Zachary Helka, a ten-year-old resident of Lake Fenton, endured physical bullying both inside and outside of his public school when he was just six years old. Unfortunately, the bully happened to be a boy from next door, which meant that Zachary faced bullying on the school bus, at school, and even in the safety of his own backyard. Despite Zachary's parents, attempting to address the issue with their neighbors, their concerns were dismissed as insignificant. Desperate to protect their son, they turned to the school principal for help. Regrettably, the school's response was far from satisfactory, as their policies restricted victims of bullying from resorting to physical self-defense. Consequently, the attacks persisted.
In October 2021, Zachary's mother made the decision to enroll him in a local Brazilian Jujitsu gym named "Tenfold Brazilian Jujitsu." Her hope was to equip Zachary with the necessary skills to effectively disarm opponents while minimizing harm, all while restoring his self-confidence. Given Zachary's athletic background as a competitive Division 1 soccer player for the Detroit Football Club and Nationals Soccer - Genessee teams, he quickly excelled in his jujitsu training.
Within just a few months, an incredible transformation took place. Zachary's confidence and self-esteem were restored, thanks to his dedication to jujitsu. Moreover, training in this martial art allowed Zachary to forge positive friendships in an environment outside of school.
In January 2022, Zachary embarked on his journey in local and regional Brazilian Jujitsu competitions. With remarkable success on the mat, he accumulated numerous gold medals and earned the privilege to train alongside renowned competitors Brian and Kevin Mahecha. Zachary's dominance in the regional division caught the attention of his coaches, who generously sponsored his participation in the prestigious "IBJJF Kids Pan American Championship." This event brought together top-notch competitors from across the globe.
Despite having less than a year of training, Zachary's performance was nothing short of astonishing. He fearlessly faced a challenging bracket consisting of 38 students from esteemed training facilities like ATOS and AOJ. With three submissions under his belt, Zachary proudly secured a remarkable 3rd place bronze medal in the Junior Male Lightweight Grey-Belt division.
This remarkable achievement, coupled with the disappointment of not clinching the gold, has ignited a burning motivation within Zachary. He is determined to return, setting his sights on the glorious title of Pan-American Champion.
The Helka family is committed to nurturing their children's achievements. Frustrated with the public school system, they made the decision to enroll Zachary and his two sisters in an online program called Michigan's Connection Academy. Instantly captivated, Zachary found inspiration in the stories of children graduating years ahead and even establishing their own businesses while still attending school.
With newfound inspiration, Zachary became interested in starting a business that would accomplish two main goals: to enhance his own and his team's ability to compete and train in jujitsu, and to share the gifts that jujitsu has given him by inspiring others. Keeping these objectives in mind, the Brazilian Jujitsu apparel business, Zed Honra, was born.
By September, Zachary's daily focus shifted towards adjusting to new school schedules and classwork. Despite this, he remained committed to his jujitsu training, seeking additional guidance from Professor Ronaldo Candido, a multi-world champion and former professional UFC MMA fighter based in Novi, Michigan. Ronaldo's positive attitude and influence, both on and off the mat, ultimately led Zach to formally switch his affiliation to Ronaldo's ATOS Michigan Team. However, the increased travel time posed a challenge to Zach's training opportunities. As a solution, the Helka family enlisted the expertise of Kodi Dick, one of Ronaldo's protégés and a world champion blue belt, to oversee Zach's additional training at a local gym.
Training in jujitsu, attending school, and starting a business simultaneously is no easy feat. While the planning stages for Zed Honra were progressing well, Zach and his dad faced challenges in finding suppliers who could deliver the desired style and cut. Zach aspires for "Zed Honra" to become a leading brand, one that offers top-notch quality and brings immense value to the jujitsu community. His vision extends beyond just products; he envisions supporting charities and forming external marketing partnerships to spread his message. That message is: fear should never hold you back, you have the potential to learn and achieve anything in life if you set your mind to it. And most importantly, don't allow anyone, especially bullies, to hinder your personal growth and happiness.
Recognizing the business's frustration and struggles in achieving the desired product quality, Ronaldo stepped in to offer his years of experience and knowledge. With his guidance and input, along with valuable suggestions from the manufacturing partner, they successfully launched the inaugural Zed Honra BJJ Kimono, aptly named the "Alpha GI." This collaboration and collective expertise have paved the way for a remarkable product that embodies excellence.
Zachary Helka's journey is a testament to the transformative power of Brazilian Jujitsu, a testament to victory against bullying, and an inspiring story of resilience. With the launch of Zed Honra and the Alpha GI, he has taken his passion for jujitsu to a new frontier, aiming to impact not only his life but also the lives of others within the jujitsu community. His story is a powerful reminder that with determination, perseverance, and courage, anyone can overcome their fears, thrive in the face of adversity, and craft their path to success.
Like Zed Honra, Zach's journey has just now begun.