"He who fears loss has already been beaten"

- Jigoro Kano

(Creator of Judo)

About

柔術
Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers a great way to improve your cardio fitness, your agility, and your coordination, while learning self defense strategies and control techniques found in no other sport.

And you don’t need to be built like Tarzan to be adept at it: all you need is determination, a willingness to learn , and the heart and mindset to make it yours.

空手

Karate

Sensei Shimamoto taught Alex hard-style, aka “fighting”, which underscores the importance of balance through using one’s entire body. Traditional kicking, punching, kata, and blocking will be emphasized, as well as sparring for students who are interested and ready.

柔道

Judo

Judo means “The Gentle Way”. Its philosophy includes maximum efficiency, minimum effort and mutual benefit and welfare to all.

Judo was developed from Japanese Jiu Jitsu by Dr. Kanō Jigorō. And from Judo stemmed Brazilian jujitsu, emulating the choking and arm-bar aspects, taught in judo at the higher levels. Judo is incredibly dynamic because of the standing element whereby a fight can be won by throwing or tripping the opponent directly to their back. Judo players (“judokas”) therefore are trained to become experts in safely and painlessly taking falls.

In 1946, Judo was the first martial art to become an Olympic sport. In 2000, tae kwon do was the next (and final) martial art that became an Olympic sport. The fact that judo has been an Olympic sport for so long evidences its international reputation and popularity. Judo is regulated so the belt and practice systems are consistent throughout the globe. Judoka from 55 nations from every continent except Antarctica have won Olympic medals.

Meet our Instructors

meet the staff

Ned Sands

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fencing

Capt (06) US Navy (Ret)

Naval War College/National Defense University

BA UCLA

MPA USC

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Ned began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in April 2006 at Impact Jiu Jitsu Beaverton. As a student of Armand Debruge, he understands the importance of mastering the fundamentals. His classes include beginning techniques, takedowns, defenses, offensive set-ups, and competition strategies.

Ned was a nationally ranked fencer and is a certified fencing referee.

Alexander Greenfield, M.Ed.

Judo, Karate, Wrestling, Self-Defense, MMA

Alex has black belts in judo and karate, and is working on his purple belt in BJJ. He has been a teacher for over 30 years. He has taught for BYU-Idaho and for the Rigby public schools, as the Special Education Department Head at Farnsworth Middle School. He is pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is the founder of www.Rigbyfreesoccer.com.

He was East Coast Judo champion (brown belt) and a rotating co-captain of a state championship wrestling team. He won his division in the 2021 Rigby Lake Triathlon. He has trained under Olympic coaches, international referees, and with multiple other Olympians, including Rhonda Rousey.

Ryan Christensen

Karate

Ryan Christenson has studied martial arts since 2004 and has black belts in Freestyle Karate, Goshin Karate and Superfoot System. In 2014 he began teaching Freestyle Karate at BYU Idaho and continues to teach both Goshin Karate and Freestyle Karate. He has trained under Bill “Superfoot” Wallace who was an undefeated middleweight kickboxing champion, movie star, and legend in the martial arts world. Ryan strives to help others develop good technique in karate.

In 2016 he received a BS in Recreation Management obtained from BYU Idaho. He has worked as a substitute teacher(Alaska, Arizona, and Idaho), carpenter, recreation park ranger, and security. He was raised in Alaska where he developed a passion for the outdoors. Ryan served an LDS mission in Los Angeles, California. He enjoys martial arts, dancing, rodeos and traveling.

meet the staff

Contact

Rogério Moraes (Roger)

No Gi Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Kickboxing

Professional Soccer Player

Mixed Martial Artist

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

36 years old | Married | Proud father of two

Athletic Journey

Soccer Roots: Roger’s athletic path began on the futsal court, where his passion for the game quickly led to a soccer contract at just 17.

Track & Field Competitor: Tested his speed and agility in long jump, the 100-meter dash, and high jump, fueling his drive for excellence in various disciplines.

Martial Arts Dedication: A lifelong martial artist with expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Today, he trains daily in no-gi jiu-jitsu, MMA, and kickboxing with the Lionheart MMA team. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt under Master Ned Sands.

International Experience: After a transformative missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Roger took his soccer career international, playing in London and broadening his athletic horizons.

Skills & Passions

Core Strengths: Disciplined, adaptable, and driven, with a commitment to constant improvement.

Personal Passions: Roger’s love for retro video games, photography, hands-on repairs, and running keeps him inspired both in and out of the gym.

Summary

Roger Moraes is an athlete fueled by passion and dedication, constantly evolving through martial arts and a deep-rooted love for competition. Now, as part of the Lionheart MMA team, he channels his expertise and drive to master every challenge that comes his way.

Jared Orzel

Karate, MMA

Jared Orzel is has a black belt in karate and has been training for 20 years. He is a karate researcher who focuses on finding the original application or "bunkai" of karate kata and making it practical for modern students. With his mission statement being: creating historically accurate bunkai that you can use in sparring today.

His classes focus on striking into the bridge, transitioning into the clinch, and finishing with joint locks, sweeps, and throws. Each step of the way is taught as being a part of a greater whole. This allows students to understand, not only how each technique is used, but how to set it up, both offensively and defensively against a live, resisting opponent.