Brian Rose

Owner, Head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Brian is from Covington, Virginia, where he began studying jiu-jitsu in 2009 under Dennis Hayes. He currently holds a black belt.

Brian established Total Defense Martial Arts in 2016, when he purchased Valley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

He lives in Stuarts Draft, Virginia, with his wife and two daughters.

He believes strongly in the self-defense side of jiu-jitsu, particularly in a child’s ability to defend against bullies.

Dennis Hayes

Affiliate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

As one of the owners of our parent school, HYBRID Martial Arts, Dennis Hayes mentors Total Defense’s members and provides guest instruction. Dennis earned his black belt in 2008 from Master Pedro Sauer and now holds a third degree. He lives in Roanoke, Virginia, with his wife and two kids.

Self defense is Dennis’s first priority in jiu-jitsu, with competition being a close second. He says jiu-jitsu is a great training ground for empowering its practitioners to deal with other areas of life not strictly related to martial arts.

Matt Warner

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Matt is originally from Burke, Virginia, where he earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He began jiu-jitsu in 2013 and now holds a brown belt. He lives in Staunton, Virginia, with his wife and sons, Owen and Thomas.

Matt is an author, and jiu-jitsu occasionally features in his stories.

Olivia Huffman

Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Olivia started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2019 and received her blue belt in 2022. She started assisting with the children’s program in the later part of the year. Olivia has also earned her teaching certification through the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaching course under the supervision of Kristen DeBruyker.

Olivia enjoys assisting in the children’s classes. She feels that it’s important for children to learn how defend themselves no matter what age they are.

Olivia lives in Staunton, VA, and works at Steve Meadows Quarter Horses.