Mediacorp 987 DJ Avery Aloysius is taking his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to the next level, becoming one of the people behind new Singapore BJJ gym Commons – that will open in Lavender in October.
Aloysius has been practising BJJ for close to three years, after discovering the martial art during a difficult period in his life. “Finding Jiu-Jitsu was a blessing,” he told Baseline. “I found BJJ at a low time of my life and BJJ teaches you how to lose and forces you to be okay with it.”
“It has also given me a sense of focus and discipline I believe you only find with a martial art.”
His journey eventually took him into competition, where he won gold at Grappling Industries in Kuala Lumpur as a white belt.
Since earning his blue belt, Aloysius has struggled to find time to compete due to work commitments, but he hasn’t given up on his competitive ambitions. “I still am aiming for a gold medal at every belt level,” he said. “Doing that under my own gym’s banner would be such a moment for me.”
Creating a Space for Others
More than competition, it was the impact BJJ had on Aloysius’ own life that inspired him to help create Commons. “When I started jiu-jitsu, it was a space that allowed me to grow as a person with the people around me,” he said.
“It gave me something that I could always look forward to every day, which gave me the drive and determination to make myself better.”
Now, he hopes Commons can provide that same sense of purpose and community for others.
“I wanted to provide a space for people looking to find a purpose, find a space that they can better themselves and hopefully they fall in love with this art as much as I did.”
Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone
At the heart of Commons is the belief that BJJ should be accessible to anyone, regardless of their background or experience. “Commons was created with the idea that jiu-jitsu is for everyone and anyone,” Aloysius said.
While the gym will focus on technical and competitive BJJ, Aloysius says its ambitions extend beyond what happens on the mats.
“We are creating a space for you to grow, better yourself, challenge yourself and learn from not just our coaches, but from the people you will be surrounding yourself with.”
“Off the mats, we want to be able to bring this beautiful sport to everyone.”
For someone who found BJJ at a low point in his own life, Commons represents an opportunity to pass on what the sport gave him — discipline, purpose and a community to grow alongside.
Or, as the Commons team puts it: “A common space, a common sport, a common people.”
