Josh Blakely : Head Instructor / Owner

Josh started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at The Academy in Portland, ME in 2003 under owner Jay Jack. Over the next 8 years Josh learned a majority of the Jiu Jitsu he uses and teaches today from the Academy. In 2012 He received his brown belt from Jay just prior to moving south to Nashville, Tennessee. He had ambitions of someday opening his own school. While in Nashville Josh worked as a full time instructor helping manage multiple local BJJ gyms, and creating a few new programs in the area. He also had the privilege of teaching seminars to local law enforcement, team members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations(TBI), Fort Campbell military personnel, local businesses, television personalities, and musicians. During his years in the south he spent many hours traveling from Nashville to Louisville, Kentucky to train with the BJJ Legend Helio "Soneca" Moreira at Core Combat Sports. In April of 2016 Josh was awarded his Black Belt from Helio Soneca A few years later Josh moved back to his home state Maine. Opening Empire has brought Josh full circle; he is ready and excited to pass on his skills and knowledge.