ABOUT US
Hendo BJJ Core Values
Safety and humility are first and foremost" "If you have ego, then you can't keep your safety and the safety of others as a priority. Safety and humility go hand-in-hand. This is rule number one. This rule also applies to the culture and environment of our gym; we believe people should feel safe, comfortable, and accepted.
"Respect the lineage and the Academy" "We teach fundamentals from the source. Professor Larry Shealy learned Gracie Jiu Jitsu from legendary figures such as Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie and Rigan Machado. Larry is a 4th degree Rigan Machado black belt. We believe fundamentals and perfect practice are core to growing excellent Jiu Jitsu skills. Rorion Gracie once said "The water is the purest the closer it is to the source."
"This ain't tennis" Gracie Jiu Jitsu is a complete fighting system, designed and adopted for self-defense. At Hendo BJJ we focus on the martial art vs. sport jiu jitsu. We believe Gracie Jiu Jitsu is more about being a competent fighter to defend yourself and others than it is about scoring points for competition. If you want to travel to other gyms to train, or compete every once in a while, you will do well. But know that this gym is focused on real self-defense, not sport. We often mix in Brazilian "Vale Tudo" into our practice to keep our Jiu Jitsu honest.
"Everything is earned" No participation trophies at Hendo BJJ. If you get a stripe or a new belt be proud; you earned it. This is as important with our kids programs as it is our adult programs. There are no shortcuts.
"Just show up: If you come train, stay safe, and keep your ego out of it then you will get better. The safer you are, the more you can train. The more you train, the more you learn. The discipline to show up even when you aren't motivated shows your heart. Motivation is hit or miss, discipline is consistent.
"Be a great training partner" "We are a team. We are here to learn and teach each other, always. We are not training to 'beat' our teammates or to 'win' practice. We are here to make ourselves better and to help our teammates get better as iron sharpens iron. Wether it's your first moment experiencing martial arts, or you've been honing your Jiu Jitsu skills for 30 years, we believe that everyone has something new to learn.
"God created all necks equal" "While anyone is welcome to train with us, Hendo BJJ and our core values are anchored in Christian values. We support several non-profits that raise money for things like shoes and food for those in need, and are a huddle group with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Come join us on Saturday mornings for Bible study prior to training.
What will get you fired from Hendo BJJ
- Not abiding by core value #1. Being unsafe, or demonstrating repeated ego-driven behavior without correction will lead to you being asked to train elsewhere.
- Not trusting the program. Not listening to your professor or coaches, asking about belt promotions (or being too obsessed with stripes/belts vs. learning) or doing things your own way will not only cause you to stall in your Jiu Jitsu journey, it will degrade your ability to be a good team member.
- Foul language, or putting down/hurting others with your words and actions.
- Stealing
- Racism or Sexism and any harassing behavior comments or behavior.
Instructors
Professor Larry Shealy
Professor Larry started training in BJJ in November 1994 at a Rickson Gracie Seminar in Jacksonville, FL, and continues teaching and training at Hendo BJJ in Hendersonville, North Carolina, as an Official Master Rigan Machado Black Belt Academy. After having a successful BJJ Academy in Neptune Beach, FL since 2005 (JaxBJJ), he moved with his family to Hendersonville North Carolina in the fall of 2019. He is now the owner and main Instructor at Hendo BJJ which opened in December 2021.
He teaches traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that includes the Self Defense system that he has adopted and shared with the Military (Marines, Army and Navy), as well as LEO's , local police and the S.W.A.T. team in Jacksonville Beach, FL.
He and his wife Gail have trained hundreds of women in avoiding, resisting and escaping a potential sexual attack in their 'Women’s Defense Tactics - D-TAC’ seminars and classes. Countless lives have changed, for the better, as wives, mom's, daughters, aunt's, sister's, ...... ALL WOMEN, have taken the reins in their safety and well being with an often overlooked problem in our society.
A taskmaster on safety and proper jiu-jitsu technique, Larry loves training, loves his students and loves the Lord Jesus Christ!
He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, and obtained a MBA from Jacksonville University in Management/Marketing; and has had a long and successful career in medical device sales and sales management However his true passion in his life is serving the Lord, and helping others through the Art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Check out Professor Larry's Blog at the bottom of this page!
Coach Aaron Black - Brown Belt
Coach Aaron started BJJ in 2005 while attending Clemson University. After graduation Aaron trained in Atlanta, GA, where he continued his BJJ training where he began competing in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and boxing. He competed up and down the east coast until retiring from MMA and Boxing in 2012.
Coach Aaron is a proficient Wrestler, Boxer, Muay Thai fighter and is a tough Brown Belt in BJJ.
Coach Dustin Smith - 4th Degree Blue Belt
Coach Dustin is a strong , athletic grappler. On the mat more than most, and always ready to learn and eager to assist our newer team members. Dustin has all the tools and the attitude to become a very good JiuJitsu player, and helping people along the way. A great team member!
Coach Jeff Harris-3rd Degree Blue Belt
Jeff is the Head Chilren’s Instructor. A loyal, competitive, retired military man has a deep history in Kenpo, and has truly rounded his game in BJJ over the past few years.
PC’s - Parent Coaches are parents who train and ha
children training Jiu-Jitsu too. They must go through a fundamentals seminar on teaching kids Jiu-Jitsu to participate. They are very instrumental in assisting the Professor and Coaches, in teaching solid BJJ technique and keeping the children safe.
Aaron Black
Randal Beaver
Alan Windham
Julie M
Brandon Apodaca
TJ Erway
Darin Pace
Andrew Thomas
Jake Stephenson
Glen Gillette