DEFEND YOURSELF

BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the single most effective martial art you can learn for self-defense.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art/combat sport/self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting.  It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent by using leverage and proper technique (mostly by applying joint-locks and chokeholds) BJJ is trained for a variety of reasons.  Some train for self-defense, some for sport, MMA fighting, or just a fun way to get into shape.  Sparring (or rolling) is a big part of training; this ensures that the techniques you learn are applicable in a real world situation.

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Steve Bowers
Steve BowersOwner | Head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Steve is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has been grappling for close to 30 years. He wrestled in high school and college. During college, he took up Judo under Fred Murty in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

After graduating college, he found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while in law school in Boston, and was immediately hooked. He received his black belt from Jared Weiner in July of 2008.  He is also a certified Girls on Guard instructor.

Paul “Jaxon” Miller
Paul “Jaxon” MillerOwner | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Paul is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Steve Bowers.  He is a former wrestler and trained in Krav Maga under Ernie Kirk.  He is also a certified Girls on Guard and Play it Safe Defense instructor.  Paul’s son also actively trains at Main Line United.

Kyle Braun
Kyle BraunBrazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Kyle is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Daniel Beleza. Kyle started his Jiu Jitsu training in 2005. He is a former wrestler and has had several amateur MMA fights and professional grappling matches. He is an active competitor for Main Line United BJJ/TAC Team BJJ.

Sean McGrew
Sean McGrewBrazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Having begun training in 2013 mainly to keep up with his daughter, Sean McGrew is proof that you are never too old or awkward to start BJJ.  With a day job in education, Sean is particularly interested in the teaching and learning process.  A Brown Belt under Steve & Paul, Sean teaches our youngest students and rolls with the dawn patrol.

Katrina Filer
Katrina FilerBrazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Kat is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rob Scheier. She has been involved in martial arts for over 30 years. 11 of those years have been devoted to Jiu Jitsu. She has extensive experience in teaching self-defense to individuals, Girl Scout troops, corporate offices and schools. In addition to teaching coed BJJ classes, Kat also heads up our women’s BJJ class.

Hector Pacheco
Hector PachecoKickboxing | Striking/MMA instructor

Hector is a professional MMA fighter with 15+ years experience in American Kickboxing, Muay Thai & Savate. He has 30 years of boxing experience and trained at Grays Ferry Boxing Club under Art Washington and Roland Marshall.

Hector is also a Black Belt in Goshin Ryu JuJitsu Yudanshakai, a Red Glove in Savate and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Annie Dennison
Annie Dennison Girls on Guard | Play It Safe Instructor

Annie is a purple belt under Steve Bowers. She is a certified instructor in both Girls on Guard Self Defense for Women and Play It Safe Self Defense for children.

BUILDING CHAMPIONS

ON AND OFF THE MAT!