Back to Instructors

What made you get into martial arts?
Growing up, I faced bullying that pushed me to find ways to defend myself, and I often used my wrestling background. It wasn’t just about physical strength, it was about proving to myself that I could, and would, fight back, that I had control over my own story. As I got older, I realized that martial arts offered me more than just a way to fight. It gave me a sense of discipline, focus and mental toughness, that I never knew I needed. The challenges I faced as a kid fueled my desire to grow stronger, and martial arts became a path that transformed that pain into power. It’s not just about the fight, it’s about the journey or learning, growing, and adapting to become the best version of myself, on and off the mats.

Tell us about your journey/background/accomplishments?
I grew up wrestling, my father was a Pan-American wrestler from the University of Wyoming, and he taught me a lot, since I was 4, but by the time I was in High School, everything I had learned, was illegal l, so in High School, I had to start over with my wrestling, which was disheartening. But, I was able to overcome and had a pretty good record through High School, and some of my teammates and training partners went on to wrestle in College, and I pursued a degree and turned my activity focus towards other sports, Lacrosse and Hockey.

What is your goal as a coach?
My goal as a coach is to help students grow not only in jiu jitsu, but as people. I remember how difficult it was when I first came to HAMA, under Natr Marquardt, and we would get about 10 minutes of instruction on a new move, maybe a counter, and then an hour+ of just getting beat up by the Brown and Purple belts and now that we have a much better, organized curriculum, I want these newer students to be excited about being there and learning valuable lessons, not just about winning, while there are on the mats.

What makes High Altitude Martial Arts special?
I remember something that Nate told me when I just kept coming back to let Igor and Christian (Brown belts when I started), best up on me… in jiu jitsu, you either win, or you learn, there is no losing, because you keep coming back.HAMA is a second family for me, and for almost everyone else that is a part of it.