Matt M
Matt M., Black Belt under Ranard Brown, and great Gracie Jiu-Jitsu assistant instructor.
I started training with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lake Norman in 2012 because I wanted to spend more quality time with my son. In the past I trained in Army Combatives, law enforcement self defense, and wrestling, but nothing compares to the high quality hand-to-hand combat that Ranard has taught me. After a while I began to see this combat sport as a brotherhood, a way to offensively defend my family and others, and also a way to use my other passions of helping people and sharing my faith. Even though this art was created to inflict intense physical pain on an enemy, it has also taught me extreme humility, self-control, perseverance, and patience; personal qualities which are not common in today’s culture. Not only do I love my Jiu-Jitsu family, but I have been married to my wonderful wife Jen since 1995 and we have two beautiful teenagers. I have a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Master’s in Professional Counseling. I retired from the Army in 2016 after 23 years as a Military Police Soldier and a Career Counselor. I now spend my days working with individuals and couples who are struggling relationally or are on the brink of separation or divorce, in my private Christian counseling practice in Huntersville.