Topsail Beach & Sneads Ferry's only BJJ Academy & MMA Pro Shop
Self-confidence and self-awarness through self-discipline! BJJ is more than a sport or self-defense program, it's an art!
Owner&Founder
Head Instructor
BJJ Programs Director
Professor Tulsa Simpson
USMC/Retired
Professor Tulsa is a BJJ Black Belt under Professor Fredson Paixão. He has been training in martial arts for more than 27 years and has been teaching for the last 17 years. He startedBJJ under Professor Ivan Sakamoto in Okinawa, Japan in 2012. After recently retiring from 20 years in the USMC, he has decided to dedicate his focus to his family and sharing this beautiful art with anyone willing to learn. With his humble spirit and strengths in patience as well as the desire to see his students grow.Professor Tulsa understands the lengths of being a well rounded athlete and well rounded man. From being a Family man, Drill Instructor, Body Builder, and a Martial artist he is knowledgeable and experienced on how to apply BJJ to the child and the adult.
Co-Owner/ BJJ Coach
Kids Camps Director
Bianca Harris (B)
Coach Bianca is a BJJ purple belt under Professor Fredson Paixão. She has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 4 years. Bianca has competed in numerous sports and as a prior athlete in triathlon training, strength training, and competing she became enamored with the art of BJJ. Bianca has a background in substance abuse counseling and she has a passion for coaching children through many different avenues in their lives. She strongly believes that anyone and everyone should choose to be the best versions of themselves everyday. As a mother, a business woman, and an athlete she relates to the struggle between being everything for her children as well as being true to her personal passions. She believes that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu always brings out the caged animal trapped within but teaches the animal to be humble in its instincts. Coach Bianca shows her love for her BJJ family daily at GSBJJ.
She is an active competitor, student, and coach at Groundstone BJJ.
USMC/ BJJ Coach
Leroy Rodriguez
Coach LeRoy was born on March 3rd, 1984 in Kennewick, Washington. He grew up in South-East Washington and South-East Florida until the age of 18. All his life he has loved Martial Arts having studied Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Boxing and Marine Corps Martial Arts. He is currently serving as an active duty Marine Infantryman with 2d Marine Regiment. Coach LeRoy begun his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Journey approximately 9 years ago. He started his Jiu-Jitsu Journey at Gracie Humaita under Professor Adam Figurski, where he received his blue belt. He moved and continued his journey with Checkmat under Professor Marcelo Mafra, where he received his purple belt. Coach LeRoy moved again and has been training at Ground Stone BJJ under Professor Tulsa since 2018, where he received his brown belt.
Coach LeRoy has been coaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2012. Coaching has been a part of his life and he loves to help out those in need both on and off the mats. Coach LeRoy believes everyone is coachable as long as they are willing to stay humble, disciplined and have the desire to learn. He believes that each student is unique on how they learn and how they express themselves on the mats. Coach LeRoy believes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu makes you a better student, a better friend, a better spouse, and all in all a better person.
USMC/ Wrestling Coach
Jared Fekete
Jared currently lives in Jacksonville, NC with his beautiful wife, Jordan, three big dogs, and nine chickens. He grew up and went to high school in Northern Michigan.
He went on to Wheaton College, IL where he wrestled for 2x Olympian Jim Gruenwald and earned his bachelors degree in Psychology.
Jared began learning NoGi jiu jitsu at Warrior Combat Academy out of Traverse City, MI. Later, he was accepted to OCS and joined the Marine Corps in 2019.
By joining Groundstone BJJ in June of 2020 and began learning the Gi as a white belt. With hard work and dedication he was promoted to blue belt in January of 2021. His hobbies and interests are, double legs, boarding (snowboard, longboard, etc.), the woods, bow hunting, going to the movies, making people tap out, climbing, Catan, Chick-fil-a, and mushrooms (the legal kind!). His favorite book to recommend is Musashi by Eiji Yoshikowa
GSBJJ Assistant/Student
Sophie Kestner
Sophie is a local to Sneads Ferry. She is currently a student at Coastal Carolina Community College and will be a pre-med student starting this fall. Sophie has worked for us since the late summer of 2020 and can be found behind the desk or assisting in the kids programs.
