CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS & our Team

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Kent is a Gracie Black Belt, certified instructor, Owner and Co-Founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Appleton. He began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2006. Kent has experience in several martial arts including American freestyle Karate (3rd degree Black Belt) and Krav Maga. He has been been an Inspector & Judge for the state of Wisconsin since 2010 when Boxing and MMA was regulated. In 2016 Kent co-chaired a committee that regulated Unarmed Combat for the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Kent completed the Gracie Instructor Certification Program in July 2012.

Jeff is Gracie Black Belt, certified instructor, and Co-Founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Appleton in addition to being Owner of The Academy - Martial Arts Leadership in Appleton, WI. He has been heavily involved in martial arts since 1993.  Jeff is a 8th degree Black Belt in American Karate with a background in sport karate and kickboxing. He started training in Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 at a weeklong camp with Pedro Sauer. Jeff went through the Gracie Instructor Certification Program in July 2012.

Gary is a certified instructor at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Appleton and our Bullyproof Program Director. He began studying martial arts in 1992. Gary currently holds the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt in Shorei-Kempo Karate, and teaches a youth program at a local private school system. In 2019, Gary was made a board member of the North Central Instructors Black Belt Federation. His Gracie Jiu-Jitsu journey started in 2016. Gary completed the Gracie Instructor Certification Program in July 2019. 

Grant is a certified instructor at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Appleton, and our Combatives Program Director. He has been training in various martial arts for over a decade. He started training in Gracie Jiu-jitsu in 2017.  Grant is an active member of the communities that he lives and works in. Grant completed the Gracie Instructor Certification program in July of 2022.