Lee
Owner and Head BJJ Coach
Through many moves and life stages, BJJ has been a constant in Lee's life, and the source of much of his most profound personal growth, deepest friendships, and most important communities. Lee's experience traveling & practicing BJJ in schools across the US and around the world has given him a deep appreciation for the diversity of approaches to the sport, and keeps him humbled and inspired.
Lee has a passion for making combat sports fun and helping beginners build solid foundations, and experienced students identify strengths to hone their game. Off the mats, when he gets a blank look on his face, he's probably thinking about jiu jitsu.
Sage
Owner, Yoga Instructor, Head of Youth Programs
Sage completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training at Atmananda NYC in 2013, and began her journey as a student of combat sports in 2018. The mindfulness, body awareness, and breath work developed from yoga have been foundational in her approach to learning grappling and striking (and for moving through life!).
She loves introducing yoga to beginners and incorporates vinyasa, hatha, nidra, and yin styles to customize flows for each student. Sage feels deeply committed to helping fighters prolong their best years in sport through the healing and injury-preventing benefits of yoga.
A former school teacher, Sage has a passion for instilling a sense of self-respect and love of learning in children and young adults. She draws from her background in Montessori education to design programming that helps mindfulness, fitness, and growth-mindset become core strengths that carry her students through life.
Kam
Muay Thai Coach, Yoga Instructor, Gym Manager
Kam has trained at GVMA since she moved to Montana. Initially, she joined to feel capable in her body, practice discipline, and find community. Gradually yet undeniably, it became a therapeutic obsession, a release, a clarity to train almost every day of the week. Bettering yourself through bettering your practice is a positive feedback loop Kam wants to share. Her goals as an instructor are to empower her students through embodiment, strengthen the growing community of fighters, and learn from each member.
Striking a balance, Kam teaches Vinyasa on the weekends and Muay Thai throughout the week. She strives to create a rejuvenating space for practitioners of all levels. Kam's flow is an homage to the body, intended to synchronize breath and movement, celebrate sore muscles, and cultivate body awareness.
Wyatt
BJJ, Youth Programs Coach
As a brown belt under Tom Deblass, Coach Wyatt is committed to helping each student reach their full potential and achieve their personal goals in martial arts. He is a seasoned martial arts instructor with 15 years of experience, dedicated to empowering students to become bold and assertive through the discipline of martial arts, fostering both physical and mental strength.
Known for his positive energy and enthusiastic teaching style, Wyatt seeks to embody spiritual power, focused energy, and action-oriented thinking as a powerful role model for his students. Wyatt is passionate about creating a supportive and respectful training environment where students of all ages and skill levels can thrive. He believes in the importance of instilling values such as perseverance (a "Non-Quitting Spirit," as we call it) respect, and self-belief.
Outside of coaching, Wyatt enjoys camping, reading, swinging kettlebells, and cooking. He is dedicated to positively impacting in the lives of his students, promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the martial arts mindset.
Jasper
Muay Thai Coach
Ever since Jasper started training 5 years ago, she has lived and breathed Muay Thai. She brings a depth of knowledge gained from 5 fights as well as obsessive study of the sport into her coaching. She is a highly technical yet playful fighter, and likes to bring that into her coaching. She's always happy to info dump about technique or her favorite fighters to those brave enough to ask!
Outside of the gym, she likes making art - primarily jewelry and knives - climbing, skiing and going to drag shows.
B
Muay Thai, BJJ Coach
B started training Muay Thai and BJJ as a way to relieve stress — but quickly became hooked. Now after several years of training and competing, martial arts have made an enormous impact on their personal growth, confidence, and physical health. B is passionate about creating a welcoming space where everyone can experience the same benefits, regardless of their fitness level, age, background, or athletic experience. B especially loves working with beginners to develop skill and increase confidence — and knows it's never too late to start!
Sara
Muay Thai, Youth Program Coach
Sara, AKA the Assistant Assassin, started her martial arts journey in 2018. Sara learned discipline and hard work at a young age through dance and music. After signing up her 5 year old son for martial arts classes and seeing the way the sensei commanded respect from a whole class of kids, she knew she had to try it out for herself. Taking that first step led her down a path that has transformed her relationship with herself, her world, and the way she shows up for the people she cares about. Sara enjoys sharing her love of kickboxing with kids of all ages, as well as adults. Besides being an instructor, she is also an accountant, DJ, lifter, animal lover, and outdoor enthusiast — and a beloved part of the GVMA team
Niko
BJJ and Youth Program Coach
Niko was named after a Steven Segal movie and grew up learning various martial arts; Taekwondo, wrestling, and Aikido. As of late, he has rediscovered his passion for Muay Thai and especially BJJ, following an old family adage that anything worth knowing must be taught. He finds great personal growth and satisfaction through coaching others on their journey of self improvement through martial arts.
David
MMA Coach
David is a lifelong martial artist that has over 25 years of training and experience in Karate, Wrestling, Boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai and more. He has a tremendous amount of real-world experience due to him being a decorated US Army combat veteran and a former law enforcement officer. David is an Army Combatives Instructor, a Gracie Survival Tactics Instructor, and a two-time Army Combatives champion. He believes that the martial arts are the highest form of self-expression and the greatest vehicle for self-development.
August
BJJ Coach
August discovered Martial Arts while searching for community and belonging while in trade school in 2020. He fell in love with BJJ and the comradery and community of GVMA. He achieved his purple belt under Coach Wyatt in 2025.
While not on the mats, he works as a Machinist making aerospace parts and is an avid rock climber. BJJ has taught him the tranquility of mind required to fight out of a deep choke, a practice he has honed from the first time he had to fight down the fear and keep climbing higher at the local craig in his home town of Livingston. August is an avid competitor with 8 tournaments under his belt so far and many more to come. August started coaching to share the love and community of BJJ and to instill the faith in oneself and non quitting spirit that BJJ has given him. He hopes to see you all on the mats for some fun and consensual violence.
