About Us

Our team is diverse and essential to the growth of our students no matter what walk of life they are from.

Smiling man in a martial arts gi with a black belt.

Professor Nate

Jiujitsu black belt

Kids Gi instructor

Tween/ Teen Gi instructor

Adult Gi instructor.

Nathan Jacob Gerwig is a Brazilian Jiujitsu black belt and longtime youth coach dedicated to helping kids build real confidence through consistent structured training. With more than eight years of coaching experience, he focuses on creating a positive, disciplined environment where students learn practical self-defense, strong fundamentals, and the mindset to handle challenges on and off the mats. Known for a calm, detail-driven teaching style, Nathan emphasizes technique over ego- prioritizing safety, respect, and steady progress at every level. His missions is simple; develop tough, capable kids who carry the lessons of jiujitsu into school, sports, and everyday life-one class at a time.

Sensei Lance

Judo Black belt,

Kids Judo instructor

Adult Judo instructor

Sensei Lance began Judo under his father's tutelage at age 6. He started teaching at 13 and earned his black belt at 19. Lance has competed at a national level, and he has coached at several colleges and universities as well as numerous dojos. Sensei teaches to continue his learning about the sport of Judo.

Professor Jason

Second-degree black belt under Alexander "Xande" Ribeiro.

Adult Gi instructor

Jason has been training jiujitsu since October of 2008. Has a background of amateur Muaythai boxing, wrestling, Krav Maga, and combat submission wrestling and Rugby. Jason has experience in training Navy Seals, military members, green berets, and law enforcement. When non on the mats with us you can probably find him surfing or enjoying some personal training/ crossfit.

Two men sparring in a boxing gym, one delivering a punch.

Coach Casey

BJJ Brown Belt

Judo Black Belt

Adult Judo instructor

MMA instructor

Black and white portrait of a serious man with a beard and styled hair.

Coach Dave

BJJ Brown Belt

Owner

Youth Gi instructor

Adult Gi instructor

Adult NoGi instructor

Coach Dave is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt known for his passion for building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community both on and off the mats. With years of experience in the sport across may different schools and states, Dave believes that Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport—it’s a lifestyle centered on growth, respect, and connection. Coach Dave started his jiujitsu journey after following in the footsteps of his middle son Jak. Since then, coach Dave has successfully competed at local level tournaments like Grappling Industries, Fuji, and PBJJF as well as more prestigious tournaments through IBJJF. He competed in the first ever Grapple4Life Invitational and won his Superfight. Since participating in the first event, Dave has become a proud supporter and board member of Grapple4Life, an organization devoted to using the power of grappling to uplift others and promote mental and physical wellness. Whether he’s teaching, training, or supporting fellow athletes, Dave’s mission is to create a positive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive through Jiu-Jitsu.

Coach Laura

BJJ Purple Belt

Owner

Front office manager

Kids NoGi instructor

Kids Gi instructor

Jellyfish instructor

Homeschool Jiujitsu instructor

Women's jiujitsu instructor

BJJ Fundamentals instructor

Cardio Kickboxing instructor

Bootcamp instructor

Coach Laura began Jiujitsu in 2021 after the rest of her family had already begun their jiujitsu journeys. Growing up her passion was Irish dance and so this was very out of her comfort zone. Through the years she has been met with various challenges continuing the sport but still chooses to balance being a wife, mother, homeschool teacher to 3 of her children, coach, and athlete because this journey has helped her find a version of herself that she never knew existed. Coach Laura has competed in several tournament series such as Grappling Industries, PBJJF, Fuji, and Naga. She participated in the first ever Grapple4Life Invitational. She recently competed with Joan of D'Arce. She has also competed for Chickjitsu and is proud to be a Chickjitsu Ambassador for NC. Coach Lauras teaching style focuses on setting up pathways to use techniques and tools; treating every move like an ingredient and dissecting the different types of recipes you can use that ingredient in according to your preference. As a smaller pixie sized human, coach Laura recognizes that not every move is for everybody, just as not every ingredient is for every pallet; and knowing that gives students a little more control in where their rolls and their journeys take them. She is an advocate that jiujitsu has something for everyone, and that while everyone's "why" they step on the mat is different, and every person's goals vary, ALL journeys are important.

Coach Chandler

BJJ Purple Belt

Youth Jiujitsu Coach

Adult Fundamentals Coach

Coach Chandler began Jiujitsu in August of 2020 and started helping on the mats with the youth programs in December of 2021 after earning his blue belt. Favorite submission- armbar. Favorite challenge- passing guard and hunting the back. Coach Chandler is also Youth Mental Health First Aid certified.