Larry Shealy began studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California. He is a Black Belt under the direction and instruction of Carlos Gracie, Jr, a Black Belt in TKD, a Certified Haganah F.I.G.H.T. Instructor, and a Certified Muay Thai Instructor under Master Toddy. Larry is a Professor and Certified Instructor in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed thru the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and is a Certified Black Belt Instructor thru the Florida Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. He was appointed to be the Florida State Chairman for USA Jiu-Jitsu, the governing body for USA Jiu-Jitsu based in Washington, D.C..  Professor Shealy was also recently awarded a IBJJF Referee Diploma from Master Alvaro Mansur. (Director of Referees for the IBJJF and the CBJJ) at the Mundials in Long Beach, CA.

He has also learned Gracie Jiu-Jitsu technique from Rorion Gracie, Royce Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Royler Gracie, Rolker Gracie, Charles dos Anjos, Marcio Feitosa, Rodrigo Gracie, Carlos “Caique” Elias, Flavio Almeida, Chip Coffey, and UFC fighter Junior Assuncao. He has traveled extensively in the United States and to Rio de Janiero, Brazil to further his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studies. He has trained at the world famous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies: Gracie Barra (Carlos Gracie Jr, Marcio Feitosa.) and Gracie Humataie (Royler and Rolker Gracie). 

In 2003, Larry began developing the “Kid-Jitsu” program along with the “Kid-Jitsu Values Program”. These trademark registered programs allow traditional martial arts instructors to teach children the fundamentals of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, while weaving targeted values into each lesson within the “Kid-Jitsu” Curriculum. To date, Larry and his partner Charles dos Anjos, a Royce Gracie Black Belt, have certified over 300 Instructors in over 150 schools in the U.S. and Europe to implement Kid-Jitsu and the Wolfpack BJJ Association for Adults into their traditional martial arts curriculum.

Larry has a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Business (MBA) from Jacksonville University. He has retired from the corporate world after 20 years and is now concentrating on sharing the many benefits of his traditional martial arts background along with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to children and adults. He is a past elected official in Neptune Beach, Florida having served on the Neptune Beach City Council. He is married to wife, Gail, and has 3 children Todd, Kristi, and Joshua.

Jim Gibson is a 2-Stripe Purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Jim is in the the U.S. Navy and is a dedicated family man.  He has four children who train at JaxBJJ as well!!!  His countless hours on the mat have made him an extremely technical jiu-jitsu artist.  Jim is the Main Kid-Jitsu Instructor and Assistant Head Instructor of JaxBJJ. 

Chris is a Purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He works as a Web Designer for the COJ and received his undergraduate degree from Savannah College of Art & Design. Chris assists in the Adult Fundamentals Classes, is a Certified Kid-Jitsu Instructor and is involved in the further development of the “Kid-Jitsu” Program.

Nate Lang is a full time college student, Purple Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and a Certified Assistant Instructor in the Haganah F.I.G.H.T. System. Nate is also very active in our Muay Thai and MMA programs.

Along with studying BJJ under Professors Larry Shealy and Charles dos Anjos, Kru Jason Frank is trained by Grand Master Toddy. He has been training in the Martial Arts for over 25 years.  We are proud to have him as the Head Instructor of the Muay Thai Program at JaxBJJ.  Jason is a highly decorated Martial Artist and Instructor, having spent his entire life honing his skills.  Having multiple schools in Texas and California, Jason calls JaxBJJ his “East Coast Home” and we are pleased to have him directing our Muay Thai Program.  Jason is also a certified Kid-Jitsu/Wolfpack Instructor and is a Blue Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Robby Wentz is our “All American Tough Kid”.  He is a Purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, is very active in the Muay Thai program as an Assistant Coach.  Robby is also an Assistant Instructor in our BJJ curriculum.  Robbie has a B.A. in Finance and a Masters Degree in Business.

T.J. Rivers is an assistant instructor in BJJ and Muay Thai, and is also very active within the Kid-Jitsu Program as a Certified Instructor.  TJ is a well rounded martial artist, who brings out the best in the students that he works with.  TJ was recently awarded the 2007 Naval Air Station Athlete of the Year.

Phil Koo is a military veteran.  He is the silent warrior at JaxBJJ.  His emphasis on technical ability is a true testiment to what Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is all about.  Phil assists in our BJJ fundamentals classes and our Kid-Jitsu Program.

Brendo Light is a Purple Belt at JaxBJJ and is very active in our Muay Thai Program.  He is an assistant instructor in our Kid-Jitsu Program and our Adult Fundamentals classes.  He has a wrestling background and is a very tough competitor having medaled in all competitions that he has entered.  Brendo is a Rescue Swimmer in the U.S. Navy.

Von has trained at JaxBJJ for almost 5 years.  He goes back to the old garage days in Atlantic Beach.  Von is a Purple Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and assists with new students and in the Adult Fundamentals Class.  Von is also Chief Instructor at our latest satelite school:  JaxBJJ North.