First Colony Jiu Jitsu - BJJ Marblehead

First Colony Jiu Jitsu - BJJ Marblehead was founded in 2018 by Liam McGeown, a 2nd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with extensive experience in grappling, striking, and self-defense. Located at 100 Hoods Lane, the academy offers instruction rooted in respect, camaraderie, and steady skill development, emphasizing gradual progress under a clear, no-nonsense teaching philosophy. McGeown’s approach balances intensity with encouragement, reflecting decades on the mats and a commitment to practical, measurable improvement. Training at First Colony follows a structured class format, beginning with contextual warmups, moving through focused technique drills, and ending with live sparring. The schedule includes gi and no-gi classes across all levels, from beginner fundamentals to advanced positional study sessions. Adults have access to multiple daily classes, including morning no-gi sessions, evening beginner classes in both gi and no-gi, and specialized advanced gi training. Kids’ classes meet twice weekly for 90-minute sessions that mirror adult training with warmups, technique, and light sparring, incorporating self-defense games appropriate for youth. In addition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, First Colony offers a boxing program led by Matt Christensen, an Army veteran and local firefighter. The boxing classes focus on fundamentals, fitness, and practical striking skills without pressure to compete or spar, complementing the grappling curriculum under one roof. The academy is wheelchair accessible and welcomes drop-in students, maintaining an environment where technical proficiency and steady growth are prioritized over hype or competition pressure.

Amenities