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

See Jesse’s Media Appearances

Jesse is available for Private Instruction. Contact him.

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.

COACH

Derek is a 2nd degree BJJ black belt under Bruce Shepherd and has been coaching since 2019.  A long-time educator, Derek holds a PhD in Philosophy and has taught in academic, military, and business settings.  He has published and given public talks on embodied cognition and the cognitive science of combat sports.  Derek joined Rough Hands in 2025. 

COACH

Joshua Chavez, a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is an active competitor who trained under Kenny Kim, Jeff Glover, and Dean Lister. Joshua served 10 years in the United States Coast Guard as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Tactical Operator, and instructor. He later worked for the FBI supporting criminal and counterterrorism investigations.. He enjoys helping students develop confidence, discipline, and practical, effective jiu-jitsu.

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 purple belt and helps out with our foundations classes.

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

COACH

Shane has been training with Jesse since 2015 and coaching since 2016. He has a background in wrestling, boxing, and Krav Maga. He will round out the “think street” mindset by adding some standup tools.

ASSISTANT YOUTH COACH