MOSES LAKE — Freewind Martial Arts is under new ownership with Brandi and Jacob Guertin taking over as they announced Saturday at Spring Fest while producing a demonstration for the community. According to Brandi, this has been in the works for a few years, but the announcement was the final stamp on the acquisition.  

“There were a lot of qualified candidates when it came down to it, and it was really quite an honor for us to have been chosen,” Brandi said. 

Freewind was founded by Jack Gibson in 1981 and established as the first martial arts school in Moses Lake. He saw an opportunity to share what he found in it – confidence and sense of purpose, Brandi said. 

The mother-son duo has been with Freewind in some capacity since Jacob first joined when he was eight years old. Now 17, he is excited to take over the studio and teach the next generation of martial artists, while continuing to honor its past.  

“We are excited to bring in the new Freewind with (Gibsons) basics and foundation that will always be the heart of Freewind, Brandi said. “With Jacob’s future, we're going to just create more, and that's our motto, is ‘Create yourself,’ that's what you do. You come here, you learn the basics and you create yourself with it.”  

They are committed to maintaining common teachings like form, one-steps and practical self-defense while expanding what the studio can offer. As martial arts evolves, Freewind intends to keep up with it, Jacob said.  

“Martial arts are always changing,” he said. “That goes not just for martial arts, but MMA as well. The most successful MMA fighters right now are pressure boxers, but I guarantee you that's not going to last. There's going to be a kryptonite in about 10 years. Martial arts is always changing, and so is our system. What I'm emphasizing is moving with time and not staying in the past but still keeping our roots.” 

While evolving with the times, they also plan to preserve another core element to their program, the five tenets of Freewind. Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit make up these tenets which Brandi and Jacob use to shape students' character as much as their physical skills.  

“It always starts from our tenets,” said Jacob. “Courtesy means treating others the way you want to be treated. Integrity means always doing the right thing. Perseverance means trying hard, never giving up. Self-control means controlling the mind and the body. Indomitable spirit means to be confident. It's something really good to teach our youth students especially, that we'll always carry on.” 

As they push into the future of the studio, the Guertin's have no shortage of ideas for programs they’d like to add to what the studio already offers. This includes potentially adding multiple locations, and a stronger presence in competition, including MMA, sport-specific events like jujitsu or karate. 

According to Brandi, they hope to revamp their summer program where they bring their demonstrations to local parks, like Cascade Valley, McCosh, Blue Heron, and Neppel Landing to meet kids and families where they are. She is looking into offering an all-ladies class focused on core, flexibility, and mobility, plus a kettlebell class. 

“We really want to highlight the park aspect and take Freewind into the parks and the different neighborhoods and give everybody an opportunity to try out Freewind,” she said, “but also see what we have to offer. If we go to the communities where they are, and they can participate or just watch, and maybe it'll be something that they'll be interested in.” 

In addition to running the studio, the duo has no shortage of responsibilities in their daily lives. Jacob is also a student at Moses Lake High School and holds a construction job. Brandi works as a care provider, works nights at Jack in the Box and is now a small business owner.  

Despite a busy schedule, committing their efforts to growing the studio is no burden on them.  

“For me it's home,” Jacob said. “This place has always stayed true to me, I have always had Freewind, it's consistently here for me. Here there's a future in it, but not only for me, but also I could be providing a future for other people too.”  

For Brandi, the studio has become her passion and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it successful.  

“It's the reason why I have three jobs, because I don't know ‘Quit,’ there's no such thing in my vocabulary,” she said. “Therefore, I will do everything in my power to ensure Freewind will be successful, regardless of anybody else's expectations.”

    Jacob Guertin, left, and Brandi Guertin, right, lead a summer seminar demonstration last June.
  

    Brandi Guertin, left, helps a student put on his karate belt before stepping on the mat at Freewind Martial Arts studio.
  

    Jacob Guertin, left, helps a student through the weapons routine during last years summer seminar.
  

    Jacob Guertin leads a demonstration during a Joni’s Angels scholarship ceremony in December 2025.