Meet Our Team

Professor Steve Hordinski III has the profound privilege of sharing the gift of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with others. This martial art has the power to transform lives and improve everyone's quality of life.

With decades of martial arts experience, Steve's journey began with Kenpo Karate, where he earned his Black Belt. As a Deep-Sea Navy Diver in the United States Navy, he discovered Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through Relson Gracie Black Belt Phil Cardella. This exposure had a profound impact, transforming his life in ways he never thought possible.

After his first class, Steve was hooked. Stationed in Hawaii, he trained at Grandmaster Relson Gracie's school, learning from one of the founding masters of Jiu-Jitsu. This rare privilege allowed him to learn from the source, and now he's honored to share that knowledge with others.

As a 4th-degree Black Belt, Steve specializes in self-defense-based Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on takedowns and striking. He has taught seminars nationwide, promoted individuals to Black Belts, and supported non-profits aiding disabled veterans. Committed to leading by example, Steve invites you to experience the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu and looks forward to seeing you on the mat.

Steve Hordinski Jr. began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2001, inspired by his son Steven's passion and joy for the sport. He wanted to understand what sparked such enthusiasm.

Steven discovered Jiu-Jitsu while serving in the Navy. During his leave, he shared his dream of opening an academy after his return. This motivated Professor Steve to learn more about the sport.

He trained at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Boulder (now Easton's) for nine years before opening his academy.

For Professor Steve, Jiu-Jitsu is a lifestyle. He loves everything about it, especially the people he meets through the sport.

Born and raised in Denver, Professor Steve was inducted into the Army on June 14, 1971, and served two years with the 18th Airborne Corps as part of the Military Police. Afterward, he worked for 30 years as an engineering tech with the Bureau of Reclamation.

A devoted family man, Steve has raised three sons and now enjoys time with his eight grandkids. Being a grandpa is his top priority, and he also enjoys paddleboarding.

At 72, Professor Steve aims to continue training into his 80s. He earned his black belt in December 2013. His goal for the academy is to create a family-like environment for his students.

Professor Lee Holloway began his martial arts journey at 16, training in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Kenpo Karate. In high school, he discovered Muay Thai, which became a passion. After enlisting in the US Army as a communications specialist, he trained in Muay Thai full-time in Kitzingen, Germany. Four years later, he transferred to Ft. Campbell, KY, and earned his Black Belt in Kickboxing from WKA World Champion Andy Jones.

Impressed by Lee's expertise, a Green Beret asked him to teach stand-up fighting to 5th Group Special Forces Soldiers. In return, the Green Beret introduced Lee to submission wrestling, sparking his interest in ground fighting.

After serving in various duty assignments and a combat deployment to Iraq, Lee became a Colorado Army National Guard recruiter. There, he discovered his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training with renowned instructors and earning his Black Belt from Master Carlos "Caique" Elias in 2016.

In addition to extensive martial arts training, Lee is a:

Lee believes Jiu-Jitsu benefits everyone, regardless of age or experience. He enjoys sharing the art with novices and world competitors alike. He's passionate about training veterans, law enforcement/first responders, and empowering women through self-defense.

Accolades

Bio Coming Soon!

Professor Bryan Brescia is a distinguished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor at Katharo Training Center. With extensive experience in both gi and no-gi BJJ, he offers a wealth of knowledge to the academy. Bryan’s journey in martial arts began with a passion for grappling, which evolved into a serious commitment to the sport.

At Katharo Training Center, he is recognized for his exceptional technical skills and strategic approach to Jiu-Jitsu. His competitive career boasts numerous accolades, showcasing his ability to excel at the highest levels. Bryan's teaching style is detailed yet approachable, enabling students to understand complex techniques and concepts clearly. His dedication to his students and the sport reflects a deep commitment to the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its advancement at Katharo Training Center.

Chris Camozzi is a professional mixed martial artist and coach living and training in Denver, Colorado.

Chris started training MMA in 2005 after graduating from high school. He had a passion for working out and competing from a very young age, and the day he decided to walk into a mixed martial arts gym changed the trajectory of his life.

Chris has been fighting professional MMA for 16 years and has competed in world-level promotions such as the UFC and Glory Kickboxing. He also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In addition to fighting, Chris is a coach in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Self-Defense. He enjoys sharing knowledge that works in real-life situations with everyday people. He also owns his own training app, “Jiu-Jitsu on the Go,” where you can learn from day one to becoming a professional anywhere and on the go without needing a gym membership.

Chris has been training BJJ since 2012 and has been studying under Professor Steve Hordinski since 2014. He started focusing on combative and self-defense and has since developed a love for exploring the art. He enjoys testing the technical fundamentals against all styles of training. A particular theme that resonates with Chris is the correlation between Christian discipleship and being a martial artist, embracing the challenge to be better today than he was yesterday. Chris spends his time away from the academy working at Lockheed Martin and enjoying time with his wife, Rebecca, and kids, Evan and Clara.

Scott Magen started his martial arts journey in 1986, studying kung fu during a summer break from college. He was hooked from the start and spent the next 25 years involved in striking arts, including Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Living in Summit County, Colorado, for most of those years, he found no schools teaching grappling.

