Professor Michael Simpson - Gracie Barra Black Belt

Michael has been training and teaching in martial arts for over 30 years

(18 years of Tae Kwon-Do and over 14 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). 

He began his training in Tae Kwon-Do at the age of 12 and received his Black Belt

 in Tae Kwon-Do in1988.  Starting as a Purple Belt Michael took first place in kata (forms)

in 14 consecutive competitions from 1984 to 1993.  Between 1992 and 1993 Michael won

the Pacific Northwest AAU championship in both advanced kata and free sparring. 

In 1996 he received his 4th degree Black belt in Tae Kwon-Do.

Michael, like most BJJ students first got interested in BJJ after watching the first UFC.

Unfortunately, there were no schools locally or resources to train back then. 

So with a group of friends Michael started training with what little resources they had. 

Then in 1997 an official Carlson Gracie BJJ school opened in Everett, Washington. 

Michael was one of the first to join, after a couple of years he received his Blue Belt,

unfortunately shortly thereafter the school closed.  Michael, again was training on his own for several years

until he got back in touch with Rodrigo Lopes one of his instructors from the Carlson Gracie School

(Rodrigo is currently a first degree Black Belt and owner of Gracie Barra Seattle).  Michael now trains

under Rodrigo and 3rd degree Black Belt Mamazinho from the world famous Gracie Barra Team.  

In July of 2004 he received his Brown Belt from Rodrigo and Mamazinho.  

In March of 2007 Marcio "Mamazinho" Laudier promoted Michael to Black Belt.

Other than Tae Kwon-Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Michael has spent several years

training in Muay Thai, Boxing, Kung-Fu, Escrima and Jeet Kune-Do.

Assistant Instructors

Mark Salser - Brown Belt

Brandon Ness - Brown Belt

Greg Anderson - Brown Belt

Nate Zaretzke - Brown Belt

Kids Class Instructors

Adam Conway - Purple Belt

Kevin Reed - Purple Belt

Gary Steward - Judo Instructor

Gary has almost 30th years in Judo.   He has been awarded Sensei/Coach/Instructor of the Year

by the United States Judo Federation Northwest Yudanshai (Black Belt Association) 2 years consecutively (2005/2006),

based largely on the accomplishments of his students, ranked on the National Elite Athlete Roster by United States Judo Incorporated.
His students have championed all levels of local, regional, High School, College, U.S. National, Open and International competition.

4 of his students have been members of 6 different U.S. World Teams, both Junior and Senior.

Others have competed at the Olympic trials, ultimately holding positions as alternates to the U.S. Olympic Team.
Gary himself has taken the Bronze at 3 U.S. National/International Masters competitions.