An Adelaide-based mortgage broker will continuously compete in a 12-hour jiu jitsu roll-a-thon to raise funds for The Next Step Australia, a mental health organisation, and R U OK?.
The fundraising event comes after the sport helped save his life after struggling with his own mental health issues.
At 6am on October 12, Dave Picca (pictured above) will wrestle and grapple the first of over 120 opponents in a continuous jiu jitsu roll-a-thon in the hope to raise $12,000.
“We don’t save ourselves. We save each other. All clubs and affiliates are most welcome and I’m hoping to see some brokers and BDMs come down too,” Picca said.
Having been a mortgage broker for 10 years, Picca was working as a sub-business under his colleague before launching his own brokerage, Alexander Financial Group.
“Alexander is my middle name and my grandfather’s name. He was a pretty great family guy with good morals, so I thought I’d name it after him,” he said.
Picca said he wants people to recognise the business as a “vessel to give back to community” after initially struggling with the challenges of the industry.
“I love what I do, but after a while you lose the enjoyment of getting things approved. Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of helping a client through a situation, but I realised I needed something more,” he said.
“My goal is to wake up every morning and find ways to help my clients and to give back to those around me.”
Like other brokers before him, Picca’s mental health struggles led him to challenging moments in his life.
“I was in a dark, dark spot back in the day. I was suffering from big mental health issues… Suicide. Depression. All of that stuff. That’s when I found jiu jitsu and it helped me turn my life around.”
For those that are unfamiliar, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It emphasises the skill of controlling an opponent through techniques that force them to submit.
“It’s a combination of wrestling and submissions. The goal is to strangle or rip your opponent’s limbs off,” said Picca.
Reminiscing about the first times stepping onto the mat, Picca said it was a “humbling experience”.
“It completely reduces your ego, and it teaches you things about yourself in a way that’s hard to describe,” he said.
“Looking back, I can see how it’s helped me with challenges in business and puzzle things out in my day-to-day life. Overall, it’s just helped me be a more confident, stronger person.”
Picca’s mission for a 12-hour roll-a-thon was initially inspired by his jiu jitsu mentor Damian “Obi-Wan” Todd.
Back in 2019, Picca said the ex-British Royal Marines commando practiced jiu jitsu for 24 hours non-stop in a world record feat at an Adelaide martial arts school.
“Obi’s the one who got me into the sport. He was suffering from PTSD and depression because of his experiences, and he wanted to let people know that they are not alone while raising money for RUOK Day,” Picca said.
“I got the idea [from] him. I want to inspire others like I was inspired to fight through their mental health problems and let them know that they don’t have to fight alone.”
Rest assured; Picca knows what he’s getting into.
“I’ll be hooked up to a drip during my three 15-minute breaks because the body cannot fully rehydrate in that time.”
But his focus will not falter or flinch.
“There’s going to be heaps of dark moments during those 12-hours. I know I will want to give up at some point, but I now recognise how to clear my mind and focus on my goals,” Picca said.
“People need to recognise that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t focus on the darkness currently around you; focus on the light and you will make your way.”
With the roll-a-thon held during Mental Health Month, Picca has specific charities in mind.
R U OK? helps to inspire people to start conversations about mental health while The Next Step Australia offers financial assistance to men with financial barriers, provides community training to aid in suicide prevention, and gives post-suicide support to grieving families.
They also raise community awareness, run workshops, and host a men’s support group for sharing struggles and seeking guidance.
“If you’re in the industry and want to show your support, even If you’ve never done jiu-jitsu before, please still come down for a roll,” Picca said.
For details or to donate, click here.
To get help today, call a Beyond Blue counsellor on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
