Building a Brighter Future Together
Join us in our mission to create lasting social change in THRIVEM3 and beyond.
About The Founder
Don Stoner
I was raised in Torrance, CA. My mother passed away when I was 13. My grades dropped and I began hanging out with the wrong crowd. My father enrolled me in martial arts, sensing I needed direction, That's when things turned around for me. I started training Jiu Jitsu at that time.
I began teaching kids at age 15 and competing in tournaments, I trained 2 times daily. At the age of 21, I achieved a bronze medal in the World Championship. I competed around the country achieving many championship titles, ranked as one of the top competitors in the world. I moved to Washougal with my wife in 2017, opened Lone Wolf Academy Jiu Jitsu. I personally provided scholarships to dozens of low income youth in Washougal. I started an in house leadership/mentor program. In 2019 ,With Elliott Juarez and Ryon Morrison's help, we raised money through businesses for additional scholarships. In 2023 realized more was needed and that is when THRIVEM3 was created.
Washougal Director -Elliott Juarez
I was raised in Washougal, and graduated Washougal High School in 2010. I was in the US Army from 2010 to 2018. I was a truck driver in the Army and served in Afghanistan 2011-2012. I married my wife in 2010, who also grew up in Washougal, graduated Washougal High School in 2010. When I got out of the Army in 2018, I worked at a private security company. In 2021 I joined Western Forest Products in Camas.
I started Jiu Jitsu 2021 under Don at Lone Wolf, after my two kids were students there from 2019. In 2023, I started coaching special Apex Program, the pilot program for non profit THRIVEM3.
Washougal Music Mentor-Jeremy Herzer
I was born and raised in northwest Oklahoma and moved to the PNW in 1997. I married a Washougal native in 2005, then lived in Denver for 15 years. I moved back to Washougal in 2021. I'm a self-taught songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has composed and performed sacred and secular music for 30+ years. I enjoy Jiu Jitsu, CrossFit, Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, and backpacking.
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