Breaking Point
Jiu-Jitsu

I am a Black Belt under John Gutta and a seasoned competitor with numerous tournament victories, including multiple IBJJF gold medals and wins at submission-only events across all belt levels—most notably, multiple IBJJF black belt golds.
As a detail-oriented and dedicated instructor, I’m committed to helping my students grow while sharing my passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within our academy. My approach reflects the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle, and I’m known for my deep technical knowledge and strategic understanding of the art. I fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu in 2011 by way of MMA and the UFC. I quickly favored the complex intricacies of grappling over striking. Since then, I’ve devoted myself entirely to mastering BJJ.

I started Jiu-Jitsu because I was fascinated that one person could control another so effectively. It seemed magical. I wanted to understand.
When I first began, I remember men much smaller than me flying around, keeping me on my back unable to mount any counter to their efforts. I trained a couple times a week until I realized that my progression rate was not getting me off my back. I began training 5-7 days a week and never looked back.
Jiu-Jitsu is fantastic precisely because it is hard. It forces you to subjugate your pride and vanity and endure the process of learning that inevitably includes losing and frustration. But on the other side awaits satisfaction and community.
“It is far easier to whisper advice from cover than to risk its merit at the point of attack.” In our gym you’ll find that all of our instructors risk the merit of their teaching the mats.
2023 World Master 4 Brown Belt Silver Medal
2022 World Master 4 Brown Belt Silver Medal
2019 World Master 3 Blue Belt Gold Medal
2018 World Master 3 Blue Belt Silver Medal
2017 World Master 3 Blue Belt Bronze Medal
IBJJF Gold Medals: 21
IBJJF Silver Medals: 7
IBJJF Bronze Medals: 9

I’m a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who began training in 2008, shortly after graduating high school. Like many others, I was drawn in by my love of MMA—specifically, the technical side of grappling. Submissions just looked cooler than throwing punches. I had no idea what I was doing at first, but after my very first class, I was hooked. Getting choked out by people half my size was humbling—and oddly motivating.
From there, things moved fast. I started competing in Jiu Jitsu tournaments across organizations like IBJJF, NAGA, and Grappling Games. Eventually, I transitioned into MMA, where I went 7-1 as a professional. All seven of my wins came by submission—which either says a lot about my Jiu Jitsu or how much I dislike getting punched in the face. Probably both.
Jiu Jitsu has given me more than I ever expected: it’s challenged me as an athlete, instilled discipline, and introduced me to a community that feels like family. Now, as an instructor, I aim to pass that experience on. Whether someone’s goal is to compete, get in shape, or just find something they enjoy, I’m passionate about helping them grow—both on and off the mats.

I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in November 2014, shortly after finishing a record-breaking and successful varsity swimming career at Augustana College.
At first, I took up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing with the intention of transitioning into MMA and staying in shape. But as I progressed, I realized that dividing my focus between multiple disciplines was limiting my development. I decided to fully commit to mastering both gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 2023, I earned my black belt under 1st-degree black belt Nate Fenton. Since then, I’ve continued to grow as both a practitioner and coach, always striving to find the most effective ways to teach and apply Jiu-Jitsu in real-world scenarios—whether in sport or self-defense.
To me, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most powerful forms of mental and physical therapy. It’s helped me grow in countless ways, and the friendships I’ve formed through this martial art are relationships I know will last a lifetime.
* Multiple-time IBJJF gold medalist in the lightweight and middleweight divisions
* Competed across the country in numerous tournaments from white to black belt

My journey in Jiu-Jitsu began around 2011 on the island of Guam. However, it wasn’t until I relocated to Iowa that I truly committed to the sport and began dedicating real effort to developing my skills. I competed in my first IBJJF Chicago Open as a white belt, alongside coaches Nate, Josh, and Ryan—and from that moment, I was hooked.
Over the years, I’ve earned numerous gold medals at Jiu-Jitsu events across the state and country, thanks in large part to the guidance of Nate and the support of my teammates at Breaking Point. Among my proudest accomplishments are medaling at the IBJJF Pan Championships in New York and World Masters in Las Vegas.
While I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of competition, I’ve come to appreciate the opportunity to share the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my journey just as much. Teaching and giving back to thid community has become an equally rewarding part of my path in Jiu-Jitsu.

I am a Quad Cities native who fell in love with Martial arts watching early MMA (UFC and Pride FC). With some encouragement from my good friend Franco I took my first MMA class with him in 2005. I trained Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing off and on for many years before ultimately falling in love with Jiu Jitsu. The gym I started training at closed so I began training under Nate Fenton in February of 2017 and knew right away Breaking Point was my new home for Jiu Jitsu.
Over the years, I have found success in competitive Jiu Jitsu, placing in many competitions. I have been teaching BJJ for 8 years now and one of my main goals moving forward is passing on gained knowledge. I love the complexity and effectiveness of Jiu Jitsu and the community that comes with it. My favorite submission is the arm triangle choke.

After my football playing days ended, I was searching for something to keep me in shape and, just as importantly, recapture the camaraderie of being part of a team. I found that in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. My journey began in 2011 at an MMA gym in Minnesota. When I moved to Illinois, I was drawn to training in the gi. After two years at another gym, I was thrilled to find my home at Breaking Point when it opened. One of my favorite memories is winning an absolute division in competition and using the $300 prize money to treat the whole traveling team to a fancy Italian dinner in Chicago – every penny was well spent!