Mission First Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Never forget those that died that day…
Never forget those that served in two wars that followed that day…but most of all…
NEVER FORGET HOW UNITED WE ONCE WERE JUST A SHORT TIME AGO!!!

Are you looking to grow your confidence for yourself or you child?? Come join Mission First Community and be around other like minded people!!!!

In August 2008…I started Mission First BJJ in a basement of a karate school. I just wanted to get a few guys together to train. A lot of people from my former job then laughed at me. They told me that it would never work. Starting a school during the housing crisis was crazy. Many times, I doubted my decision. When I would have class and no one would show up. I thought maybe their right. I kept to my motto…”put people first and the rest will work out”. I kept working hard and with a lot of help within a few years we moved to our own location. I am proud to say that we just completed our 15th year.
First, I would like to thank my girls…my wife Shauna and my daughter Kate. Together… they are the star that I steer my ship by… and quite simply without them there is no me. Thanks for putting up with me studying endless tape of wrestling, judo, mma and BJJ. Spending money on the school at times I probably shouldn’t have. Without your support things would have been much more difficult.
I would like to thank my master and close friend Abmar Barbosa. At times you made want to quit BJJ. Through your hard training sessions and mentoring on how people should learn and train. I discovered the proper way to run an academy. These lessons laid the foundation of what Mission First is and will always be.
I would like to thank the members and parents who stood by us during COVID and lockdowns. Without your support I really don’t know where we would be.
I would like to thank are military personnel who have passed through especially the Special Forces community and those members of the SEAL Brotherhood. Your support and kind words of how Mission First reminds them of being back at the Team really helped let me know that we were on the right track. L.L.T.B.
I would like to thank the local membership who have always been so welcoming to new members…helping out with projects…cleaning up after class…working hard on the mats…and just making Mission First what it is today.
I would like to thank my instructors…Michelle, Julie, Pete, Tom, AJ, Sean, Glenn, Chad, Damien, Josh, Pat, Taylor, Haley, Holly, Katie, Natalie, Greyson and my fellow BJJ nerd Marcos. Thanks for covering me through my long lapse with my shoulder injury…vacations and illnesses. Your kindness, commitment and leading by example is the core to our value system at Mission First.
I would like to thank Linda the former owner of Newport Martial Arts for giving me my start. You were always very kind and welcoming to me. I will never forget that.
I would like to thank Ken Alves the owner of the building for his support during COVID. You have become a trusted friend. I will forever be be loyal to you because of it.
I would like to thank Nancy and Mike my in-laws for their support. You have always supported me in my efforts. You have helped guide me through the ups and downs. You have been more parents to me then my own.
I would like to thank Glenn and Sean who continue to go well beyond what the everyday member does. Your work behind the scenes goes unnoticed by the rest the of the school but not by me.
To the Mission First Family thanks for all the laughs…the friendships…the hard sparing…beating me up…pushing each other…helping each other…you have made me a better man and human being.
In closing… follow your dreams…don’t listen to the noice…don’t worry about what someone says on social media…don’t worry about what people think of you…dozens of people told me that I would never make it through BUD/S and become a SEAL…they were wrong. Throughout your life there will be people or events that will try to destroy you in some way…they will tell lies about you…try to bring you down to their level…the whole crabs in the pot scenario. You need to keep your head raised high and working hard…”put people first and the rest will work it self out”. Here’s to another 15 years!!!!