Meet Our Gracie University Certified Instructor Team
Adam Ideson
Head Instructor
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Adam has been practicing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® since 2010. Since his first class, he has been captivated by the art and has dedicated himself to studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and sharing this art and lifestyle with others. Adam graduated from the Gracie Academy* Certified Instructor Program in 2013. He is also a Certified Level I and II Instructor in Gracie Survival Tactics, the nationally recognized defensive tactics program for law enforcement offered by Gracie University.
*In 2017, the Gracie Academy outgrew its previous location and was rebranded as Gracie University to reflect its growth from a single academy to a global organization.
Listen to a podcast with Head Instructor, Adam Ideson
The Certified Instructors at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Phoenix are graduates of the Gracie University Certified Instructor Program. Our Women Empowered® instructors are graduates of the Gracie University Women Empowered® Instructor Certification Program. Being an instructor in the Women Empowered® program requires a certification through Gracie University that is specific to this program and separate from the regular Instructor Certification Program.
All instructors maintain their continuing education and certification requirements per Gracie University standards.
The following icons denote the programs each instructor is certified in:
BP – Bullyproof® | GC – Gracie Combatives® | MC – Master Cycle® | WE – Women Empowered®
Alisha Olson
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Brandon Clark
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David Sandoval
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Emmerson Douglass
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Erica Shoenberger
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Joe Court
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Justin Koester
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Kai Koester
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Kiara Howerzyl
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Lance Praet
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Ruthy Mavashev
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Sarah Richetto
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Exclusive Women Empowered® Instructors
Angela Okerye
Bella Azzi
Nina Bignalet
Vivian Globus
WHO WE ARE
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® is a way of life.
Our mission is to provide the highest level of self-defense instruction in a positive, healthy, and safe environment. Our instructors are dedicated to providing each of our students with the best possible instruction and support. We strive to ensure that each of our students receive the best self-defense instruction and experience available, in group or private lessons.
You will learn the 36 core techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and cooperative environment.
“ The atmosphere is so welcoming even when you haven’t been there in a while. It always feels like family. The instructors are amazing and of course the content of what is being taught is absolutely the best! ”
