YOUR NEW LOCAL
FOR MARTIAL ARTS,
YOGA and RECOVERY.
COMING SOON TO FOREST HILL
The Pass is a martial arts and yoga studio in Forest Hill teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wing Tsun, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, and Dynamic and Restorative Yoga to all ages. We want The Pass to be your new local. The place you push yourself, but also the place where you can switch off. Alongside challenging physical practice we will offer recovery in the form of a sauna, cold plunge, good coffee, and a place to sit, relax, eat, and enjoy community events. We will also be adding a little members’ slice shop and aperitivo bar. Because we think you should wind down properly at the end of a hard week of training.
WHAT WE ARE
We are Tom and TJ. Most importantly, we are the very proud parents of Miles and Nola, and our Ridgeback, Willa. We are the second-generation husband and wife team behind what is now The Pass. Tom is a lifelong resident of Forest Hill. He was brought up on these very premises by his parents, who ran a successful family bistro on the site from 1982 until they retired in 2007. TJ hails from New Jersey and has been living in London since 2018, but we met more than a decade ago while working together at Spotify.
We both loved working in the creative, music and tech industries, but like a growing number of millennials, we knew it wasn't forever. Having experienced three layoffs between us (the last on TJ’s birthday in September of 2026), we knew more than ever that we wanted a business we could call our own. We will share the full story of how we got here another time, but for now, let's just say that Tom has been studying martial arts since he was ten, and TJ found yoga about twelve years ago after a childhood of dance and acrobatics. Tom’s very first martial arts lesson actually happened at a gym at the end of David’s Road, so opening The Pass definitely feels like one of those full circles.
WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to teach the community as a whole and not just the young and athletic. Our classes are all led with that filter in mind. We are interested in building confidence and community by teaching fundamental physical skills that anyone can learn. These skills aren’t easy, but they should be simple. Lots of gyms and studios centre their culture around the athletically gifted. We believe celebrating excellence in performance should always be encouraged and supported.
But what about the rest of us? What about the kids who aren’t full of confidence and athletic potential? What about us aging millennials, or even our parents, who haven’t done a sport since school — if ever? We firmly believe that learning martial arts and yoga stands to benefit us mere mortals more than anyone. That’s why we want to nurture a culture centred on all of us and not just the best of us.
WHY MARTIAL ARTS AND YOGA?
These practices aren’t for everybody. But they should be for anybody. We know from experience that consistently pursuing proficiency in hard physical skills gives you immense resilience to anything life throws at you - whatever your age or ability. We will be working every day to build a community of people who embrace being comfortably uncomfortable.
WHEN CAN YOU JOIN US?
We’re aiming to open our doors at the beginning of 2027, but early memberships will open soon. We will have lots more information about our timetable, pricing, and how to sign up in the coming weeks. This will include foundING members’ sneak peak tours, exclusive merch designed by TJ, and more, so please follow us for updates. We can’t wait to see you.
With love,
Tom, TJ and family.
Pass it down