Andrew Smith is one of very few Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts in the Richmond area. A few things that separate Andrew: he is a 3x Pan American champion, a judo black belt, and endorsed by national and world champions. Andrew is sought after for his instruction, and frequently travels to teach jiu jitsu seminars.

After wrestling in high school, Andrew started doing Judo at VCU Judo in January of 1997. Nine years later, Andrew got his Black Belt in Judo.  In November of 2008, Andrew was awarded the rank of black belt by the legendary Julio “Foca” Fernandez after training with his instructor and friend Eric Burdo at Richmond Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Andrew has learned through “trials by fire” what works and what doesn’t in competition, with over 250 grappling competition wins including:  three 2008 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold medals (along with silver in 2003 and bronze in 2004) and 5 Virginia State Judo Championship gold medals, as well as several super fight titles. Andrew is still an active BJJ competitor and has evolved into one of the most active Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission-grappling coaches in the country.

Andrew has traveled to Brazil twice to train jiu-jitsu and has trained with dozens of instructors all over the country.

Trey Martin brings a lifetime of grappling experience to Revolution BJJ.  He began wrestling in 1980, at age 6.  Trey continued to wrestle all through his middle school (Tuckahoe Middle School) and high school years (Freeman High School). He has coached wrestling at Godwin High School (since the 2004 – 2005 school year).

Trey Martin in action at a US Grappling tournament

Trey started his formal training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the end of 1997. He joined the BJJ Revolution team in 2002 at Richmond Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Eric Burdo, and received his purple and brown belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Julio “Foca” Fernandez and Rodrigo Medieros.

Trey’s teaching style is very detail-oriented, and he makes sure each and every student training with him understands the techniques and concepts he teaches.

Russ Helm is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Eric Burdo and Julio Fernandez. He began his grappling career in 1997, and has competed and placed in a variety of tournaments, including Copa Atlantica and VABJJ events.  He is a certified special education teacher with the Commonwealth of Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.  Russ runs the competition training class on Saturdays.

Kevin Santi holds a Black belt in Kodokan Judo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kevin has competed in Judo and Jiu Jitsu, winning many state and regional tournaments.  Kevin’s analytical mind allows him to break down the throwing techniques into a manner that virtually anyone can understand.  Revolution BJJ is proud to have Kevin teaching a judo class on Thursdays at 5:30 PM.  Kevin’s techniques have strongly influenced BJJ instructors Andrew Smith and Trey Martin.

John Krimsier started training in 1995 in Virginia Beach in Kali and Muay Thai Kickboxing.  John began teaching Thai and Kali in Richmond, VA way back in 1999.  During this time, John found time to pick up a degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003.  He served in the United States Air Force for four years before returning to teach in Richmond once again.  John has been a bouncer since 2001, and has actually been able to apply many of the techniques he teaches at his job.

Jarrett Church has trained with Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Frank Cucci, Antoni Hardonk, Sakasem “The Punisher” Kantha-wong, and many others in his study of the art of Muay Thai.  He has a combined 14 years of boxing and Thai boxing experience, and Jarrett’s western boxing has heavily influenced his Muay Thai instruction, including, most notably, boxing’s head movement and footwork.  Jarrett is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Julio “Foca” Fernandez.  Jarrett’s highly energetic teaching style, coupled with his attention to detail, brings out the best in all of the Revolution Muay Thai students.  Jarrett is currently an elementary school teacher with Richmond Public Schools, and is pursuing a career in educational leadership/administration.