Hello, my name is Brandon, I'm a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown belt, the Head Kids Class Instructor, and the Co-Head Instructor for the adult classes here at Delta Grappling Academy. My journey in BJJ began in September 2016 when I moved from Alabama to Connecticut to pursue graduate school. Transitioning to a new place can be challenging, especially for someone like me who comes from a large family. However, in those early days, I quickly discovered that my BJJ training partners became like a second family to me.

I met Derek and Jim on the mats during the summer of 2019 while I was interning in Ohio. We became fast friends and we trained together for several months. Soon after returning to school, I received a job offer to return to Ohio, and conveniently, I also received a call from Jim, who told me about the founding of Delta Grappling Academy.

Shortly before my move, I was honored to be awarded my purple belt by Professor John Gagne from Secret Pages BJJ/IMBCT/K.O.R.E. Relocating to Ohio during the midst of a pandemic, it was a no-brainer for me to train with people I knew and trusted, so off to Delta I went. From that moment, my journey with Delta Grappling Academy has been a story still in the making. I began covering the occasional adult class where help was needed and when the discussion for starting a kids program came about, I was all in.

My experience as an instructor on the mats began when I was a blue belt assisting with kids class and covering the occasional fundamentals class. I also have several years of teaching and tutoring experience as an academic, early during my undergraduate engineering time and later as a graduate research and teaching assistant. As both an instructor and a continuous student of BJJ, I have an insatiable passion for learning and experimenting. My teaching philosophy is rooted in building a strong fundamental and conceptual base that empowers students to explore and experiment for themselves. I firmly believe that BJJ is not just a martial art; it's an expression of self. At its core, it's a problem-solving art that imparts valuable lessons on and off the mats, enriching our daily lives.

As for that childhood dream of being called upon by the Power Rangers, I'm grateful that the call hasn't come yet because I don't think my seven years of BJJ, with a sprinkle of various other combat arts, has me fully prepared just yet. But who knows what the future holds? The journey continues, and I'm excited to share it with all of you here at Delta Grappling Academy.

While I began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017, it was not until the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020 that the beginnings of Delta Grappling Academy were underway. It was during those uncertain times that Derek and I decided to continue our pursuit of jiu jitsu with the help of local black belts through virtual resources.

With determination and guidance from our online resources, the foundations for what would later become Delta Grappling Academy were born. We opened our doors to members with a physical gym and a partnership with Joe in June of 2020.

I earned my blue belt in October of 2020 and my purple belt in January of 2023 under Professor Jason Matherley. My journey has been filled with ups and downs, but also the camraderie of my partners and everyone who has joined us at Delta Grappling Academy. I am excited to see what the future holds for our academy.

In addition to jiu jitsu, I am also an avid CrossFit and weightlifting athlete. My past accomplishments include the 2015 Pan-American Master’s Olympic Weightlifting Championship, along with several podium finishes at CrossFit competitions. Additionally, I hold:

*CrossFit Level 1 and 2 Certifications
*Pendlay Level 2 and 2 Olympic Weightlifting Certifications
*USA Level 2 and 2 Weightlifting Certifications
*NASM CPT and Corrective Exercise Specialist
*Certified Nutritional Therapist

I hope to add competitive jiu jitsu accomplishments to the list soon.

I have been practicing Jiu-Jitsu, karate, and MMA for over 18 years, and I am also the owner of VO2 Fitness and the VO2 Fitness Fight Team. When Derek and Jim approached me about a jiu jitsu program, I knew it would be the perfect addition to our community.

I earned my blue belt from Professor Arthur Ruff and my purple belt from Professor Shawn Hammonds in April 2021.

I am an assistant instructor for the adult class and the kids class, and prefer to toe-hold both adults and kids when given the opportunity. I am an MMA and combat sports veteran, and bring a unique grappling style to the Delta mats.