5 Time Jiu Jitsu World Champion Richard Goodwin Boosts Community

BENICIA, CA — Without community leaders, Benicia wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Jennifer Goodwin, a Benicia reader who nominated Richard Goodwin.

How do you know this community leader?

Spouse

What does this community leader do?

He owns New Creation Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu and also is a Director at California State Prison. He manages a program for Men/Lifers to receive their State Certification to be Drug and Substance Abuse Counselor.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Richard Goodwin was recognized in 2021 by Benicia Police Department as a Community Leader who was given a second chance at life. Richard is a recovering alcoholic and used heavy drugs in his past. His addiction was so bad, he lived in the Tenderloin in SF and was homeless. He was left to die by some so-called “friends”. He ended up in the hospital and it was during that time he realized he wanted to live. Later he would find himself living a sober life and, introduced to Joel the Director of the Genesis House at that time, believed Rich had the qualities of being a leader. He introduced him into being a substance abuse counselor. Richard would go on and receive his California state certification for alcohol and drug substance abuse.

Richard came from Humble Beginnings and lived in Pacifica, California. His mother was barely a functioning alcoholic when he was about 3 years old. He turned to wrestling in high school and was successful. He has a love of being competitive. He would go on to San Francisco State University and become one of the youngest if not first, three time All-American as a freshman in wrestling and at that time that was rare.

He would go on and be in a relationship. He had three children and started to party with alcohol, and it was at that time he realized that things were just falling off friends, and then eventually family, which would leave him and abandon his family and his children. Rich would tell you, it is one of his biggest regrets and one where he still continues to try and mend that relationship.

Today Richard Goodwin has been sober and clean for 16+ years not only does he work in a prison where he teaches and educates lifers they too can also receive their California state certification for alcohol and substance abuse. Well, most of these lifers will never leave prison. The ones that do are able to leave with their certification in hand, and in return, utilize their education for employment.

After college, and becoming sober, a friend introduced him to Jiu Jitsu. Being on the mat was nothing new to Rich, but he found a love of an environment, where he could be competitive again — he would then find himself hooked on Jiu Jitsu. It was through Jiu Jitsu that helped him with his sobriety. In his late age, he would go on to compete in some of the biggest well-known competitions. He would then become a five time world champion in Jiu Jitsu. He also knew that he wanted to give back to his community and open a wrestling and jiu jitsu academy.

It was through meeting his wife, Jennifer that she would see his wishes through every day, searching for a place to lease in Benicia California, where they resided. Today the Academy is home to several students ages five and under to 60 years of age. He has many kids who have been referred to the program due to being recognized as at-risk youth. He also has many men and women who train who are economically disadvantaged, dealing with sobriety, needing a community to fit in. He goes on to offer his Academy to children, who are also emotionally challenged and on the spectrum. Richard's wife will tell you there isn’t a day that goes by when somebody doesn’t reach out who needs help with drug and alcohol rehabilitation. She has on countless occasions accompanied her husband to the homes of many who seek help or need direction; it is through his experience, his belief and his actions that he should be nominated and recognized. Rich has come back from the depths of hell that most do not. Today Rich is a 1st degree BLACKBELT and is going on to compete for another World Championship in Jiu Jitsu in Las Vegas, CA for Ibjjf Master World Championship at the end of August. He is the Owner of New Creation Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu located in Benicia, Ca.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

His generosity and time he gives to each student, family and friends who are struggling with Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. - Had I not met my husband, my son might not be alive today. I almost lost my son to drug use, Heroin. I’ve seen first hand my husband at work. He would introduce my son to Jiu Jitsu and rehabilitation. My son is Sober and Clean, Jiu Jitsu is part of his sobriety and today he resides and lives a healthy life in Oregon, CA. with his wife and dog Trigger.

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Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

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