Instructors

Mike Heydlauf

Instructor

Mike Heydlauf is a Second Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Geoff Balme and has been training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for over 20 years. Mike is a lifelong grappler having started wrestling as a child in pee wee programs in Pennsylvania before becoming a standout high school recruit and then division one college wrestler at Lehigh University. After college Mike moved to Boston to start his software development career and coach high school wrestling in Newton, MA. Mike moved to North Carolina in 1998 where he met Geoff Balme who started training him in his new grappling passion, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Over the past two decades in North Carolina Mike has put a lot of time in on the mat: he coached high school wrestling at Broughton and Cary Academy, and trained BJJ under some of the best instructors in the Triangle.

Rob Priester

Instructor

Rob Priester is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and lifelong martial arts practitioner with more than 40 years of multidisciplinary training and experience, including Kali and Thai-boxing, in which he has competed successfully. Rob has trained within the professional environments of military and law-enforcement communities. In his spare time he enjoys sculpting and banging on the drums.

Sean Ideta

Instructor

Sean is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Brad Acosta. As the head kids coach, his approach is not to just teach effective grappling techniques but also assist in growing character. He aims to help students learn confidence, focus, humility, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Sean understands that each student has different reasons for training Jiu Jitsu that range from self-defense, competition, hobby, or fitness, and he wants to help them achieve their Jiu Jitsu goals while having fun in that journey.

Brian Bassir

Instructor

Brian Bassir has been immersed in martial arts since 2005. He began his journey in Tang Soo Do, earning his red belt. Over the years, Brian expanded his training to include Muay Thai and Western Boxing, developing a striking style rooted in clean mechanics and functional movement. He brings a “no rules – just tools” mindset to his teaching, blending traditional discipline with practical, real-world applications. A purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and an active competitor, Brian moved to North Carolina from Seattle in 2018. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to refine your craft, Brian’s approach to kickboxing is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and grounded in a love for the martial arts.

Adam Velasquez

Owner & Instructor

Adam Velasquez is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Brad Acosta. Adam has a very cerebral approach to his training and has a keen eye for the little details that will help even the newest students improve their skills rapidly. His emphasis on technique over strength has helped him become a valued coach and training partner for everyone on the mats. He has been teaching martial arts since 2017. Adam also studied wrestling under Mike Heydlauf and Muay Thai under Josh Brackett. He has won both gi and no gi competition and aims to help hobbyists, competitors, and law enforcement reach their goals by teaching combat based grappling that can be used successfully in sport or self defense applications.