People
Meet the Dockers: Chris Tulloch
Chris Tulloch has lived in Newham for over 20 years. As the Founder, Director, and CEO of non-profit social enterprise Grappling with Life, he uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to teach young people resilience and confidence. In this Meet the Dockers interview, Chris shares the story behind the organisation and the journey so far.
What inspired you to start running Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sessions in the Royal Docks?
I started martial arts as a teenager with boxing, kickboxing, and kung fu. As I got older, I gradually transitioned into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training on and off over the years. After a tragic family loss, I went through a very difficult time, and my mental health declined. During that period, I reconnected with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The discipline and focus it requires played a huge role in helping my wellbeing. It gave me structure, focus, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Wanting to explore the idea further, I came across an opportunity to run some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sessions. That connection came through Giz Chu, head coach at Carney’s Community who asked if I’d be interested in teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to young people at their gym. The programme ran for six weeks. I really enjoyed the experience and saw how much the young people got out of it.
It got me thinking, could this be something I do more permanently? However, there’s a big difference between stepping into a ready-made gym to run an hour-long session and starting something from scratch in the community without funding. But I decided to take on the challenge.
Tell us about Grappling with Life
Grappling for Life launched in January 2025. It’s a non-profit social enterprise based in Newham that teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to children and young people facing disadvantages in urban communities. We work with many local young people who attend nearby schools like Royal Wharf Primary School, Oasis Academy Silvertown, and Royal Docks Academy.
It’s really encouraging to see such a diverse community coming together with families from different backgrounds and cultures, all mixing and supporting each other through the club. With ongoing redevelopment in the area, local facilities are improving, making it an even better place for the community connection.
Thanks to grant funding from Unltd, we’ve been able to purchase essential equipment, keep the cost of the sessions low and rent space at Britannia Village Hall in Silvertown, where we run our weekly classes. The West Silvertown Foundation, the resident-led charity which manages the hall, has been really supportive. It’s a fantastic location for the sessions and Britannia Village Hall a real sense of community.
We offer sessions for children aged 7–11 on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm. For ages 12–16 the sessions take place on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Each session costs just £4 and runs during term time only. We keep the price low and offer the sessions as drop-in pay-as-you-go to make it as accessible as possible, especially for families balancing rising living costs. Thanks to the funding, the 12–16-year-olds sessions are currently free until Christmas 2025.
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that’s all about control, strategy, and using technique over strength. Unlike striking-based martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on grappling — getting your opponent to the ground and working for dominant positions where you can apply submissions like joint locks or chokes. I like to describe it as physical chess because you need to think several moves ahead. In competition, the goal is to win by submission, making your opponent tap out by applying a technique they cannot safely escape. Matches can also be decided by points, with scores decided by gaining dominant positions on your opponent.
For beginners, we start with the basics just learning techniques at a pace they’re comfortable with. With younger kids, we focus on techniques and self-defence, keeping the contact playful and controlled with a focus on safe takedowns and controlling the opponent. We incorporate a few games too. People often say, 'I’m not fit enough’ but I always say start where you are. Our sessions are designed for all levels, so everyone is welcome to join in.
Tell us about your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey
Over the years, I’ve competed in Grappling Industries events, earning bronze and silver medals, and even took silver at BJJ All Stars Pro. I don’t compete much anymore, but I still train regularly to keep my skills fresh and to continue to learn. I train at two gyms, Redbridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Diesel Gym London in the Royal Docks, where I practice 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. Diesel Gym London is a fast-paced, athletic environment. I usually attend their daytime sessions. The gym has award-winning coaches and is well respected in the martial arts world. People travel from all over to train there. In early this year, I even had the chance to train with some athletes from Australia who were visiting the UK.
What’s next for Grappling with Life?
It’s been so rewarding to support young people and watch how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has helped them build confidence and resilience in such a short time. We’re still in the early days, and I’m not taking a wage yet, it’s truly a passion project. In the past I’ve run a few Jiu-Jitsu workshops for Carney’s Community and Oasis Academy, and I’d love to work with more local schools and community groups.
Right now, my focus is on growing the 12–16 year old sessions and developing a mentoring scheme to support them. Recently, we launched an Open Mat training session for ages 14 and up, including adults. It takes place Tuesdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Britannia Village Hall and welcomes people from different gyms who already have some experience. A big part of these sessions is connecting with people who want to become mentors and give back to the community. There’s nothing like giving back and watching people grow.
Find out more about Grappling with Life
To learn more or to book a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session, email chris@grapplingwithlife.org or call Chris on 07803 838 252.
Sessions (term time only):
- Ages 7–11: Tuesdays, 6.30pm – 7.30pm and Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm, £4 per session
- Ages 12–16: Thursdays, 5.30pm – 6.30pm - currently free until Christmas 2025
Open Mat Training (for ages 14 and up, including adults with experience of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu):
- Tuesdays, 7.30pm – 8.30pm - Pay What You Can (suggested £5)
Location: Britannia Village Hall, 65 Evelyn Rd, London, E16 1TU
Follow Grappling with Life on Facebook and Instagram for updates and news.
