Instructors
Learn from Top Instructors
HEAD COACHES
4th | | | | Degree Black Belt
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Sean "The Strangler" Spangler, a dedicated practitioner and instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, began his martial arts journey as a wrestler at NC State University from 1987 to 1992. Despite a setback due to a ruptured disk and back surgery in 1992, Spangler's passion for grappling arts led him to Las Vegas in 1995, where he transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the guidance of legendary mentors John Lewis, Andre Pederneiras, Marc Laimon, and Robert Drysdale. Through unwavering dedication and consistent training, Spangler earned his black belt from Robert Drysdale in 2009.
Driven by a desire to share his knowledge and experience with the BJJ and grappling community, Professor Spangler opened an academy in Cary, NC in 2014. As the academy grew, it relocated to a larger facility in Apex, NC. Embracing Robert Drysdale's philosophy of "simple and efficient" jiu-jitsu, Professor Spangler and his instructors foster an environment where students can develop at their own pace, learning memorable and effective techniques.
Today, Professor Spangler finds purpose in nurturing the skills and techniques of young children and beginners in the Jiu-Jitsu community. He takes pride in creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment that encourages personal growth and honors the values of discipline, self-mastery, camaraderie, and perseverance that the sport instills.
Black Belt
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David Wolf is a passionate and dedicated first-degree black belt jiu-jitsu instructor at our academy. With a strong foundation in wrestling from his formative years in Florida, David's journey in martial arts has been one of resilience and determination. His remarkable success in wrestling not only honed his physical skills but also propelled him to state-level competitions, showcasing his talent and tenacity. David's introduction to jiu-jitsu came in 2009 while assistant coaching High School Wrestling in Tampa, where he trained diligently under Ryan Deichert, eventually earning his blue belt.
Under the tutelage of his mentor and head coach, Sean Spangler, David's jiu-jitsu journey flourished in Apex, North Carolina. After seven years of unwavering commitment and hard work, he achieved the prestigious rank of black belt in 2022, marking a significant milestone in his martial arts career. As an instructor, David is committed to sharing his passion for jiu-jitsu with both children and adult students at our academy. He imparts the art's principles while nurturing the growth and development of his students, helping them build resilience and problem-solving skills that extend beyond the mats. For David, jiu-jitsu serves as a powerful metaphor and training ground for life's challenges, empowering practitioners to face adversity with confidence and determination.
Black Belt
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Conrad Faust, a seasoned martial artist and coach, embarked on his combat sports journey at the age of 12 when he began learning Tae Kwon Do. As a teenager, he discovered his love for grappling through wrestling, which he pursued throughout his high school years. At 16, after his sophomore wrestling season, Conrad's life took a transformative turn when he encountered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He began attending classes at a YMCA racquetball court under the tutelage of Justin Morris, who would later establish Third Heaven Martial Arts in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. From that moment on, BJJ became Conrad's enduring passion, which he continued to pursue alongside his other high school sports.
Throughout his career and personal life, Conrad's dedication to BJJ never wavered. His journey took him from Wisconsin to Indiana for college, and eventually to North Carolina, which he now calls home. During a period living overseas, he trained extensively in Germany and Switzerland, competing in numerous tournaments across Europe. Through these diverse training experiences, Conrad refined his skills and absorbed techniques from a wide range of instructors and training partners. As a competitor, he excelled in both wrestling and BJJ, earning recognition in the martial arts community. In North Carolina, he has contributed to the development of many local BJJ practitioners who have achieved black belt status. Today, Conrad focuses on teaching, aiming to nurture a love for BJJ in his own children and students, sharing the passion and dedication that have defined his journey in the gentle art.
Black Belt
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John Blair is a dedicated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and assistant coach at our BJJ academy. With years of experience on the mats, John has earned his black belt through hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. His journey began in his late 20s when he first stepped into a Jiu-Jitsu class and discovered his true passion. Despite the challenges and setbacks he encountered along the way, John's determination and resilience have been instrumental in his growth as a martial artist.
