Groundstone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Groundstone Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began in 2014 when Professor Tulsa Simpson, a Marine Corps veteran and lifelong martial artist, rolled out mats in his garage to bring authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Sneads Ferry and the surrounding beach towns. With roots in Okinawa under Professor Ivan Sakamoto and a black belt from Professor Fredson Paixão—a 6th Degree black belt and IBJJF World Champion—Professor Tulsa leads with over three decades of experience on and off the mats. In 2017, Groundstone opened a permanent academy, and after 2020, Professors Tulsa and Bianca Simpson transformed a local warehouse into a dedicated home for BJJ, built through years of hard work and belief in the art’s value for the community. Today, Groundstone’s instruction comes directly from the Paixão lineage, reflected in a curriculum that balances tradition and modern sport. Professor Tulsa’s classes emphasize fundamentals, consistency, and purposeful repetition, supporting everyone from first-day white belts to seasoned competitors. Professor Bianca Simpson, also a black belt under Paixão, directs academy programs and community outreach, drawing on her background in counseling to help students develop discipline, perseverance, and character. The Simpsons’ philosophy—Kindly Remove Your EGO—shapes a culture where students are challenged to improve themselves, not to prove themselves. The schedule includes gi and no-gi training for adults, competition-focused classes, and structured youth programs designed for families to train and grow together. Military personnel, law enforcement, hobbyists, and serious competitors share the mats, and regular open mat sessions welcome visitors. Groundstone is an IBJJF Certified Academy and wheelchair accessible, with a sister location in Virginia that shares the same standards and approach. The academy remains driven by its original purpose: to build a place where grapplers of all backgrounds find technical instruction, personal growth, and a true sense of belonging.

Amenities