Mitsuyo Maeda — Carlos Gracie — Reyson Gracie — Osvaldo Alves — Sergio Penha — Carlos Catania — Myself

With a foundation in wrestling from elementary school to battalion level in the Marines, I transitioned to karate, earning a black belt in '98. Introduced to Catch wrestling even earlier than karate, I later obtained certifications from Jake Shannon with Scientific Wrestling and Joel Bane with Snake Pit USA. Initially hesitant about BJJ, meeting Carlos Catania changed my perspective. Carlos, under the influence of Sergio Penha, integrates catch-style submissions into BJJ. Grateful for Joel's guidance, who is also a black belt under Carlos, I now appreciate the intricate blend of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, finding my place in this dynamic discipline. Carlos has not only become a dear friend but also a pivotal influence in my BJJ journey. Special thanks to Joel for the introduction to Carols, his persistent guidance and unwavering commitment.