Jay Jack-Owner
Jay began his martial arts career studying Karate at the age of 5. After Karate, he studied Muay Thai and Jeet Kune Do for three years. Jay spent five years studying Shaolin Chin-Na under Yang Jwing Ming. Jay has studied Judo since 1996, receiving his black belt in 2002.
Jay found Amal Easton in 1998 (Amal is a Renzo Gracie black belt, and one of the few Americans to have direct ties to the famous Gracie Barra in Rio de Janeiro Brazil). Jay has been personally devoted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Vale Tudo ever since. Jay received his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu from Amal in 2006, making him Amal's first black belt recipient.
Jay has fought and won in numerous MMA organizations including Ring of Fire, Gladiator Challenge, and the USWF. Jay has been instructing martial arts of various disciplines since 1992 and has produced many decorated athletes, and programs.
Amanda Buckner- Owner
Mandy started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2001 under Amal Easton and Jay Jack. She quickly developed a love for MMA and fought professionally from 2002 until 2008. She and Jay moved to Maine and opened The Academy in 2003 where she has focused on coaching the Academys competitors in both MMA and BJJ. She received her black belt from Amal Easton in 2009.
Mandy has fought and won in numerous competitions including the Rocky Mountain Slammer, Ultimate Athlete, Grapplers Quest, and the Extreme Challenge.
Paul Gorman
Paul began his martial arts training with The Academy in October of 2003. He holds the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is proud to have been the first to be awarded that rank under Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner. He is a veteran of over 20 MMA fights, and also enjoys competing in grappling tournaments and triathlons. He believes that martial arts can be a vehicle to improve all aspects of one's life, and is a passionate and enthusiastic instructor.
Beau DeCourcy
Beau has been a student of Jay and Amanda since 2003, and earned his black belt in BJJ under them in 2016. Earlier in his career, Beau focused his training on competition, and has competed in both local competition, as well as the Worlds, and Pan American tournaments. However, after accumulating injuries, he shifted his focus into teaching.
After an in-depth apprenticeship program lead by Jay Jack, Beau has now been teaching at the Academy, on a regular basis, for the past ten years. Teaching, and non-competitive training, is where his love and focus of BJJ now lies.
Matthew Frahm
Matt started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu back in 2007. He received his black belt under Jay Jack and Amanda Buckner in 2017. He has travelled to Brazil to train and further advance his understanding of the art.
"I love Jiu Jitsu because it constantly challenges me mentally and physically. now Being able to teach and help others progress, in something that has given me so much, is an honor."--Matt
Shaun Durfee
Shaun has been involved with sports and athletics his entire life. During his high school career, he played football in Texas. After high school, Shaun moved back to Maine and played rugby with the Portland Rugby Club for a few years. In 2004, Shaun met Jay Jack and started training in Jiu Jitsu at The Academy with Jay and his wife, Amanda Buckner. Shaun earned his black belt under Jay Jack in July 2015, after years of training, coaching, and tournaments where he continued to test himself through this sport.
Over the past ten years, Shaun has competed in MMA, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at various levels. The last few years, he has focused on Sport Jiu Jitsu (grappling), and has traveled all over the country to compete with peers at his level, from around the world.
Shaun’s favorite part of Jiu Jitsu, is teaching others, and he has been teaching kids and adults for the past 7 years at The Academy.
When Shaun is not teaching or training in Jiu Jitsu, he likes to challenge himself in other events, which tests his mental toughness and endurance. Shaun lives in Greater Portland with his wife, Sarah, and son, Owen, who is 8
Arthur Haines
arthur was one of the Academy's first students, back in 2003. He currently holds a brown belt in jiu-jitsu and his primary focus is teaching the basics and fundamentals of BJJ.Arthur Haines
Cooper first began training at The Academy in 2011. He spent the next several years between training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling at the University of Maine’s NCWA collegiate wrestling program. Cooper teaches in a variety of disciplines in his life, with his passion being in martial arts.
Brandon Clark
"As a kid, I was always on the smaller side and kind of an outcast, so I was drawn to martial arts early. I took some traditional marital arts when I was younger and couldn't shake the feeling of not belonging there and it lacking something for me. Then I found out about MMA, and felt I really wanted to try that but there was no place in Maine at the time. I was 28 when I found jay and the academy. From the first day I trained with jay and Mandy, I not only found a practical fighting system but a place were I felt I belong. I have done things I never thought I'd ever do from a Muay Thai fight to Bjj tournaments to teaching and I'm so happy I walked in those doors 10 + years ago. At the academy you will find people to care and want to see you succeed. You can achieve awesome things at the academy all you have to do I walk in the door."-Brandon
Brandon is a current Muay Thai Instructor and holds a blue belt in BJJ.