Meet YOur ACADEMY OF JIU-JITSU SCOTTSDALE INSTRUCTORS
Serving students across Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and surrounding areas, the academy is built on the belief that Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. It does not matter your age, background, athletic ability, or experience level. What matters is having the right environment to begin.
Darin Mowery
Head Instructor Darin Mowery has been training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu for more than 12 years. He began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2010, drawn to Jiu-Jitsu for its practical self-defense approach and its real-world applicability to his career as a police officer.
Darin completed the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program in 2013, receiving comprehensive training in teaching Jiu-Jitsu to kids and adults of all levels. He also completed Gracie Survival Tactics 1 & 2, a program designed to train law enforcement in defensive tactics. The curriculum and methodology from that training continues to inform how he structures and teaches classes today.
Today, he continues to develop his skills and train under Professor Regis Lebre of Lebre Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, a black belt who trained under Master Royler Gracie and a decorated champion with titles from the Pan American Championships, Gracie Worlds, and multiple Master & Senior black belt divisions.
Darin served in law enforcement before retiring. In addition to his Jiu-Jitsu training, he holds a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University, served as an Arizona POST Defensive Tactics Instructor, and earned a Third Degree Black Belt in Ed Parker's American Kenpo.
Known for his approachable teaching style and deep technical knowledge, Coach Darin is passionate about helping students of all ages succeed — from kids tying their first belt to adults refining advanced techniques. His philosophy is simple: empower yourself or your child through skill, discipline, and confidence.
At Academy of Jiu-Jitsu Scottsdale, Coach Darin focuses on safe, structured training that helps kids and adults build confidence, fitness, and real self-defense skills.
Jon wagner
Jon Wagner is a U.S. Army veteran, father, and 3rd-degree black belt with extensive experience as a decorated competitor and self-defense expert. He’s a passionate believer in the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu and is dedicated to helping students build confidence, discipline, and real-world skills.
brandon lamb
Brandon brings over a decade of martial arts experience, including Muay Thai competition and Jiu-Jitsu instruction. He’s passionate about helping students build confidence, discipline, and real-world self-defense skills in a safe, supportive environment. Brandon is a Gracie Certified Instructor.
sean Mowery
Sean began training Jiu-Jitsu at age five and developed his competitive foundation through years of wrestling and grappling. A multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion, he continues to compete internationally and brings his technical precision and competitive experience to coaching kids and adults at the Academy.
Nathan Wirt
Z Houghtelin
Chaela mikhailov
"The hubby and I have signed up for the Adult Fundamentals program and are absolutely loving class. It's not your regular, run of the mill, Jiu Jitsu school. The instructors go into every detail and encourage smart training so that nobody gets hurt. They want you to come back and keep learning. You aren't thrown into the ring, as a beginner, and made to fend for yourself. You are given very clear instructions, encouraged to go slow, give each other feedback and to stay safe. The level of instruction here is phenomenal. Patience, clarity, thorough explanations and an incredibly knowledgeable staff, make Academy of Jiu jitsu Scottsdale the best place to go."
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