A couple of years back, the term ‘American Jiu Jitsu‘ developed which was sometimes the source of controversy. Regardless of your views on the term, this lifestyle is probably best summed up by the rise of the Pedigo Submission Fighting team (PSF for short). This is the name of the owner and head coach of the gym, Heath Pedigo. Pedigo is a veteran black belt, who hails from Mount Vernon, Illinois.
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So, what is Daisy Fresh?
Daisy Fresh is the name of the popular FloGrappling documentary series that highlights the daily lives of the PSF team. These are mostly made up of young Americans, who train several times per day and take grappling incredibly seriously. Most of these competitors come from broken homes, tough upbringings and join the PSF team to try and better their lives.
Undoubtedly, this lifestyle is tough and isn’t for everyone. Basically, a lot of these guys devote everything to their training. In many cases, this means living in relative poverty, and for some – they literally sleep in the gym which is cold in the winter without heating.
The documentary often features their lack of money. For instance, one time the group borrowed soap from a dispenser to help wash their gi’s. Nonetheless, there is a distinct feel of happiness and comradery between the group. In short, the lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but for those involved it offers mental and physical discipline and is something a bit different.
Credit needs to be given to Heath Pedigo for creating this gym. Often, if members are too poor then he will not charge them. For Heath it seems, the main goal is to better the lives of his team through Jiu Jitsu. Make no mistake about it, Heath is in it out of the good of his heart and is about as far away as possible from the commercial side of things that many BJJ gyms have adapted to over the years.
Why is it called Daisy Fresh?
Firstly, whilst the name PSF is cool, it doesn’t sound as good as Daisy Fresh. Basically, the gym is in a building that used to be a laundromat. For various reasons, Heath Pedigo decided to keep the sign on the outside, that says ‘Daisy Fresh’, which has since become synonymous with the gym.
According to gym members, locals still regularly enter the building expecting a laundromat as a result. So, whilst the gym is technically called PSF, it is often referred to as ‘Daisy Fresh’, which has even led to the group having the Daisy Fresh logo embroidered on their tracksuits.
Where is Daisy Fresh BJJ?
Daisy Fresh (or PSF) is located in Mount Vernon, Illinois. This is a small town which has a population of around 15,000. This is where Heath Pedigo is from. However, a lot of his competitors join the gym from far and wide. For instance, Jacob Couch is originally from Kentucky, whilst Andrew Wiltse is from Michigan. Such is the reputation of Daisy Fresh means that serious competitors will come from far and wide to train there. The exact address of this gym is 105 S 17th St, Mt Vernon, IL 62864, USA.
What is the deal with Daisy Fresh and Shoyoroll?
Shoyoroll owner Bear Quitugua first heard about the Daisy Fresh story several years back. Instantly, he was intrigued and ever since has gifted the gym various brand new Shoyoroll gi’s and rash guards. Because of this, you will often see PSF members compete in Shoyoroll. Ironically, Shoyoroll is often considered as the most expensive of BJJ brands.
However, Bear seemed genuinely invested in the Daisy Fresh team and wanted to help them out. He claimed that the team truly represented the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle which is why he has supported them ever since.
Not only this, but he has also given them custom training clothes and merch over the years. As a result, the Daisy Fresh American Jiu Jitsu t-shirt has become popular with the public; even with people who aren’t affiliated with the gym.
What is the deal with Andrew Wiltse and Panda Express?
Simply put, Andrew Wiltse loves Panda Express. For those out of the loop, Panda Express is an American food chain that offers Chinese cuisine in a fast-food setting. Wiltse often celebrates winning BJJ competitions or matches by going to Panda Express to eat. Such is his fascination, he will often mention the food chain with excitement. As a result, they have even sent him gift cards due to his admiration of their food.
Who is in the Daisy Fresh BJJ team?
The answer to this question is ever-evolving due to the nature of BJJ competition teams. Often, people will come and go. However, the original documentary features the Wiltse brothers (Andrew and Bird), Jacob Couch, Alejandro Wajner, Jorge Valladares, Jakob Brooks, and Jacob Bornemann amongst others. This group have won various prestigious titles such as Pan-ams and Worlds.
