Kids in the Bronx are learning how to protect themselves and building confidence along the way. NY1's Erin Clarke filed the following report.

Oswald Perez now coaches kids at the Jungle Gym - a mixed martial arts academy in Parkchester. But there was a time when he was a young student there.

"Towards the end, it was like an hour class, 45 minutes, I don't remember what it was. I ended up throwing up at the end of the class. Pretty embarrassing," recalls Perez.

Since then he's become tougher and grown a lot. He's now a professional fighter and also the head kids coach at the center where it all began for him, teaching a new generation the skills he learned.

"This is a way for parents, especially inner city parents, that don't have maybe the same amenities that a more rural  family would have, this is a way for them to have kids safely get together with other kids, strong role models and get active," says Jungle Gym Martial Arts Owner Justin Garcia.

The Jungle Gym opened in 2002, teaching kids and adults Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a form of self defense. It looks rough - and it is - but the kids classes are geared towards building confidence through rigorous activity and students love it.

"This is the first time that people are usually held down, put in positions that they're not used to seeing," says Garcia. "One of the things we focus on here is making you comfortable with being uncomfortable."

"I like being here because you can get stronger," says Kailyn Landeta, a Jungle Gym student.

And it's more than martial arts skills the kids are building at the Jungle Gym. It also teaches them life skills.

Each month, the kids learn a different word that represents a life skill.

"Diversity, pride, courage," says Isaiah Grant, a Jungle Gym student.

They're even given homework to demonstrate they understand the full meaning of each concept.

"There are categories where they have to have 20 points and they also have some sentences to write as well," says Pamela Sepulveda, a Jungle Gym parent.

Once that's complete students get a stripe on their belt, bringing them one step closer to being promoted to the next level belt.

A workout at the Jungle Gym is strengthening these kids physically and giving them the tools to succeed in life.

For more information about the Jungle Gym, visit junglegymbronx.com.