Sophie exhibits the true character of a team player. Without her continued support of our BJJ Family we would not be able to give the community the support we believe it needs.
Guest BJJ Instructor
Professor Brandon Cooley,
KOA/Big Brothers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Kelly Grissom and Master Leo Dalla
Brandon started grappling at the age of 8 when he first found the wrestling mats in Omaha, Nebraska. The grappling arts appealed to him and he was introduced to Judo by his wrestling coach. After participating in Judo for several years and earning his Brown Belt in 1999, he turned his attention towards mixed martial arts (MMA) as a way to continue to test himself and become a professional fighter. After participating in numerous amateur MMA fights in the Midwest, he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2001 by his brother Chris who had finally coerced him to train at a small dojo that was an affiliate school under Professor Rodrigo Vaghi of St Louis, Missouri.
As an active duty United States Marine, Brandon has traveled and trained throughout the United States and abroad in numerous countries. Brandon earned his Blue Belt from Professor Rodrigo Vaghi in 2006 and took his first professional MMA fight in 2007. Brandon stopped all fighting in 2009 so he could train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu exclusively. Brandon earned his Purple Belt from Professor Kelly Grissom in 2012, his Brown Belt in 2018, and his Black Belt in 2020 becoming Professor Kelly’s fifth black belt.
Brandon serves as a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor/Trainer, and continuously strives towards his goal of becoming a Jiu Jitsu World Champion, owning his own school, and ultimately inspire those he comes in contact with to be better versions of themselves each day!
Brandon joined the Groundstone family in July 2020.
We are the only Fredson Paixão Affiliate academy on the east coast and the only BJJ school in Sneads Ferry, NC.
Our academy focuses not only on the skills of BJJ but also on building a strong team and BJJ Family. GroundstoneBJJ has recently moved to its own location.
Professor Tulsa and Coach Bianca are Blessed with the opportunity to transform an empty building into a beautiful forever home for Groundstone BJJ.
"We are shaping a Cornerstone for the needs of our community".
GroundstoneBJJ is a home to all who enter .
"Kindly remove your EGO"
The EGO is something you are trying to build the first half of your life.
The second half you are being taught to let it go.
BJJ teaches the student that the fight isn't won using the EGO.
We believe that Jiu Jitsu is more than just a physical discipline, it is a mental and spiritual transformation through the art of self defense and self awareness. Jiu Jitsu has changed lives both on and off the mats and we want to help do that for you. Jiu Jitsu for everyone! We are shaping a cornerstone for the community that we will support through motivation, accepting all, and adapting to the community family needs.
Adult Membership is inclusive to all classes.
Not including Competition classes
The Non-Member option is for our traveler that does not have the option to commit to a membership but still values their time training Bjj.
Non-Member option is inclusive to all GSBJJ classes for only one month from start date. Not including competition classes.
Purchase 10 drop-ins for $100 and get one class free. Must buy 10 drop ins to get the $10 rate.
No registration required.
Drop In option is available for kids and adults.
We are accepting new warriors in the FIRST WEEK of every month. Leave your information below to be contacted for a free trial class or call us @ (910)-915-4231.
CHECK OUT OUR PRO-SHOP! WE CARRY EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
Junior Warrior's 5:15-6:15pm
Adult BJJ 6:40-8:00pm
Little Warrior's 5:15-6:15pm
Adults 6:40-8:00pm
Gi
Junior Warriors 5:15-6:15pm
Adults 6:40-8:00pm
Gi
Gi
Little Warriors 5:15-6:15pm
Adults (NOGI ) 6:40-8:00pm
Gi
We currently have a school supply fundraiser! Please take a minute to give back to our children in the community. CLICK THE LINK
1031 Old Folkstone rd, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina 28460, United States
Mon | 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm | |
Tue | 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm | |
Wed | 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm | |
Thu | 05:00 pm – 08:00 pm | |
Fri | Closed | |
Sat | 09:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Sun | By Appointment |
Times are strictly for Bjj programs.
School Supplemental program times differ
Copyright © 2021 Groundstone BJJ - All Rights Reserved.
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