I spent roughly 10 years in a variety of traditional martial arts, ad hoc training groups, and obscure self defense systems prior to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In college,  I stumbled into Tae Kwon Do and I endured it long enough to obtain a 2nd degree black belt.  As I trained in TKD,  I had a persistent, nagging feeling that I was missing something.  One day the feeling became too much to ignore and I left TKD.  Over the next 3 years, I became a full contact kick boxer, studied Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Escrima,  Kendo, and Shoot Fighting.  It still wasn’t enough.

As I meandered through all of these systems, I began to gravitate away from the “self defense” philosophy.  I realized that, for me,  it was superficial and impractical.  I was looking for a different way, a different life.

I saw the UFC in 1994, and witnessed Royce Gracie win in the most unconventional methods.  The interest was ignited but I had no opportunities to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  But, in 1997 I moved to Florida.  Read here how I found the only sport that matters and became Pablo Popovitch’s first American Black Belt in 2006.

In 2004, I moved back to Ohio and started the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Center of Ohio in a small room of a converted middle school.   Since then, I have expanded the academy two times, put an amateur MMA fighter in the NAAFS National Finals five years in a row, cornered at UFC 96 , and generated IBJJF Champions.

All of the victories and accomplishments of my academy and students are distinguished.  They are a result of tough, diligent practice sessions, dedication to each other, and determination when under competitive pressure.  These are glimpses of my true purpose- to challenge every student to develop and succeed in the sport, engage in our culture and adopt a lifestyle.  I am most proud of the citizens that I have trained who share my purpose, live the life,  and pass it on to others.  Over the years, I have had the honor of promoting the following group of students who are now my core leaders of my academy and are true  ambassadors of the sport.  They are the true pinnacle of my success.