OUR TEAM AT SIMPLE MAN MARTIAL ARTS

Nick "Nicky Rod" Rodriguez

Instructor & Athlete

Nicky Rodriguez, widely known in the grappling world as “The Black Belt Slayer,” is one of the most respected heavyweight athletes in modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a founding member of Simple Man Martial Arts.

Coming from a strong wrestling background, Nicky’s rise in professional grappling was nothing short of remarkable. Competing as a blue belt, he earned the nickname The Black Belt Slayer after defeating multiple world-class black belts on some of the biggest stages in the sport. His mix of athleticism, technical intelligence, and composure under pressure quickly established him as a top competitor and a leader in the new era of submission grappling.

Nicky is a two-time ADCC Silver Medalist (2019, 2022) and a two-time ADCC North American Trials Champion, achievements that reflect years of disciplined training and world-class consistency. In 2024, he captured the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) Heavyweight Title, further solidifying his place among the elite in professional grappling.

At Simple Man Martial Arts, Nicky brings the same intensity and structure that define his competition career to every class he teaches. His instruction focuses on positional control, movement efficiency, and pressure-based systems that allow students to dominate through technique, not strength.

Known for his humility, work ethic, and attention to detail, Nicky embodies the core of the Simple Man philosophy: simplicity, clarity, and mastery through consistent effort.

Whether you are new to Jiu Jitsu or an experienced competitor, training under Nicky provides insight into the mindset and mechanics that have made him one of the most respected figures in the sport.

Nicky Ryan

Instructor & Athlete

Nicky Ryan is one of the most technically refined grapplers of his generation and a founding member of what is now Simple Man Martial Arts. Known for his precision, composure, and deep understanding of positional strategy, Nicky has built his reputation not only through world-class competition but through his ability to teach complex techniques with clarity and control.

Beginning his training at a young age, Nicky quickly developed a reputation for his attention to detail and disciplined approach to learning. Over the years, he has competed against and trained with many of the best grapplers in the world, helping shape the evolution of modern no-gi Jiu Jitsu.

At Simple Man Martial Arts, Nicky leads by example. His teaching emphasizes intelligent training, technical efficiency, and patience — the same principles that define the Simple Man philosophy. He breaks down Jiu Jitsu into logical, understandable systems that work for practitioners at every level.

Nicky’s approach reflects the academy’s mission: make world-class Jiu Jitsu accessible to everyone, from hobbyists to professional athletes.

His instruction is methodical, detail-oriented, and grounded in real application. Students training under Nicky gain insight into how to think about Jiu Jitsu — not just how to perform it.

Ethan Crelinsten

Instructor + Athlete

Ethan Crelinsten is a world-class grappler, competitor, and coach recognized for his sharp technical understanding, adaptability, and composure under pressure. A founding member of Simple Man Martial Arts, Ethan brings a blend of elite competition experience and analytical instruction that reflects the academy’s focus on clarity, structure, and growth for all levels.

Originally from Canada, Ethan developed under world-renowned coaches and established himself early as one of the most intelligent and versatile athletes in submission grappling. He has competed on the sport’s biggest stages, including ADCC, EBI, Polaris, and Who’s Number One, earning respect for his ability to solve problems in real time and innovate from any position.

In 2025, Ethan played a key role in his team’s victory at the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) in Las Vegas, where the squad, now known as Simple Man Martial Arts, captured the million-dollar team title by defeating some of the strongest competitors in the world. His performance in that event demonstrated the technical discipline, composure, and teamwork that define both his career and his teaching philosophy.

At Simple Man Martial Arts, Ethan’s classes focus on clarity and problem-solving. He teaches students how to identify patterns, understand leverage, and make effective decisions under pressure. Every concept he shares is built on real experience, refined through years of competition at the highest level.

Ethan represents what Simple Man stands for, intelligent training, consistent effort, and the pursuit of mastery through simplicity. His instruction gives every student, from dedicated hobbyists to aspiring professionals, the tools to think, move, and perform like a modern grappler.

Damien Anderson

Instructor & Athlete

Damien Anderson is a world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, competitor, and coach whose teaching combines elite technical understanding with clear, structured communication. A respected instructor at Simple Man Martial Arts, Damien’s methods emphasize discipline, precision, and the steady development of practical, effective Jiu Jitsu for adults of all levels.

Known for his ability to make complex concepts simple, Damien has competed internationally on major platforms including Who’s Number One, Polaris, and Fight To Win, earning recognition for both his performance and professionalism. His approach to instruction focuses on efficiency, control, and problem-solving, helping students learn how to think, adapt, and apply techniques intelligently under pressure.

In 2025, Damien served in a key coaching role at Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) in Las Vegas, where the team that would become Simple Man Martial Arts earned the million-dollar team title. His preparation, strategy, and mentorship were instrumental in guiding the team to victory, showcasing his deep understanding of competition strategy and team dynamics.

Beyond grappling, Damien is also pursuing a professional career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

He currently holds an undefeated professional record of 4–0, with wins achieved through both submissions and striking finishes under the Fury Fighting Championship banner. His success in MMA reflects his ability to apply high-level grappling fundamentals in a complete combat setting.

At Simple Man Martial Arts, Damien continues to balance his professional competition career with a passion for teaching. His classes integrate lessons learned from both Jiu Jitsu and MMA, offering students insight into how grappling principles translate into all forms of combat and self-defense.

Damien embodies the core of the Simple Man philosophy: focus on what matters, train with clarity, and pursue excellence through consistent effort. His presence on the mats helps every student, from beginner to professional, grow with structure and purpose.

Anthony Salvatore

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Declan Moody

Instructor + Athlete

Declan Moody is a 27-year-old Jiu Jitsu practitioner from Australia. He recently won the ADCC Asian Oceania trails, following the footsteps of other Australians like Craig Jones and Lachlan Giles. Moody, who earned his black belt in 2019, has decided to specialize in no-gi BJJ, following in the footsteps of other successful Australian fighters like Craig Jones and Izaak Michell. Austin has become a popular training spot for no-gi BJJ, and Moody hopes to continue his rise to the top there. With a growing reputation in No-Gi competitions, Declan continues to push the limits of his abilities and is a rising star in the global BJJ community.

Chris Wojcik

Instructor + Athlete

Chris is one of the top black belts in the world with an incredible list of accomplishments including finishing 4th at the West Coast ADCC Trials at 77Kg, 2019 Purple Belt Middleweight No-Gi World Champion, 2021 Chicago Open Brown Belt Middleweight Champion, 2021 Chicago Open Brown Belt No-Gi Medium Heavy Champion, 2021 Jiu Jitsu Con No-Gi Brown Belt Medium Heavy Champion, 2021 Houston Open Brown Belt Middleweight Champion