My martial arts journey started when I was 19 years old in the fall of 2009, 6 years before I joined Tri State Mixed Martial Arts. In the years leading up to me finding martial arts, I struggeld with dyslexia and my mental health. In school, I was bullied profusely and would often miss weeks of school at a time. In my Jr. Year in high school, life took a sharp turn. At that moment I realized I did not like the person I was. I made a choice to do... to be better. Martial Arts saved my life. In February 2016, I joined Tri State. The moment I walked through those doors I knew this school was something special! I was in awe at the professionalism of the staff, the culture, and the school as a whole. I joined that day! After some time training at Tri State, Sifu Jeff offered me a position as an assistant instructor. It has been such an honor teaching. Teaching was very new to me and I was a bit nervous at first. Sifu Jeff gave me a gift to help kids, the kind of help I wish I had when I was their age. My hope is to be a positive influence to others the way Sifu Jeff has been to me. Tri State is home!

I have been with Sifu Jeff for about 11 years, coming up on 12 years this summer. I have dealt with many problems since going to Tri-State. I Had weighed in at over 340 pounds at one point in my life, and if it weren’t for sifu Jeff’s positive inspiration, I probably wouldn’t have done it. Sifu Jeff had taught me to be the best that I can be, and to push myself to better myself and I did exactly that. I have lost over 160 pounds thanks to Sifu Jeff’s motivation and inspiration. Tri-State has helped me through many problems, one of which was my mom passing away. My mom had passed away in my freshmen year of high school ( I’m a junior now ) and sifu Jeff and everyone at tri-state was willing to help. Tri-State had organized a food donation to help with my families recent loss. Sifu Jeff had also organized a gofund me page for my family as well. Sifu Jeff and everyone at Tri-State has helped me out dramatically, regarding both my weight, and the passing of my mom. My changes since I’ve been at Tri state have been drastic changes, but I had been supported by both sifu Jeff and everyone at Tri-State. 

Best Martial Arts school around. Our daughter has been training there for almost 7 years. The respect, discipline and skills she has learned there are immeasurable. She received her 2nd degree Black Belt in the children's program and now trains in the adult program. She is a member of the BBC and is an instructor also. I cannot say enough about Jeff and the entire Tri State family. That is what they are, family.