Quick Links

• Blog
• Forum
• Class Schedule
• Instructors
• Directions to Our Facility
• Student Ranks
• Videos

School Code of Conduct

Progress is never alone. Help others improve and succeed. More...

Latest News

• May 1, 2010

  The new website is now online

Instructors

Scott Smith

Master Pedro Sauer Black Belt

Pedro Sauer Black Belt

At the age of 6 Scott knew he was in love with the martial arts when he observed his father Roscoe Smith training in Japanese Karate. Scott immediately knew that was what he wanted to do. He was not able to start his training until the age of 15 at which he enrolled into the Louisville Tae Kwon Do School. He then relocated to the Preston Martial Arts Academy where he received his Black Belt. Scott's journey did not end there - he has trained in Judo, Combat Hapkido, Shaolin Do, Wing Tsun, Mauy Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Gracie Jiu Jitsu, where he currently holds the rank of Black Belt.

Scott knew as soon as he saw the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu Jitsu that he would spend his life training and perfecting his technique. Scott has trained with many greats in GJJ...Pedro Sauer, Royce Gracie and others. Scott traveled to Brazil in 1999 to train at one of the oldest academies in Rio - The Kioto Academy which is owned by one of Helio Gracie's original Black Belts Francisco Mansor.

Scott has a passion for teaching and loves watching people grow and develop in this wonderful art. Scott wants to stay true to the teachings of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and its self-defense and has pledged to do so.

Scott says, "We are all on a journey in life...just stay true to that journey and don't fall off the path. Everyday you are able to train is a good day."

Brian Phillips

Three-Stripe Master Pedro Sauer Purple Belt

Assistant Instructor Sauer Purple Belt

Brian started training in the martial arts when he was nine-years-old. His original style, Shaolin Kempo, introduced him to the many positive lifestyle changes a student will experience through regular practice in the martial arts. He started teaching when he was 15 and received his black belt at age 17, the same time he began learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.


Like so many others who start out in the style, Brian was immediately taken by it's grace and fluidity, in addition to it's effectiveness and efficiency. He's been a student of instructor Scott Smith since the beginning and earned his purple belt under Master Pedro Sauer in May 2008.


A student of the game, Brian enjoys teaching individuals of all ages and physical abilities, and seeing them reap the benefits of training, both on-and-off the mat.


To those interested in beginning their journey in the martial arts, Brian encourages them to stop by and meet the family at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky. Whether it's for you and/or your family, you'll learn solid technique and self-defense, plus get in shape and have fun.

Kevin Wheatley

One-Stripe Master Pedro Sauer Blue Belt

Training AssistantSauer Blue Belt

It’s never too late. Unlike most instructors I do not have a background in Martial Arts. Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the first Art I have ever tried. I, like most people, was introduced to this discipline when a Brazilian named Royce Gracie surprised the world of Mixed Martial Arts in the mid 1990’s. During the original Ultimate Fighter Championships he dominated much larger fighters with techniques that anyone could learn.

A few years later I joined the Unites States Marine Corps and, while there, I received some of the best combat training in the world. After serving in the military I joined the Louisville Police Department and, again, had the opportunity to receive some of the best combat/self defense training money could buy. Between the two, I believe that I was trained by some of the finest instructors who taught proven “battle-tested” techniques used for hundreds of years.

When I started taking Gracie Jiu Jitsu my eyes were opened to what I now know as one of the most effective disciplines in the world. No matter your size, age or athletic ability this art will work for you. Don’t just take my word on it -- the Military and Police Departments across the nation are now using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques.

 

Craig Conard

Master Pedro Sauer Blue Belt

Training AssistantPedro Sauer Blue Belt

It’s funny how life has its twists and turns. My best friend and neighbor since 1999 kept asking me if I wanted to train Jiu-Jitsu with him. This went on for several years, about 6 if I remember correctly. My canned response was “I just don’t have time.” Some of you may know him, Scott Smith.

Since a little kid I’ve been very athletic. I’ve played all the traditional sports. Football and weightlifting became an obsession for me during my teenage years. I had the opportunity to play in the East/West All-Start game but decided that I would end my Football career there. In college I took a semester of Aikido which I really enjoyed. By the age of 28 I had 3 little boys at home to take care of. With that said my physical fitness routine was non existent. As they grew older my passion shifted to coaching Baseball and Football. There weren’t too many gyms in Taylorsville or anywhere to get a good workout. At that time, I weighed in around 220lbs and wanted to loose 10-15lbs.

In October 2007 I decided to take up Scott’s offer and go check out the Jiu-Jitsu class that he started at a local church in Taylorsville. I really didn’t care much about Martial Arts, I just figured I could at least get some exercise.

Fast forward two years at the tender age of 40. I don’t remember getting here but somehow, someway I am hooked on Jiu-Jitsu. Scott calls us junkies and some of us Gypsy’s. Just in two years I’ve been able to train with Master Pedro Sauer, Rickson, Relson and Renner Gracie. I’ve trained around Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN and most recently the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA. My next goal is to train with Renzo Gracie in New York.

For me, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is many things. It is great physical fitness, fellowship, stress relief, focus, discipline, happiness, and allows me to teach which, is my true passion.

Scott Deetch

One-Stripe Master Pedro Sauer Blue Belt

Training Assistant

Pedro Sauer Blue Belt

Scott has been athletic all of his life spanning a range of activities including distance running, wrestling and strength training. He began lifting weights at 16 and was heavily involved in Powerlifting for many years. Over the years the challenge of strength training waned and the toll that heavy lifting takes on the body became too much. Having always been interested in martial arts, Scott began training in Aikido. His son became interested in practicing Aikido, but there were no classes at the Dojo for younger students. Both Scott and his son began taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as something they could do together. Scott immediately fell in love with the challenge, complexity and intensity of BJJ. It has been described as kinetic chess.

Scott has trained under instructor Scott Smith since the beginning and currently holds a Blue Belt under Master Pedro Sauer. Scott considers himself a "beginner" in the game and is just enjoying the journey that is BJJ.