How Jiu-Jitsu Changed Her Life - Charlee’s Story

Charlee Funes was in 7th grade at Gardner Grade School in Illinois when a bully grabbed her hair, tripped her, and smashed her face into the ground.
When her mom Kim arrived at the school she had an ice-pack on her face and her tooth was broken in half. The school tried to downplay it saying they simply "bumped" into each other and the Principal wouldn't even talk to her without an attorney present.
Thanks to social media, we quickly got a hold of the Funes family and offered to sponsor Charlee in our Gracie Bullyproof program at our Certified Training Center in Elgin, Illinois.
After just a few weeks of training, Charlee was a completely different person.
I got to speak to Charlee after her first day at school (8th grade) and when her mom said "You gave my daughter back," I had to hold back tears.
Charlee is going to be okay.
If you’d like to give your child, the tools to stand up for themselves, consider sending them to the www.Bullyproof...
🎥 www.BeVisual30...

[@NicoleHenryRolls]

My son was being bullied at school and we put our son in jiujitsu for the same reason. Now my husband and I both train and it has been the best change and decision we made as a family.

[@mikenelson8377]

The fact that the principal refused to discuss the serious incident the school downplayed without an attorney present prove he’s the issue.

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

Bullies are trash and schools are trash. Trained at that gym in Elgin, a great place. Keep training Charlie!!

[@Optim40]

Whats interesting is that there making the "girls" to try and be the bullies now.

[@boydwhite3708]

Those pics were beyond bullying...those showed bloody assault. Glad Charlee has found a good path and friends.

[@0193project]

Awesome that the Gracie team reached out. Good for her. Hopefully she keeps it up.

[@MikeSwartz]

As a kid in late elementary school through middle school, I was bullied. I got a concussion when a bully in my middle school slammed my head into a locker. I tried out for wrestling that year, but the coach used me as a rag doll to show kids how to do takedowns. I dropped out in tears. Years later, my middle school bully popped up again, but I had grown and I had a great friend with me on my side. I told my buddy who the guy was and got a response of "don't worry, I got you". I see your program as a way to give all these kids the self confidence and training to have that mindset, but for themselves. I wish as a 7th grader I had that. I am looking into the local Gracie location near our house for my two daughters. The positive impact on self confidence and mindset is huge. Keep up the great work. Giving people the "Don't worry, I got you" reinforcement is awesome.

[@jamesporter.]

Simply awesome! Well done! OSS!!

[@theliftexpert]

This brought a happy tear to my eye, good job Charlie ❤

[@kickapootrackers7255]

Great work brother and Charlie 🤝

[@Dukkha-Bhavana]

Bullying from school staff is usually much worse than from the kids. Staff even bullies the parents!

[@macross5000]

Well, we know why she was bullied. She is just too cute. Those other kids must had been jealous.

[@righteousshadowsdojopt.3979]

Pedo?

[@jsacodes916]

What a sweet, kind hearted girl. You can hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. She’s a gentle soul. You can also see that confidence now, too. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@josephlauletta3493]

Wow, this is the most heart-warming story I've watch yet on this channel. GO go Team Gracie! You can see the daughter smile after her training, which effects her confidence, demeanor, and such attributes. Its a systemic approach. Oooh, BJJ is System-thinking! --Someone needs to trademark that, like NOW.

[@trillianmcmillian2660]

what a strong and resilient young lady! so glad to have her in our world

[@daniavi1358]

I'm very happy Charlie feels so well and big Thank you very much to Gracie Family because you're doing an outstanding work. Best wishes and blessings from Spain. 🥋🙏🏻🙋🏻‍♂️

[@TheOrignalTRockz]

So LOVE THIS!!! This is how you take a really bad experience and turn into your stepstone for your personal grwoth and next level. Awesome! Thanks for one the most important service and offer that exists to ensure a new generation of strong, confident and resilient members of our society. Fantastic job! Goes without saying that this a turning point for anyone who wants to experience that level of self confidence and respect, regardless of your age.

