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WHO WE ARE

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text delay="0"]What makes a Coach great?  We think a great Coach has a combination of expertise and enthusiasm, that inspires others to do more and be more.  At SBG Sandy Springs, we take coaching seriously.  It’s easy to do when you’re as passionate about it as we are.  Our mission is to guide you into being a stronger, healthier and more confident version of yourself.  We accomplish that by being the best we can be.  At a minimum, all Straight Blast Gym Sandy Springs coaches must have practiced and competed in martial arts for three years, completed the SBG Level 1 Coaches Course and interned under SBG Atlanta’s head coach prior to teaching their first class.   This intense training process insures that our Coaches deliver the best possible training experience for you and the Sandy Springs Martial Arts community.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column]

PHILLIPE GENTRY

Coach Phillipe is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, accomplished Mixed Martial Artist and one of the most passionate coaches around. Nothing gets Coach more fired up than hearing a SBG members success story, and over the years he’s been fortunate enough to hear plenty. In addition to helping people gain confidence, stand up for themselves, lose weight and gain strength, Coach Phillipe has helped build two state Champion Mixed Martial Artist , numerous Jiu Jitsu gold medalist and a tribe of incredible coaches. What makes Phillipe’s coaching unique is his ability to make hard training so much fun. By chunking down Coach is able to make complex movements easy to absorb and use in a practical way. When Phillipe is not on the mats, you’ll find him hanging with his wife Aundrea and kids, Dameon and Zaida. Together they enjoy travelling, camping and music.  

Interesting facts. Phillipe:

  • Is legally blind
  • Used to be a flair bartender
  • LOVES eating mangos before training

Favorite Quote

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” -Seneca

SEAN COLEMAN

Otherwise known as “The Corporal”, Coach Sean is the embodiment of motivation. Coach Sean has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2007 and is the heads kids coach at SBG Sandy Springs. In addition to working with the kids in our Growing Gorilla classes, Coleman teaches the Foundations and Advanced BJJ classes. In addition to Jiu Jitsu, Sean enjoys CrossFit, kickboxing and swimming. Two of his three daughters also train, often taking their father’s Growing Gorillas classes. Sean’s passion for absorbing knowledge and sharing it with his students make him one of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors in Georgia.  

Interesting facts about Sean:

  • Sleeps less than five hours a night most nights
  • Has taught BJJ in Ethiopia
  • Is an Excel expert that spends his days working as a Financial Analyst

Favorite Quote

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” –Steve Jobs

DAREN ROBERTS

Coach Daren is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt and a successful Mixed Martial Arts fighter. While he has trained Jiu Jitsu for over a decade, he is also a Georgia Tech graduate. The only thing he is more passionate about than math is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Coach Daren instructs the Growing Gorilla classes, Foundations classes, and the adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes. His analytical approach to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu makes it easy for him to explain techniques from a variety of angles. When Coach Daren isn’t at SBG Sandy Springs, he works at 360i Marketing and spends time with his fiance. 

Interesting facts about Daren:

  • Owned 4.0 BJJ prior to merging with SBG
  • Earned a degree in marketing from Georgia Tech in 2015
  • Loves, loves, loves… MATH

Favorite Quote

“Success in its highest and noblest form calls for peace of mind and enjoyment and happiness which come only to the man who has found the work that he likes best.” -Napolean Hill

JIM SHEPPARD

Coach Jim brings unbridled energy and positivity into each class he teaches. He makes each class fun and exciting, as he believes physical exercise should be. Having been in the health and wellness industry for over a decade, he’s had time to hone his skills as one of the top Kickboxing coaches around. Coach Jim’s enthusiasm is contagious, giving everyone in his classes the energy to complete the training hour and then some. Jim is the operations manager and co-owner of SBG Sandy Springs, and when he is not at the gym he is Crossfitting, kayaking, or playing music. 

Interesting facts about Jim:

  • Had his first Muay Thai competition at age 31
  • Afraid of sharks
  • Always sneezes in 3’s

Favorite Quote

“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” -Mark Twain

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