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Instructor Profiles

IBJJF • OJA • WAKO Certified Coaching Team

Professor Thomas Armstrong — Head Instructor

Head Instructor: Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Belt: Black Belt 2nd Degree under Master Julio Cesar Pereira (BB since Mar 2017 — IBJJF Certified)

Started Training: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since Mar 2007; Muay Thai since Sept 2009

Personal Summary

Over the years I have had the opportunity to train with some of the best teachers and athletes in the world: Prof. Fateh Belkalem (international Judo champion, Judo & BJJ Black Belt), Prof. Bruno Fernandes, Prof. Rafael Lovato Jr., and Canadian legend Jake Mackenzie.

What drew me to BJJ is the ability to remain mobile while working off the back. With most fights going to the ground, knowing how to move, escape, and control positions is key — for self-defence or competition. BJJ has taught me to control breathing, stay calm under pressure, and build a game that fits my body type. I’ve been honoured to coach students to National, International and World Jiu Jitsu Championships as well as MMA athletes, amateur and pro.

Qualifications / Achievements (since Black Belt)

Chadd Murphy — BJJ/No-Gi Instructor

BJJ / No-Gi Instructor: Chadd Murphy

Belt: Black Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2010

Personal Summary

Multi-sport athlete who took up Jiu Jitsu to stay in shape and remain competitive.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2022 Police / Fire Games Submission Grappling — Bronze (Open Belt)
  • 2019 IBJJF Toronto Open — Silver (Gi, Purple)
  • 2016 OJA Provincials — Bronze (No-Gi, Blue)
  • 2016 Niagara Open — Bronze (Gi, White)
  • 2015 GTA Classic — Gold (Gi, White)
Rain Pfaff — BJJ/No-Gi Instructor

BJJ / No-Gi Instructor: Rain Pfaff

Belt: BJJ Black Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong; Judo Orange Belt

Started Training: Martial Arts 2005; BJJ 2016

Personal Summary

Jiu Jitsu is the best practical self-defence for real-world situations. It’s taught me to stay calm under pressure, escape holds using leverage, and move confidently against bigger opponents. The confidence and community I found on the mats changed my life.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships (NV, USA) — Bronze
  • 2025 JJIF Worlds (Bangkok, Thailand) — Gold Gi; Gold Nogi
  • 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pan Championships (TX, USA) — Gold (Brown)
  • 2024 JJIF Worlds (Heraklion, Greece) — Gold No-Gi; Bronze Gi
  • 2024 IBJJF Jiu Jitsu CON (Las Vegas, USA) — 4× Gold (Gi/No-Gi & Absolutes, Brown)
  • 2023 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds (Las Vegas, USA) — Bronze (Brown)
  • 2023 Ontario Int’l Open No-Gi — Gold Div / Gold Absolute (Brown/Black)
  • 2023 JJIF Worlds (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) — Gold
  • 2023 Ontario Int’l Open Gi — Gold + Absolute Silver (Brown/Black)
  • 2023 Canadian Nationals — Gold (Team Canada JJIF)
  • 2023 IBJJF Pans (FL, USA) — Bronze (Brown)
  • 2022 JJIF Worlds (Abu Dhabi, UAE) — Gold
  • 2022 Canadian Nationals — Gold (Team Canada JJIF)
  • 2022 Ontario Int’l Open — Double Gold (Purple)
  • 2021 Ontario Open — Double Gold (Purple)
  • 2017 2nd-Degree Black Belt, American Kenpo Karate
Derek Vankoughnett — BJJ Instructor

BJJ Instructor: Derek Vankoughnett

Belt: Black Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2011

Personal Summary

Started Jiu Jitsu to stay active in a new way and have been hooked since. Enjoy travelling and checking out gyms along the way.

