Joshua Saunders is a first-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has dedicated the last 16 years to the art. He received his black belt under Professor Scott Oates of Virginia Beach, whose lineage runs through the legendary brothers Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, under Royler Gracie, the son of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie. We are incredibly proud of that lineage and the responsibility of preserving the principles, techniques, and traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Before Jiu-Jitsu, Joshua was a competitive high school wrestler and served as captain of his wrestling team during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Those experiences laid the foundation for the leadership, discipline, and work ethic that continue to shape his coaching today.

Joshua’s greatest passion isn’t collecting belts or medals—it’s watching someone walk into the academy with no experience and helping them become confident, disciplined, and capable of defending themselves and the people they love. He believes Jiu-Jitsu is about far more than fighting; it’s about building character, resilience, humility, and confidence that carries into every area of life.

When he’s not on the mats, Joshua enjoys bowhunting, fishing, surfing, spending time in nature, and challenging himself through CrossFit. He believes martial arts is one of the cornerstones of a strong and meaningful life, and his mission is simple: to help every student become stronger, more confident, and better prepared for whatever life puts in front of them.