About Rough Hands BJJ

Rough Hands BJJ is an independent, boutique, training center specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Submission Grappling. Founded and forged in Louisville, Kentucky.

Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members in Louisville. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.

We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Whether your goals are fitness related, to expand your social circle, to learn self-defense, or to become a world champion, our instructors will help you achieve them and have a great time in the process.

  • Jesse Walker

    HEAD COACH

    CO-OWNER

    Jesse has been coaching since 2007 and co-founded Rough Hands in 2017. He is a black belt under 6th-degree black belt, Chris Haueter. Jesse is also a Krav Maga black belt, a featured TEDx speaker, and has an academic background in psychology, learning, and developing expertise. SafeSport Certified

    Jesse is available for Private Instruction. Contact him.

  • Shelby York

    YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    CO-OWNER

    Shelby has been coaching since 2016 and co-founded Rough Hands in 2017. She is a BJJ Blue Belt, a Krav Maga brown belt, and a 500 E-RYT YACEP yoga instructor. She has a diverse background in dance, Thai boxing, BJJ, wrestling, Shamanic arts, & Krav Maga.

    Shelby is available for Private Instruction. Contact her.

  • Gerry Rose

    COACH

    Gerry brings passion to both his training and his coaching. Gerry has been coaching since 2020 and brings a background in childhood education through Jefferson County Public Schools and the Kentucky Science Center.

  • Jim Mahanes

    COACH

    Jim has studied martial arts since he was 14 years old. He began his study of Japanese-based ju jitsu in 2000 and holds the rank of fifth-degree Black Belt. Jim also holds a black belt ranking in Wado Ryu Karate and Chito Ryu Karate, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was a high school wrestler.

    Jim is the head coach on Rough Hands JJJ

  • Jeff Brown

    Jeff Brown

    COACH

    Jeff has been involved in martial arts for over 20 years. He has black belt rank in Japanese jujutsu, karate and aikido. He started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010 but could not find a school that was a good fit. In 2018 he found Rough Hands and has been training with Coach Jesse Walker since that time. He is presently a blue belt and helps out with our no-gi foundations classes. He is an also yoga instructor at our sister school Rough Hands Yoga.

  • Elija Montes

    COACH

    Elija (they/them) coaches combat sports with adaptability and intensity, teaching with Rough Hands’ concepts-based framework that makes learning accessible and meets folks where they’re at, wherever they are on the spectrum between casual hobbyists and competitive athletes.

  • Nick Noles

    ASSISTANT COACH

  • Sarah Heimbrock

    Sarah Heimbrock

    ASSISTANT COACH

  • Amulya Ankem

    Amulya Ankem

    ASSISTANT COACH

    CONTENT MARKETING COORDINATOR

1250 Bardstown RD Unit 12

Louisville, KY 40204

Phone
(502) 791-9970