Our Amazing Instructors and Mentors
Our team is highly experienced and well-versed in a variety of techniques in Jiu Jitsu. From self-defense to pressure passing to leg locks and more. Trust in us and allow us to help you achieve your optimal self.
Founder & Lead BJJ Instructor
Josh Heath
Josh began his combat sport journey in 2009 when he started boxing with Chris
Sawtelle to prepare for a Toughman Contest at Young Guns Boxing Academy. Josh
would train under the tutelage of Chris until 2015, making the transition with Chris and
the remainder of his team to compete under the banner of BlackEye Fitness in 2012
finishing a successful boxing career with several amateur bouts under his belt.
Shortly after the transition to BlackEye fitness, Josh was exposed to the world of
grappling sports in the form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and catch wrestling. In January
of 2013, Josh began his grappling journey under the tutelage of Master World Judo
Champion, Rey Garcia and accomplished catch wrestler and Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt, Brad
Hannah. It was at this time that Josh went under the Fight to Win team led by Steve Hall
with whom he remains aligned with today. 2013 wasn’t that long ago, but in Western
North Carolina there were very few Jiu Jitsu black belts and of the few that Josh had
met, Steve was without a doubt one of the most technical. Steve was one of the very
first (and still relatively few) people to be awarded a black belt by the legendary Royce
Gracie. Although he lived in Charlotte, Josh would frequent all of Steve’s local seminars
and training at his headquarters school at any chance he could get.
Not long after receiving his blue belt 2014, Josh was talking to Steve after a seminar
where he was discussing what exactly went into him receiving his black belt from Royce
and the way that it impacted him both personally and professionally. This brief
conversation was very impactful on Josh’s young mind and it was at this point that he
decided that he wanted to be dedicated to the same path to achieving his black belt.
Shortly after graduating physical therapy school in 2022, Josh would realize another
step in this path when he and his wife, Samantha, founded Blue Ridge Jiu Jitsu in June
of 2023.
Their goal in founding Blue Ridge Jiu Jitsu was to provide a safe and fun environment
for everyone interested in utilizing Jiu Jitsu and Judo for physical health, self-defense
and stress management while remaining true to Jiu Jitsu’s original roots. After several
trials and experiments, they were able to develop a unique curriculum that
encompasses both the self-defense and sportive elements of Jiu Jitsu that enables our
members to see the highest successes and reap the greatest reward for their time well
spent within the academy.
In addition to Jiu Jitsu and Judo, Josh has competed in boxing, mixed martial arts
(MMA) and kickboxing matches. Some of his major achievements are listed below.
Main Achievements
2024 IBJJF Pan American Championships (weight) M1 Brown Belt 3rd Place
2024 IBJJF Atlanta 2nd place (absolute/open weight) M1 Brown Belt
2022 Newbreed American Cup Brown Belt Champion
2022 North Carolina State Judo Championships 2nd Place (M)
2022 NAGA Charlotte Brown/Black Belt Open Weight Champion
2022 Mat Monster 6 Co-Main Superfight winner
2022 Mat Monster 5 Co-Main Superfight winner
2021 IBJJF Atlanta Spring Brown Belt M1 2nd Place (weight); 1st Place (absolute/open)
2021 CXBJJ US Nationals 1st Place (weight/adult); 1st Place (absolute/masters)
2020 Samurai Slam Judo Kosen Champion (weight)
2018 IBJJF Atlanta Spring 1st Place Purple Belt Adult (weight)
2018 Tennessee State Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt Champion (open weight)
2018 Spartan Invitational Superfight Winner (purple belt, adult)
2017 IBJJF Cincinnati 3rd Place Adult Purple Belt (weight)
2016 NAGA Europa 1st Place Adult Blue Belt (weight)
2014 Tennessee State Championship 1st Place Blue Belt (weight)
2014 ADCC North America-Charlotte Championships Blue Belt 2nd Place
(no-gi/weight); 3rd Place (gi/weight)
2013 Tennessee State Championship 1st Place White Belt (weight
Judo Lead Instructor
Tom
Sensei Tom Smith III, Black Belt in Judo, Head Judo Instructor at Blue Ridge Jiu Jitsu.
Sensei Tom Smith III is a seasoned Judo practitioner with 35+ years of experience in this art. In Media, PA, Sensei Tom entered Williamson Free School of Trade. His judo path began there in 1983 when he joined and commenced training under Sensei Thomas Blair. At this school, Sensei Tom became team captain and placed in the Liberty Bell Tournament of 1985. In 1985, he migrated to a new gym located at Coatsville, PA. The name of the gym was called Brandywine Judo. During this time at Brandywine, he practiced under Sensei Nidan Richard Georg.
In 1988, Sensei Tom served our country as a US 1LT 5th Special Forces, Airborne. We are so thankful for the sacrifices he made for our country during his time served.
In 1997, life brought him to Waynesville, NC. Here, he would continue to train judo underneath Sensei Godan Jimmy Riggs and would be joined with having Sensei Yodan Chris Shell as an instructor later on in 2009 as well. At this time in Waynesville Kodakan Judo, Sensei Tom began the process of obtaining his coaching certification from USA Judo. In 2010, Tom then migrated to Asheville Judo where he began receiving instruction from Sensei Nidan Chris Rich. Up until 2015, Tom remained at this gym as well as training with Blackeye Fitness. At Blackeye, Sensei Tom was able to train under Sensei Yodan Rey Garcia who now trains overseas in Vietnam. It was here at Blackeye, that Sensei Tom crossed paths with our Jiu Jitsu Founder/Instructor Josh Heath.
We are so grateful to have Sensei Tom with us. He has dedicated his time, body, and career to maintaining the TRUE art of Judo while keeping it faithful to its origin. With his experience spreading out over time and places, he has trained under 5 separate black belts. These experiences have contributed to who he is today, bringing the sport alive and preserving it in its authentic form.
BJJ Instructor
Bryan
Friday classes are instructed by Bryan. Bryan is a purple belt and has been with us for years. His ability to bring cerebral application and combine it with the physical aspect of jiu-jitsu is top level. Bryan is well-versed with the intricacies of BJJ, and as they say, the devils in the details. He leads an amazing class and comprises notes as well as flow-charts. He is one-of-a-kind and we are so thankful to have him.
Mentor
Sam
Samantha is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and has been active in the art for going on 8 years. She has grown in the sport substantially and learned how to juggle the mom-life with a hobby that she loves. Her favorite part of jiu-jitsu is supporting her teammates. Samantha has superior knowledge in the fundamentals of BJJ.
Mentor
Josh
Josh is a brown belt in jiu jitsu with a history of MMA and Muay Thai. His experience also expands over a decade. Josh has extensive knowledge in dealing with fast-paced sparring. He is well-rounded in every aspect of BJJ and is a great person to confide in if you need assistance.