Brian "Blake" Walter has been a dedicated student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since the summer of 2017. Starting at age 24, Brian walked into his first class with high school friends and was immediately hooked. To make up for what he felt was a "late start," he threw himself into the art with an obsessive work ethic, training multiple hours every day. This passion soon took him beyond the local mats, traveling as far as Mexico and Ireland to expand his skills.

While Brian originally sought out Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, he quickly found his calling on the tournament circuit. Since his debut, he has tested himself in over 100 matches across the Midwest, securing multiple gold medals. Today, he remains one of the academy’s most active competitors, constantly training for the next local or national challenge.

Promoted to brown belt in July 2023, Brian has naturally transitioned into a coaching role. He currently assists with the adult gi, nogi, and competition programs, where he takes pride in mentoring teammates and providing individual technical guidance. For Brian, Jiu-Jitsu is the best decision he has ever made; he remains deeply grateful for the technical mastery, philosophical growth, and lifelong friendships he has found on the mats.

Outside of his pursuit of becoming a world-class student and coach, Brian is a true multi-disciplinary athlete, training in Judo, Wrestling, Boxing and Muay Thai. When he isn’t training or hiking, you can find him behind a drum kit for a progressive metal band or traveling, longboarding, and pursuing a high-performance lifestyle.