JASON HAWKINS – owner, chief instructor

No two people come in for the same reason. We all have different bodies, personalities, and experiences. Therefore, our practice of a martial art should develop us individually, not perpetuate the outside images and opinions created by being critical and judgmental.  No one can be a better you than you can!

I believe that our practice should reflect our state of mind. An even and gradual practice encourages and reflects an even and non-chaotic mind that can aid in a stressful situation, whether that be a physical attack or a tough day at work. My hope is that through training, the equanimity you find on the mat will expand and stay with you in everyday life.

My classes are even-paced and designed to instill the body awareness of the techniques making the moves more automatic over time. At the same time, you will increase your flexibility and strength both mentally and physically, and dramatically decrease your chance of injury.

Through a technical understanding of the movements and principles, you create the foundation for the ability to respond appropriately without thought in a situation; thereby, increasing your effectiveness. Cultivation of form and substance together produces a well-rounded martial artist. Keep in mind though, by its very nature, martial arts practice is challenging, so allow yourself to enjoy the training. Don’t get frustrated by thinking you are not where you should be if you have trouble with a particular technique or position. You are always right where you should be. Consistency and focus bring progress! I look forward to helping you meet your personal goals.

ELI KNIGHT - senior supervising instructor

The lessons I conduct are two-fold. First, students should come in ready for an interesting and engaging, physical and mental journey into the art they came to study. The Jiu-Jitsu principles of subtleness and minimum effort/maximum efficiency permeates every aspect of the lesson, making apparent the benefits of training in such a style in the proper way. Second, I try to create an atmosphere that allows the practitioner to become fully immersed in the practice. It is my belief that regardless of external factors, people coming in to train an avocation such as a martial art are looking for an escape from the hectic barrage of responsibilities and obligations of daily life. Our academy offers this type of escape. More than an escape, though, I want for the student in my lesson to feel absolved from those burdens that he or she may have had before the lesson started.

The core principles of Jiu-Jitsu are at the heart of the lessons I conduct. My teaching style is steeped in the tradition of those whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of training with, including Helio, Royce and Rorion Gracie, as well as many other phenomenal martial artists from all over the world. From each I have learned and grown. I am, myself, a perpetual student, forever developing improved skills for training, teaching, and living through my knowledge gained from the practice of martial arts. 

Credentials
-17 years experience in martial arts
-Senior Supervising Instructor at Three Rivers
-Instructor of Children's Jiu-Jitsu, Adult Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts classes

BRAD LYNN – senior instructor

My martial arts journey began in 1993 at the age of 11 after being inspired by martial arts films. I learned the arts of Tae Kwon Do and Judo under former Olympic silver medalist Jung Oh Hwang. Training was rough and disciplined, which I really liked. I was encouraged to compete in tournaments from the beginning and with the support of my parents, I compiled a pretty good tournament record. At 16, I received my black belt in Tae Kwon Do and soon after won a bronze medal in Junior Olympics.

My love for Judo was growing and I eventually received my black belt in this art. After seeing Royce Gracie win the first couple of Ultimate Fighting Championships in a “no-holds-barred” setting, I had a moment of enlightenment. My training became focused on Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I pursued various grappling styles to further my education into an overlooked part of the game.

In 1998, I met Mike Pyle and we began training together. We went to different seminars and trained with people of different backgrounds. We attended a Royce Gracie seminar in 1999 where we met Jason Hawkins and the other members of Three Rivers Martial Arts. We immediately hit it off and Mike and I decided to join Three Rivers. At this time, the academy was transitioning into a Gracie training association. We liked the mindset at Three Rivers; how there were no egos and everyone saw himself as a student. Class was laid back and informal, making it a good learning atmosphere.

I’ve been fortunate to have met and trained with some of the biggest names in martial arts. I’ve competed in some tournaments, fought in a cage, taught for the military, and met some amazing people. I hold a brown belt with two stripes in Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and teach Judo and Mixed Martial Arts at Three Rivers. 