[@davidgutierrez1319]

Love the stories..jitsu is the best!!

[@1tylerd1]

Rener you and your Family are heroes for me and that bully Work is sooo important. I got goose bums when i hear the Girl talking. I experienced bulling also in my childhood. So a Lot of Respect and love from germany....Please keep on going with this project

[@robinbharti4836]

You people are so kind and considerate, compassionate we need more people you in this unjust world

[@jconti0727]

I am very happy for her! Throughout my school years (over 8 years ago), I myself was bullied and knew a small amount of Jiu Jitsu but was never confident enough to stand up for myself. I’ve always loved Jiu Jitsu and dreamed about becoming an instructor someday but never dedicated myself to a class because of finances, therefore I barely have any experience. I’ve sparred with my brother a few times but only a few moves and on the rougher side. I always had a passion for helping people and was told I’m a good teacher (I work retail and have trained cashiers). I never knew if there would be a steady income, especially where I live. I battle anxiety sometimes and get really nervous when I see someone making a scene in public, and never knew what the right thing to do was. It would be really cool to visit the Gracie Academy Dojo, but with my job, I need to work full time to make ends meet. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is such a powerful martial art and I’ve always respected it. I love that it makes children who have been victims of bullying, bullyproof. I hope to one day become experienced and good at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

[@trussmonkey5910]

If this ever happens to your child while they are at school and they are injured by another student. First take care of your child then call the police and press charges against the people responsible. Then find a good lawyer, tell them your story and follow their advice. Training on the mats is strongly recommended as well as physical conditioning. Too many people get bullied and bully's suck.

[@panzerfaust1322]

God bless you Guys

[@justinwilson2025]

Can't believe the principle. They were clearly guilty with that response. If that's the case me and the principal would've been going at it

[@rooroo9216]

They keep doing this ***t because they never experience any real consequences, people need to be jailed, or at the very least fired and permanently banned from teaching forever. And that’s being generous. They let these things happen on their watch, they’re responsible, people send their children to school expecting them to be safe! They may aswell send them to a prison, they’d be much safer there at this rate..

[@kennethcurtis1856]

Congratuations for being Bubba's wife instead of being there for your kid.

[@XHEADTOWALLX]

​@@kennethcurtis1856 witty response, cool guy.

[@clinteastwood4704]

Jiu-Jitsu FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@unclecow]

Awesome

[@likeakite]

Wonderful

[@Tx007Nova]

Gracie's do so much for people.❤❤❤

[@tkcaapi2876]

Thats heart warming

[@FlavioMaselli]

She's a different person now. 👍

[@nicholascancio4304]

i love this

[@righteousshadowsdojopt.3979]

I remember this. I wrnt on to teach Charlie how to be a Ninja.

[@knw-seeker6836]

This is so cool to see Imagine she will be a Jiu Jitsu Pro athlete after a few years 😊

[@PeterJames143]

cool kid.

[@ksmith3997]

❤

[@somethingcleverrrr]

So glad my kids are homeschooled. This is such bullshit.

[@clovertx901]

👏

[@Optim40]

I mean pretty soon everyone is gonna know Jiu-Jitsu by now.

[@ismaelgarcia2659]

😊

[@jassyjitsuu]

🥲🥲🥲✨✨

[@ismaelgarcia2659]

1st one

[@GabriellaGtag]

First!

[@kennethcurtis1856]

Wow. Now, are you going to contribute something positive to this story?

[@recklezztray9322]

Philippians 2:10-11 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[@TheVillain_x99]

Was the bully probably black?

[@utubepunk]

Racism has rotted your brain.

[@gr8dvd]

Probably orange, ya know an entitled, ignorant racist like you.

[@jamesatkinson3419]

I wish you guys would offer this in Las Vegas !!!

[@njb7209]

🥲❤