Like many kids, I grew up wanting to be tall, fast, and strong. But I wasn’t naturally gifted with size or talent, so I had to find another way to push myself. I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai as something to do in between finding a “real” sport. And yet, I never stopped. Martial arts became one of the few constants in my life, teaching me perseverance, dedication, and discipline. Most importantly, it gave me a community—a place to lean on (and tap out!) when life got tough. Now, years later, my wife Olivia and I are the proud owners of Warrior Martial Arts Academy’s Central Frisco location—a gym that quite literally shaped me into who I am today.
The Beginning of My Martial Arts Journey
I started training at age 10 under MMA fighter Justin Miller. Shortly after, Pamela Cohen—now co-owner of Warrior Martial Arts Academy—took over the gym, and I continued my training under her and several other coaches. By 14, I began assisting in classes. Though I wasn’t much help at first, I started learning the fundamentals of coaching: How do you get a student’s attention? How do you teach a move? How do you run a class from start to finish?
By 18, I had progressed from assistant to leading classes on my own. Teaching wasn’t just about structure anymore—it was about connection. I had to figure out how to nurture a child's growth in the sport, engage with reserved students, handle frustration and anger, and set behavioral expectations for different age groups. It was a continuous learning process, but one that fueled my passion for coaching.
The Challenges of Coaching
My first real coaching opportunity came when I was asked to help open a new gym for the soon-to-be Central Frisco location. We started out in a Pod Exercise facility, where students had to dodge training equipment just to warm up. Resources were limited—there wasn’t much in the way of equipment, soft surfaces, or even coaching experience on my end. But it was my first time working with students who knew nothing about Jiu Jitsu, discipline, or respect. It was rough, but it was also my first step toward the career I wanted.
I later helped establish another student base at the East Flower Mound location, and in October 2017, at just 20 years old, I was offered the position of Kids' Head Coach at Central Frisco—the same location I had helped open two years prior. It was an exciting opportunity, but those first five years of coaching were incredibly challenging. While I knew how to structure a class, I struggled to grasp the deeper aspects of being a coach. I sought advice from my parents and fellow instructors, often feeling lost on how to handle difficult situations. In many ways, my coaching struggles mirrored my personal life.
The Turning Point
In the fall of 2022, I started working full-time for Warrior Martial Arts Academy, which completely transformed my approach. I tackled problems with a newfound tenacity. I learned how to better connect with my students, refined our curriculum for faster improvement, and built a competitive team that I was proud of. On a personal level, I married my wonderful wife Olivia. I wasn’t just developing strong Jiu Jitsu students—I was building a thriving community.
Then, at the beginning of 2024, Ian Cohen, co-owner of Warrior Martial Arts Academy, approached Olivia and me with an incredible opportunity: the chance to purchase the Central Frisco location as franchisees. It was a daunting decision, filled with obstacles and uncertainty. But on March 1, 2025, we officially became the owners of the very gym where my journey had begun almost eight years earlier.
Looking Ahead
Owning a gym brings a new set of challenges, but Olivia and I are embracing them head-on. The path from student to assistant, to coach, and now to owner has been filled with trials, but I wouldn’t change a single step. I am so proud of our students and incredibly excited for the future of Warrior Martial Arts Academy.