My style of teaching is a blend of the old and new. I like to combine the hardcore, old-school tradition of teaching with the newer, laid back style of a friendly learning atmosphere. Structure and pace varies. I consider our MMA class for more of the athlete looking for a great workout and insight into how to mix martial arts styles effectively. Yet anyone can get something from it. Judo class is more traditional. I teach how I was taught: straightforward and disciplined with importance to detail and repetition to ensure a thorough knowledge of techniques; a perfect complement to Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu classes are taught in the traditional Gracie method. Class usually consists of self-defense techniques and how they can be applied to real-world scenarios, ground techniques, and sport and competition strategy, always with attention to detail and proper technique.

Teaching and showing the beauty of the martial arts and all its styles is the most rewarding thing to me. I feel that anyone can benefit from martial arts whether you’re in it for fitness, self-defense, or competition. My classes have something to offer everyone. See you on the mat!

JARED JESSUP – senior instructor

Jiu-jitsu is far more than knowledge of techniques. It is a process, a focusing of all our faculties with the purpose of bringing them harmoniously together. It’s in finding this balanced state that mastery of the art is achieved. Given time, consistency, and dedication, a beginning student discovers the principles of movement and learns to cooperate with them. As a result, the struggling student’s practice blossoms into the art of a seasoned disciple of jiu-jitsu.

A practitioner may study thousands of techniques and only scratch the surface of jiu-jitsu. Rather than training students in numerous varieties of complex techniques, my class goal is to discover the underlying principles that govern all jiu-jitsu techniques and theories. This is accomplished by “unpacking” techniques in a manner that provides the fundamental building blocks of the art. The idea is to first understand simple things deeply. Once these essential principles are understood, it becomes relatively easy to pick up any technique and even create your own.

An understanding of the principles is what allows jiu-jitsu to creatively flow from the student. A flower cannot be forced to unfold, but when placed in fertile ground, it will blossom of its own accord. Therefore, rather than force a technique to fit into a ridged framework of steps, it is cultivated to achieve the essence from which each technique is derived. As the principles of the art unfold, there is often a shift in how the student perceives and relates to life’s situations. I strive to equip my students with an understanding that, when applied properly, produces sound jiu-jitsu, and on a deeper level, sound living.

I began my dedication to martial arts in 1995. I have traveled and studied extensively with the Gracies. In 1997, I spent a week with Helio, Roroin and Royce Gracie at a camp in the Poconos. In 1998 and 1999, I spent a month out of each year living and training in California at the Gracie Academy. I have had the honor of training with grand master Helio Gracie on numerous occasions, as well as receiving private instruction from him. I am blessed with having Royce Gracie as my professor and friend since 1997.

I have also had the benefit of training with many of the great names in martial arts such as Rorion, Royler, Ryron, Rener, Ralek, and Rodrigo Gracie; Pedro Sauer; Pedro and Gui Valenti; Carlos “Caique” Elias; Carlson Gracie Jr.; Carlos Machado; Matt Hughes; Mike Pyle; Greg Thompson (H2H); Dan Inosanto and many more. I continually learn and search for new growth opportunities. My classes focus on street application with references to sport, competition, and mixed martial arts.

Credentials

G.R.A.C.I.E. certified law enforcement instructor

Two-time National Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Champion

Legatus Mixed Martial Arts instructor

Founder of IQ Athletics

ACE-certified personal trainer

KEVIN TRAUGHBER – senior instructor

I started training in martial arts some 35 years ago. As a teenager, I struggled with my sense of self. Through a boxing class at a YMCA and an instructor sensitive to my needs as a new student, I was able to begin a very encouraging journey in martial arts. As an instructor, I enjoy interacting with the student not just in the martial art itself, but in its application and the lesson to be learned as it relates to all areas of life. A large part of any martial art is learning that the real journey is a process of learning about yourself and embracing who you are as a part of God’s creation. I believe we are always students.  In fact, much of my learning comes from the students that I have the privilege to teach. 

Each day is a new day of learning for me. Learning has come from the many instructors I have had the privilege to study under. I feel fortunate to have learned from legendary instructors such as Helio, Rorion, and Royce Gracie; Tuhon Dan Inosanto; Master Chi; Pendacar Herman Suwanda; and Sifu Jeff Westfall. I hold a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as well as a fifth-level associate instructorship under Tuhon Inosanto in both Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do and Kali/Filipino Martial Arts. My history in martial arts also includes a black belt in Ju-Jitsu Ryu, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a brown belt in Judo.