MEET YOUR COACHES
Professor Ted Stickel is a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Professor Ted received his black belt from Master Nelson Monteiro. He received his first and second degrees from Master Carlos Gracie Jr, his third degree from Master Marcio Fietosa, and his fourth and fifth degrees from Master Nelson Monteiro.
Professor Stickel has been teaching Jiu Jitsu for over 30 years. Master Nelson and Professor Ted opened the first Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego, California. Then, moving to Anchorage, Alaska, Professor Ted opened the first Jiu Jitsu school in the state, Gracie Barra Alaska.
During his years in Alaska, Professor Ted was contracted by the U.S. military to teach their combative program. He taught the 212th Para Rescue Group on Kulis Air Force Base and the U.S. Army Airborne on Fort Richardson. He had the honor of taking eight soldiers from Alaska to the first All-Army Combatives Tournament at Fort Benning, Georgia, where his team took third place overall. He has also worked with other elite warriors such as The Navy Seals, Army Special Forces, and numerous law enforcement agencies. Professor Ted has traveled extensively, teaching and learning his craft. He has traveled to Brazil, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates to name a few. Professor Ted has coached and cornered numerous professional MMA competitors in all of the top venues around the world including the UFC. Professor Ted also holds an 8th-degree black belt in Kung Fu San Soo under master Ted Sias and is ranked in Hwarangdo and several other self-defense systems.
Now, with his own academy, he is bringing the ultimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self-defense training to the Katy/Richmond area. Professor Ted is known for developing his academy into a family. He promotes themes of respect, responsibility, and discipline in his classes. Professor Ted takes the time to know his students individually and guide them to develop their full potential. When Professor Ted isn't at the Academy, you can find him at Bible Study, Prayer Meetings at the church, and occasionally on the pistol range.
Professor Kevin is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Professor Kevin started his Jiu Jitsu journey in 2010 at Relson Gracie Austin, and has trained with eight different BJJ schools, giving him a well-rounded knowledge of the different techniques and styles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and making him a huge asset to our school.
Professor Kevin was born and raised in Katy Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M in 2007 with a degree in Biomedical Science. He holds several high-level certifications such as Corrective Exercise Specialist with the National academy of Sports Medicine and Medical Exercise Specialist from the American Council on Exercise.
He strives to impart the importance of total wellness to his students and is always willing to pass on knowledge in the areas of exercise, stretching, nutrition, rest, focus, and most importantly Faith. When he isn't working, Professor Kevin likes to play guitar and Piano, and spend time with his dog, a border collie/pit bull mix named Major.
Coach Gezilla Amico is a Brown Belt in Jiu Jitsu.
Coach Gezilla was drawn into the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle in 2009 when her two children started training. In the process of molding her kids into Jiu Jitsu champions, she also began training with Professor Ted in 2016.
Coach Gezilla helped with the children's programs for years, and now leads our Adult's Day class, where she is known for developing exceptional technique in her students, and is loved by all!
Coach Gezilla is always willing to help her students reach their personal goals, and gets her students ready for competitions and promotions. She is the heartbeat of day class!
When Coach Gezilla isn't coaching at Next Level, she is working on her fitness, carving tiki statues with a chainsaw, or spending time with her family. She is married to Mike, a Brown Belt in Jiu Jitsu, and her children are Michael, a football player at Rice University, and Nina, the wrestling team captain and senior at Seven Lakes High School.
Coach Emily is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and also has a Yellow Belt in Shu Ha Ri Do Karate.
Coach Emily watched her kids train at Next Level Jiu Jitsu for several years before working up the courage to get on the mats, and started training and working with Professor Ted in 2019.
Coach Emily is a United States Air Force Veteran, serving from 1999-2008, before transitioning into civil service as a Federal Prison Guard, and then working as a Police Officer for Dallas Police Department until 2015.
Coach Emily loves helping out at the Adult Day class and evening Kid's classes, and really enjoys attending and competing in tournaments with the Next Level Competition Team.
When she isn't at the Next Level Academy, Coach Emily enjoys competing in local rodeos and horse shows, and spending time with her husband Adam, and kids Patrick, Hallie, and Maddie, who all train at Next Level Jiu Jitsu.
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Contact Info
26440 FM-1093, Richmond, TX 77406, United States of America