Meet The Team

Professor Russ Sirmans, alongside his wife Coach Amy Sirmans, is the co-owner of Warrior Defense Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Their journey began in 2012 when Russ, motivated by a desire to deepen his children’s understanding of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, embarked on his own training under the tutelage of Professor Ginger Mark and Master Roberto Traven.

Alongside progressing through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Black Belt) and training in Joddokdo (2nd degree Black Belt), Russ has cultivated a diverse range of artistic pursuits as a designer, sculptor, and photographer. He channels his creativity to show students unique paths in their personal development.

Russ has also been a certified health and wellness coach with the Primal Health Coach Institute. As an instructor, competitor, and athlete, Russ embodies dedication and excellence both on and off the mat.

Amy Sirmans, co-owner of Warrior Defense Brazilian Jiu Jitsu alongside her husband Professor Russ Sirmans, embarked on her martial arts journey in 2012, initially driven by a desire to engage with her children’s activities and lead a more active lifestyle.

Starting with self-defense and kickboxing, Amy shortly after embraced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the guidance of Professor Ginger Mark, achieving a Black Belt in Joddokdo in 2017 and currently holding a Brown Belt in BJJ under Master Roberto Traven.

Beyond instructing BJJ classes, Amy contributes to teaching Mean Girl/Hero Self Defense courses and seminars as a certified Level 1 & 2 Instructor. Drawing from her background in project management, Amy fosters camaraderie and empowerment within the Warrior Defense family.

Professor Ginger Mark is our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Head Instructor and the proud Founder of Warrior Defense. With over two decades of martial arts experience, she started her journey in Joddokdo in 1997 before delving into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007.

Her passion for self defense and fitness led her to establish Warrior Defense, a space dedicated to empowering individuals through martial arts training. As a Black Belt 2nd Degree in BJJ and 5th Degree in Joddokdo, Professor Mark brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

Beyond martial arts, Professor Mark’s experiences as a mother of three and a breast cancer survivor deeply shape her teaching style, instilling extraordinary resilience, compassion, and determination in every student.

Professor Ray Mark is an Instructor renowned for his expertise in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Joddokdo. He embarked on his martial arts journey in 2000 with Joddokdo, followed by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007.

Motivated by a passion for self-improvement and a desire to empower others, Professor Ray delved into teaching, imparting invaluable technical mastery and calm confidence to his students.

His teaching style is characterized by high technical precision, empathy, and a uniquely dry sense of humor that effortlessly dissipates tension on the mats.

Anthony Grant, known on the mats as Sensei Tony, embarked on his martial arts journey in 2009 seeking a path to self-discovery and personal empowerment.

Sensei Tony specializes in teaching self defense, fitness kickboxing, and yoga for Jiu Jitsu, empowering individuals to unlock their full potential in discipline, focus, and self-confidence.

Holding a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Joddokdo, a Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu, and certification as a Yoga for BJJ Instructor, Sensei Tony is committed to helping students move smoothly and safely.

Coach Tony Abalos began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2013 while serving as a Correctional Officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Seeking a safer and more effective way to control resistant subjects, Tony turned to BJJ to develop practical grappling skills.

Tony brings more than 15 years of military, law enforcement, corrections, and tactical leadership experience to the mats. A U.S. Army Combat Infantry veteran, he served during Operations Iraqi Freedom I and III before earning a B.S. in Criminal Justice Sciences (Magna Cum Laude).

In addition to martial arts, Tony is a certified firearms instructor. His coaching emphasizes rock-solid fundamentals, practical defense, discipline, and respect.

Benjamin Efird began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2015, captivated by its effectiveness and the tight-knit community it fosters. Under the mentorship of Professor Ginger Mark and Master Roberto Traven, he earned his brown belt.

Specializing in teaching fundamental principles, Benjamin emphasizes teamwork, perseverance, and strategic thinking, drawn from his background in competitive athletics.

Coach Steve Taylor is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and instructor holding a Purple Belt. He hosts popular "Technical Tuesday" sessions, offering detailed breakdowns into the subtleties of the art.

With 25 years of experience in music, Steve sees profound parallels between music and martial arts—demanding rhythm, attention to detail, and composure under pressure.

Coach Leslie Steinmann is a passionate instructor contributing to self-defense, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and women's empowerment programs at Warrior Defense.

Working closely with the team, Coach Leslie leads women's only self-defense training and helps practitioners build functional capability, body mechanics, and unshakeable confidence.

Coach Heather has been deeply involved in martial arts since childhood, beginning with TaeKwonDo in 1996. Her journey expanded when she joined Warrior Defense in 2015, where she remains actively involved.

With a 1st-degree black belt in self defense, white belt in BJJ, 3rd-degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, and orange belt in Krav Maga, Heather brings tremendous multidisciplinary martial knowledge to every class.

Coach Tyler White is a USA Wrestling Bronze and Copper Certified Coach with an illustrious career in competitive wrestling and coaching. He served as Maryland National Team Coach (2014–2016) and Florida National Team Coach (2021–2022).

Tyler has coached 62 state placers, 14 state runner-ups, 14 state champions, and 3 USA Wrestling National All-Americans. As a Division I competitor at the US Naval Academy and West Virginia University, he set high school records with 140-19 and trained under Olympic coaches Bruce Burnett and Jay Antonelli.