Meet Coach Babajo

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Coach Babajo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Coach , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism was born in difficulty, not in its absence because the dawn is reached by the way of the night.

It comes from remembering that every wound heals and every winter turns to spring. However, I don’t grasp hope like a breakable object. Instead, I walk with it. I’m not a man who refuses to acknowledge the storm but appreciates the rain and believes the sun will rise again.

I don’t float on blind hope, or close my eyes to the world’s weight. My hope is grounded, seeing what is — not what I want— and still be willing to assume what it could be. Not because I am required to, but because I can. This takes power; standing in the midst of difficulty and still planting seeds.

Instead of optimism I prefer the idea of cultivating equanimity. Joy can’t lift me off my feet, and sorrow doesn’t drag me down. This to me is being centered — not cold but composed and clear-headed. In acceptance and at peace.

I don’t think it’s foolish to put faith in the unfolding of life. The seasons don’t hurry along, and the rivers do not tremble with fear while contemplating the turns ahead. I proceed in the same manner: with open eyes, an even heart, and a spirit that confirms everywhere is beauty. It is life itself. It is the way the heart beats without asking, the tree leans toward the sun without doubt, and the tide always returns to the shore.

So that is what I say when someone asks me where does my optimism come from? It is my faith that the human spirit can grow toward the light as long as it’s planted in truth and watered by grace. And that is not optimism. That is life well lived.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Coach Babajo, and I’m a movement teacher, mentor, and founder of the Academy of Physical Education. My life’s work is devoted to guiding youth toward strength, discipline, and purpose through a holistic approach to physical education rooted in nature, culture, and timeless values.

Right now, I work directly with young people across New York City and North Jersey, leading outdoor classes that blend martial arts, gymnastics, climbing, wilderness training, music, breathwork, and more. We’re not just training athletes — we’re raising grounded, resilient, and capable human beings.

The Academy of Physical Education, opening its first indoor-outdoor facility in September 2025, will be the full realization of this vision: a sanctuary where physical training, mentorship, craftsmanship, and service are woven into the daily lives of children and teens. It’s a new model for education — one that honors the body, mind, and spirit equally.

Alongside the academy, I also wrote a book called Raising Warriors, a foundational text for parents, educators, and coaches. It outlines our philosophy and methods — drawing from ancient traditions, Olympic-level training, and hands-on experience — to offer a blueprint for raising strong, virtuous youth in today’s world.

This work is about more than fitness. It’s about restoring balance to childhood, reclaiming the sacredness of physical education, and giving young people the tools to become leaders, protectors, and artists of life. We’re building more than a school — we’re building a movement.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything else: discipline, vision, and adaptability.

Discipline is the backbone. Without it, nothing else lasts. Whether it was waking up early to train, studying movement systems, or teaching classes with no funding and no safety net, discipline kept me moving when motivation ran out. If you’re early in your journey, start by showing up — every day — even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching. That’s how roots grow deep.

Vision gave all of this purpose. I’ve always been able to see what didn’t exist yet — a school that trains not just the body, but the soul; a generation of youth who are strong, noble, and whole. Vision is what keeps you building, especially when results are slow. If you’re still finding your path, spend time in solitude. Reflect. Ask yourself what you were put here to build — and don’t be afraid if it looks different than what the world expects.

Adaptability has kept me alive. Plans change. People change. Resources run dry. But if you stay flexible, if you can bend without breaking, you’ll find new ways forward. For those starting out, remember: the path isn’t straight. Keep your mission clear, but your methods open.

Most importantly, stay rooted in service. If your work is tied to something bigger than you — a community, a generation, a healing — you’ll have the strength to keep going. This journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Every step is building something sacred.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Three books have shaped me in profound ways: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, Miracle of Love by Ram Dass, and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Each came to me like a teacher at the right time, offering wisdom not just for the mind, but for how to live, lead, and serve.

From The Prophet, I learned the beauty of paradox — how joy and sorrow, labor and love, discipline and freedom, are not opposites but reflections of the same deeper truth. Gibran’s words reminded me that to truly teach, you must also be willing to bleed; that love is not comfort, but carving, and that our work becomes sacred when it is an offering.

Miracle of Love, through the stories of Neem Karoli Baba, stripped away the illusion that we are in control. It opened my heart to the power of surrender, service, and unconditional love. The idea that “love tells me I am everything, and wisdom tells me I am nothing” has stayed with me ever since. In my work with youth, it reminds me to show up fully, but without ego — to lead from presence, not pride.

And then The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali gave me the structure — the inner scaffolding. It taught me that mastery of the outer begins with mastery of the inner. The eight limbs of yoga gave me a lifelong path: from restraint and discipline, to meditation and union. It affirmed what I know through movement — that true strength is rooted in stillness.

These books didn’t just teach me—they transformed me. And through them, I’ve come to see that our greatest work in the world begins with the quiet, patient work of the self.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @academy_of_physical_education