Answer: Keep an open mind. Have fun! BJJ is difficult, and the most important thing is consistency in training. The only way to stay consistent is if you are having fun.

Answer: I am not a “fighter.” I am a Jiu Jitsu Instructor and Practitioner. But I have to set a good example for my “lil ninjas,” as well as the adults. That means conducting business professionally, and being a good friend to my students.

Answer: I am big on having fun. Training can be a grind, but you’ve gotta be able to crack jokes and have a good laugh. Besides that; motrin, ice packs, and Epsom salt are your friends lol.

Answer: I don’t think there is anything that separates me. But I devote 150% of my attention to my students. I try my hardest to not only teach them jiu jitsu, but to be their friend and let them know I got their backs on and off the mats.

Answer: The meaning of success to me is building an academy where people can come to train in a clean, safe environment and be able to defend themselves if needbe. And being able to pass down jiu jitsu to my students.

Answer: I would like to roll with BJ Penn. He is the reason why I started training jiu jitsu.

Answer: I don’t diet. I like steak and I’m too old lol. My last competition, was the 205-225lbs weight class so I didn’t cut weight.

Answer: Simplify it. Pick your 2 favorite sweeps, submissions, escapes from every position and work on them. Do not put too much pressure on yourself on your 1st competition. Go have fun.

Answer: In the higher levels, it is very important. It allows you to gameplan. In the lower levels, not so much. It’s part of the learning curve with how to adapt to body types and different games.

Answer: MMAC in Tampa is very memorable. I had just started teaching so all of my students were there to support me. I only had one opponent in the Advanced 205-225lb division so I had to put on a good show. Luckily, I was able to secure a kneebar in a little over a minute.

Answer: I believe martial arts builds leaders by instilling good core values in an individual. The one benefit I see in both kids and adults is the growth of self-confidence and self-worth in martial arts.

Answer: I would like to get some good rolls with BJ Penn. He is my idol and the reason I started training jiu jitsu.

Answer: The is a huge benefit in gear in training and competing. It all about comfort.

Answer: I believe it is important to carry over the techniques from our seniors/legends of jiu jitsu, but more importantly to learn the way they carry themselves and treat others. When I talk to people more experienced than me, I always ask them this: “Got any advice for me?” They always reply with a mistake they made along the way and help me not to make it on my journey. I draw my inspiration from my wife, Lynn. She supported me when I wanted to change career paths and follow my aspirations of teaching jiu jitsu and eventually opening an academy.

Answer: My longtime instructor Rob Kahn aka HobbyK. He taught me jiu jitsu. Nowadays, he’s mentoring me more in how to be a good instructor and how to run my academy. He’s a big brother to me, I’m lucky to have that relationship with him. He comes up to my academy to teach a class once in a while and he comes up for poker nights with the fellas so I see him often. He tells us stories of training in L.A. with Royce, Rorion, Royler, and Rickson and in return we let him win lol.

Answer: I’ve got 2. First is Royce Gracie. He started it all, changed martial arts forever with his UFC performances. My lineage also falls under Royce. My instructor was among Royce’s first group of blackbelts. He is a funny guy too. When he comes into town and teaches, he’s always busting someone’s balls. I can see where my instructor gets it from, and I am the same way. Second is BJ Penn. First American to with the Mundials in Brazil. It was awesome to see an island boy do his thing.