Instructors

Meet Our team

Whether you area brand new student or a seasoned competitor, our friendly and knowledgeable staff is fully invested in helping you reach your potential.

Adlai Cleveland
2nd Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor

Adlai is a lifelong martial artist with over twenty years of experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He holds a first degree black belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu under Eddie Bravo. Adlai also has extensive training in Combat Submission Wrestling, and is a certified coach under Erik Paulson. In addition to jiu jitsu and wrestling, Adlai has also practiced a dozen other styles, including Taekwondo, Shinkendo, Muay Thai, Kali, Enshin Karate, and Aikido. Additionally, Adlai is a fully certified athletic trainer under ACSM, and has a Crossfit Level 1 and kettlebell certifications.

An adamant believer in continuous learning, Adlai holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Michigan, as well as a bachelor’s in biochemistry and a master’s in applied economics from Eastern Michigan University. His passion for learning translates directly into a dedication to teaching. Adlai first started teaching jiu jitsu in 2005 and it has been his passion ever since. With a style that is flexible as it is detail-oriented, Adlai’s teaching style centers around an ability to identify students’ different learning styles and adapt the instruction to their needs.

Craig Shepley
Black Belt
Jiu Jitsu - Wrestling

Craig earned his 10th Planet black belt in 2018 while training and teaching in Yuma, Arizona. Craig is a brown belt IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, and a lifelong wrestler. 

Nick Dettling
Brown Belt
Jiu Jitsu - Wrestling

Nick is a wrestler with over 14 years of competitive experience and 6 years of teaching experience. Students can expect his wrestling classes to begin standing and place heavy emphasis on takedowns and setting up seamless transitions from stand up MMA into ground work.

Tracy Dawson
BLACK Belt
Jiu Jitsu

Tracy Dawson has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (gi & no gi) since 2008, and additionally has a vast background in athletic training and coaching. As an award winning track coach with over 30 years of experience building champions and scholar athletes, Tracy brings that same energy and attention to detail to the Jiu Jitsu mats.

Levi Jensen
BROWN BELT
Jiu Jitsu

Levi began training in Jiu Jitsu in 2011, and is an incredibly detail-oriented teacher. He teaches our 6:30 am Jiu Jitsu classes. You can expect Levi’s classes to be very technique focused with an attention on the finer details.

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