Meet Your Instructor

At the tender age of 19, Styles stumbled upon the mesmerizing dance of glassblowing. The fiery furnace, the delicate tools, and the alchemical transformation of silica into art captured his heart. He honed his skills, shaping glass into intricate forms—each piece a testament to patience, precision, and passion.

In 2006, Styles packed his dreams and moved to Eugene, Oregon—a city known for its lush greenery, artistic spirit, and unexpected revelations. Here, amidst the misty rain and towering pines, he would not only continue his glassblowing journey but also discover an entirely new canvas—the mats of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

On his 30th birthday, fate whispered through a phone call. It was his younger brother, playfully reminding him that life’s peak had been reached—strength, looks, and intelligence all downhill from there. But within that jest lay a challenge.

Styles stepped into Northwest Martial Arts, Eugene’s premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym. The mats welcomed him—a tapestry of sweat, technique, and camaraderie. The gi became his second skin, and the gentle art of Jiu-Jitsu ignited his soul.

Under the watchful eyes of head instructors Ryan Clark, Ryan Kelly, and Harold Utterback (of Team Megaton), Styles grappled. He drilled. He learned. His purple belt wrapped around his waist, a symbol of dedication and resilience.

Styles wandered, seeking knowledge. Texas, Arizona, and Oregon—all bore witness to his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pilgrimage. He taught kids’ classes at Rise Martial Arts and Elements Gyms, passing on the torch of technique and discipline. The joy of teaching fueled his passion.

When COVID-19 halted the world, Styles paused. But resilience knows no lockdown. He converted his two-car garage into a sacred space—a dojo where he’d bond with his son, Ezra. Together, they grappled, laughed, and refined their skills.

Encouraged by his students, Styles yearned for the elusive black belt. As of February 2024, he wears the brown—a bridge between mastery and aspiration. The universe unfolds through Jiu Jitsu—one roll, one technique, one lesson at a time.