Brian Rose
Owner, Head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Brian Rose
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
Dennis Hayes
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.
Art Lenaghan
Boxing Instructor
Art Lenaghan
Art brings 70 years of boxing experience to Total Defense Martial Arts. He has trained almost 30 professional boxers and two national amateur champions.
He is a USA Certified coach and previously instructed at the Staunton Boxing Club.
From Philadelphia (like another famous boxer), Art now lives in Waynesboro, Virginia.
His training philosophy is, “Keep your hands up!”
Leasa Wright
Boxing Instructor
Leasa Wright
After 20 years as a Tae Kwon Do practitioner, Leasa began boxing in 2000 and eventually instructed at the Staunton Boxing Club.
She has trained more than 20 amateur competitors.
Originally from Vietnam, she now lives in Fishersville, Virginia, with her husband. She has six children and thirteen grandchildren.
Her training philosophy is simple: “Work hard.”
Kevin Pallister
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Kevin Pallister
Originally from Rhode Island, Kevin moved to Virginia in 2016. He has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which he began training in 2011.
He also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Kevin lives in Harrisonburg and is a professor at Bridgewater College.
Matt Warner
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Matt Warner
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 purple 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.
Scott Barker
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Scott Barker
Scott is originally from Weyers Cave, Virginia. He began jiu-jitsu in 2017, and it is the only art to hold his attention. He currently holds a blue belt.
He lives in Mt. Sidney, Virginia, with his wife on their compound in Augusta County with their two horses and multiple other pets.
Scott is a program manager for a major military manufacturer.
Olivia Huffman
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Olivia Huffman
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 Brailian 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.
