INSTRUCTORS
JOHN BRUSS
Owner/Head Instructor
John is a 3rd degree black belt under Julio Fernandez. He began training under Julio in Vermont back in 2004. He has trained and competed all throughout New England, Canada, the Southeast, and in the The Rio Open.
Upon arriving in Alabama in 2014, he made friends with others in the local BJJ community and began shaping the path for RCR BJJ.
John is first and foremost a family man and when not training he loves spending time with his wife and kids. He loves to bring that sense of family and support to all his classes and students.
John is also a horror movie junkie, loves video games, comic books, concerts, and enjoying fun life experiences
BOBBY FERRANTE
Kids BJJ Program Director
Bobby started training BJJ in 2018 while finishing up his Mechanical Engineering degree in Pensacola, FL. After finishing his degree, he moved to a couple different locations but continued to train. In 2021, he started training under John Bruss at Rocket City Revolution. Bobby was promoted to Brown belt by John in July 2024 and has been the Kids Program Director since September 2023.
When he is not at the gym training or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. He loves hiking on the Appalachian Trail and has hiked over 250 miles of the trail.
ADAM MENDEZ
Assistant Kids BJJ Program Director
Adam started his BJJ journey in 2016 at START BJJ, under the instruction of Professor Rafael “Gordinho” Correa de Lima. In 2021 he began training under the instruction of John Bruss at Rocket City Revolution BJJ. In 2023 he graduated from UAH earning a B.S. in Engineering Technology. He was promoted to brown belt in July 2024. He enjoys instructing, learning new techniques, and meeting new people.
When he is not training or instructing BJJ, he enjoys spending time with his family and two dogs hiking new trails. He is a proclaimed DIY'er and can’t wait to start or complete a new project.
MEET OUR STAFF
ALEX JARRELL
Kids BJJ Instructor
Alex first got into Jiu-Jitsu due to an extra credit assignment for a health class in college. Ever since that first class, he has been hooked. He has been training for about 2.5 years. In July 2024, he received his blue belt from John Bruss.
DANIEL MORROW
BJJ Instructor
Daniel started training at Rocket City Revolution BJJ in 2020. With a background in wrestling and power lifting, he loves no-gi and any move that involves inverting. He received his purple belt from John Bruss in 2022. In October 2023, he decided to open Athens BJJ located in Athens, AL.
When he is not training, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids. Also, he is a devout Christian and is active in his local church.