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STAFF

"Training is an investment in your success, My Team is here to help you succeed."
Kyoshi Randy McElwee, Owner / Director of GRACIE® Jiu Jitsu Athens Team Pedro Sauer.
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RYAN McELWEE

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

ACADEMY CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, 

 

Ryan teaches the Little Dragons class, Adult and Teen Beginner Martial Arts as well as Chief Jiu Jitsu Instructor and  Keysi Instructor under Justo Diguez. He holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Okawa Te Bujutsu Kai Martial Arts, a 2nd Degree Brown Belt in Jinsendo Karate' under Sensei Toru Shimoji a Brown Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and is also an Official Certified Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association Level 2 Instructor. He has attended the Dave Kovar Instructor College and is Level 3 American Black Belt Academy Instructor Certified. He has been studying martial arts since age 4 and is currently studying Jinsendo Karate under world famous Sensei Toru Shimoji . Shimoji Sensei is the Founder and Owner / Operator of Jinsendo Martial Arts and the home of our Affiliate Jiu Jitsu Program in Smyrna Georgia.  Smyrna Jiu Jitsu instructs the same great authentic GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu curriculum as our main academy. 

Ryan's goals in life include a Black Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, running a chain of successful martial arts schools and graduating from UGA with a Masters of Business Administration. 

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ANDY BRYANT

GRACIE JIU JITSU

BLACK BELT INSTRUCTOR

 

Andy owns and Operates GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Commerce with his wife Lindsey. As our sister school they offer the same great authentic GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu curriculum as our academy and if you are a member at one location you can train at the other at no additional cost. He has been studying martial arts since 2006. He holds a Black Belt in Maeda Kozen Japanese Jiu Jitsu,  a 1st Degree Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer and is also an Official Certified Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association Level 2 Instructor. He is Level 3 American Black Belt Academy Instructor Certified and holds a Blue Belt in Okawa Te Karate, and a Purple Belt in Tae Kwon Do. His goal is to share Jiu Jitsu training as a GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and supplement his training with Judo. He has fought Mixed Martial Arts since 2010, including 3 amateur fights with a 2-1 record, 2 wins by submission, 1 loss by decision. He promoted MMA fights in Athens and surrounding areas from 2012 - 2013 and is still sought after by many of Georgia fighters for ground training and fight preparation. When not doing martial arts, he enjoys scuba diving, wakeboarding, boating, motorcycles, and Georgia football.

Andy’s full time job is Owner and Electrical Contractor of Arnold Electric of Athens Inc.

ADAM BOWEN

GRACIE JIU JITSU

BLACK BELT INSTRUCTOR

 

Adam Bowen teaches the satellite Jiu Jitsu at our Affiliate location in Winder.; Master Pattillo's Martial Arts. As one of our Affiliate schools they also offer the same great authentic GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu curriculum as our main academy and if you are a member in the Winder location you can train at either of the other schools at no additional cost. 

Adam has been studying martial arts since 2006. He holds a Black Belt in Maeda Kozen Japanese Jiu Jitsu, a 1st Degree Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer and is also an Official Certified Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association  Instructor. He is Level 3 American Black Belt Academy Instructor Certified. and has 2nd Degree Gold Belt in Okawa-Te Karate. His goal is to round out his martial arts skills with striking and weapons. When not on the mats, he enjoys scuba diving, trail running, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and two sons. Adam’s full time responsibilities include Owner and General Contractor at Resource Construction.

GRACIE JIU-JITSU ATHENS ...... 

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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Athens is a proud affiliate and member of the 

PEDRO SAUER BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ASSOCIATION.

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Established n 2005, GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens has had a close connection to the Gracie Family since it's beginning and now stays connected to Authentic GRACIE Jiu Jitsu through Master Pedro Sauer.  He moved to California with the Gracie brothers as part of the first cohort of instructors to bring GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu to the United States.  Shortly after coming to California, he moved to Utah where he continued to make his mark in the jiu-jitsu world by teaching, and formed the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. 

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