Finally, after moving to Littleton, he joined the academy in 2010. He knew right away that this was where he wanted to be. Jiu-Jitsu is the only martial art you can practice daily against a fully resisting opponent, making it irresistible to him. Walking in the door and testing your technique against people of all sizes and ages is what he loves. Some days, you can keep it light; on others, you can train hard, depending on what your mind and body need. He can't imagine living without it.

Scott is a small business owner, a husband, and a father of two. Adhering to a typical martial arts academy schedule is difficult for him, which is why he loves the morning classes. He invites you to train at 6 a.m. and get your training in while most of the world is still fast asleep.

From a young age, I was obsessed with martial arts, believing it could give you superpowers and guide you on your life journey. Growing up watching Shaolin movies further fueled this passion, as I admired the dedication and training depicted.
 
I began my martial arts journey with Muay Thai as a teenager and later trained in Tang Soo Do in my twenties. In 2012, I became heavily involved in jiu-jitsu and judo, starting my training at Gracie Barra Culver City. After moving to Colorado as a 4th degree blue belt, I trained under Professor Steve Hordinski, III. After thorough research, I found him to be the most qualified instructor to help me advance in my journey—my old professor always emphasized the importance of Gracie jiu-jitsu. I am currently a 4th degree brown belt under Professor Hordinski, III, and I teach jiu-jitsu concepts at the Katharo Training Center on Fridays at 6 PM.
 
Along the way, I've rekindled my love for Shaolin practices, particularly the internal work. Shaolin Qigong for meditation and breathwork has become invaluable to me. With six years of practice, I now feel a mission to help others by teaching these methods to those looking to improve their breathing or release trauma from the body. I also run a Qigong class at Katharo on Fridays at 5 PM for all levels.
 
Whether through healing or jiu-jitsu, I look forward to seeing you on the mats!

Meet Coach Derek Nye, a dedicated and passionate Katharo Training Centers team member. Derek embarked on his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2015, inspired by the enlightening discussions on Joe Rogan’s podcast. His fascination with the art led him to Katharo, where he eagerly enrolled in his first class.

Under the guidance of Professor Steve, Derek’s journey took flight. By the time he reached the midway point of his white belt journey, Derek was deeply engaged with the kids’ program, where he began sharing his knowledge as an assistant coach. This marked the beginning of his commitment to nurturing the next generation of grapplers.

As he progressed to a blue belt, Derek’s focus intensified, with a strong emphasis on competition. He honed his skills on the mat and dedicated himself to coaching young talents with similar competitive ambitions. With over 150 competition matches under his belt and the privilege of coaching hundreds more, Derek’s experience speaks volumes.

Derek embodies the essence of a true coach, always eager to impart his wisdom to those keen to learn. He approaches the art of Jiu-Jitsu with a beginner’s mindset, continuously seeking growth and refinement. If you’re looking for Coach Derek at Katharo Training Centers, you’ll likely find him in the kids’ or advanced classes, sharing his love for Jiu-Jitsu and nurturing the potential of aspiring grapplers.

Meet Katharo’s GM and Coach Brandon Gist.

Brandon is a US Navy veteran who served with the Joint Special Operations Command, conducting counterterrorism missions around the world. He was first introduced to Jiu-Jitsu while attending the Modern Army Combatives Program, which sparked his continued training in the martial art. In 2011, Brandon trained for a year in Hawaii and later began training at Katharo in 2020.

Following his time in the military, Brandon spent eleven years in law enforcement, utilizing his Jiu-Jitsu skills in numerous altercations with resisting suspects. With 27 violent encounters under his belt, Brandon possesses a deep understanding of fighting techniques and weapons retention. Notably, he successfully overpowered each suspect he encountered, including a confrontation with three individuals simultaneously.

In addition to his combat experience, Brandon is enthusiastic about teaching and supports the community by holding free first responder classes at Katharo on Sundays. He is particularly passionate about mixed martial arts (MMA) and striking with the incorporation of Jiu-Jitsu, as he believes it to be the most practical in real-world fights. Brandon prefers no-gi and MMA classes but also enjoys activities such as fly fishing and weightlifting when not training on the mats.

As a Colorado native, Brandon has a diverse athletic background, including professional road racing, mountain biking, and mountaineering.

Meet John Priest: Your Striking Coach.

With over 15 years of experience in combat sports, John Priest is a seasoned and accomplished striking coach. His journey has taken him across the globe, where he has trained and coached in Muay Thai, boxing, and MMA. Throughout his career, John has coached numerous top professionals and champions from renowned promotions like the UFC, ONE Championship, Bellator, Mayweather, and Top Rank.

Although his roots are in wrestling, John's passion for striking led him to boxing, where he honed his skills and specialized in striking techniques. His quest for excellence took him to Thailand, where he immersed himself in Muay Thai, training and studying for many years. While in Thailand, he contributed his knowledge and expertise as a coach at the prestigious Tiger Muay Thai and MMA camp.

John's expertise extends beyond striking alone. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a movement analysis specialist. This holistic approach to training enables him to offer comprehensive instruction that encompasses striking techniques, physical conditioning, and movement analysis.

With John Priest as your striking coach, you embark on a journey guided by a true master of the art. His wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for combat sports will inspire and empower you to achieve your goals and reach new heights in your striking abilities. Join John on the path to precision and power and experience the artistry of striking like never before.