I trained here as a drop in from out of town. The instructor Ken was super chill, very helpful,…read moreand made me feel welcome. I got a few good rolls in with people of different ranks and had an overall good experience with my limited time training here.

I had the itch to learn Jiu-Jitsu during my time in college and I made an incredible decision by…read morechoosing Swamp Academy. I knew immediately over the phone that this was the place I belonged to. From day 1 I felt like family. Coach Ken created an extraordinary culture within the gym that allows the best outcome for all students. I competed in NAGA for the first time and represented Swamp Academy. I won first place and the team as a whole won first place as well. There is just something special about this place. I've trained at different gyms during my travels and nothing comes even close to Swamp Academy. The people, the gym, the knowledge. No place comes even close. If you have any doubt, erase it. Don't look any further, this is the place.

Avoid this place. There's a good reason why there aren't any advanced students left at the academy…read moreanymore compared to a few years ago. While the classes are great, the owner can sometimes be really unsupportive (to put it nicely) of his students and teachers/staff and occasionally berate them in front of everyone else. It often seemed like the owner would rather get rid of people or drive them away than address an issue that he played a lead role in creating. Over the years, I've seen more people turned away from capoeira than I've seen encouraged : / I also learned that rumors were spread about former students after they left, which was really upsetting. Though you might not have the same experience, if you do train here, it's probably a good idea to try not to get too close.

My kid has done really well here. His behavior at home has improved too. So far, we're very pleased.read more

StarMA has high quality teachers and mentors, emphasizes character building, and nurtures a sense…read moreof community. Excellent classes, after-school program, and camps. Highly recommend!

This is a fun martial arts and a great self defense school. It shows self discipline and it is…read moreteaching me A LOT! When you pass by make sure to try it! It's pricey but fun. They have fun PNOS (parents night out) monthly! Make sure to yell LOUD!!! And have fun!

Recently moving to Gainesville, we were looking for a taekwondo school for my kids to continue at…read more Pro Taekwondo was the perfect choice! The staff are nice and accommodating. They deal with kids and the different personalities with such skill!! Kids who seem to have some difficulty focusing and attending seem to have progressed amazingly after a couple of months!! Thank you Pro Taekwondo for being in my children's lives!!!

This is the only gym in a 2 hour drive location where you Can find pure Dutch Mauy Thai kick…read moreboxing, They have an awesome 16 week fit smart challenge that I lost 60 pounds on. Not only do they help me with my weight lost they taught me a way of life to live to maintain it. They also have instructors for BJJ. If your aspirations are to become a fighter this gym has all the techniques you need for the ring or the cage.

My daughter has been taking class for almost 8 years at Pro Taekwondo. During that time she has…read morelearned discipline, technique and to find her voice. The added benefit of self defense is something we are very happy she has learned. We are proud of the skills she has learned and happy with the friendships she has formed while taking class.

I'm a US Marine and completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Green Belt Instructor course in…read morethe summer of 2002. Soon after the 3-week course I was deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to really exploit what I learned as our priorities were directed at our mission. Therefore, I had a taste of the martial arts, but no long-term formal training, other than the 3 weeks of the course, just enough to know that I don't know much at all. I thought it was important to begin my review with my background so readers understand that I know enough to know what is legitimate, yet I do not at all have long term formalized training. I am a disabled combat veteran, I sustained severe airborne injuries which required surgery and other secondary injuries. These injuries I believed would prevent me from ever attempting to pursue training in the martial arts as I am in perpetual pain. Moreover, I simply felt inadequate and incapable of doing it. After the war, I also attained "invisible" injuries in the form of Post-Traumatic Stress from the experiences of war. All of these factors made me believe that the martial arts would be something I could never do until I met Professor Brian Ruscio. I did much research before reaching out to Grappling Mastery, and compared the lineage and training of Professor Ruscio with other schools. I found many schools, much closer to my home, but the Professor was by far the most experienced, not only in training but in actual competitions, as well as having an exemplary lineage. Moreover, I found his training to be extremely robust and beyond just Brazilian Jujitsu, as his training went far beyond by being inclusive of many forms of grappling. He is a NAGA Pan-American Championship in the Expert Light Heavyweight Division and created a Hybrid Grappling Style by combining the best moves from Greco-Roman, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, and Catch-as-Catch-Can. All of this made it clear that he would be the school I would attend. I felt the 2 hour drive each day would be well worth it to learn from the best. As a Marine paratrooper, I would not be satisfied with anything less. Now all I had left to do was to experience first-hand how he would be as an instructor to a veteran with severe disabilities. Professor Ruscio's training and method of teaching is exemplary. Although I do not know much of the martial arts, I am an expert instructor in multiple disciplines, I was a Marine Corps Primary Marksmanship Instructor, Para-Marine Jumpmaster, Firepower Control Team Chief, Marine Air Ground Task Force Fire Support Coordinator, and more, and as a civilian, the Theater-Wide Training Director in Iraq for Biometrics, worked for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center's Training and Doctrine Command, worked for CENTCOM and SOCOM, hold a Master's degree, and am a current NRA Firearm's instructor, a former Florida "K" licensed firearms instructor, Director of Investigations (Florida licensed Private Investigator with C, G, A licenses) and more. I know a great instructor when I meet one. The professor is patient, empathetic to injuries, yet pushes you to your personal limitations. He maintains a calm demeanor, yet a genuine enthusiasm for your development. His training is personalized and not cookie cutter. When you think he is not watching, he will approach you and catch nuances you are executing incorrectly which you do not realize. Small adjustments enable immediate results when you have an instructor who cares about your improvement. I believe he purposely observes from an angle in which you do not see him, so you are not distracted or conscientious of his watchful eye. But make no mistake, his attention to detail will exploit your weaknesses, for on the spot correction, and immediate improvement. His instruction is exceptional. With all things, you must put in the work. Do not rely on attending a few hours a week and expecting magical improvement. You should be going over what you learned either by executing the movements at home, watching his free videos on YouTube, and attending weekly "roll & review " Lastly, I want to address the culture created by the professor. As a veteran, we crave challenge, camaraderie, and purpose. And sometimes feel we have lost that when we transition to civilian. At Grappling Mastery I have found that culture again. Everyone I have met has been sincerely encouraging, supportive, and have gone out of their way to help me improve. The only competition I feel is against myself. To be a better version of myself the next training day. There is no pressure or fear of failure. Everyone has a genuine empathy with each other, a genuine camaraderie. I cannot begin to express how significant his training has been to help with my Post Traumatic Stress. I feel privileged and blessed to have found Professor Ruscio who has in a short time had a huge positive impact on my life.

Great place. They work really well with my kids. The youngest being six. Staff is amazing. Don't…read moremiss out training here.