Instructors

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