Mazi Heydary
Our head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor, Mazi “the Jiu-Jitsu Encyclopedia” Heydary, is a lifelong student of the martial arts. While Mazi has spent the last 30 years training in various martial arts, including Okinawan Kempo Karate and Tae Kwon Do, his past 16 years have been spent developing his understanding of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. After these long years, Mazi has earned his Black Belt from none other than Royce Gracie himself. Mazi has developed his knowledge and trains under Team ROC founder and Royce Gracie Black Belt Greg Thompson and Rodrigo Gracie, as well as Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame Member Royce Gracie.
Mazi brings a rare passion for martial arts into his teaching methods. With his technical proficiency and detail-centric instruction, demonstrated through his “lead by example” approach, Mazi can push you to achievements you never thought possible.
In addition to being the head Instructor at the Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Mazi also heads the University of North Carolina’s Jiu-Jitsu Club.
Dr. Stewart (aka Dr. Stew)
Your strength and conditioning instructor. Dr. Stew brings with him multiple certifications in the CrossFit method and Russian kettle bell training. As a practicing chiropractor, Dr. Stew focuses on proper form during the exercises to maximize your safety. He pushes you not only to "raise the bar" for yourself, but to take that bar and destroy it.
John Acree
Your Yoga instructor at Chapel Hill Gracie Jiu-jitsu. John has been practicing yoga for over six years and in February of 2009 he completed a Training course and received his certificate to teach yoga from the Shiva Dancing School of Yoga in Raleigh, NC and is an RYT with Yoga Alliance. John is also a very dedicated martial artist and assistant instructor at the Chapel Hill Quest Center. John is available for private and group sessions.
Assistant Instructors
Hardee Merritt - Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, available for private training
Matt Madsen - Jiu-Jitsu purple belt
Doug Chambers - Jiu-Jitsu blue belt
For more information, please contact us!