The instructors at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu Academy are highly experienced in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), no-gi submission grappling, Judo, wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Capoeira. Our professional training staff bring passion, experience, and expertise to make sure students develop concrete skills, reach their goals and their true potential. FJJ’s instructors have over 100 years of collective martial art and combat sports experience.
Our Trainers
Mark Jones
Co-Owner / Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
4th Degree Black Belt
Coach Mark is a co-founder and the head instructor for FJJ’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs, both kids and adults. He began training Jiu Jitsu in 1999 and earned his black belt in 2007. Mark is a two time Pan American Gold Medalist, and earned a Gold Medal at the International Masters Championship in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Coach Mark brings humor and boundless joy to the mat on a daily basis. Outside of FJJ, Coach Mark works with youth and families in Loudoun County through the public school system and courts. He is a U.S. Army veteran having served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Sam Kim
Co-Owner / BJJ Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt
Coach Sam is a co-founder of FJJ and teaches adult BJJ. A lifelong martial artist, he began training in Jiu Jitsu in 1998. His cerebral teaching style conveys to students, not only the techniques, but also the underlying, foundational concepts…often by way of Star Wars analogies.
Sam has a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work, a Master Addictions Counselor credential, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Outside of the Academy, he works in private practice as a psychotherapist helping people in the community.
Matt Nielsen
Head Muay Thai Instructor
BJJ Brown Belt
Coach Matt has been the Head Muay Thai Instructor at FJJ since 2010. He brings 30+ years of experience in martial arts. Matt began traveling to Thailand in 2004 to train at various Muay Thai camps. He has trained at Fairtex Gym, Sor.Vorapin Gym, True Bee Gym, Kaewsamrit Gym, &, most notably, Sinbi Muay Thai Camp in Phuket. He trains in Thailand every year for several weeks bringing back authentic Muay Thai to our students at FJJ Academy.
Coach Matt is a career educator working with primary school youth in Fairfax County for over 15 years.
Yara Cordeiro
Mestranda
Head Capoeira Instructor
Mestranda Yara Cordeiro has been practicing Capoeira since 1982, started teaching in 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology & physical education and holds two masters degrees (psychology & sports psychology/Capoeira) dedicating her academic studies toward understanding the unexplored aspects of the relationship between capoeira and sports psychology. She is a published author of three books on Capoeira and its influence on identity and adolescence, development, and self-esteem.
Mestranda Yara has held workshops and given lectures about Capoeira all over Brazil, the US, and around the world.
Jake McGlothin
BJJ Instructor
BJJ Black Belt
Jake began as a student at FJJ Academy in 2011 and began training in BJJ in 2008. He is an associate pastor at Gainesville United Methodist Church and affectionately know here as Pastor Jake. He is a New Orleans native and graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in History. He received his masters from Wesley Theological Seminary and is a published author.
Bill Easlick
MMA/Judo/Jiu Jitsu Instructor
BJJ Black Belt
Bill is a lifelong martial artist and has been an active competitor since he stepped onto the wrestling mats at age 5. He is a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a Black belt in Judo, a former D1 collegiate wrestler, and he has over 20 amateur fights in boxing, kickboxing and MMA.
Bill has trained Professional MMA fighters who have competed in: The UFC, One FC, Bellator, and many more promotions. In addition to pro fighters, he has trained a number of amateur MMA champions in Virginia, Ohio and Florida.
We are fortunate to have Coach Bill as an adjunct professor at FJJ Academy. He is the founder of Blast MMA in Pinellas Park, Florida.