Corey Brown Founder and Head Instructor:

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Will Holzapfel began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2008 and has been an integral part of Black Tie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2017. In 2021, he opened and operated Black Tie Jiu-Jitsu in Colorado, where he dedicated himself to building a strong and supportive community. Will received his black belt from Corey in 2023, a testament to his skill, dedication, and passion for the art.

Will plays a key role in teaching both kids and adult classes, bringing his experience, enthusiasm, and technical knowledge to every session. He has a deep passion for coaching and continues to test his abilities in competition from time to time.

Robert is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has 10 plus years experience in coaching children ages  6 and up along with adults. Coach Robert teaches our younger students to run drills that will aid in the training of proper techniques. He encourages self discipline to help mold their young minds and helps build their self esteem. He promotes respect of themself and others. Coach Rob instructs students for day classes and kids classes. He also does private lessons in Cape Coral and Bonita Springs.

Jose Gonzales is a purple belt kids’ instructor at Black Tie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for both Cape Coral and Bonita Springs location. With five years of Jiu-Jitsu training under Black Tie, Jose has developed a unique coaching approach, drawing on his additional five years of experience working at a daycare. This background gives him a distinctive ability to connect with children, providing both the care and discipline needed for young students to thrive.

Jose views the sport as a tool for building confidence, resilience and life skills. Seeing the potential in each child and helping them grow both on and off the mats has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career as a coach.

Dre began her training here at HQ Cape Coral in March 2022, alongside her daughter. She is currently a blue belt who helps assist in coaching kids classes and ladies classes. She is also a dedicated competitor who has longevity on her mind. She is interested in making her skill set more well rounded by incorporating other martial arts like Judo, Wrestling and weightlifting. No doubt you will receive a warm welcome from Dre with a big smile on the side! She is such a big advocate for girls to be training any kind of martial art!

Training for 4 years in Colorado, she started as a way to cope with working a high stress job during Covid, as well as a way to learn to protect herself.  

She has competed in 2 local CO competitions, winning 2 silver and one Gold.

Promoted to blue belt in November 2023 under Blackbelt Will Holzapfel.

Emma has moved down to Cape Coral to train under Corey and the other coaches right here at BlackTie HQ. 

Emma grew up helping in kids programs at her mother’s school, working as a substitute teacher, and various other kids programs. She has volunteered as a kids coach for 2 years now and has loved every second of it! Outside of coaching Emma has worked to help start a large womens team in CO, advocating for women’s safety and sense of community within BJJ. 

loves training in Gi, and getting “beat up” by her students. :)

Coach Ryan is a brown belt who  started his Jiu jitsu journey in 2004. He has competed at all belt  levels. His goals for Jiu Jitsu are to help the next generation of young Jiu Jitsu talent and enthusiast learn good technique help build confidence in themselves

and develop discipline that will last a life time , that will help his students go further in life whether they continue with Jiu Jitsu or move on to something else he looks to build the essential building blocks in his students success. Confidence discipline hard work and respect for others.

Robert Sr., is a black belt in Brazilian jujitsu.
Since Robert Sr. retired after 30 years from the U.S. Coast Guard, he has become a welcomed addition to our team.
Robert currently coaches our beginner students the basic techniques along with any advanced students that would like to fine tune their techniques. He coaches at our Bonita Springs location but train between both Bonita Springs and CapeCoral. 

Aj has been a student of Jiu Jitsu since 2015. He started out doing mainly gi Jiu Jitsu. He has fallen in love with no-gi and especially Corey's leg lock systems. He currently holds the rank of brown belt under Corey and has recently won the 2020 Orlando pro division <190lb in the AGF. AJ teaches our fundementals program which includes basic positions and moves, as well as leg lock fundementals and defenses.