PROFESSORS

What We've Achieved

  • Michael Martin started Strong Heart Academy.

  • We have helped enhance our students’ lives by creating friendships and learning martial arts.

  • Working through complex problems on the mats helps our students with real-life problem-solving skills.

  • Jiu-Jitsu and MMA help with physical fitness and help develop mental strength.

THE HISTORY OF STRONG HEART ACADEMY

STRONG HEART ACADEMY ESTABLISHED IN 2009

Mike Martin was originally brought up under the BJJ legend Joe Moreira. We are close to him to this day, and his pressure game is still taught.

Over time we became close with Caio Terra and were inspired by his technique. As soon as Caio Terra Association was started, we joined.

Martial Arts in Phoenix

CAIO TERRA - 15 Time World Champion

Professor Caio Terra is a pioneer in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and founder of the Caio Terra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Professor Caio believes that through Jiu Jitsu we can change lives. Professor Caio is not just a great competitor, or great teacher, he is a great person and the Strong Heart Academy is proud to represent his name and unique brand of Jiu Jitsu in the Phoenix, Arizona CTA

MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTORSOur Martial Arts instructors all have different skillsets. We have a family friendly environment and make sure that all students understand they are a part of our Martial Arts Family. We focus on our students individual games…

MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTORS

Our instructors have different skill sets at our martial arts academy in Phoenix, AZ. We have a family-friendly environment and ensure all students understand they are a part of our martial arts family.

We focus on our student’s individual games rather than trying to push a standard corporate chosen gameplan.

This is more common than you think, but we will always focus on working with our students individually.

Height, body weight, flexibility, and athletic abilities vary, making our school special.

We can help anyone get better at Jiu-Jitsu!

MIKE MARTINOwner of Strong Heart Academy first began training under Joe Moreira. There is learned a great technical game with pressure. Years later Mike met and trained with Caio Terra. We have kept a great friendship with Joe Moreira and have joine…

MIKE MARTIN

The owner of Strong Heart Academy first began training under Joe Moreira. There he learned a great technical game with pressure. Years later, Mike met and trained with Caio Terra. While continuing a great friendship with Joe Moreira, we’ve joined Caio Terra Association. All of these experiences have influenced his training and his excellence at relaying information. Not every good BJJ practitioner is a good teacher.

TODDTodd has been with Strong Heart from the beginning of the school. He teaches the daytime Adult BJJ classes. He teaches on Mondays and Wednesdays. He bring many years of experience to the mat.

TODD

Todd has been with Strong Heart since the beginning of school. He teaches the daytime Adult BJJ classes. He teaches on Mondays and Wednesdays. He brings many years of experience to the mat.

RILEY TRUITT - BROWN BELTRiley is one of our primary Jiu Jitsu instructors. He teaches Jiu Jitsu basics and the Kids Jiu Jitsu programs. He is very patient and part of our family friendly Martial Arts School.

RILEY TRUITT - BROWN BELT

Riley is one of our primary Jiu-Jitsu instructors. He teaches Jiu-Jitsu basics and the Kid’s Jiu-Jitsu programs. He is very patient and part of our family-friendly Martial Arts School.

LUKE KRUMTINGER - BJJ BROWNBELTLuke is our Jiu Jitsu instructor for the early morning classes. The classes start at 6am Tuesday and Thursday.

LUKE KRUMTINGER - BJJ BROWN BELT

Luke is our Jiu-Jitsu instructor for the early morning classes. The classes start at 6 am Tuesday and Thursday.

SHEA SMITH - BJJ BROWN BELTShea teaches Jiu Jitsu and came to us from another school system originally. He has a creative game and is well studied.

SHEA SMITH - BJJ BLACK BELT

Shea teaches Jiu-Jitsu. Originally he came to us from another school system. He has a creative game and is well-studied.

STEVE BESENYEI - PURPLE BELTSteve is our Jiu Jitsu No Gi instructor. These classes run in the evening and shows that our school trains No Gi as well as with the Gi. Both are very important and we don’t neglect either.

STEVE BESENYEI - PURPLE BELT

Steve is our Jiu-Jitsu No Gi instructor. These classes run in the evening and show that our school trains No Gi and with the Gi. Both are very important, and we don’t neglect either.

BRENDEN TUCKER - PURPLE BELTBrenden is one of our Kids Jiu Jitsu instructors. He has been with our school for many years and once was a student in our Kids Jiu Jitsu program. We are proud to have him here to help guide our Martial Arts students.

BRENDEN TUCKER - PURPLE BELT

Brenden is one of our Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu instructors. He has been with our school for many years and once was a student in our Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu program. We are proud to have him here to help guide our martial arts students.

TONY CASTRO - PURPLE BELTTony is one of our Kids Jiu Jitsu instructors. He is patient and well studied as an instructor. We have multiple Kids Jiu Jitsu instructors in order to be able to focus on our students.

TONY CASTRO - PURPLE BELT

Tony is one of our Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu instructors. He is patient and well-studied as an instructor. We have multiple Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu instructors to be able to focus on our students.