instructors

Jonny Wester } Head Coach

Rank: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Professional MMA Fighter

Class: BJJ, Kickboxing, MMA

Coach Jonny began seriously training in 2008 having no Martial Arts background. Within a year, he began training in earnest joining a professional gym and garnering a 5 fight win streak. With over 20 amateur fights and several professional under his belt, Jonny's focus shifted to professional training, competing, and coaching.

Coach Jonny has traveled from California to New York, and multiple times to Brazil learning from some of the best coaches and fighters in the world. His accolades include numerous victories in IBJJF and AGF grappling tournaments, several Muay Thai bouts, a winning Professional MMA record, and ranking in IKF’s World Muay Thai series. Coach Jonny is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Proffesor Danny Dring.

daniel Trimble | Head Coach

Rank: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Classes: BJJ, Adult No Gi, Kids No Gi

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Coach Daniel embarked on his Martial Arts journey in effort to lose weight. He found a new passion in Martial Arts, training with some of the best instructors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while losing 110 pounds.

Along with having a rewarding software engineer career, Daniel is a successful amateur MMA fighter with a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and half a decade of Kickboxing experience. He has won countless grappling tournaments such as IBJJF, NAGA, Europa, AGF, and OGA.

Nicole Littell | Kids Coach

Rank: Brazilian Jiu JItsu Brown Belt

Classes: Kids Classes

Nicole joined the Gravitas family in September of 2013 with no knowledge of the Martial Arts world. Within the first six months, Nicole lost significant weight and could tell a big difference in her energy levels. Nicole dedicated herself more seriously to training due to her ability to focus more effectively at work. Over the past 4 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Nicole has earned her Blue Belt and is currently assisting with kids classes.

- "Helping teach the kids class is one of the most satisfying feelings.  Seeing the transformation from a childs first day on the mats to their first tournament is so rewarding,  My biggest goal is to continue training to be better than I was yesterday."

Josh Root | Assistant coach

Rank: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt

Classes:  BJJ, Kickboxing

Josh is a Brown Belt with Gravitas. Josh began training Brazilian jiu jitsu and kickboxing in 2011. Since then, Josh has competed in both jiu-jitsu and MMA under the tutelage of Danny Dring, Jonny Wester, and Daniel Trimble.

Chris Baugh | Assistant Coach

Rank: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

Classes: Kids Classes

 Chris is 45 years old and trains with his twin boys who attend the kids classes. Chris assists in our Kids Program alongside Coach Nicole. 

- "I can't express all the positives from training at Gravitas. Since starting, I've lost 35 lbs and cut my cholesterol in half. Truly training with your children is an incredible experience. I feel better about myself and am in better shape than I was in high school. Jiu jitsu has helped my boys and myself with setting goals and striving to achieve them. It is an awesome stress reliever, as well. My current goals are to continue my training and passing on that knowledge for many years to come."

ASHLEY BOGY | ASSISTANT COACH

Rank: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Classes: Womens Class

Ashley has been training for roughly 4 years both in Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu as well as winning AGF Nationals. She has been key to helping us grow our women’s program.