Meet Our Instructors
Welcome To Midsouth LCCT Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, LLC – Martial Arts
Stan began his martial arts journey in 1993 at Steve Sanford’s Memphis Karate Institute. He received his black belt in American Shotokan Karate in January of 1996 from Steve Sanford.
In 1999, Stan developed a rare auto-immune muscle disorder called Polymyositis. After years of physical therapy and recovery, Stan was determined to continue his martial arts journey. Lacking the physical strength to practice traditional stand-up arts due to their athletic requirements, he instead turned toward the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu which was advertised to allow the smaller, weaker opponent the possibility of defeating a stronger, larger one. It was not until 2009 that Stan began training Gracie Jiu Jitsu at Chilcutt’s Premier martial arts, a Royce Gracie affiliate. He received his blue belt in 2010, and his purple belt in 2013 under the Royce Gracie affiliation. Shortly after receiving his purple belt, Stan was introduced to Professor Luiz Claudio, a 4th degree Rickson Gracie Black Belt.
Upon his first visit to Professor Claudio, Stan realized some significant differences in the Jiu Jitsu being practiced by Luiz’s students, and how well it worked for all practitioners. Stan fell in love with the program and Rickson’s Jiu Jitsu. He re-tested for his Purple Belt in December 2015 under the LCCT affiliation curriculum and was officially certified to teach the LCCT Foundations and Advanced curriculum.
On July 14, 2015, Midsouth LCCT was formed to allow others the opportunity to experience the magnificence of this style of Jiu Jitsu and to further share the art with practitioners in the greater Memphis, TN area. Stan tested for his brown belt under Luiz Claudio, Nov 4, 2017. Read Stan’s full journey.
Martial Arts Timeline
- November 1993 – Began studying American Shotokan Karate.
- January 1996 – Received Black Belt in Shotokan Karate.
- August 2009 – Began Gracie Jiu Jitsu
- November 2010 – Promoted to Blue Belt by Royce Gracie
- November 2013 – Promoted to Purple Belt by Royce Gracie
- July 2015 – Created Midsouth LCCT Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
- November 2017 – Promoted to Brown Belt by Luiz Claudio
- November 2021 – Promoted to Black Belt by Thiago Veiga
- November 2021 – Certified IBJJF Black Belt Instructor.
Kati began Gracie Jiu Jitsu in October of 2009. She earned her blue belt from Royce Gracie, December 5, 2010, and her purple from Luiz Claudio in November of 2017.
Assistant instructor adults.
Martial Arts Timeline
- October 2009 – Began studying Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
- December 2010 – Promoted to Blue Belt by Royce Gracie
- November 2017 – Promoted to Purple Belt by Luiz Claudio
- April 2021 – Promoted to Brown Belt by Thiago Veiga
Stan has been training Gracie Jiu Jitsu since he was 8 years old. He began his Jiu Jitsu training in October of 2009 and earned his purple belt under the LCCT affiliation on June 28, 2020.
Assistant instructor kids/adults.
Martial Arts Timeline
- October 2009 – Began studying Gracie Jiu Jitsu
- December 2010 – Promoted to Yellow Belt by Royce Gracie
- December 2013 – Promoted to Orange Belt by Royce Gracie
- October 2015 – Promoted to Green Belt by Luiz Claudio
- March 5, 2017 – Promoted to Blue Belt by Thiago Veiga
- June 28, 2020 – Promoted to Purple Belt by Thiago Veiga
Amber has been training Jiu Jitsu for approximately 2 years and earned her blue belt under the LCCT affiliation on June 28, 2020.
Kids class assistant instructor
Martial Arts Timeline
- May 2019 – Began studying Gracie Jiu Jitsu
- June 28, 2020 – Promoted to Blue Belt by Thiago Veiga.
- November 6, 2022 – Promoted to Purple Belt by Luiz Claudio
Jacob has been training Jiu Jitsu for approximately 2 years and earned his blue belt under the LCCT affiliation in June of 2020. In addition to his BJJ training he also has several years of wrestling experience from Millington High School.
Wrestling for BJJ instructor.
Martial Arts Timeline
- June 2020 – Promoted to Blue Belt by Thiago Veiga
- March 2021 – Instructor for Wrestling for BJJ class.
- November 6, 2022 – Promoted to Purple Belt by Luiz Claudio