Dan embarked on his grappling journey a decade ago at a traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a decision that profoundly shaped his future. He quickly developed a deep affection for the unique style of fighting that grappling offered, sparking a lifelong passion.

From the outset, Dan was introduced to the dual aspects of grappling: the self-defense route and the sportive, competition-based grappling. He initially gravitated toward self-defense, quickly understanding these techniques. Driven by a desire to not only execute these positions but also understand their underlying principles, Dan cultivated an obsession with the mechanics of jiu-jitsu.
Four years into his journey, his dedication earned him a blue belt, and he was soon recognized as a potential instructor. Embracing this role with enthusiasm, Dan discovered a new passion—teaching. His love for jiu-jitsu radiated through his teaching, inspiring his students in classes that often numbered between 45 and 50 participants.

Dan's commitment to excellence was evident as he successfully navigated each grading test, culminating in the achievement of a brown belt and his students graded for their belts alongside him and passing these tests with flying colours. He embraced the full spectrum of the art—striking, clinching, takedowns, throws, and ground grappling, along with a self-defense curriculum crafted by Grand Master Helio Gracie to empower the underdog.

After a brief hiatus, Dan returned to the mats with a renewed focus on exploring the entirety of grappling, including Jiu-Jitsu versus Jiu-Jitsu, the more competition based things. This new chapter led him to a new mentor in his dear friend and eventually to earning his Base-9 Submission Grappling Black Belt.

Today, Dan continues to share his deep-rooted passion for grappling, driven by an unyielding commitment to simplifying complex concepts for easier learning and application. As he prepares to welcome you to Ryu-Kai, his dedication to nurturing a healthy respect for grappling and jiu-jitsu-based fighting remains as strong as ever. Dan is particularly enthusiastic about ensuring that everyone can appreciate and excel in this beautiful and intricate art form in a safe, relaxed, and welcoming environment that promotes injury-free learning and comprehensive understanding. He looks forward to sharing his love for the art and helping each student achieve their full potential.