This month marks 15 years in business for Paramount Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and it’s not quite the 15 year anniversary I had envisioned. I’m disappointed that we cannot all celebrate together. However, while we cannot have a big party, we can reflect on a decade and a half of great accomplishments, lifelong friendships forged, and many, many lives enriched through training at Paramount.
For this there are a lot of people to thank. But among them, a few stand out.
Matt Chambers was the person who urged me to start a Jiu-Jitsu program in 2005. I was reluctant but he was persistent and encouraging. I am eternally grateful. He also helped Paramount relocate from the original location to the USTC, which meant more space and freedom to design a schedule.
Tom Bailey was there at the very first class and, if memory serves, he enrolled that night. That was the first indication to me that Paramount had potential. Tom was also the first student that I ever promoted and the first student to earn a medal representing Paramount.
Tom Bailey training in the aerobics studio at the Edge Health & Fitness Center
Chuck Wagner joined as a blue belt in 2006, having left the school he was at, and was a consistent presence in the morning class. Often it was just me and him, but he believed in me as an instructor and I am honored that he was my first black belt.
Brian Sieb was my very first assistant, doing enrollments and teaching the kids classes. His help played a significant role in growing the school during the early years. He was also training almost daily, setting the bar for new members.
Group Photo from Wilson Reis seminar at the “small room” at USTC (900 square feet total)
Eric Desmarais was the first manager for the school, and put in a lot of time and effort working on the behind-the-scenes tasks to keep the school going. He also maintained a rigorous training schedule, letting the other serious students know what was expected of them.
Phil Mento started working at Paramount in 2010, not long after joining, first at the front desk, then as an instructor and then he took over as manager. Listing his contributions to the school would take up another ten paragraphs, so I’ll leave it at this: Without Phil, the school could not be what it is today.
The “big room” at USTC, a look at the front desk and group photo after 2010 promotions.
Zach Fahrenholtz was instrumental in the survival of the school during the shutdown. The time and work he put in, along with his feedback, advice and ideas, cannot be overstated. He has been manager since late last year, having worked on and off at Paramount for close to a decade, and his enthusiasm and ambition is unmatched. The reopening of Paramount could not have gone as well as it did without Zach.
Shout out to Glenn Wallace who has been a massive help with our online presence and marketing for over a decade, in addition to the time and effort he puts into teaching both kids and adult BJJ classes.
I also need to thank Jared Weiner, the leader of TAC Team BJJ and owner of BJJ United in Jenkintown, for many years of advice and guidance, both through his words and his actions. I have learned a lot about being a leader, coach, and school owner from Jared.
Of course, I have to thank my wife Genny for everything that she does. In addition to all the support and understanding regarding the challenges and stress that comes with running a BJJ school, she also has great advice when it comes to decisions concerning the school. She keeps me grounded whenever there are difficult situations to resolve.
530 Trestle Place, home to Paramount Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2013.
To the instructors, thank you for upholding the standards at Paramount. Thank you for your commitment to the students. The dedication and passion for teaching that our instructors have is what keeps students coming back to class. To the staff, your excitement about Paramount is what turns potential students into new students. Thank you for making so many great first impressions.
Finally, to all of the students and members over the years, thank you! There is no martial arts school without students, and a school cannot grow, or bounce back from difficulties, as Paramount has without a strong bond between all of them. Thank you to those who reached out during the shutdown to ask what you could do to help, and thank you to those who did what you could.
Special shout-out to all the OG’s who have been training consistently since the Edge/USTC “small room” days.
2020 has been a year of uncertainty, but one thing I am certain of is that Paramount BJJ is resilient. We can and will bounce back from any and all adversity, thanks to all of you.
Brad Court
Owner & Head Instructor
Paramount Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu LLC