Started training Jiu-jitsu in 1997

AWARDS:
IBJJF National Champion (3x medalist), 2x IBJJF Pan American medalist; 7x IBJJF Open Champion (NY x2, Boston x3, Atlanta, Charlotte).

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
Watching Royce Gracie in the early UFC events. To see the power of technique over size and strength made an immediate impression on me.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
The “guard” because it allows a person to win a fight even while on the ground and on bottom. It’s what separates Jiu-Jitsu from all other martial arts.

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Go for it. Embrace the challenge of learning something new. Believe that you can be good at it.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“It is better to travel well than to arrive.”

Trained striking and grappling since 2003.

AWARDS:
NAGA/ UGC/ Tap Cancer out/ Paramount in house tournament. Two amateur MMA wins.

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
A general love for martial arts and witnessing Royce Gracie choke out a man twice his size.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Grappling—Kimura. Striking—lead hook

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Give it a try more than once and try multiple gyms.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“If you are going through hell, keep going!”

Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2009

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Trained combative martial arts in the Marine Corps

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
I have always been interested in martial arts. The more laid back aspect of Jiu Jitsu compared to traditional martial arts was very appealing to me. As soon as I tried it I was hooked.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Triangle from Closed Guard. (Old School!)

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
You should absolutely give it a try! It is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends for your mind, body and soul.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together!”

Started training Jiu-jitsu in XXXX

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
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WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
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FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
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ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
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FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
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Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2017

AWARDS:
2022 & 2023 Competitor of the Year, 2023 Performance of the Year, 4x IBJJF Charlotte Open champion.

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
Saw a flier on my college campus for a Jiu-jitsu gym, did the trial class, and have been hooked ever since.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Berimbolo

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
The hardest part is just showing up. If you come visit the gym, you owe it to yourself to give a free trial class a shot.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“When I step on the mat I know there is no other place I’d rather be.” ~ Marcelo Garcia

Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2016

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Gracie Survival Tactics Level 2 instructor
Police defensive Tactics Instructor

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
I got started in Jiu-jitsu after signing my kids up. Spending time at Paramount watching their classes got me on the mat.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Collar & Sleeve or Lapel guards

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Start now, don’t “wait until you are in shape ” just get out there and start training, it’s the best way to get to that “in shape”.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Seneca

Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2019

AWARDS:
Instructor of the year 2024

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
I started my oldest son in BJJ and he loved it. I had fun watching him and decided to try it for myself and fell in love with the sport.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Hook sweep

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Try not to get discouraged in the beginning, this sport is a challenge for every part of you and that’s the best thing about it.

Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2010

AWARDS:
Instructor of the year 2x

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
Saw the UFC fight with Royce Gracie and was hooked. Had to learn what they knew.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Favorite position—Guard,  Favorite move—cross choke

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Leave your ego at the door, be a good training partner and just have fun.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” 
~ Seneca

Started training Muay Thai in 2011
Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2015

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
I started Muay Thai because I wanted to get into shape and learn a new skill. I started training Jiu-jitsu because I wanted to learn what to do if the fight went to the ground.

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Clinching

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
It’s a tough sport when you have great days where everything goes your way and then the next roll or class nothing works!  Sticking with the technique and evolving the execution takes mental toughness and not just physicality. 

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Seneca

Started training boxing in 1988

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Trained first by the late great Pop Johnson of Coatesville PA in my early years then trained by The World Champion Calvin Grove for over 20 years. Has a 17 and 3 fight record.

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED:
My boxing started with my grandfather James Toney who is from Lamar South Carolina where he did a little fighting or watch fights in his neighborhood

FAVORITE MOVE OR POSITION:
Philly shell and my favorite punch is the right cross or over hand right.

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING TRAINING:
Take your time and build up your skill by just taking your time

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:
“I can do all things through my higher power my higher power is what strengthen me”