About our Teaching Team
Brian Phillips
Three-Stripe
Master Pedro Sauer Purple Belt
Assistant Instructor Sauer Purple Belt
Brian started training in the martial arts when he was nine-years-old. His original style, Shaolin Kempo, introduced him to the many positive lifestyle changes a student will experience through regular practice in the martial arts. He started teaching when he was 15 and received his black belt at age 17, the same time he began learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Like so many others who start out in the style, Brian was immediately taken by it's grace and fluidity, in addition to it's effectiveness and efficiency. He's been a student of instructor Scott Smith since the beginning and earned his purple belt under Master Pedro Sauer in May 2008.
A student of the game, Brian enjoys teaching individuals of all ages and physical abilities, and seeing them reap the benefits of training, both on-and-off the mat.
To those interested in beginning their journey in the martial arts, Brian encourages them to stop by and meet the family at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky. Whether it's for you and/or your family, you'll learn solid technique and self-defense, plus get in shape and have fun.
Kevin Wheatly
One-Stripe
Master Pedro Sauer Blue Belt
Training Assistant Sauer Blue Belt
It’s never too late. Unlike most instructors I do not
have a background in Martial Arts. Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the first Art I
have ever tried. I, like most people, was introduced to this discipline
when a Brazilian named Royce Gracie surprised the world of Mixed Martial
Arts in the mid 1990’s. During the original Ultimate Fighter
Championships he dominated much larger fighters with techniques that
anyone could learn.
A few years later I joined the Unites States Marine Corps and, while there, I received some of the best combat training in the world. After serving in the military I joined the Louisville Police Department and, again, had the opportunity to receive some of the best combat/self defense training money could buy. Between the two, I believe that I was trained by some of the finest instructors who taught proven “battle-tested” techniques used for hundreds of years.
When I started taking Gracie Jiu Jitsu my eyes were opened to what I now know as one of the most effective disciplines in the world. No matter your size, age or athletic ability this art will work for you. Don’t just take my word on it -- the Military and Police Departments across the nation are now using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques.
Craig Conard
Master Pedro Sauer
Blue Belt
Training Assistant Pedro Sauer Blue Belt
It’s funny how life has its twists and turns. My best friend and neighbor since 1999 kept asking me if I wanted to train Jiu-Jitsu with him. This went on for several years, about 6 if I remember correctly. My canned response was “I just don’t have time.” Some of you may know him, Scott Smith.
Since a little kid I’ve been very athletic. I’ve played all the traditional sports. Football and weightlifting became an obsession for me during my teenage years. I had the opportunity to play in the East/West All-Start game but decided that I would end my Football career there. In college I took a semester of Aikido which I really enjoyed. By the age of twenty-eight I had three little boys at home to take care of. With that said, my physical fitness routine was non existent. As they grew older my passion shifted to coaching Baseball and Football. There weren’t too many gyms in Taylorsville, or anywhere to get a good workout. At that time, I weighed in around 220 lbs. and wanted to loose 10-15 lbs.
In October 2007 I decided to take up Scott’s offer and go check out the Jiu-Jitsu class that he started at a local church in Taylorsville. I really didn’t care much about Martial Arts, I just figured I could at least get some exercise.
Fast forward two years to the tender age of forty. I don’t remember getting here but some how, some way, I am hooked on Jiu-Jitsu. Scott calls us junkies and some of us Gypsy’s. In just two years I’ve been able to train with Master Pedro Sauer, Rickson, Relson and Renner Gracie. I’ve trained around Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN and most recently the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA. My next goal is to train with Renzo Gracie in New York.
For me, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is many things. It is great physical fitness, fellowship, stress relief, focus, discipline, happiness, and allows me to teach which, is my true passion.
A few years later I joined the Unites States Marine Corps and, while there, I received some of the best combat training in the world. After serving in the military I joined the Louisville Police Department and, again, had the opportunity to receive some of the best combat/self defense training money could buy. Between the two, I believe that I was trained by some of the finest instructors who taught proven “battle-tested” techniques used for hundreds of years.
When I started taking Gracie Jiu Jitsu my eyes were opened to what I now know as one of the most effective disciplines in the world. No matter your size, age or athletic ability this art will work for you. Don’t just take my word on it -- the Military and Police Departments across the nation are now using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques.
Craig Conard
Master Pedro Sauer
Blue Belt
Training Assistant Pedro Sauer Blue Belt
It’s funny how life has its twists and turns. My best friend and neighbor since 1999 kept asking me if I wanted to train Jiu-Jitsu with him. This went on for several years, about 6 if I remember correctly. My canned response was “I just don’t have time.” Some of you may know him, Scott Smith.
Since a little kid I’ve been very athletic. I’ve played all the traditional sports. Football and weightlifting became an obsession for me during my teenage years. I had the opportunity to play in the East/West All-Start game but decided that I would end my Football career there. In college I took a semester of Aikido which I really enjoyed. By the age of twenty-eight I had three little boys at home to take care of. With that said, my physical fitness routine was non existent. As they grew older my passion shifted to coaching Baseball and Football. There weren’t too many gyms in Taylorsville, or anywhere to get a good workout. At that time, I weighed in around 220 lbs. and wanted to loose 10-15 lbs.
In October 2007 I decided to take up Scott’s offer and go check out the Jiu-Jitsu class that he started at a local church in Taylorsville. I really didn’t care much about Martial Arts, I just figured I could at least get some exercise.
Fast forward two years to the tender age of forty. I don’t remember getting here but some how, some way, I am hooked on Jiu-Jitsu. Scott calls us junkies and some of us Gypsy’s. In just two years I’ve been able to train with Master Pedro Sauer, Rickson, Relson and Renner Gracie. I’ve trained around Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN and most recently the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA. My next goal is to train with Renzo Gracie in New York.
For me, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is many things. It is great physical fitness, fellowship, stress relief, focus, discipline, happiness, and allows me to teach which, is my true passion.
