About me
I am a martial arts practitioner, coach and competitor. I have made Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tomiki Aikido, Shuai Jiao, Taijiquan and Baguazhang the main focus of my study and practice. While I have been able to achieve very meaningful depth in my chosen arts I also have made a special effort to pursue breath in my practice. Over the last 26 years I have had the chance to train in almost 30 different martial arts with some of the best teachers out there. In addition to martial arts, meditation and yoga have been a cornerstone of my personal methodology for over 15 years. I have helped high level competitors develop their skills and mindset to great success, hobbyists to stay motivated and interested and those who seek improved resilience as well as personal and spiritual development.
"Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own"
- Bruce Lee
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Primary Arts
Began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017 - Primary coaches and teachers: Jordan Lutsky, Brandon Durham, Roberto Cyborg Abreu and Vagner Rocha. Earned my Black Belt in 2023 from Jordan Lutsky.
Black Belt in Condition X Style of Mixed Martial Arts under Master David Falcon
Black Belt in Taekwondo under masters Paul and Anthony Mellela
Training Tai Chi & Baguazhang since 2008, I spent 8 years with my primary teacher Mr. Richard Satlow, a student of B.P. Chan
Began training Tomiki Aikido in 2015 under Sensei Angel Quinones.
Began training Shuai Jiao in 2018 with Lavell Marshal and Matt Gelfand. Since 2024 have had the chance to study with Shifu Zhang Wei Dong.
Other Arts
I have been able to study a great number of other arts albeit in less depth. Although in some cases I have spent considerable time training in some of these arts, I would not claim to be part of them in a formal manner nor any of those listed below as my teacher in a formal sense. Below are listed those arts and some of the teachers I have had the privilege to train with in classes or attend a seminar with:
Judo - Gus Stavroulakis, Chris Angle, Neil Adams, Valdr Arajulo
Capoeira - Contra Mestre Cabeção, Gustavo Guru, Mestre Nenel, Mestre Joao Grande
Pak Mei - Jeremy Thomas
Muay Thai - Carlos Nunez
Kyokushin Karate - Sensei David Duran
Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu - Popkin & Brogna
Catch Wrestling - Jake Shannon
Bokh - Lavell Marshal, Ganyam Ganbold
Choy Li Fut - Joe Keit
Sambo - Vlad Koulikov
Japanese Jiu Jitsu - Sensei Adam Mitchell
MMA - Glover Teixeira
Wing Chun - PJ Pereira
52 Blocks - Marcus Brimage
Iwama Ryu Aikido - Stephanie Yap
Xingyi - Richard Satlow
Finally are systems that I studied through online courses or with teachers that are not particularly noteworthy
Shaolin Kung Fu
Libre Knife Fighting
Sumo Wrestling
Krav Maga
Silat
Boxing
Dutch Style Kickboxing
Meditation, Yoga & Healing Arts Experience
Four Immeasurable Minds Meditation Retreats in 2012 and 2013
Began Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana in 2012
Began Vinyasa Yoga in 2012, graduated 200 Hour RYT Teacher Training in 2013
Reiki Level III
100 Days of Yuthok with Dr. Nida in 2020
Training Tsa Lung & Tummo Yoga with Dr. James Bae since 2023
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I began teaching Yoga and Meditation in 2014. It was especially challenging to teach these topics at a young age when many of my students were considerably older than me. This was a great force in shaping my teaching style that focused on delivering well digested information from the best available sources in my field. It also helped me to craft a well informed but unbiased viewpoint about these arts. In 2015 I started teaching martial arts part time and then in 2018 I began teaching martial arts full time. I have had the privilege to study many systems of teaching and coaching both children and adults. Most recently I have made a deep study of ecological dynamics, the constraints led approach and differential learning. I believe it is a teachers duty to continue their education process indefinitely and am always looking for ways to improve. I also have a deep appreciation for the fact that martial art, competition and teaching are all separate skills and always try to approach things in this manner.
