Just five years ago, DeCroo’s immediate reaction to any physical confrontation might have been unmitigated violence.ĭeCroo first met his adversary, gym owner and martial arts instructor Roy Duquette, four years ago. Since he is a recovering addict and a childhood victim of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the impression of a hard life is also dead accurate. Since he is a performer-a singer-songwriter, poet and actor-this impression of DeCroo would be correct. Someone for whom it matters how he is perceived. A lock of hair carefully groomed into place speaks of someone who is conscious of how he looks. A deeply-lined, distinctive face that hints at earned experience, none of it easy. To say that Rodney DeCroo, 51, resembles Anthony Hopkins is to say that his face has character. They face each other and after a quick bro-pound, they go at it again. They roll onto their knees, breathing hard, straightening their story by MILANA BUCANĬlothes. A brief fight to tear away the choking arm is followed by a quick tap-tap. This time the grimace is deeper and strangled. He hooks the heels of both feet inside Hopkins’ legs. A few moves later, in a fluid motion, the man slips one arm around Hopkins’ neck from behind, deftly latching onto the bicep of his other arm, and locks onto Hopkins’ back in a tight hold. Then, aggressively bridging his body and sliding his hips side to side, he manages to break free. Methodically, he counters by wedging one arm under his opponent’s abdomen and pushing the blade of his other forearm across his adversary’s throat. His forehead glistens with sweat, his face a mask of forbearance. The one lying on his back, a younger Anthony Hopkins-type, grimaces silently, enduring the discomfort. Though their breathing is ragged the men’s faces are expressionless until one- an athletic man with tattoos flashing out from under his cuffs and open jacket-manages to pin the other, grinding his shoulder into his opponent’s face, turning it to the floor. Strong hands grasp lapels but then are ripped away until they reassert themselves on sleeves, around wrists.

Within moments they’re both clinched on the ground, tumbling, backs flared with exertion. IIt’s a Friday night and just off Vancouver’s Commercial Drive, in a dimly lit subterranean room with mirrored walls, two men square off. THE UNLIKELY VEHICLE FOR HIS ACCELERATED RECOVERY: THE BRAZILIAN MARTIAL ART, JIU JITSU. RODNEY DECROO GIVES HIMSELF A FIGHTING CHANCE AGAINST THE TRAUMATIC EFFECTS OF YEARS-LONG ABUSE AND ADDICTION. Despite suffering from PTSD, DeCroo finds opportunities for growth amid the crush and complexity, the submission chokes and locks of Jiu Jitsu.

Peaceful warrior gym