My Life’s Mission – Spreading the Gospel of Jiu-Jitsu
Hey there! I’m Richard Ryan, founder and head instructor here at MartialArtsUp. Let me tell you a bit about my background and what motivates me to teach the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
I’ve been obsessed with martial arts for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad was a black belt in judo and my uncle practiced catch wrestling. Grappling runs in my veins. I started training BJJ as a teenager under Royce Gracie himself. Talk about being thrown in the deep end!
After years of blood, sweat, and taps, I was promoted to black belt. It was a proud day for me, but also just the beginning. Now, I’m on a mission to share my passion for the gentle art across the country.
At MartialArtsUp, we welcome everyone with open arms. I don’t care if you’re an elite competitor or have never set foot on a mat before. We’re a family, and I want to transform your life through jiu-jitsu just like it transformed mine.
This art teaches you so much more than fancy techniques. It builds your self-confidence. It forges mental toughness. It creates an unwavering work ethic. These lessons change who you are as a person.
My goal is to produce black belts both on and off the mat. To get you there, I pull from the best techniques in wrestling, judo, and submission grappling. We roll hard and smart every class. You’ll tap early and often – that’s part of the journey!
I’m looking for dedicated students who want to fully immerse themselves in the jiu-jitsu lifestyle. If that sounds like you, join the MartialArtsUp crew. Let’s climb this mountain together! Oss!
“Jiu-jitsu reveals your true self. The you that doesn’t make excuses or take shortcuts. The you that embraces the grind and overcomes any obstacle in your path.”
“Crawl, walk, run. Progress at your own pace. Jiu-jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on incremental gains, and one day you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”