Meet the Team

Steven's Why

What motivates Steven is the idea that martial arts are for more people than those people might think. It's a personal journey, so no matter your ability it's about personal improvement.

Steven's Classes - What to Expect

A fun class which mixes the specific aspects of technique with a practical application. Steven says if you're not having fun, that's his fault. It's a space where you can ask questions and improve with all students helping each other achieve.

One Thing About Steven

Possibly due to a slight coffee addiction, Steven always has a smile on his face. It means he's sometimes referred to as the smiling assassin when holding a sword.

Danny's Why

Danny played Rugby League and AFL for a few years after school, then started boxing on and off for 8 years. In 2002, Danny discovered BJJ and progressed through the ranks to achieve his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2022. Danny is always looking for ways to improve his own skills as well as those of his students.

Danny's Classes - What to Expect

Danny has a relaxed style and simply incredible depth of knowledge, whether it be Gi or No-Gi BJJ. He is able to adapt his teaching to suit all ability levels, and his years of teaching experience ensure that he always delivers engaging classes.

One Thing About Danny

Danny has coached BJJ for nearly 20 years and created his own school, Epic BJJ, which joined Canberra Martial Arts & Fitness in 2019. He is the State Head of Will-Machado Brazilian JiuJitsu for the ACT.

Jez's Why

Jez played rugby for over 20 years and was looking for something that still included a lot of physical contact and competition. He loves to see students progress and gain the confidence and ability to achieve things they never thought possible. Jez believes that knowing a martial art that has real-world applications is important.

Jez's Classes - What to Expect

A school teacher with over 25 years teaching in both Primary and High School, Jez utilises his experience to deliver fun, safe, challenging and inclusive lessons.

One Thing About Jez

Jez has been training Brazilian JiuJitsu since the end of 2007. He also does a lot of emcee work, including stand-up comedy, weddings, and emceeing numerous Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing and MMA shows, as well as field hockey and ice hockey.

Brett's Why

Brett believes fitness should be fun and accessible to anyone, regardless of age, physical ability or any other factors that might limit someone. Brett believes in getting the best out of you by helping you achieve your goals.

Brett's Classes - What to Expect

Brett strives to provide an intense workout without the intense atmosphere. Expect to sweat, but expect to laugh and have fun as well.

One Thing About Brett

Brett started in the fitness industry in 2014 and has loved his job. If Brett is not in the club, you'll probably find him on his mountain bike or on the golf course.

Cassandra's Why

Cassandra is a strong believer that martial arts is a great sport to learn balance, co-ordination and self-defence. It's a great atmosphere to meet new people of all ages and backgrounds.

Cassandra's Classes - What to Expect

Cassandra always finds new ways to push her students to get the most out of each class and try new things.

One Thing About Cassandra

Cassandra took up martial arts when she was eleven and has never looked back. Taekwondo has always played a large role in her life and continues to be a source of fun and learning.

Jake's Why

Jake approaches martial arts as a way to exercise, practise discipline, and most importantly engage with the community that comes with training. Over the years, coming to Taekwondo classes in particular has become his "happy place".

Jake's Classes - What to Expect

Jake will make you work hard and run. A lot. He always tries to make classes as fun as possible and teach something new.

One Thing About Jake

Jake first experienced martial arts on his fifth birthday. He started officially training at age seven and has never looked back.

Maven's Why

Maven believes martial arts is a place where you not only learn how to defend yourself and build your physical fitness, but also develop and boost confidence and self-esteem.

Maven's Classes - What to Expect

Maven always aims for their classes to be fun and engaging, so people may learn with a smile on their face.

One Thing About Maven

Maven started martial arts as a kid, training with their family. Now several years on Maven is a black belt in our adults program.

Gaby's Why

Gaby believes martial arts teach discipline, confidence, body awareness and resilience. They are also a great way to keep the brain and body engaged, which is important at any age but particularly as we get older.

Gaby's Classes - What to Expect

Gaby focuses on technique and skills that are useful for everyday life, not just in the context of self-defence.

One Thing About Gaby

Gaby is a sports dietitian and constantly sees people struggling to fuel their bodies appropriately for their activity levels, body composition and health. Reach out if you need help figuring that out.

Michelle's Why

Michelle sees so many good reasons to learn martial arts: discipline, mindfulness, self-confidence, balance, coordination, resilience, body awareness and, yes, self-defence.

Michelle's Classes - What to Expect

Kokusai JuJutsu Ryu (KJR) classes focus on safety, technique and discipline, supporting people of different ages and abilities to build martial arts foundations and have fun in the process.

One Thing About Michelle

Michelle has been training in martial arts and fitness since 2000, including kickboxing (a great stress release), Body Balance (mindfulness), Capoeira (to hang with her son, who was actually her senior), yoga and Zumba – no judgement, just dance.

Luke's Why

Luke believes the physical and mental strain and endurance that martial arts demands is an integral support for everyone who trains.

Luke's Classes - What to Expect

Hapkido is a physically demanding art. Luke makes sure you have a thorough, practical understanding of how to fall and be thrown or swept safely – you'll be doing a lot of it.

One Thing About Luke

Luke believes in applying yourself to the journey. A lack of belief in yourself is just not enough practice.

Nick's Why

Nick has trained in martial arts for 36 years. He believes martial arts is the ultimate tool for developing yourself, and that conviction has shaped a lifetime of practice across multiple disciplines.

Nick's Classes - What to Expect

Nick's classes are pragmatic, practical and fun. His style of JuJutsu is built to teach real-world self-defence against armed and unarmed attackers, so students begin working knife and stick defence from their very first lesson. Expect a training environment where the skills you learn are ones you could actually rely on.

One Thing About Nick

Nick is an experienced and entertaining teacher who knows how to keep a room engaged. Alongside the mats, he has spent nearly two decades as an international speaker and teacher of elite performance psychology, and that ability to communicate, motivate and get the best out of people comes through in every class he runs.