Qualifications / Achievements

N/A

River Pfaff — BJJ Instructor

BJJ Instructor: River Pfaff

Belt: Brown Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: Martial Arts 2005; BJJ 2016

Personal Summary

Jiu Jitsu is a fun, social way to keep active and stay in shape.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2017 2nd-Degree Black Belt, Kenpo Karate
Francis Yanga — BJJ Instructor

BJJ Instructor: Francis Yanga

Belt: Brown Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2014

Personal Summary

Hooked since the first class. The mental game and strategy in Jiu Jitsu are addictive. Fortunate to learn under Prof. Fateh Belkalem (BJJ & Judo Black Belt) and now Prof. Thomas Armstrong. Competed early and often — competition builds skill and confidence.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2022 London Open — Gold (Purple)
  • 2022 Ontario Int’l Open — Silver (Gi, Purple)
  • 2022 NextGen Niagara — Silver (Gi, Purple)
  • 2019 London Open — Silver (Gi, Purple)
  • 2019 & 2018 IBJJF Worlds (Los Angeles) — Competitor (Blue)
  • 2018 Ontario Provincials — Bronze (Gi) + Gold Absolute (Blue)
  • 2015 Ascension — Bronze (Gi, White)
  • 2015 Grappling Industries — Gold (Gi, White)
  • 2015 Grappling Industries — Silver (Gi, White)
  • 2014 Ontario Provincials — Bronze (Gi, White)
Jason Cooper — BJJ Instructor

BJJ Instructor: Jason Cooper

Belt: Brown Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2016

Personal Summary

Training with my two boys since 2016. My goal is longevity — to do BJJ for life. Every session teaches something new at every level.

Qualifications / Achievements

N/A

Aaron Campbell — BJJ Instructor

BJJ Instructor: Aaron Campbell

Belt: Brown Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2016

Personal Summary

Started BJJ to stay in shape and push myself. It helps me step out of my comfort zone and manage stress. Can’t imagine life without it.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2023 OJA Provincials — Bronze (Gi, Purple)
  • 2023 Ontario Int’l Open Gi — Bronze + Absolute Bronze (Purple)
  • 2022 Great Lakes BJJ Open — Silver (Purple)
  • 2022 Ontario Int’l Open No-Gi — Gold (Purple)
  • 2021 Ontario Open — Silver (Gi, Blue)
Isabelle Armstrong — BJJ Kids Instructor

BJJ Kids Instructor: Isabelle Armstrong

Belt: Blue Belt under Prof. Thomas Armstrong

Started Training: 2014

Personal Summary

Born on the mats in Chatham-Kent. Jiu-Jitsu has shaped my confidence, discipline, and leadership. As a girl in BJJ, self-defence skills are invaluable — staying calm under pressure and trusting your strength. Coaching younger students has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 24× IBJJF Medalist (Gi & No-Gi) — Memphis, Nashville, Secaucus, Fredericksburg, Chicago, Boston, Denver, St. Louis, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas.
  • 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships (NV, USA) — Bronze
  • 2025 Canadian National Championships — Gold (U18)
  • 2024 JJIF Worlds (Heraklion, Greece) — Bronze (No-Gi)
  • 2024 London Jiu Jitsu Open — Adult Absolute Gold (Blue)
  • 2024 Canadian National Championships — Gold (U18)
  • 2023 Kids Jiu Jitsu Festival — Gold (Yellow)
  • 2022 Kids Jiu Jitsu Festival — Gold (Yellow)
  • 2022 Next Gen Niagara — Gold (Yellow)
  • 2022 Ontario Open — Gold (Yellow)
  • 2019 OJA Provincial Championship — Gold (Grey)
Jay Hallatt — Kickboxing Instructor

Kickboxing Instructor: Jay Hallatt

Started Training: N/A

Personal Summary

N/A

Qualifications / Achievements

N/A

Josh Regan — Kickboxing Instructor

Kickboxing Instructor: Josh Regan

Started Training: Boxing 1990 - MMA/Kickboxing/Jiu Jitsu 2008

Personal Summary

Began training in boxing and developed a passion for the hard work and discipline of combat sports. Expanded into MMA, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, along with ten years of CrossFit training and competition. Training has built strength, conditioning, and resilience, while martial arts serve as stress management and teach calm decision-making under pressure. Committed to leading by example for his children and others by living a healthy, disciplined lifestyle.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • 2025 Double Silver Great Lakes Jiu Jitsu Open Gi/Nogi (Blue Belt)
  • 2025 Windsor Open Double Gold Gi/Nogi (Blue Belt - Close out)
  • 2024 WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) certified coach.
  • Amateur boxing bouts in late teens
  • 10+ years CrossFit training and competition
Chris Lapp — Kickboxing Instructor

Kickboxing Instructor: Chris Lapp

Started Training: N/A

Personal Summary

N/A — details to come.

Qualifications / Achievements

  • N/A — details to come.