Instructors

Coach Kevin began his martial arts journey in 2000 under Marc Hagebusch (3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt) at Texarkana Jiu-Jitsu in Texarkana, Texas. Promoted to the rank of Black Belt in 2010, he was awarded his 3rd Degree in 2019 by the Founder of GFTeam and ,7th Deg Coral Belt, Master Julio Ceaser Pereira.

Kevin spent 8 years with he Air Force Reserve as a Medic and over 12 years working as a Police Officer in Texarkana, Texas and most recently Grand Junction, Colorado before deciding to run the Grand Valley BJJ full time.

In the 10 plus years training at Texarkana Jiu-Jitsu, Kevin assisted in teaching the Adult and Kids Classes at Texarkana Jiu-Jitsu. Kevin has competed successfully in MMA as well as grappling competitions and has a extensive background in teaching Police Officer Survival Tactics.

Coach Kevin’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage

Kevin Lewis – Marc Hagebusch – Allen Mohler – Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti – Rolls Gracie – Helio Gracie – Carlos Gracie Sr. – Mitsuo “Count Koma” Maeda

Coach Nadia currently teaches our Wednesday Gi and Thursday Nogi evening classes.

Nadia is a brown belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu. She began training in 2014 and fell in love with competing with only three months of training under her belt. She went on to miss Fighter of the Year as a white belt in the Fight to Win Tournament Series by only 2 points due to an injury causing her to miss a tournament mid season. Nadia came back as a blue belt and won the 2016 Fight to Win Women’s Blue Belt Fighter of the Year. She then went on to the World Master Championships submitting her way to the finals as a blue belt and as a where she won the silver medal and again as a purple belt podiuming with the bronze. Nadia has also been a professional hunting guide for 13 years operating her own business in Mexico and guiding horseback hunts for deer, elk and sheep in Wyoming. She began coaching the adult beginners class and assistant coaching the kids bjj class in 2018, receiving her brown belt in 2021. “Jiu-jitsu has fundamentally changed my life, not only on the mats but in my relationship with my self and life it self. Jiu-jitsu has a way opening your perception in how you think about yourself and your capabilities and also how you relate to and respond to others. BJJ is a discipline, one with respect. When you enter the world of jiu-jitsu there is no going back. You will outgrow your old self and discover your true potential and you will always have a family on the mats weather its in your own gym or across the world on some foreign mats. Jiu-jitsu is truly that kind of community. You learn to honor and respect your opponents and you learn to honor and respect your self.” ~ Nadia Sweeten

Coach Tyler currently teaches our Tuesday and Thursday night Muay Thai Kickboxing Fundamentals class.

Tyler, was born and raised in Grand Junction; graduating from Palisade High School. After high school he joined the military. When he separated he entered the corporate world. Without an emphasis on fitness, he quickly gained an unhealthy amount of weight. Dissatisfied with his lifestyle he decided to make a change and attended the inaugural Muay Thai kickboxing class. At the end, he wasn’t sure he could physically do it but he didn’t allow himself the chance to make an excuse. Now, four years and nearly 100 pounds lighter, he is in the best shape he has have ever been and have made lifelong friends and gained a family.
“You might be tired, sore, questioning yourself. Don’t give up. I did it and so can you. I believe in you.” – Coach Tyler