Our Instructors

Hi Friends, 

Coach / Professor John here. I was very fortunate to live on the beautiful island of Maui from 2000 – 2006, this is where I was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by my friends Dmitri Offergeld and Jake Mapes (both now 3rd degree BJJ black belts, they continue to train and teach BJJ in their communities, Dmitri at Aloha Roll Academy, Lahaina HI, and Jake at North Coast Jiu-Jitsu, Vista CA). So, these fine gents started their journey in 2001, I finally jumped on the mats with them in late 2004. On day one I was introduced to Professor Luis Heredia, owner of Maui Jiu-Jitsu, a black belt under Rickson Gracie! Beyond blessed to land in such an amazing environment. After my first class, I was completely hooked, and my journey began. Under the guidance of my friends and professor Luis, I was awarded my blue belt in mid-2006. I am FOREVER GRATEFUL to Dmitri, Jake, and Luis, without them, my current life wouldn’t be what it is today. After moving back to California in August 2006, I reached out to my friend and Jiu-Jitsu whiz Adam Watts to see where I should train. He invited me to Paulo Guillobel BJJ. I trained and learned so many invaluable details and techniques from Paulo, a true master. I was awarded my purple belt from Paulo in late 2011. Thank you, Paulo, for everything. Mid-2012 through mid-2013, I took time away from training due to an injury and some personal soul-searching. In August of 2013, I decided to get back to training with my current professor Adam Watts at Fight Strong MMA, San Clemente. Under Adam's guidance, my Jiu-Jitsu truly started to come together. He was always willing to share every little detail with me so I could understand the game and grow as a practitioner. Fight Strong is where my passion for teaching began. Master Adam allowed me to teach classes twice a week, and this is where I grew the most, having to be hyper-aware of all the details that make good sound technique. Adam promoted me to brown belt in December 2014 and to black belt on December 7th, 2016. Thank you Adam Watts, for everything, love you! Fast forward to August 28th, 2019, Groundwork Jiu-Jitsu was born. I am passionate about teaching Jiu-Jitsu because I truly love the art form and the positive aspects it brings to students who dedicate themselves. I see it daily at the academy and feel so blessed to share Jiu-Jitsu with people who are starting their jiu-jitsu journey. Please come and join us!  

Ben started wrestling in 7th grade and thus began a lifelong love of grappling. With wrestling options being sparse for adults, Ben's friends introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 1999, Ben started his formal training in Jiu-Jitsu under Dartanian Bagby, one of the first Americans to earn a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ben later earned his purple belt from Jack McVicker, a black belt under Royler Gracie and Wellington “Megaton” Dias, and in 2010,  was awarded his black belt by Allan Goes, a Carlson Gracie black Belt and founder of the legendary Brazilian Top Team.

Ben is a teacher by trade. His love for Jiu-Jitsu is intertwined with his passion for passing down knowledge. Recognizing that everyone’s Jiu-Jitsu journey is unique, Ben always strives to help his students unlock their potential within the “Gentle Art.”  

Andy has dedicated himself to practicing both Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu over the last 20 years. Beginning his martial arts journey in South Orange County nearly 20 years ago, Andy connected with Mike ‘Joker’ Guymon and was a founding member of the ‘Jokers Wild Fight Team’. Andy first began competing in Jiu-Jitsu, however his interest quickly expanded to Mixed Martial Arts and Andy decided it was best to learn Muay Thai from the homeland. During his time at Sinbi Muay Thai in Rawai Beach, Thailand, Andy honed his traditional Muay Thai skills and successfully brought them back to the US where he taught striking classes at Jokers Wild, Reign Training Center, and other gyms. Andy became a member of Rafael Cordiero’s Kings MMA in 2009, and worked his way up through the ranks to become one of the Main Instructors of the Adult Advanced Muay Thai class. Through rigorous training, Andy earned the prestigious achievement of Chute Box Black Belt,  award to him by Rafael Cordiero and Wanderlei Silva. Never one to be satisfied, Andy is now working to earn his Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Andy loves sharing his passion & knowledge for martial arts and encouraging others to achieve their goals of being better on the mat.

Garrett started training MMA in 2007 with Antonio McKee in Long Beach, due to some hand injuries he decided to start training Jiu jitsu in 2012 at Jiu jitsu League in Long Beach under Kevin Howell, Garrett received his blue and purple belt from Kevin. Garrett moved to Dana Point in 2019, looking for a new academy to train at, Groundwork was fortunate to acquire Garrett as a student. His teaching skills and ability grew with time, he received his brown belt in 2021 and his BLACK BELT December of 2023.  

A message from Garrett - I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to be in a coaching roll at Groundwork Jiu-Jitsu. I have a real passion for teaching and growing as a coach. Martial arts really saved my life as a teenager, and it makes me a better father and husband every day. 

Groundwork is blessed to have Camryn as a student, team competitor and coach. Camryn has been instrumental in the development of our youth program, making new students feel comfortable or sharpening the skills of the advanced kids, she's on it. Coach Camryn is AWESOME!!! She is an amazing KIDS coach.

Here are some words from Cam - I’ve been training jiu jitsu for about 3 years now! I wanted to try something new after playing soccer most of my life and after watching some cool videos on jiu jitsu and controlling your opponent and how technique mattered more than your size or build I thought it would be cool to try out. I was extremely nervous when I started and had never tried anything like it before. Everyone at groundwork was super nice and stoked to help me out. I definitely “caught the bug” with jiu jitsu and wanted to be there all the time. I would say jiu jitsu has been the hardest but most rewarding parts of my life . It takes a lot of hard work, learning, effort, dedication, humbling, and repetition to finally start to get the hang of things, but it makes it that much more valuable when you get a breakthrough because really know you worked for it. I ended up competing a few times at white belt and did really well! I competed my first blue belt tournament not too long after I got my blue belt and placed second. I’ve done a few more tournaments at the blue belt level and I am definitely learning a lot from them. I currently train and help coach the kids classes! Which is something I look forward to every week! I’m so thankful for the role and impact jiu jitsu has on my life! I’m constantly learning and growing. It’s taught me strength, confidence, tenacity, endurance, how to stay calm in a stressful situation, respect, and dedication. I am especially grateful for the community jiu jitsu creates! It definitely feels more like a family more than anything. I am also forever thankful to the Groundwork team!  And to everyone there that has taught me so much and been so supportive. I don’t think I would have gotten far without them!
Outside of jiu jitsu I still play and coach soccer, I love drawing, painting, and being creative. I love adventure,  riding dirt bikes,  and being at the beach.