Written By: AJ Hoffman
Chad Robichaux won’t be back in the cage anytime soon. Instead he will be assisting in the fight against PTSD, which affects countless veterans every day, including Robichaux himself. After multiple combat tours as a Marine, Robichaux has seen first hand the difficulties that soldiers returning from overseas can endure, and realized that there are a lot of veterans out there not getting the help they need to function in civilian society.
Chad will be walking away from his Gracie Barra schools here in Houston to head to move to Colorado, where he will work as part of a Christian ministry called the Mighty Oaks Foundation that assists veterans in readjusting to civilian life. The program essentially takes returning troops who are suffering from PTSD and puts them in an “unplugged” rural environment for 12 months where they will concentrate on honing the day to day skills that will get them through life outside the military, as well as bringing them the spiritual healing that is often required after doing the work of a soldier.
Robichaux will also be teaching his craft, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to the veterans. The program is designed to give them the skills needed to find employment in the martial arts industry in hopes that they can one day pay it forward and 
make a difference in someone else’s life. Besides the physical skills, he also plans on teaching them the business side of things as well.
“We’re going to be using the Gracie-Barra franchise as a manual to teach them the business side of jiu-jitsu, how to run the gyms and all the marketing and different things like that,” Robichaux told MMAWeekly.com.
Chad can’t do this alone, and financial support is needed. Find out how you can help at www.mightyoaksfoundation.com.
There will be a special benefit dinner Thursday night to help raise support for this cause.
Date: Thursday December 1, 2011
Silent Auction: 5:30-7:00. Dinner 7:00 PM
Location: WoodsEdge Community Church 25333 Gosling Road, Spring, TX
Cost: $25 per seat. $250 for reserved table of 8. $500 for sponsor VIP table of 8.
Guest Speakers Include: Lex McMahon, Toby Nunn, Steve Toth, Paul Schroeder and Chad Robichaux
Tickets: Call Kathy Robichaux at (936) 647-9015 or purchase online at mightyoaksfoundation.com
As a veteran myself, I believe this is a noble cause. We here at thecagedoor.net support Chad fully in this endeavor. Best of luck Chad!
he who bleeds with me will forever be my brother. My hats off to your effort. im looking forward to this
Professor char has been a great teacher to me and so many other guys. He will definately be missed at GBTW! He has another calling and with Gods will, he will turn these soldiers lifestyle around for the better. Thank you Chad. In the meantime, GB will continue to bring home the Bacon in every battle we fight.
Good school producing good fighters and a group of guys that i have always liked interacting with. Does this mean that chad is leaving his roll as instructor at GBTW? either way i really and truly hope that chad can impact soldiers lives for the best as he continues his efforts. I have so many close friends who struggle in so many ways with these things. God speed to these efforts and this organization.
Todd Moore will take over Chad’s role as instructor at the schools.
so all students will be greeted with a “helloo” when they come in.
Im sure that todd is goign to do a great job. all the guys up there who i know speak highly of him.
Thanks so much guys. This is a phenomenal opportunity for me to serve where my heart has been pulling me for a long time. I’ve had my own healing from PTSD through my faith in Christ, my family, and some great friends.
Knowing the horrible statistics of PTSD such as 18 Suicides per DAY from our Vets, 200,000 homeless Vets a night on the streets of America, I have to say… someone has to do something, so why not me. I’ve been blessed with this wonderful gym and team and they are supporting me in this endeavor. We have 8 Vets starting our program in Jan, so many people and companies are coming together to help, it is going to be an amazing trophy of triumph over tragedy!
I have always enjoyed being in service, as a Marine, Law Enforcement, and a teacher… I’m so honored to serve in this capacity.
The gym and GB North Houston Team is in great hands. Professors Todd Moore and Alex Gotay, along with Coaches like Michael Corley, Gerardo Abadie, Matt Wald, Jared Chaffee, Charles Lloyd, Kody Williams, Jody Tranthom, and Carlos Martinez. Come on… they will be just fine! I will however be back for a week every other month so that I can come home to my team and family to train and stay connected. Expect for our Wounded Warriors to be traveling back to Houston on these trips!
Anyone wants to come up to the Mountains and train the door is open to participate… it’s at about 10,000ft so you need to have your lungs ready!
Also, if anyone wants to attend our Wounded Warrior Benefit Dinner tomorrow, it will be an amazing night!
Thanks Houston,
Chad Robo
very honorable thing you are doing chad.
jeremy