As an assistant coach, John brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to every class he teaches. His patient and supportive teaching style creates a welcoming environment for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. Off the mats, John is a devoted husband and father who leads by example. His kind heart and willingness to help others make him an invaluable member of our Jiu-Jitsu community. John's infectious passion for the sport inspires his fellow practitioners to push themselves to new heights and embrace the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Brown Belt
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Jeremy, a native of rural Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, has been a dedicated practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for over a decade. His passion for the sport began in 2008 while still living in Pennsylvania, but it truly flourished when he relocated to North Carolina in 2011. Alongside his commitment to BJJ, Jeremy has spent the past ten years building aircraft engines at GE Aviation, showcasing his ability to balance his professional career with his love for martial arts.
Under the guidance of Sean, Jeremy earned his brown belt in 2018, a testament to his years of hard work and dedication to the art of BJJ. In 2022, he took on the role of coach at Jujitsu Performance Academy, where he shares his knowledge and experience with students eager to learn. He doesn’t always wake up before the sun at 5 am, but when he does, you’ll find him at the academy on Tuesdays & Thursdays. For Jeremy, Jujitsu is more than just a hobby; it is a lifelong passion that he intends to pursue both as a practitioner and as a teacher.
Brown Belt
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Andrew (Aj) started off his martial art journey in Muay Thai around 2010. At the time, he would train under an affiliate of Sityodtong Boston until receiving his Black prajoiud in 2017 and has been consistently training in muay thai since at different academies. Additionally recieving his brown belt in 2023 in Bjj, his passion for teaching journey started around three years ago in both Muay thai and Bjj. Aditionally to Muay Thai and Bjj, Aj has a background in Tae Kwon Do and Judo with some MMA experience.
Purple Belt
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Coach Jason brings over a decade of experience in no-gi jiu jitsu, having honed his skills in New York City under the guidance of Professor Renè Dreifuss, the creator of the Rat Guard. With a fervent dedication to teaching functional self-defense, Coach Jason has crafted our fundamentals curriculum to emphasize the art of jiu jitsu as a way for smaller opponents to prevail over larger ones.
Specializing in the fine points of escaping inferior positions, Jason enriches his lessons with strategic insights into tactical placements and effective striking points, equipping his students for realistic confrontations. His approach not only focuses on technique but also on instilling a sense of confidence and preparedness in his students, making the training applicable to everyday safety.
With a flair for transforming the average individual into a formidable force, Jason takes pride in his ability to turn moms, dads, and teenagers into what he likes to call a 'lethal platoon'. His training sessions are interspersed with a healthy dose of dad jokes, a trait that, while possibly embarrassing to his family, adds a lighthearted touch to rigorous sessions.
You can trust Jason to turn your family into a lethal platoon that no one will mess with. He’s been doing it with his own family for years, and while they might grumble about his methods, your family will surely appreciate his commitment and results.
Purple Belt
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Tyler Blanchard is a highly accomplished grappling coach with an unwavering dedication to helping students of all ages and skill levels excel on the mat. His passion for the sport began in childhood, where he discovered his love for wrestling. Tyler continued to pursue this passion throughout his college years at NC State, where he further developed his skills and expertise. With over 15 years of experience coaching wrestling, Tyler has worked with a diverse range of students, from preschoolers to adults, helping each individual achieve their unique goals and reach their full potential.
As his love for grappling grew, Tyler found himself drawn to the world of Jiu-Jitsu. He successfully adapted his strong wrestling foundation to this new discipline, showcasing his versatility and ability to excel in multiple grappling arts. Tyler's deep understanding of both wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, combined with his passion for teaching and nurturing talent, makes him an exceptional coach. Whether you are a beginner looking to take your first steps on the mat or an experienced grappler seeking to refine your techniques, Tyler Blanchard has the knowledge, skills, and dedication to help you succeed in your grappling journey.
Blue Belt
STAFF
