October 2024 Roy Dean Seminar Wrap-Up Last weekend, our Chapel Hill dojo proudly hosted Jiu-Jitsu legend, Professor Roy Dean, for an unforgettable seminar! As an official Roy Dean affiliate, we’re fortunate to welcome Professor Dean for in-depth training and promotions that bring together the best of the Jiu-Jitsu community right here in Chapel Hill. For more about Professor Dean’s philosophy and techniques, check out [roydean.com](https://www.roydean.com/). Joining Professor Dean was Rick Ellis, founder of the popular “Art of Skill” YouTube channel and the creator of the “Old Grapplers Summit” series ([rickellis.com](https://www.rickellis.com/)). Rick shared some incredible insights, including a killer “North & South” choke I’ve been trying to master—thanks to Rick, I’m finally feeling it click! This year’s event kicked off with a private affiliate training session on Friday. It was an incredible gathering of “Crew RDA” members, including Nicholas Haderlie from Platte Valley Martial Arts, Garth Perkins from Garth Perkins Academy, Alex P. from Street Smart Martial Arts, Greg Castro of Grappling Disciples, and members from Maru Dojo. The camaraderie and shared expertise across affiliates reminded us all of how connected our Jiu-Jitsu family really is. On Saturday, the main seminar drew BJJ enthusiasts from all over, even as far as Washington State! Professor Dean structured the seminar into segments packed with techniques and insights. Among the highlights were unique “Dog-bar” details and innovative Erik Paulson leg lock entries—fresh material I’m especially excited to drill into my game! A standout moment came when Alex P. took the floor to test for his black belt, Roy Dean Academy style. Alex’s performance was precise, powerful, and deeply inspiring—his skill and perseverance shone through every moment. You can catch Alex’s incredible demonstration on Professor Dean’s YouTube channel, where you might spot a few familiar faces from our community! Huge congratulations to Alex on this milestone! A big thank you to everyone who attended and to Professor Dean for his expertise, as well as to Ms. Rachel for her organizational skills in making this weekend such a success! It’s weekends like these that remind us of the power of Jiu-Jitsu, community, and continuous growth.
