Ron’s wife, athletics Olympic champion Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, an accomplished executive with strengths in leadership and strategy.
GentleWay training resonates strongly with:
- Police officers seeking alternatives to force
- Educators and school staff managing student behaviour
- Social workers dealing with emotionally charged home visits
- Retail staff facing aggressive customer interactions
The training is practical, not theoretical, shaped by over 25 years of experience and delivered by a team that includes former law enforcement, social workers and seasoned judo practitioners. Scenarios are tailored to each profession, with a strong focus on cultural awareness, situational safety and self-care.
Feedback highlights how GentleWay empowers participants to feel better prepared, more confident and more aware in difficult situations:
- “I feel more prepared.”
- “Confident and equipped with practical, useful techniques.”
- “It reminded me of how vital situational awareness is for safety.”
- “They took the time to tailor real-world scenarios, making the training relevant, impactful and engaging.”
- “The emphasis on cultural responsiveness made all the difference.”
Understanding that real skill development takes time, the GentleWay Institute provides ongoing support beyond initial training sessions. Much like athletic training, their approach is not a one-off event but a sustained commitment. With follow-up coaching, self-care components and virtual check-ins, participants are empowered to retain and deepen their conflict management skills.
Since adopting judo values in their programmes, the Institute has seen growing community interest:
- May: The City of Denver’s overdose prevention programme requested referrals to local judo clubs after experiencing the impact of GentleWay’s training.
- June: The GentleWay team delivered the keynote at the Akron Senior Expo, with enthusiastic calls for more sessions.
- July: A full training for Summit County Parks’ Naturalist staff inspired interest in learning judo for both personal and professional benefit.
Summit County Parks staff not only trained with the Institute but now wish to learn judo as a life skill. Bert Griggs says, “Judo saved my life and I believe it can help countless others navigate conflict with respect, confidence and care.”
To learn more or to bring GentleWay training to your organisation, visit www.gentlewayinstitute.com
Contact: Bert Griggs - Co-Founder, GentleWay Institute ([email protected])