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I have been able to become very successful at a high level across many Martial Arts such as BJJ, Tomiki Aikido and Shuai Jiao. I have also had the Privilege to compete in a wide variety of arts such as Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Sumo, Mongolian Wrestling, Sambo, MMA, Tai Chi Push Hands. Below is listed a relatively complete resume of my competition experience:
August 2016 - Tomiki Aikido Nationals - Team Randori - Gold Medalist
December 2017 - NAGA
Gi - Silver Medalist
Nogi - Gold Medalist
April 2018 - U.S. Shuai Jiao Nationals - Bronze Medalist
San Shou - Silver Medalist
May 2018 - New Jersey Sambo Open
August 2018 - Grappling Industries - Silver Medalist
October 2018 - U.S. Open Martial Arts Championship -
Push Hands - Gold Medalist
Shuai Jiao - Gold Medalist
Ultimate Sanda (MMA) - Bronze Medalist
March 2019 - Yagadome Invitational Superfight - Champion
March 2019 - Tap Cancer Out Gi - Gold Medalist
April 2019 - U.S. Shaui Jiao Nationals - 4th Place
April 2019 - NY Spring Open - Bronze Medalist
May 2019 - Big Apple BJJ Open Gi - Gold Medalist
June 2019 - MMA Debut
July 2019 - NAGA - Gold Medalist
August 2019 - Sogi 3
February 2021 - JitzKing - Gold Medalist
March 2021 - Kevlar Combat 185 - Champion
April 2021 - Newbreed - Gold Medalist
April 2021 - Arte Suave Pro Superfight - Champion
May 2021 - White Lion Promotions Superfight - Champion
May 2021 - High Rollerz - Gold Medalist
June 2021 - Submission Grappling Series Superfight - Champion
July 2021 - Smokerz Kickboxing - Gold Medalist
July 2021 - Shoot Pro Wrestling - Draw
August 2021 - High Rollerz - Silver Medalist
September 2021 - Arte Suave - Gold Medalist
September 2021 - Shoot Pro Wrestling Triple Shoot - Winner
October 2021 - Sogi Open - 4th Place
February 2022 - Grappling Industries Nogi - Gold Medalist
March 2022 - Grappling Industries Nogi - Gold Medalist
April 2022 - White Lion Promotions - Combat Jiu Jitsu Super Fight Champion
May 2022 - The Good Fight Submission Only Nogi - Champion
June 2022 - Grappling Industries Gi - Gold Medalist
June 2022 - Rolling Stonerz Nogi - Gold Medalist
July 2022 - Tomiki Aikido Nationals - Silver Medalist
July 2022 - Fuji Nogi & Gi - Gold Medalist
August 2022 - Florida Sumo Championship - 2nd place
August 2022 - Leleo Code Absolute Division - Champion
August 2022 - New Haven Open Gi & Nogi - Silver Medalist
August 2022 - Ironman Grappling Super Fight - Champion
September 2022 - Grappling Industries - Absolute Champion
October 2022 - Rolling Stonerz Super Fight & Bracket - Champion
November 2022 - White Lion 175 bracket - Silver Medalist
November 2022 - Fight2Win Super Fight - Champion
November 2022 - Ibjjf New Haven Open - Gold Medal
November 2022 - Hammer Challenge Series - Bronze Medalist
December 2022 - Chronic Kombat Super Fight - Champion
January 2023 Ironman Grappling Championship 185 bracket 4th place
February 2023 Rolling Stonerz - champion
February 2023 Grappling Industries Nogi - Champion
March 2023 - Ironman Grappling Main Event Super Fight - Champion
June 2023 - Submission Battleground
July 2023 - Tomiki Aikido World Championships Osaka Japan
March 2024 - NAGA Expert - 1st Place
March 2024 - Flex Fight Series Invitational Champion
April 2024 - Shuai Jiao National 1st Place
May 2024 - Hammer Challenge Series Arena Qualifier Champion
June 2024 - Balance & Flow Black Belt Super Fight Champion
October 2024 - Shuai Jiao World Championship - 5th Place
February 2025 - NY Shuai Jiao Invitational - Double Gold
April 2025 - US Shuai Jiao Nationals - 1st Place
May 2025 - Empire Sumo Cup -Middleweight - 1st Place
