I've lived in the Verde Valley for most of my life. I am a life long martial artist. I received my black belt in Shotokan karate under the late Paul Smith in 1999. I received my purple belt in BJJ in 2017. I have two daughters that both train BJJ as well as my life partner and her two children for the last several years. This is all a very large part of my life.

Purple Belt Gracie Jiu Jitsu
World Class Multi Tasker,
Merchant of Emotion,
Winemaker, Curmudgeon,
Armed Snowflake.

I have been an instructor for various fitness modalities in the Verde Valley and surrounding areas for 10 years. The energy that comes with a room full of people inspires me to learn and lead. I seek out individuals with ever evolving fitness goals to unite and create an environment of support encouragement and sweat!

I am a licensed bodyworker, herbalist, and a yoga teacher trained in the Kripalu tradition. I view yoga as a lifestyle which helps to bring strength, flexibility, and balance to the body, mind, and spirit. 

I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. I’ve lived in
Cottonwood for 12 years. I’ve been doing Brazilian jiu jitsu for 8 years and teaching classes for 3 years. I surf in my free time and have a 16 year old son, who is a jiu jitsu blue belt.

 I'm originally from North Carolina and have been active in wrestling and martial arts for over ten years. I have a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu and have been teaching Adult BJJ classes for three years.

Rob Burson has a brown belt in Judo, and has studied a variety of martial arts for over 30 years.

We will be practicing drills, technique, sparring, fundamentals, a variety of training. My class is appropriate for boys and girls, ages 4-14.

I started playing Judo at 18 with Sensei Jack Krystek Snr, at Krystek Judo in Queens, NY. I played Judo under Sensei Krystek and Sensei Shiina (St.Johns University Judo Club) until being promoted to Black Belt by Sensei Krystek after 7 years of practice. I am excited to help grow the Judo community in the Verde Valley!

With almost 15 years in competition, it felt natural to me to become a trainer and share my knowledge, skills, and experience with others. I transformed full contact and kick boxing into a softer discipline of flexibility and self defense training.  As a trainer, I am motivated to give classes in the traditional way as well as in the transformed way to fit everyone's goals.

6AM BJJ

Henry Akins- The majority of our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu curriculum comes to us from the Rickson Gracie lineage. Currently we are in the process of finalizing an affiliation with Henry Akins, Hidden Jiu Jitsu, 3rd degree Black Belt under Rickson.