Jim Herman is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with more than a decade of BJJ experience and more than 30 years of martial arts training. He is a certified Level 1 and Level 2 Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor, a retired police officer, and a former defense tactics instructor for the Montgomery County Police Department. Jim also holds a black belt in Taekwondo and has spent more than eight years coaching BJJ and MMA in the Frederick County area. His coaching style emphasizes practical self-defense, strong fundamentals, and helping students build confidence through consistent training.

Amad Jones has trained in martial arts since 2009 and has dedicated much of that time to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began training No-Gi BJJ in Frederick, later added Gi training, and has continued to compete and coach for years. Amad has trained in multiple disciplines, including Muay Thai, Lethwei, Judo, Wrestling, Krav Maga, and MMA, but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remains his primary focus. He is passionate about helping students build confidence, have fun, develop self-defense skills, and form lasting friendships through training. His work with both kids and adults reflects his commitment to respectful, disciplined instruction and long-term growth.

Laura Eyler began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010 after taking a women’s self-defense class and has been committed to martial arts ever since. In addition to BJJ, she has trained in Muay Thai, Lethwei, Judo, and MMA. Laura is an experienced competitor and instructor who works with kids, women, and adult students, with a strong focus on confidence, self-defense, and technical growth. Her presence on the coaching team helps create a welcoming environment for women and girls who want high-level training in a supportive setting.

Sensei Mike Lathwood has practiced judo since 1992 and brings decades of experience in competition, coaching, and grappling-based martial arts. His background includes judo, wrestling, BJJ, and other martial arts, giving students a well-rounded perspective on throws, takedowns, control, and movement. Mike teaches judo with an emphasis on efficiency, timing, technical precision, and the long-term value of disciplined practice. He helps students understand how judo complements both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense training.

Luiz Augusto Oliveira dos Santos, known as Guto, is originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and began training Jiu-Jitsu at age 11 under Ryan and Daniel Gracie. He has more than 17 years of competitive experience and has earned first place in both the São Paulo and Brazilian championships, as well as a second-place finish at the world championship in Brazil. Guto later moved to the United States, earned his black belt under Talita Treta, and has also worked as a referee for major grappling events, including FUJI BJJ, DreamJJ, and Gracie Barra competitions. He brings high-level technical experience and a strong competition background to The Mount coaching team.