acknowledgements
ACTS would not have ever come into existence without the guidance of several individuals. It would be impossible to acknowledge everyone, but we feel we need to acknowledge those who have imparted the skills, passion and dedication to the craft that ACTS hopes to become known for. The early days of training with Grand Master Young Sil Seo and Grand Master V. LaGrand. These two men shaped my early years, and still motivate me to this date. Grand Master LaGrand, who at the age of approximately 68 is still one of the most technical strikers that you will find. Manu "Baby Golden legs" Ntoh who taught me so much about combat sports specifically Muay Thai. Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles and Rodrigo "Comprido" Mederios for introducing and guiding us in our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey. Travis Schnoor for believing in me long before i believed in myself and opening doors for me in the tactical community. ACTS would not be in existence without his guidance and encouragement.
Grand Master Vanguard Lagrand & Grand Master Il Sung Seo
I was fortunate enough to be able to train under these two from the beginning. GM LaGrand was a source of great inspiration to me from a very young age. I first started training with these two at the age of five and to say they shaped and molded me would be an understatement.
GM LaGrand was the most technical, talented martial artist I have ever seen. He is the epitome of dedication and currently has more that 40 years of continues training. Event to this day his technique and speed are something to behold. I continue to find great inspiration from him and am thankful to have him as a mentor and role model.
GM Young Sil Seo was the owner and head instructor of Young’s Tae Kwon Do. During the late 70’s and early 80’s martial arts was only beginning to take hold in the United States. There were very few martial arts schools across the country. With that being said, I was fortunate to have a true martial artist open a school in my home town. GM Seo was that in every sense of the word. As a former ROC Marine in Korea and a Judo Black Belt, GM Seo brought a no nonsense mindset and training style that most Americans were not use to. I am grateful for all the lessons that he taught me.
I have to say thank you to both these mean, but a special thank you to Grandmaster V. LaGrand. LaGrand is a huge part of why is still train today.
Manu Ntoh
I consider this man to be one of the all time greats in the world of Muay Thai. I am lucky to have had him involved in my martial arts journey for more than 20 years. Manu is not only a superior fighter, now trainer, but an even better person. I started training with Manu around 2006, and I am tremendously grateful for all the lessons he taught me. When I found Manu, I was more than excited. I had wanted to train authentic Muay Thai for years. It was my belief that Muay Thai would be the perfect blend of punching, kicking, and fighting in the clinch, especially with my chosen profession. When I did my first session with Manu I knew that I was hooked. I have been lucky enough to represent “Team Manu” in several fights, and feel fortunate that his teachings lead to several wins. I will always be thankful for him introducing me to “real” Muay Thai and look forward to each session even to this day.
Manu, thank you!
Manu Ntoh (Baby Golden Legs)
6 time world Muay Thai Champion
Former NABA, NABO, and IBF contender (Boxing)
Travis Schnoor
I don’t really have the words to tell you about Travis. Travis is who I consider my “Tac Daddy.” Travis and I started working together in 2001. By this time he was a seasoned Deputy Sheriff and a plank owner on the departments Special Response Team (SRT). Travis helped open the world of tactics to me and became like a big brother. Travis was the Bomb Tech for the agency and an active team member. I have worked with many in the field since, but there are few with the skill, knowledge or confidence of Travis. Before Travis was involved in law enforcement he was an Army Ranger. Travis served with the 3/75 Ranger regiment and had a combat jumps into Panama. I will forever be indebted to Travis and will carry his legacy for the rest of my life.
Rest easy brother, I miss you!
Rubens Cobrinha Charles
"Cobrinha', which means snake in Portuguese, is one of the all time best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the history of the sport. If you ask me, and I am bias, Cobrinha is pound for pound the best to ever do it. ADCC Champion, multiple time IBJJF World champion , Pan Champion, Europeans Champion. For most winning one of these titles would be a career defining accomplishment, but Cobrinha did it year after year. In fact, Cobrinha was able to win the ADCC, Worlds, Pans and Europeans all in the same year. In one word INCREDIABLR.
It was an absolute blessing to be able to train under Cobrinha early in my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career. In 2008,while Cobrinha was still in Atlanta, I started traveling back and forth to Alliance HQ for training. Later in the year, I left everything I knew and loved to move to Atlanta to train full time. Cobrinha was a big reason why i did that. I knew that he was not only an incrediable martial artist, but a great human. Training full time with him wasn't something i could not pass up. I have to say I will never regret the decision to move and train with him full time. Weather it was early morning class on my workdays, afternoon classes when I was off, doing two trainings a day to try and absorb as much as possible, or doing privates to try and figure out what I was doing wrong, Cobrinja's energy and passion never waivered. I am truly grateful for the years i got to train with him.
Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles
ADCC Champion
IBJJF World Champion Gi/No-Gi (Multiple times)
Europeans Champion (Multiple times)
Pan Champion (Multiple times)
Cobrinha, thank you!
Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros
Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros:
Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros, is a legend in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). He is one of the founders of team Brasa and the two time absolute World Champion. Not only has Comprido competed and won at the highest level, but he has trained some of the absolute best in BJJ. Names include Caio Terra, Roberto Traven, Felipe Costa, Dean Lister to name a few. He was also the head BJJ coach for Brock Lesner during his UFC title run. Comprido is a name known world wide in the BJJ community.
After work moved me to Chicago in 2010, I still wanted to keep training, but I knew, after training with Cobrinha, that I could not just go anywhere to train. I was hoping to find a high level black belt and found out that there was one close to where I lived. Comprido had a school in the Chicagoland area and I knew it would be worth the drive. I started training with Comprido soon after and am thankful for every day that I was able to learn from him. Even though I have moved back down south I still stay in touch with Comprido. I consider him not only a coach, but a friend. I look forward to when I get to hang out with him again.
Comprido, thank you!
Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros
2x Absolute Black Belt World Champion (fastest sub in a BB finals match)
IBJJF Hall of Fame
World class coach